NATCHEZ — Ferriday needs to clean up its act —literally.

Ferriday Alderman Johnny Brown voiced concerns at Thursday’s night town council meeting over a litter problem that he says is plaguing the town.

“The south end of town needs a great deal of work,” Brown said. “There is a great deal of litter around houses, cars in yards and vacant lots that need to be clean up.”

Brown suggested the town begin a “foot patrol” program to begin picking up litter.

Ferriday Mayor Glen McGlothin agreed Ferriday needed to get a better handle on litter, but said the “throw it on the ground” mentality had to change before real strides could be made.

“The folks that trash Ferriday are the folks that live here,” he said. “It isn’t outsiders doing this to us.”

But, McGlothin said some measures are already begin made to address abandoned cars. Stickers have been ordered to tag cars that are cluttering yards.

“If it doesn’t run and the tag isn’t up to date, we’re going to stick them and have them towed,” he said.

But litter isn’t the only problem harming Ferriday’s curb appeal. Alderman Elijah “Steppers” Banks said there are areas of town that need to be mowed, particularly on the south end of Ferriday.

McGlothin said the town is behind on cutting grass because the town lost one of its inmate crews that helped with grass cutting.

McGlothin also said the town is falling behind because work crews spend time cutting privately owned lots that the owners do not take care of.

McGlothin suggested the town look at reinstating the former system in which the city sent a mowing bill to property owners if the town had to cut the grass on a lot.

“If they don’t pay that bill, then it will go on their taxes at the end of the year,” he said. “They don’t like it, but it usually makes them start taking care of their property.”

Banks also said the weeds along the streets and sidewalks seemed to be sprouting again. McGlothin said the recent rain has caused the weeds to pop up and a new spraying of weed killer will be uses to remedy that problem.

In other news the, Alderman Jerome Harris asked that pot holes on Jones Street and Delaware Street be fixed.

McGlothin said the equipment used to fix pot holes was recently repaired, but crews are not immediately available to repair the pot holes.

In the interim, McGlothin said he will have crews temporarily patch the holes.

The town moved one step closer in the process on demolishing condemned houses on Jones Street, Delaware Avenue and Fifth Street.

The gas supply to the houses has now been shut off and McGlothin said that clears the way for demolition to begin.

“These are going to be some of the first ones to come down,” he said. “There is a process we have to go through, and we have to make sure we are doing it right, but we are close.”

Occupational licenses were approved for The Country Café that will be located at 1409 N. E.E. Wallace Blvd., Ceasor Lawn Services at 123 Canal St, and Busy Bee’s Childcare Center at 407 Virginia Ave.

Aug. 8 was proclaimed Pinky Washington day in honor of her 100th birthday.

The Rev. Justin Conner asked the board to make a proposal to the United States Postal Service to name the Ferriday post office in honor of George Parker Sr. who worked at the post office for 20 years after a over 20 year military career. The board agreed to make the proposal.

The board discussed changing the hours of operation for the Florida Street gym to possibly eliminate morning hours since school is in session. Board members plan to meet with Recreation Director McKinley Bates to discuss the changes.