Crews with the city of Selma’s public works, cemetery and recreation departments are finishing cleanup work in Ward 8 and preparing to begin work in Ward 6.

The work is part of a city-wide cleanup effort called “Eight Wards, Eight Weeks Clean Up Project,” which started last week.

“It’s just a bunch of different departments that are coming together in a collective effort just to put our resources together to clean up each ward a week at a time,” said Sean VanDiver, public works director for the city of Selma.

The cleanup effort started last Tuesday in Ward 8, VanDiver said.

“We’re doing sidewalk clean up,” he said. We’re trying to do a lot of trash removal, filling in some holes that are in the area, and we’re cleaning out storm ditches as we go.”

The part of Water Avenue that runs through Ward 8 is known for flooding when a heavy rain comes, but VanDiver said work was also done to help keep water out of the street.

“We’re cleaning out the storm water drains, we’re cleaning out the actual ditches to try to make it not only presentable, but we’re also doing it so see if it helps with the flow of the water also,” he said.

Councilman Michael Johnson said people in his ward are excited about the cleanup effort and have been calling him all week about it.

“I’m really happy about Ward 8 getting done because it is long overdue,” he said. “I’m so happy. I’m getting a lot of good compliments from the citizens of Ward 8. They’re happy to see it because we felt like we’ve been left out.”

Cleanup in Ward 8 also included tearing down three houses that were condemned.

“It really makes a difference,” Johnson said. “It makes the city look better. It also will give some inspiration to the citizens to start picking up behind themselves as well because if you try to make one step, the residents will try to make two.”

VanDiver said Water Avenue should be completed Wednesday, making Ward 6 the next focal point.

“The guys have done an excellent job,” he said. “I’m so proud of the effort they’ve put forth as far as taking pride in cleaning the city up. They have really stepped up to the plate and took the bull by the horns, and they’re running with this project.”

VanDiver said each ward is asked to help clean up before city crews come in.

“We’re asking each council person to organize a cleanup day that Saturday before we come through their ward, which allows us to get right to cleaning the ditches and cleaning the sidewalks,” he said. “That takes guys away from having to pick up trash.”

Other cleanup days are:

Ward 1: Citizen’s Clean Up Day, Jan. 28; City Clean Up, 30

Ward 2: Citizen’s Clean Up Day, Feb. 4; City Clean Up, Feb. 6

Ward 4: Citizen’s Clean Up Day, Feb. 11; City Clean Up, Feb. 13

Ward 3: Citizen’s Clean Up Day, Feb. 18; City Clean Up, Feb. 20

Ward 5: Citizen’s Clean Up Day, Feb. 25; City Clean Up, Feb. 27

Ward 7: Citizen’s Clean Up Day, March 4; City Clean Up, March 6

For more information, call Mayor Darrio Melton’s office at (334) 874-2101.