By Staff
in county addressed
Escambia County commissioners were among the local governments clamoring for change from the state Legislature that would allow them to enact ordinances to control litter and other nuisances in the county.
Now, a year after state lawmakers and local voters gave them permission, the commission has passed two ordinances to help control litter and other nuisances such as wrecked cars. The new rules take effect Jan. 1, 2008.
County residents who live outside incorporated areas will have to keep their property clean or face consequences such as fines.
These new ordinances are not a way to control county residents — instead, they are a way to protect residents who want to live in a clean environment.
Most county residents already follow these simple rules, but those who don’t need to pay attention. We need a clean county for many reasons — not the least of which is the health of our residents.
But a clean county is also an inviting place for tourists and potential industries who are looking at our county as a place to visit or relocate.
We have so much to gain by cleaning up our own little carpet squares and making sure the rest of the county is neat and inviting.
We applaud the county commission for taking the steps necessary to enact these new rules, and we hope they will look at controlling other nuisances — including noise — in the future.