The message started with a visiting economic development consultant’s observation last summer, and it hasn’t changed. Eunice needs to clean up.

That consultant, otherwise complimentary of the city, was very critical of how dirty it was, and that something would have to be done about that before the city could seriously expect to lure new business or industry, noted former Economic Development chairman Dr. Tony Baltakis at the panel’s meeting on Thursday.

While noting some improvement can be detected, he said the city for the most part remains extremely unsightly.

Baltakis and his wife Donna have taken preliminary steps to involving the community in the Keep America Beautiful program.

They reviewed those steps and previewed what comes next for the panel Thursday.

The city’s application to the program has been approved and a pre-certification workshop has been scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 1 to 5 p.m.,

The first hour of that session will be introducing interested parties to the program and what participation can mean for the city.

The other three hours will familiarize volunteers with the six-month certification process, which includes completing a detailed litter index of the city and a study of regulations and ordinances that can help the clean-up campaign.

In its continuing review of priorities previously established, the committee heard an update from Dr. J.D. Miller on the Education category.

Miller reported he has met with Eunice High Principal Mitch Fontenot to discuss some of the elements.

He said Fontenot recommends advocacy and involvement of and with school activities such as Renaissance Fair. He also said such things as a Career Fair and Big Brother/Big Sister type program could give positive reinforcement to at-risk students.

Miller told the committee that nurturing the importance of Louisiana State University Eunice is well under way. Committee Don Reber pointed out a “change in city (hall) attitude” toward the university was a first giant step.

Miller said he and Ken Elliot of LSUE are pursuing a new associate degree program in para-optometry to be available in the classroom and via eUniversity.

Rebecca Shirley, with Acadiana Economic Development, reviewed that agency’s emphasis on marketing the region for more than its food and music. As a member of Louisiana Economic Development, she helped the Eunice committee develop its mission statement and identity as well as its priority plan.