Cedartown City Commissioner Scott Tillery is pictured planting lilies last week as part of a beautification effort.
The City of Cedartown is waging a war on ugly.
“It’s about pride in our community, it’s about the quality of life of all our citizens, and it’s about attracting and holding quality businesses that provide a solid economic foundation,” said Cedartown Commissioner Scotty Tillery.
Several weeks ago, Tillery was shocked and offended to hear an expert on economic development refer to Polk County and its cities as an “Ugly Baby”.
“This is my home,” said Tillery. “I grew up here and I love the people and the place.
"So, when an outsider called us an ‘Ugly Baby’, I was angry.”
Two weeks later, incoming Polk Chamber of Commerce President Ken Suffridge cited litter as the chief obstacle to attracting new industry to Polk County and called on community leaders to wage war on litter through civic projects and tougher law enforcement.
“I decided it was time to quit being angry and start getting busy,” said Tillery. He got busy one Saturday afternoon by driving around the city and taking pictures.
“I wanted our city leaders and workers to see our community as others see it. We are so used to seeing our city in decline that many of us have simply forgotten how great a place this was in our youth,” continued Tillery.
He photographed litter, rusted guard rails, bridges covered in mildew and smut, bent sign posts, broken fences and sidewalks, dilapidated houses, and unkempt businesses.
Tillery gave a copy of the photos to Interim City Manager Tommy Engram who showed them to department heads, asking only, “What do you see”?
The response was immediate. City crews took the initiative and began painting bridges, clearing gutters, straightening signs, and looking for projects that would make a difference.
“Commissioner Tillery had a vision of change and understood how to use that vision to inspire action without interfering with the city’s administration, a problem that has plagued the city’s operations in past years,” said Engram.
“The next week, I met with department heads and workers to coordinate efforts and identify what we could accomplish within manpower and budget constraints,” Engram said. “We decided to use the time between leaf season and grass season to concentrate our forces and accomplish some real improvements.
"Also, we decided to focus our community service workers on litter collection along the main arteries.”
Tillery sees litter as a key element in improving both the aesthetics and the economy of Cedartown.
“I think we can do a lot to educate people on the problems created by litter. It is unsightly and it diminishes our ability to attract new industry or tourism,” he said.
“But, beyond that, it blocks our storm drains and causes flooding of streets, putting lives in danger. It deteriorates our water quality, which could lead to EPA fines and restrictions.
"And, possibly the most important consequence is that littering diminishes the respect of people for themselves, their neighbors, and the principle of law.”
Tillery plans to introduce an ordinance that will stiffen enforcement of litter laws and increase the consequences for violators.
“At our last meeting, I was pleased to see Commission Chairman Larry Odom direct the police to include a specific listing of litter citations in their monthly report,” said Tillery. “I think violators should pay a stiff fine, or do a substantial period of community service.”
He said he is working with fellow Commissioners to reach a consensus on the appropriate penalties, but he personally favors a $500 fine or 30 days of community service.
“That kind of penalty would send a powerful message that we are serious about litter,” said Tillery. He said the ordinance would include a provision to install signs at intersections specifying that littering is illegal and indicating the fine.
“These signs are important in educating the public about the significance of this problem. Keep Polk Beautiful is doing a great job of spreading this message in the schools and through volunteer projects.
"We need to do our part to raise public awareness,” he continued.
“Ugly is a big problem," Tillery said. "City government can help, but each home and business owner has a stake in this.
"I know times are tough and money is tight, but the only way to improve our fate is to invest in our future. All of us need to clean up our own property and, if necessary, help those who cannot help themselves,” Tillery said.
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