News

Beautification committee newly formed in Elba

A newly formed committee in Elba allows its participants to work towards the positive enhancement of the city’s appearance.
The Elba Beautification Committee has a basic principle in mind – “Elba’s appearance tells citizens and visitors its values and shows that we care.”
Committee member Kaye Whitworth, executive director of the Elba Chamber of Commerce, said the committee is dedicated to making sure this principle is recognizable. She said the committee’s goal is to make the beautification of Elba as maintenance free as possible.
“We want to involve as many local citizens and businesses as possible in working towards the beautification of our city,” Whitworth said.
During early meetings of this new committee, she said members have discussed the need to make an overall plan for things to do, establish priorities and create a budget. She said it is important to consider the cost(s) and benefit(s) for each project.
“We will be doing a lot of little things until we can get the funding in place for bigger projects,” Whitworth said. “Of course, the community’s participation is welcome and needed whether it be physical work or monetary donations.”
Some of the smaller projects Whitworth said the committee currently is considering includes: starting the “Yard of the Month” program again, acquiring new Christmas decorations for the city, painting the fountain on the courthouse square back to its original color scheme, clean the windows of vacant buildings and painting murals in various places.
“We feel projects like these are going to enhance the city,” Whitworth said. “Some great ideas already have come from this committee, and as more people get involved, the possibilities are exciting.”
As plans are developed and prioritized, she said projects each will have sub-committees, which will get more people involved in the overall process. She said this will allow groups to focus on each project and get people working to make improvement across the city.
“The really exciting thing about this beautification committee is that it will be a great example of everybody pulling together for the betterment of the entire city,” Whitworth said. “Each person will have the same goal in mind – working to beautify the City of Elba.”
With this being a new committee and with funds being limited, Whitworth said the Elba Beautification Committee will be holding fundraisers in the future and will accept donations from those interested in helping.
For more information or to make a monetary donation to the Elba Beautification Committee, contact Whitworth at the Elba Chamber of Commerce office (334-897-3125).