Duck Races

OK, so duck races are kind of cute, but is this really necessary? I was at the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge on May 10 for a paddle. On the bridge was a huge box of rubber ducks they were going to pour into the river.
http://www.harvardpress.com/CurrentEvents/tabid/146/Default.aspx
Thankfully they were conscientious and (We think) collected all the ducks they threw in the river (We checked). This behavior does explain why I do find so many ducks - or trash, one might say.
Now, after looking for the organizers, I found the next batch to be introduced to the river: http://www.fitchburgpride.com/news/2007/0608/Front_Page/003.html.
Somehow I doubt the city of Fitchburg is going to be that conscientious and will continue to demonstrate to their citizens that it's OK to throw trash in the river. Nice job, Lisa Wong, Mayor of Fitchburg - the "City by the River" Why not just have your citizens bring their old propane tanks and tires down to the river? Oh yeah, they do that already.