West Paris residents address issues with city officials | News

The City of Paris is hosting five town meetings dedicated to listening and better understanding the concerns some in west Paris have raised regarding their neighborhoods, growth, development, public safety and quality of life, according to the city’s website.

Sitting in front of the school’s stage inside the cafeteria, the City Council, several city department heads and other employees, listened to speakers address their concerns of speeding, code enforcement and loose animals, among other issues.

The first person to speak told the 15-person panel she was unaware what the city was doing and asked if there was a communications channel for residents to learn about what the municipality is doing.

“We feel that it’s long overdue and we need to have a person dedicated to educating others on what’s going on and what are we doing,” City Manager Grayson Path responded, noting the City is hiring a public information officer to fill the role as a public liaison.

He said the future city information officer will inform residents on activities and how various city departments operate, including code enforcement, sanitation and water treatment.

Other job duties will be maintaining the website and social media presence, according to a job posting on the city’s website.

After a woman spoke of hazardous living conditions at a residence on West Washington Street, Ken Gold of the Buildings and Standards Commission came before the panel and spoke briefly about code enforcement.

“It is important that you call your city representative, or the court or the code enforcement office to report a violation, so that we get more houses and properties taken care of,” he said.

Multiple people spoke regarding issues along Sixth Street Northeast, with Lamar County Head Start Director Eva Williams asking for speed limit signs to be installed near the Paris ISD preschool.

“We have people speeding out here on Sixth Street, and it is a school zone,” Williams told the panel. “Last thing I want to see is an accident.”

Panel members rarely responded to speakers, mostly listening and taking notes.

Police Chief Richard Salter responded to two speakers complaining of loose dogs and livestock within city limits, respectively, asking for addresses and description of the animals.

The last person to speak was a woman who spoke at length from a prepared speech about a number of issues, including code enforcement and sanitation.

“The city changed our trash service to a polycart system. We need to have a separate pick up for leaves, brush and bulk items,” they told the council. “We will be paying more for less, and I’m certain you’ll be hearing from other residents as I’m sure I’m not the only resident with a lot of brush that needs to be picked up.”

Mayor Pro Tem Mihir Pankaj addressed the woman directly, telling them he was moved by their words, before thanking the audience for attending.

Before the public spoke, Path introduced Julia Trigg Crawford, the executive director of Keep Paris Beautiful/Make Lamar County Shine, who announced the first-ever Fall Sweep taking place Nov. 4 to help spruce up west Paris neighborhoods near Oak Park.

Crawford said the volunteer event has a budget of around $12,000 and is looking for volunteers and interested homeowners to help spruce up the approximate 110 homes along West Kaufman Street, West Austin Street and West Sherman Street between 19th Street and 25th Street.

KPB was founded in 1999 and has a history of promoting volunteerism and education to maximize the beauty of the City of Paris and surrounding Lamar County, according to the Keep Texas Beautiful website.

The city has two more town halls planned: 2 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Historic Union Depot, 1125 Bonham St., and 9 a.m. Nov. 2 at CitySquare Paris, 2515 Bonham Street.