Southern Illinois organizing its own anti-litter effort

While the Cape Girardeau area mobilizes for a campaign against unsightly litter, Southern Illinois is readying the troops, too.

The campaign across the river is being led by former U.S. representative Glenn Poshard in conjunction with Shawnee Community College. In a meeting Tuesday at the Shawnee campus, Poshard outlined the need for a beautification effort in the area. The campaign is being coordinated in Alexander, Pulaski, Massac, Union and Johnson counties.

"What he's really done is challenge the community colleges to step to the plate and be the ones who facilitate it and lead it in our region," said Dr. Elaine Johnson of Shawnee Community College. "We are breaking up into county teams, and each county team is working in its own county."

Economic development is a big reason for the push, Johnson said. Those leading the drive, including the economic development team at the college, say that the area needs to be visually attractive for business and industry to consider locating there.

About 50 people attended Tuesday's meeting. The next step is to have similar meetings in the counties to organize teams of volunteers and plans of action.

"They'll be looking at roadways, cleaning them up as far as trash. The other one is municipalities, for leaders in the communities to look at buildings and things that need to be demolished," Johnson said. "And the third area is education. They're going to try to work with schools to implement education initiatives that will create a positive environment of awareness."

Some communities in the region will start their efforts as soon as this month.

msanders@semissourian.com

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