STAUNTON - Tired of the incessant political bickering between the left and right, Augusta County Commonwealth's Attorney Tim Martin decided to bring both sides together Saturday for one of his pet peeves — littered roadways.

"There are thousands of issues that unite people," the Republican said. "And one of those has to be trash."

An avid cyclist, Martin has already made it known publicly that the litter he finds scattered across the county during his rides is unacceptable, and in February he teamed up with inmates from Middle River Regional Jail to clean a portion of Woodrow Wilson Parkway.

On Saturday, he was at it again.

At 10 a.m., several members from the Young Republicans of the Shenandoah Valley and the Young Democrats of Staunton Augusta Waynesboro met with Martin to help clean up a section of Roman Road near Mount Sidney.

"I got a little sick of the mean Facebook posts and letters to the editor," said Martin, who believes much of the bombastic rhetoric is from the older members of each political party. "Let's see if the young people can do better."

And with that, members of the two political groups got together for a common cause.

"We, as a people, have a lot in common," said Megan McGuire, vice president of the Young Democrats. "Red or blue, let's just be Americans together."

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Bickering is easy, said Kaylene Seigle, Chairwoman of the Young Republicans. "We can just as easily message each other and say let's get together and pick up some trash."

"It's important to work together as a community," added Laura Kleiner, president of the Young Democrats. "Especially when it comes to the environment."

Martin said he would like to see the public pick up the mantle and start helping clean area roads, and he said the process is a simple one because the Virginia Department of Transportation provides reflective vests and the trash bags, which are left on the side of the road for pickup.

"All they have to do is call VDOT and come out," Martin said.