Tour of West Memphis reveals code violations
City plagued by junk cars, trash, illegally parked vehicles
news@theeveningtimes.com
West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon’s quest from day one since taking office a little more than four months ago has been to “improve quality of life” for the people of West Memphis.
A big part of that effort has been a push toward keeping the city cleaner and safer. Talks about code enforcement and confusing codes have littered public works commission meetings all year. While a draft consolidated trash and garbage ordinance was promised by the end of May, nothing has been produced for review.
The issues are not limited to a single sector of the city. Photos (above and on Page 2 inside) taken during a 30-minute drivethrough of the city yielded several examples of code violations. Semi-tractor and motor homes parked in driveways, tall grass, piles of junk, inoperable vehicles sitting along city streets, and more are easily observable.
Calls for stronger laws and tougher reinforcement have CODE VIOLATION
been bandied about by citizens in the police commission and at city council this year, but to date, no new regulatory action has been taken by aldermen.
The city council is taking steps. Council members voted for new trash cans as part of a new collection policy and procedure, but the city does not have a financing proposal to pay for the bins upfront. It’s now a violation to leave your cart on the road overnight, but residents accustomed to leaving cans out have been slow to change their habits. High rainfall totals this spring have escalated the perennial problem of keeping vacant lots, abandoned properties and unkempt yards mowed by the city.
Curbside trash heaps, especially those by landlord- tenant clean-outs and seasonal tree and bush pruning left the city so far behind the mayor called for the county claw truck to help out for three days.
County Judge Woody Wheeless was quick to oblige but without a concerted effort from city leaders and residents, West Memphis will struggle to keep up with the effort.
