A small group of Ajijic residents took to village streets early Saturday, February 11, to provide Delegado Max Macias with hands-on backup in his personal mission to tidy up the town.
Armed with brooms and buckets, they started off along Calle 16 de Septiembre to sweep up litter and debris strewn on the sidewalks and cobblestones, then pitching out handfuls of water to dampen down the dust.
They were emulating the dying habit of daily street cleaning practiced by generations of villagers. The aim was to launch a permanent campaign that encourages all Ajijic householders and business operators to follow suit and keep the town more sanitary and visually attractive.
As an incentive to others, the crew of three volunteer ladies exchanged brand new brooms for the worn out ones being used by several inhabitants they encountered who were also starting the day by sweeping up in the vicinity.
Citizen maintenance of home doorsteps and store fronts is more than what was once a local custom. It is also an obligation dictated by municipal ordinances which, unfortunately, are rarely enforced nowadays.
Macias may eventually have to initiate a crackdown if people fail to respond to the informal clean sweep campaign and make proper use of the trash containers and recycling bins distributed throughout the village.