Get rid of the clutter in city's Fall Cleanup

Next week's annual Fall Cleanup in Sikeston offers an excellent opportunity for residents here to do the right thing. Without any financial charge, the city will dispose of many of those eyesores that have piled up in the backyard in recent months. I have long said this annual cleanup is one of the best programs available in our community.

But sadly, those who most need to take advantage of the program are traditionally the least likely to participate. The neighborhoods where blight has taken over should be among the leading participants in the program. The fact is they will be the least active.

Volunteers have in the past - in very large numbers - helped residents who are overwhelmed with debris and clutter. The elderly who are unable to remove some of these objects have seen volunteers come to their homes and remove the eyesores. The examples are numerous.

But volunteers understandably get frustrated when the very same properties return to the same clutter in no time flat. It dampens the spirits of those who genuinely want to help. Volunteers reluctantly say "that's the way it's always been and will always be." And you can understand their frustration.

We have a week to prepare for the cleanup. It takes little effort and volunteers can assist you. Every resident should discard those aged items that no longer have a purpose. They should remove items that have become a breeding ground for varmints. The end result will be a much better community for all of us, regardless of the neighborhood.

It's the human nature in us that believes some neighborhoods are less inviting because the residents are lower income. But this cleanup program is free. All it takes is a little effort. But mark my word, when the cleanup program is complete the neighborhoods that should most take advantage of this free program will be the neighborhoods where the participation is the lowest.

And the real shame is this: Because of that mentality, those willing to help will be less willing in the future. Others have no interest in helping you if you're not interested in helping yourself.