The McDowell County Solid Waste Authority Board continued to reach out to the community Thursday night when it held its regularly scheduled monthly board meeting at the Kimball War Memorial. Recent board meetings have been held throughout the county in an effort to garner more citizens’ input and to involve more of them in the continuing county clean up, SWA Board President Harold McBride said.
During the meeting, the board heard complaints from Grady and Gloria Woods, Kimball, on a neighbor’s rat-infested property that has caused them numerous problems over the years. After considerable discussion among themselves and with Litter Control Officer Wendell Hatfield and SWA Office Manager Trish Blevins, McBride made the motion that a warrant be taken out on the property owners.
In other matters, McBride made the motion, seconded by new Board Member David Falin, to nominate SWA Board Member Randall Patton for Volunteer of the Year in a statewide competition. In nominating him, McBride commended Patton for doing so much to move the SWA forward since recently joining the board.
Blevins noted that the McDowell SWA is slated to do an Adopt-A-Highway Clean up on September 20th. However, because of conflicting schedules, the date was changed to September 16. The SWA will be cleaning a section of Route 52 from the Kimball City Limits to the Welch City Limits, Blevins said, adding that it is hoped that the board’s action will inspire other groups to adopt other sections of highway in McDowell County.
Following an explanation provided by Patton and Blevins, the Board voted to participate in America Recycycles Day in mid-November. Patton suggested that 4-H Clubs and school children be involved in the celebration and said that he will work with Blevins to set it up.
In providing a litter report for the month of August, Hatfield said that he made 100 contacts, issued 15 requests to clean up, issued 4 citations, 1 written warning and gave 9 verbal warnings.

Everything must be done within the confines of the law, and some habitual litterbugs are very difficult to deal with, he said, adding that he and Blevins regularly make repeat visits to some offenders, such as the ones who have caused the Woods so many problems.
Hatfield said that the Litter Getters would be traveling throughout the county in the near future.
In closing, McBride announced that the public is encouraged to attend the next Solid Waste Board Meeting on October 9, 6:30 p.m. at the Gary Community Room.

CLEANING UP THE COUNTY - SWA Board President Harold McBride presided over the Solid Waste Board Meeting at the Kimball War Memorial Thursday night. Mayor DeLoach thanked the board for hosting the meeting in his town and provided refreshments for the Board at the conclusion of the gathering.
Pictured are SWA Board President Harold McBride, Ruth Maynor, SWA Office Manager Trish Blevins; (top row) Gloria Woods, Board Member Carl Mullins, Board Member David Falin, Mayor DeLoach, and Litter Control Officer Wendell Hatfield. Grady Woods is not pictured. (Photo by Cathy Patton)