Drainage issues, road concerns, crime and garbage collection issues dominated discussion Thursday night during Columbus Ward 6 Councilman Bill Gavin’s first ward meeting.

Gavin, Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John and a few other city officials covered the myriad issues as around 30 Ward 6 residents attended the nearly two-hour meeting at the Columbus Municipal School District’s Brandon Central Office near Kmart on Highway 45 North.

Although Gavin took office little more than one month ago, the recently elected councilman is making plans to pave and patch several streets throughout his ward, he said.

“Some of the key roads we have identified are Holly Hills, Old Aberdeen Road, Hickory Ridge and Greenbriar Drive,” Gavin told the crowd. “I have already turned in a work order to get the potholes fixed on Old Aberdeen. And Hickory Ridge is almost impassible right now.

“There are a bunch of other streets that just need potholes patched, and we are trying to get to those as quickly as we can,” Gavin added. “But I need your help. I want y’all to call me and let me know what’s happening so I can address these problems.”

Though some at the meeting questioned the future of a plan to widen Bluecutt Road to four lanes, Gavin was quick to explain the widening likely was “10 to 15 years off.”

“Once it’s done, part of it will be four-lane, and part will be two-lane with a turn lane in the middle,” Gavin explained. “But we will be making some improvements in the short term. We have plans to put a light at the intersection of Seventh Street North and Bluecutt.”

During the meeting, St. John also provided tips to the residents to help them prevent what the chief called a “tough summer for burglaries” throughout the city.

“Your $4,000 flat-screen TV can be carried out of your house by two 12-year-olds,” St. John said. “Your stuff is easier to steal, and there is rarely anyone around to watch it during the day.

“Do your best to ensure your house is as secure as it can be. Make sure your bushes are trimmed and your windows are locked,” St. John added. “And with your most expensive stuff, write down the serial numbers and a brief description so we can get it back and arrest the person who stole it.”

St. John also urged citizens to take pride in the city by picking up trash and helping to beautify Columbus’ “common areas.”

“There should be no unclaimed space in the city. Everyone should take pride in cleaning up trash when they see it,” St. John told the crowd. “The city has nowhere near enough people or money to clean it all up.”

In an effort to aid Ward 6 residents keep their own properties clean, Golden Triangle Waste Service Supervisor Betty Farmer explained how residents can properly dispose of trash, tree limbs and other waste products from their homes.

Although the waste management company is contracted by Columbus to pick up the city’s trash, many area residents are unsure of the company’s regulations, Farmer said.

If residents dispose of tree limbs, GTWM only will pick up branches shorter than 6 feet and less than 6 inches in diameter, said Farmer. The company will not collect batteries, liquids, construction materials, hazardous waste or large equipment, such as car parts, or anything left on a vacant lot.

All items not collected by GTWM are supposed to be handled by city crews, Farmer added.

“I know my guys don’t always do what they are supposed to do. Sometimes they will leave things they should have picked up, and I don’t mind you calling me direct and letting me know,” Farmer said. “Since February 2009, I have gotten two complaints. I just didn’t know it was a problem until recently, and I am working to identify the problems so I can get them fixed.”

In addition to garbage, Gavin said he also is attempting to get leaves and debris collected from ditches throughout Ward 6.

“We don’t have the flooding problems like they have in East Columbus, but we do have some drainage problems in Ward 6,” Gavin said. “We want to get them cleaned out before the rainy season gets here in the fall and winter.

“There are just a lot of ditches on our list, and the public works department is working to clear them as fast as they can,” Gavin said. “When I turn them in, it usually takes about three weeks for them to get to that ditch. But I know y’all are patient people and you understand that these things take time.”