By Alderwoman Laurene Schrimsher

(Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the newspaper and staff.)

Our little community, Ardmore, is a nice place to live. It didn’t just happen-Years of work and service by people who were dedicated to building a town of schools, churches, and homes gave us what we have today.

But our nice little town now has problems which can only be solved with that same work, service and dedication.

The downtown of Ardmore can only be described as a mess at times…trash and litter, buildings, empty or in need of repair, and back-up traffic. (Let’s all clean-up and fix-up our places and town.) I think sometimes people wait until they get to the underpass to clean out their car. Then, we look at the infrastructure---those things that make a town work; water, sewerage, roads, trash collections, law enforcement. Are you, Ardmore’s residents and taxpayers, happy with what is happening today in Ardmore? Are you getting your dollar’s worth out of your tax dollar? Do you feel good when looking around downtown?

Do you have confidence in your water supply being available during the summer drought? How about you who have had back-up sewage after a heavy rain? How do you feel about our young people getting high on alcohol and/or drugs and ruining their lives and their families’ lives?

How do you feel about the abandoned houses and old cars sitting in the yards with garbage everywhere? You know we have ordinances against these things. Have you talked to the Council about this? I need your help.

What are you willing to do to help keep our little town the pleasant one of years ago? It is your job as well as those you elect (me) to see what must be done and then follow through. You do this by talking to your elected representatives---the Mayor and six Aldermen of Ardmore, TN (and the Mayor and five Councilmen of Ardmore, AL). They need to hear your opinions. It’s fine to discuss your complaints with your neighbors but, if they aren’t on the City Council, nothing much can be done.

It is of vital importance that you come to the Council Meetings. Voice your opinions and watch the decisions being made that affect your quality of life and your pocketbook. The TN City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month in the Tennessee City Hall Annex.

Please come and let’s all work to make Ardmore, TN, the nice place where you want to raise your children and grandchildren.

This is the first column in a series that will appear from time to time.

Let me know what you think.

As your Alderwoman, I promise that I will listen to you and will do my very best to earn your trust.

Laurene Schrimsher