Trash along public roads and highways in Valley Grande was a hot topic of discussion among Valley Grande City Council members during their regularly scheduled meeting held Monday. The council also voted to appoint assistant to the clerk, Sonya Ross, as the city’s treasurer.

Members expressed their discontent with the excessive amount of litter found along (Ala.) Hwy 22, County roads 81 and 16 and Summerfield Road.

Councilwoman Patsy Moore said she had been receiving several phone call complaints and inquiries from residents.

“When we first went in office we tried to adopt a mile … which I’ve tried it, but I could not get enough people to do, even 22, because people said they didn’t have time,” Moore said. “But, if people would pick up in front of their properties, that would help a lot.”

Councilman Gene Middlebrooks said he picks up trash from his yard every morning. He called the amount of trash in the community “terrible.”

“Immediately after you get out of the city limits out of Selma on Summerfield Road, it looks like a trash dump,” Middlebrooks said.

Mayor Tom Lee plans to meet with someone who will help the council in keeping the heavy littered areas and other roads, free from trash.

The council also voted to move forward with Lee’s earlier proposal of a concession stand for the city’s ballparks.

The 30-by-30 feet concrete slab, which will sit in between all three backstops on the fields, Lee said, will cost an estimated $38,000. The facility will include a counter space, a sink and a place to house basic concession food and snacks.

Before the close of Monday’s meeting, the council voted to approve Lee’s appointment of longtime Valley Grande resident Sonya Ross as its treasurer.

Ross, who started working with the council in October part time, will spearhead the sewer collection accounts of Overlook Hills residents.

“It’s a wonderful feeling,” Ross said of her appointment. “I’m energetic and enthused about coming to actually work for the city as a city treasurer.”

Ross will also be in charge of the city’s banking, financing and record keeping.