Harlan Kirgan
Alderwoman Germaine Simpson thinks clearing debris from ditches along city streets will help alleviate flooding problems.
Simpson made that point during Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen meeting.
“When we get 10 inches of rain we get a lot calls...” she said of flooding issues.
“Since we’ve been talking about the cleanup and dilapidated properties there has been a lot of other things that have been brought to my attention and the mayor’s and council as well, and it the debris and trash,” she said.
Street Department workers and city jail trusties on litter details cannot keep up with the trash that enters ditches, she said.
The other issue is yard debris that ends up ditches, she said.
“We have some individuals who are actually cleaning their yard, but after they clean it they take the leaves and put them into the ditch,” she said. “The problem with that is it is blocking the drain.”
By the time city workers can get to debris-filled ditches the drainage is blocked, she said.
“We are asking that you actually bag your leaves,” she said.
If that not is possible she said people should pile the debris up and call the street department for its removal.
But adding to the ditch problem is the automated trash pickup, she aid.
Trash is now picked up by a lift on a truck staffed only by a driver.
“We just want people to be more aware of when that can is lifted by the truck if the trash is not in a bag and the wind is blowing what happens is the wind will take the trash and blow it,” she said.
Simpson said aldermen may want to consider an ordinance to require bagging all garbage.
Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot suggested other communities with automated trash pickup be contacted to see how they are dealing with the issue.