By Stephen Dawkins

Interstate 65 Exit 219 will be the front door to Jemison’s expected growth in the coming years.

So, city officials want to sweep off the welcome mat.

Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer said litter around businesses—and even state property—is a problem at the exit.

“There are places out there that literally look like a landfill,” Fulmer said. “We want our exit, because it reflects our city, we want it to be clean. And right now, it’s an eyesore.”

Litter has collected especially on steep hillsides, swampy areas and in thick brush.

Fulmer said Jemison police officers recently hand delivered copies of the city’s litter ordinance to businesses in the area.

“We’re giving them a chance to clean it up,” he said. “If they don’t, we’ll send them a formal letter, give them 10 days, and then if it’s still not cleaned up we’ll start issuing citations.”

Fulmer also said he would contact state officials about the litter on right of ways.

The exit is the city’s worst spot for litter, Fulmer said, but there have problems elsewhere.

Jemison uses inmates to clean up around the city, and others get involved, too.

Fulmer said he has sifted through bags of trash thrown beside roadways, looking for a way to identify the culprit. And he has been successful.

Ultimately, though, the only way to eliminate litter is for people to stop littering.

“There are times when you can pick up, Highway 31 to Thorsby, and two days later, it’s in the same shape,” Fulmer said.