Harlan Kirgan
A disappointed Keep Eunice Beautiful director Donna Baltakis said the city’s business and school leaders were missing from the Leaders Against Litter event at City Hall on Friday.
“They all got letters. We sent 191 letters from the lieutenant governor — emails and phone calls — and they didn’t show up. I don’t know what that says about our community, but I know it depresses me.”
Baltakis thanked about 20 people, mostly city workers and officials, and Keep Eunice Beautiful activists who showed up for the annual cleanup event.
“You all are doing your part and I thank you, but it depresses me that the first year we were here we had almost 90 people,” she said.
The event, which is organized statewide by Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser’s office, focuses on business and political leaders, she said in an earlier event.
In a letter inviting leaders to Friday’s event, Nungesser stated, “Many people don’t realize that litter and pollution deter business growth and tourism, reduces property values, and increases criminal activity. A healthy local economy relies on a clean, vibrant community and a commitment from those who live there to care for it.”
Keep Eunice Beautiful has won numerous awards for its cleanup efforts.
Mayor Scott Fontenot said the city street crews pick up a large amount of debris left on the side of city streets.
In addition, Eunice Police trusties pick up litter. In February the trusties removed 307 trash bags from the city.
Following the Friday morning event, Baltakis sent an e-mail thanking those that showed up.
“I apologize for the low turnout. You all worked so hard and it is appreciated.
“I suppose all we can do is keep trying and reach those we can reach,” she stated.
The next cleanup event in Eunice is the Great American Cleanup in April.