Mrs. Ingram will tell you Floyd is not the neatest person in the world. She also raised four boys and there were just certain things that were not tolerated in our house.
I won’t go into details but Sara does not clean bathrooms, she does not take out the trash and she does not mow the yard.
And when we had four boys living in the house, I could divvy up that list rather nicely. But three of the boys have moved out and Daniel and I struggle to keep up.
Sara does cook, clean, wash clothes and “decorate.”
Daniel and I can be found on the end of the lawnmower and tending to landscaping chores on a regular basis. Sara simply tells Daniel and me to go play in the yard as she gets busy with her home.
And when we finish Daniel and I sit and take a little pride in our labor. Then we go inside take off our dirty clothes to be washed and politely ask what is for supper.
Daniel and I are satisfied with the arrangement and, when everybody does their job, my life is good!
Espy Offense
With that said I am a little confused about events this week at the Clarksdale Board of Mayor and Commissioners.
Clarksdale Mayor Chuck Espy said earlier this spring he wanted to leave office with Clarksdale looking prettier than he found it.
It’s a noble cause and we printed it when it was said and have reminded you of it repeatedly.
The city even hired Victor Wheatley to come up with a plan to address abandoned houses, junk cars in yards and parked on the street.
Wheatley took the ball and ran with it. The story is on Page One.
But the Espy Offense has not been able to get the ball over the goal line.
Yes, we may have a new quarterback by this time next year, but there is still time on the clock and we urge commissioners to step up and call a play.
Easy Solutions
What is a car with flat tires and grass growing up around it doing parked on a city street?
Did you know that a car parked in your yard must have a valid Coahoma County tag or it can be deemed a junk car and either you or the city can remove it from your property?
Did you know that most towns require contractors to haul off lumber, sinks and toilets that are removed from a home during a renovation?
Did you know a house that burns can immediately be cited as a health and safety hazard and deadlines set to repair it or tear it down and haul it off?
Did you know most communities require a new certificate of occupancy anytime a new renter wants the electricity or water turned on and that requires an inspection to make sure the property is up to code?
Did you know that maintenance of the alleys in Clarksdale is the responsibility of the homeowner and not the City of Clarksdale?
Did you know that city equipment going on private property without an easement is a state violation that can prompt the city official or employee who Ok’d it to pay for the work and if the fee hits a certain point they can be charged with a felony?
Did you know that Clarksdale Police are busy trying to solve 13 unsolved murders and don’t have time to mess with this stuff?
Clarksdale needs to turn their Code Enforcement Officer loose and give him the authority to sign papers to take people to court to clean up their property.
Let’s start this week cleaning up Clarksdale. It will be easier than you think.
Floyd Ingram is Editor of your Clarksdale Press Register. He routinely picks up trash outside his office and urges you to do the same. Call him at 662-624-1012 if you want to take back your neighborhood and have a little pride in Clarksdale.
