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and favorable
first impressions
The streets and sidewalks of Whiteville are noticeably cleaner, thanks to a renewed effort by City Hall and City Manager Josh Ray to improve the appearances of the city.
It’s not unusual to see city crews picking up litter or mowing grass along city streets.
Having a clean appearance is important on two fronts. First, it helps promote a sense of pride for the citizens who live here. Second, a clean town gives favorably impression to visitors and potential newcomers.
Most people will be turned off by a trashy down because it reflects on the people who live there. With people looking to move inland from the ever-increasing number of cars, people and taxes at the beaches, a good first impression is a must. A clean city becomes a real economic development tool in the county’s and towns’ efforts to recruit more residents and businesses to come here.
Other towns also strive to have a better image. Chadbourn, Tabor City, Fair Bluff and Lake Waccamaw come to mind as they work not only to keep streets clean, but also to do code enforcement on dilapidated or abandoned homes and businesses.
While it may cost a little extra to put city workers on clean-up duty, the effort will pay off in the long run. That first favorable impression goes a long way.