Spring cleaning goes county-wide Saturday, April 8

Keep Panola Beautiful Day is swiftly approaching and serious efforts are being made to make the idea of a clean and beautiful Panola County take hold and stick.
Some may be wary as some sort of cleanup effort is announced every year.
But this spring cleaning is different.
And that difference is that Panola County’s Director of Solid Waste, Jennifer Jackson, has taken steps to seek help by  getting clubs, churches, organizations, neighborhoods, schools and most importantly—children involved.
Through the county’s recycling program children are becoming involved and learning about waste and litter from the get-go.
Also there will be prizes for the most litter picked up, surprises for some lucky registrants, and a hot dog lunch for all who join in to help.
Another step, a Keep Panola Beautiful Committee, has been formed and is occupied by list “doers” who like and know how to get things done.
The county has also affiliated with the Keep America Beautiful national organization which should help the local committee from having to “reinvent the wheel” every time a decision is made or action taken.
Meanwhile this newspaper is preparing a tabloid-size section to publish prior to clean-up day, with stories and photos by Ole Miss students from the Meek School of  Journalism. These in-depth stories will tell the plight of some of those that have taken on litter and derelict property first-hand and tell what others are willing to do to fight the blight.
Businesses and organizations are being asked to help sponsor this publication through advertising space.
Our economic development organization, Panola Partnership, has noted that trashy roadways and litter are a sure way to kill development interests.
Help us get everyone on board for this day and show support for cleaning up Panola County.
Register your team or claim your road to clean by calling Panola Sanitation at 563-6225 or 563-6200. Bags and gloves will be provided.