This past week we received a telephone call from Anita Tucker excitedly reporting she had something for us.

She stated she had just seen Gene Royalty, Director Russell Count Industrial Authority, out carrying a bag, picking up trash.

Royalty did not have to grab a trash bag and pick up around the grounds of the Business Park anymore than Anita has to take a trash bag with her when she and her Mom go for a walk in their neighborhood. They both simply have respect for their community and have enough pride to do something about it.

What if all of us had that much pride that we would be willing to get out and pick up trash? What kind of community would we have?

Gene Royalty has worked for the progress and future of Russell County for several years. He has worked far beyond the expectations and this latest example shows just how much pride he has in this county and it’s potential.

Anita Tucker has been involved in many, many community events and her pride in this community is also quite evident.

In passing this and the photos to us she included these notes:

“My office is located on the corner of the entrance of the Russell County Business Park.

I glanced out my office window on August 26, 2010, and much to my surprise, I saw Gene Royalty, Russell County Industrial Authority, picking up trash! I immediately grabbed my camera and ran outside to get a picture of this fantastic “sighting.”  I share in Gene’s passion for keeping our neighborhood neat as I have been “sighted” doing the same thing around my office on Hwy 127 as well as my neighborhood on East Highway 80.  

Gene went on to say that the Governor was coming to town in the next few days.  I, for one, do not think this menial task can always be the responsibility of the local government’s employees, or the hired groundskeeper. Until each of us are ready and willing to get “down and dirty”, our community will never reach its full potential, no matter who is coming to town!”

Anita Tucker, President and SEO, Monticello Banking Company

What a simple, but fantastic thing all of us can do for our community. When we go for a walk, grab a trash bag or a small grocery bag and take it along. Some of us might even have enough pride to clean up our own front yard. Russell County is a beautiful county, it did not just happen and it will not just continue without  people like Royalty and Tucker. Our hats off to them to all of you that take pride in our community and proceed to do something about it.