There now seems to be a growing understanding that litter and overall cleanliness of Selma is an issue that must receive immediate attention. Unfortunately, there is still not enough people, groups, organizations or businesses joining on to make a dent in what is an obvious problem.

Of those who have taken this issue head on, Selma Mayor George Evans, in a program his administration has called “A Call To Action,” has joined municipal resources and the energies of local churches on this issue and it is a project we fully endorse.

This effort, along with those already in place, such as Christians Against Trash, is hopefully just the beginning of what we hope will be a ground swell of support and response in battling this litter and illegal dump sites.

But, it cannot end at Selma’s city limits.

As we have said before, the causeways leading to Selma, must be addressed, as they are the first impression — rightly or wrongly — potential business leaders, residents and guests have of Selma and Dallas County.

A combined effort between civic groups, private organizations, businesses and municipalities is the only solution to making sure those guests, those potential business partners, don’t leave this area thinking we do not even care enough about ourselves to clean up the area we live.

How can we expect these individuals and businessses to commit to moving here and calling this area home, when we don’t appreciate what we have and what we have called home for so long?

Litter is no longer just a cleanliness issue, it is an economic development issue and one we can all help solve.