The subject of garbage is frequently discussed among members of the Selma City Council.
It takes no more than a drive through the community to understand why trash has been a constant source of discussion during Selma City Council Meetings.

However, several City Council members have said that the streets of the city haven’t always been so littered with trash.

“It started back some years ago,” said Councilwoman Jannie Thomas of Ward 7. “When people started having to pay for their trash it became a problem.”

Thomas was referring to when the city outsourced trash collection roughly 10 years ago.

“When people see an open area they just dump their trash,” said Thomas.

Councilwoman Susan Youngblood cites three reasons for the city’s trash epidemic, those who haven’t registered for garbage collection, those who don’t obey the city’s trash ordinances and a lack of enforcement toward those who break the codes.

“People point to the city as if it’s a government problem,” said Youngblood. “It’s not. It’s a community problem. It’s a people problem. You can’t expect the government to do what you’re not willing to do. The government isn’t everybody’s mother or nursemaid or babysitter that goes picking up behind you all the time. We all have to do our part.”

Councilman Johnnie Leashore, Ward 5, and head of the Public Works Committee says that enforcement is key to keeping Selma clean.

“My committee [Public Works] is having a meeting April 16 so we can discuss how to address this,’’ Leashore said. “We’ve talked about this long enough. We have to put something into place to eradicate this garbage that has taken over our city.”

Leashore believes the key to cleaning up the city is the enforcement of city trash protocol and making sure every citizen has a receptacle for their trash. Leashore said that one possible option is to enforce landlords to add the cost of garbage pickup to rent.

“We have to have the courage to enforce our ordinances,” said Leashore.

“We need to do more. We need to push more for beautification of the city,” said Thomas. “Selma is a great place to live, I’ve been here all my life. This is my home.”