By Adam Dodson
The Selma Times-Journal

As the city of Selma continues to struggle with its ability to pick up roadside trash, one resident in Ward three complained to the Selma city council that the city’s lone truck, and its crew, is not doing their job. Margie Burk, who lives in Ward three, shared photos with city council members during their regularly scheduled meeting that show, according to her, neglected areas along parts of Lauderdale and Church Streets.

“We have a reputation to uphold. We have property values to maintain,” Burk said. “It is concerning that our trash is growing and it is not getting the attention it deserves.”
Burk said she knows the trash problem is not specific to ward three, but is an issue that has hit the entire community due to Selma currently only having one trash truck in operation. The city council, in a majority vote, recently approved a lease-purchase plan to acquire five more trash trucks, but according to Selma City Councilwoman Jannie Thomas, the trucks may not arrive until August, leaving the city with only one truck for the next three months.

Councilwoman Miah Jackson added that she has been working with multiple people to acquire more pickup trucks to drive around picking up trash in ward three.
“I would ask to speak to the Mayor (Darrio Melton) about some accountability and to see about what we have done in each ward,” Jackson said.

Council President Corey Bowie and Councilman Sam Randolph suggested something similar, suggesting getting a report together regarding which areas are seeing trash services. Randolph wants to send a letter to Melton addressing the situation.

Councilwoman Angela Benjamin said the city council couldn’t do it alone, since they are not the administrative arm of the city, but she wants Selma to live up to the title of the Queen City of the Blackbelt.

“We can’t be the Queen of Dallas County and be trashy,” Benjamin said.