Jerry Pierce, Hopkins County Environmental Officer, explains some of the unlawful waste
disposals in the county, to a group of Tira residents, on Tuesday night.

 

"Making Tira Beautiful"

Environmental Meeting
Tuesday Night

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

With Texas' new "Don't Mess With Texas" campaign, aimed at first graders, being unveiled in Austin, today. The Tira Community was a "jump ahead" as they slated their own "Beautify Tira" meeting on Tuesday night. The meeting was slated at the Tira Community Center and featured Hopkins County Environmental Officers Jerry Pierce and Holly Rosamond. The officers presented a slide presentation of a variety of litter problems in Hopkins County and discussed laws pertaining to the infractions.

Topics discussed included dead animals and debris in creeks and waterways, mattresses and couches discarded along county roads, proper disposal of tires and batteries, sewage and human waste in road ditches or improper sewage systems. Citizens were advised that almost daily, somewhere in the county, an infraction of the litter law is found and the search is on to identify those who are dumping illegally.

 

Tira residents listen attentively regarding the unlawful disposal of wastes in Hopkins County.

 

"I'm not a 'tree hugger,' but I'm an environmentalist," exclaimed Jerry Pierce, Hopkins County Environmental Officer. "I'm concerned with the health and safety of our citizens and strive to educate our citizens on proper disposal of refuse!"

 

 

"The goal of our office is to educate the public and to make certain that residents dispose of their waste in a responsible manner," expressed Rosamond. "With the increase in county residents, it is imperative that everyone obeys the law and considers the health and safety of others."

"The mountains of things we throw away
are much greater than the things we use!"

~ Steinbeck ~

A number of concerned citizens from the Tira Community attended the meeting, on Tuesday night, and asked questions, regarding the discard of trash in their community. A previous meeting had been conducted in the same community, approximately six months ago. County Beautification Chairman, Yvonne McDaniel was present to give residents an up-date on the progress of the countywide beautification effort and the attempts at bringing the program to all of the schools in Hopkins County.

Pierce advised anyone purchasing property should have a site evaluation of the property to make certain that any environmental problems are addressed before the deal is made. "Many environmental issues are assumed by the new owner, once the purchase is made," expressed Pierce.

 

Tira residents learned about the program to encourage proper waste disposal, that has been
taken to the school in Hopkins County.

 

"We continue to strive in our efforts to monitor illegal dumping and to pick-up trash in our community," expressed Tira resident, Janie Lewis. "It's a continuous effort and one that takes time to implement!"

Rosamond and Pierce advised Tira residents that their office is always available to investigate illegal waste disposal and to answer questions about cleaning-up the county.

 

_____