Friday, March 29, 2024

One step at a time with our beautification efforts

Posted

CRESSON  MAYOR

 

Cresson Mayor Teena Putteet Conway, a native of Cresson, attended school for two years in the historic Cresson school. She is a Granbury High School graduate, and earned a BBA from Baylor University. After marrying, then raising her family in the Metroplex, she returned to Cresson after 40 years.

 

Lady Bird Johnson served as first lady as the wife of the 36th president of the United States, Lyndon B.  Johnson. She was a strong advocate for beautifying the nation’s cities and highways and even had her own bill in Congress called Lady Bird’s bill. She took over as first lady under the most devastating circumstances and when our country was in a tumultuous war in Viet Nam.

She had already served as Second Lady and attended many events and functions on behalf of then First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Serving others was something she had done for a long time.

A fun fact is that even though her birth name was Claudia Alta Taylor, she was most always referred to as “Lady Bird.” Some say that she got her nickname from being “pretty as a ladybird” while others have said the nickname refers to a “ladybird beetle.”

Our beloved Lady Bird first started a capital beautification project, which was to improve the Washington, D.C. experience for both residents and visitors. She was responsible for the planting of millions of flowers! Some were in National Parks and along roadways around the capital.

She branched out her beautification efforts across our national highways. She proposed legislation to limit billboards and making our roadside areas more attractive. Our very own Highway 377 is covered in bluebonnets and other wildflowers during the spring months.

When I drive on Highway 377, I’m often amazed at what people will throw out of their car window or allow to fly out of their pickup beds. We all bear the responsibility of cleaning up after ourselves and managing our trash.

In Cresson, we had an issue with a donation station where people decided it would be wise to put trash outside the bin. We eventually had to have it removed.

We continue in Cresson with our cleanup efforts of our little city. We all must do our part. This weekend we offer Cresson Clean Up to our trash customers. Waste Connection brings in its trucks and our citizens can drive by and drop off all sorts of bulk trash and help manage the extra things that do not fit in their trash bins. We do not accept certain items, so be sure to check with City Hall in Cresson for the details.

Lady Bird Johnson had the vision to beautify our nation’s roads and rest stops. I love that she took the time and efforts to get our citizens pulling in the same direction to make lasting changes. No matter what your political stance might be, let us recognize her efforts and accomplishments not only in our great state of Texas but across the USA!

teenac@cressontx.org