It may have seemed like just the announcement of the removal of a dilapidated trailer that had long been an eyesore in a Lawrence County community, it was actually a victory for all citizen-driven efforts that make our area a better place to live.

That was essentially what happened late last week when the county commissioners announced that they had gotten the green light to demolish and remove an abandoned trailer on Charlotte Lane in Burlington.

For more than two years citizens in that commuity have been fighting to remove a blight that they believed was far more than just an eyesore and actully created a public-health hazard that included open sewage and a home for pests.

Harriette Ramsey, no stranger to community involvement because of her long-running efforts with the Concerned Citizens of Burlington civic group, helped lead the fight to get this unoccupied trailer removed.

This result is not only a victory for those residents but truly serves as a rallying cry for all citizens who still believe that working together toward a common goal can still make a difference in our neighborhoods and our communities.

These citizens should be commended for their efforts and this should inspire others.

We challenge other Lawrence Countians to find one public problem, eye sore or cleanup project in their area and approach it with the same tenacity and dedication.

If we all do this, Lawrence County will become a better place to live one neighborhood at a time.