By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

Dirty diapers. Beer cans. Cigarette butts.

Local realtor Jackie Ray told commissioners Monday night she was proud of Columbus County but not of the trash that accumulates at the front door of her business at the corner of Madison Street in Whiteville, across from the courthouse.

“We have a problem,” she said. “That seems to be the landmark (the courthouse) and when people come to me to find (real estate), it is very embarrassing to have this trash in front of my business,” Ray said. “On a daily basis I get out and pick up trash.”

She contacted the city and the county about one problem area but couldn’t get help because she was told it either wasn’t the city or county’s responsibility. “I ended up sweeping it up myself,” Ray said.

Another problem was with a trashcan overflowing that she said no one wanted to pick up. After several calls to Waste Management, she said the can was finally emptied.

Littering on the courthouse grounds is still a problem, despite trash cans that a beautification committee and the City of Whiteville donated, she said.

“Putting in trash cans has made some improvements,” Ray said, insisting that more needs to be done.

Inmates from the county jail were picking up trash once per week, but Ray said that has stopped.

County Manager Jim Varner said the number of inmates picking up trash depended on what the sheriff has available.

“I pick up diapers --I pick them up and you pick them up,” Varner said of the county-owned parking lot between the main administration and Dempsey Herring buildings.

“I don’t mind doing my part,” Ray added. “I’m proud to be from Columbus County and I want this place to grow.

“What can we do about this trash?” she asked the commissioners, reiterating that Pinckney and Madison streets are the main thoroughfares and need attention.

“Can we get with the city to resolve this issue?” Commissioner Amon McKenzie said.

“People are just going to throw trash, aren’t they?” Chairman Sammie Jacobs said.

Commissioner Bill Memory directed Varner to contact Whiteville’s city manager, visit Ray’s business and report to the commissioners.