Word of Mouth Brings a Wad of Words on Weeds

~Anne Boswell

I'm sure you've enjoyed the rain.

The weeds have as well. In fact, they're thriving!

While we're thankful for the rain, some folks in La Junta are concerned with an overgrowth of weeds and took to social media to talk about it.

The original post inquired about code enforcement's ticketing on weeds in yards and popping up through sidewalks. They expressed frustration that nothing is being done. And they called out the La Junta City Manager, Mayor, and City Council to resolve the issue.

The post received 50 or so comments ranging from suggestions that they contact the city and the people who would handle this. Others agreed that the "natural Colorado vegetation" has grown so high in some areas that it's difficult to see around them when pulling into traffic.

It made us think of something we remembered learning in school, the "Broken Windows Theory."

The theory states that when people see things like broken windows, litter, or weeds it sends a message that the area isn't cared for and that rules aren't enforced, it can lead to bringing more crime to the area.

In any case, no one likes to see weeds, but some on the social media group post suggested having grace for the elderly who might have trouble with weed control in their yards.

Others suggested getting involved to help and some just commiserated with the original comment.

If you'd like to address La Junta City Council, you can do so in the public comment section of the meeting. The next meeting is Monday, August 17th at 6pm upstairs in the La Junta Municipal Building on Colorado Avenue.

Or you can reach out to any council member, or the mayor here: https://www.lajuntacolorado.org/m/directory/department?did=35

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