Since taking office last year, Atmore Mayor Jim Staff has touched on few community issues as often as Atmore’s litter problem and this week his efforts to clean up town are joined by the state-wide anti-litter campaign, Don’t Drop it on Alabama.

While Escambia County Commissioner Brandon Smith has been doing his part on the county level to raise awareness of the week-long event, which continues into this weekend, Staff has been joined in Atmore by the chamber of commerce and its anti-litter ally, Tillie the Turtle.

Tuesday, Tillie could be seen at Heritage Park urging passing motorists not to litter. Chamber Director Sheryl Vickery said Tillie will continue her tour of town all week in order to spread her message.

“Tillie will be in a number of places around town this week,” she said. “We’re just trying to get the message out there.”

Smith said the state-wide anti-litter campaign will continue through this Saturday and anyone can get involved.

“People can pick up bags from me or the chamber,” Smith said. “Anybody can pick up (trash) anywhere they would like to. They can just call me or the chamber and the county will come out and pick up the bags where ever the they are.”

For more information on how to get involved with this year’s Don’t Drop it on Alabama effort, contact Brandon Smith at 251-254-0817 or the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce at 251-368-3305.

For more on this story, including several new ideas from community leaders on ways to reduce litter in Atmore, see the Saturday, April 27 edition of The Atmore Advance.