With winter weather we can expect our streets and roadways to be a little rough and dirty. With the heavy rain we had a few weeks ago, streets in the area were flooded and quite the mess. That was a few weeks ago, however, a drive through the area might have you shaking your head in disbelief as much of the debris and mud that flowed through the streets bypassing the drains is still covering the highway, yards and side streets. Our goal should be to keep our communities as pristine as possible, when hard rains flood our streets, yards and basements, every effort should be made to start the cleanup process as soon as possible. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case, while our city employees continue to advocate for higher wages, we see less and less service. Seeing that there are so many areas that have been impacted by unusual weather, especially in the past year, it’s hard to believe that community leaders are satisfied with the lack of attention to the filth that covers our streets, highways and yards following those events.

Paden City addressed the issue at their weekly council meeting on January 9, however words are one thing and action is another. Most residents understand that unusual hard rains and storms cause problems. What they donát understand is why it takes so long to get cleanup action. A couple of days of street cleaning would make a big difference and would let residents know they are getting what they pay for.

As individuals you can help! Simply go for a walk around your neighborhood or local park and pick up any trash you see. A small action like this may seem small, but every action sets an example and adds up to the cumulative effect of all of us working collectively to protect our community.

Prolific litter in underserved communities and neighborhoods can misrepresent the area and contribute to health risks and low levels of self-image. A well-cleaned street is certainly an excellent business card for every municipality. Street cleaning offers a number of benefits, some of which are cosmetic, some of which are environmental and some of which are social. From the water we drink to the food we eat, and the air we breathe, health is one of the main components of defining a local community.

Hazardous materials, such as soil, sediment, sand, and eroded rock from the weathering of concrete, and asphalt from pavement, is carried by surface runoff, wind, vehicle traffic, unpaved roads, and pavement abrasion. When left on the roads for weeks and months without being cleaned up, you can bet it’s affecting your health.

The overall safety factor should be a primary concern of city officials. The removal of curbside and street debris reduces health hazards and makes a safer place for all residents and visitors.

Roadway debris can cause items to leak into yards, streets or paved paths. If not cleaned routinely, these items can become hurdles for pedestrians, runners, and vehicles to avoid which may lead to accidents and injuries.

At the end of the day, street cleaning is about protecting and preserving what we have now for the future. Establishing a routine cleaning schedule in your community will help remove debris and extend the life of paved roads.

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of street cleaning is that it improves the aesthetic of your streets. By removing trash, stains, debris and broken asphalt, it allows a street to look cleaner and more attractive.

In contrast, a street which is never cleaned will collect trash and residue. Nobody wants to look at something unpleasant, even if itás just a street. Regular street cleaning can improve the appearance of the entire community.