Trash pick up gets going

By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce focused on 22 miles along Highway 24 for their first Franklin County Clean Up yesterday.
The Chamber, along with Probate Judge the late Mike Green, has been planning the clean up event since January.
"Mike Green came to me and asked about a litter program here in Franklin County so this is one of his legacies," Lisa Stockton, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, said.
Stockton added that two major issues for Green were the litter in the county and economic development, which are somewhat tied together.
In fact, the litter problem is the number one complaint that the Chamber receives from businesses looking at moving here, Stockton said.
"I get tons of calls about our litter problem, which is why we planned the clean up day," she said.
Four groups from the county helped the Chamber with the clean up. The Russellville Optimist Club, Red Bay Garden Club, the honor society at Northwest Shoals Community College, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Russellville
Individuals from around the county also pitched in.
The Russellville Civitan Club also did their part by cleaning up one mile of Highway 43 in Russellville. Club members worked three days as part of their community project for the year.
"The Russellville Civitan cleaned up Highway 43 and it looks great," Stockton said.
Stockton said that the amount of litter in the county is an impact of our lifestyles today. Everyone eats on the run, and a lot of the time the wrappers, napkins, and other items used to hold fast food ends up on the ground.
She hopes that yesterday's clean up day will start a trend.