The image of our community is essential in so many aspects, whether it is in the eyes of tourists, business travelers, potential investors or other visitors. However, in the eyes of the residents of Natchez-Adams County, the image of our home holds the most importance. Having a positive image of our city is reflective of the pride our community has towards itself. During the spring and fall pilgrimage, thousands of tourists visit our great city, so it is essential that we portray the best image of our city so they can forever hold the great memories of Natchez, as our local citizens create every day.

This is why, starting at 8 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Park, the City of Natchez is hosting the Community Spring Cleanup. This will be a chance for the citizens of Natchez-Adams County to showcase the pride they have for their home and get a chance to improve and enhance the image of our city. Additionally, at the Memorial Park kickoff event, there will be free T-shirts to the first 100 participants and a chance to win multiple $25 Walmart gift cards at each of the cleanup locations!

Each of the city aldermen will be hosting their own cleanup event in their own wards. The meeting locations will be at each wards’ voting location. At each location, the aldermen will distribute cleaning supplies and information on how best to collect and dispose of trash and recycle different materials. This will also be a chance for you to do a little spring cleaning! Do you have any mattresses, couches, refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc. that you have been trying to get rid of? You’re in luck, because with one quick phone call to Public Works (601-445-6652), they will schedule a time to pick these items up. Lastly, there will be dumpsters located at four locations throughout the city to collect non-hazardous material. Hazardous materials include gasoline, oil, aerosols, paint, batteries, and any other hazardous chemicals.

Coincidentally, Saturday falls on Earth Day, a celebration of our natural and physical environment. Humans have the ability to create and sustain a clean, viable world for future generations. What would be a better day to host a spring cleanup day than to have it on the day where we remember our one true home? This is a great opportunity to pull the community together to get out into the streets, parks and other lands throughout the city and clean the environment for a better tomorrow. Be sure to include your children, students or any other youths in this cleanup day to show them we all have to work together to create a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Contact your alderman or City Hall at 601-445-7500 for any information or any questions you may have.
Riccardo Giani is the Natchez city planner.