City officials, in proposing the new rodent abatement ordinance, are clearly asking for something important from all of us – to take personal responsibility for playing our own parts in helping to fight this problem.

The city and the citizenry have to work together effectively in order to make real progress and, hopefully, whip this problem which has recently become something of an embarrassment to us all, not to mention the genuine health hazards that exist with the current situation.

There is much that an individual can do to contribute to the solution. Simply keeping rubbish from piling up can make an impact. Trash barrels with secure lids can also make a big difference. It will also be helpful if trash collectors themselves avoid handling the barrels too roughly, breaking the lids and barrels themselves.

We take a lot of pride in our community, and we need to go that extra step further to do what we can to help eliminate problems like this. Let us prove that the city and its people can rise to the occasion when the challenge is issued. We have done it before and we can do it again.