I am a native of Vicksburg and Mississippi. Mississippi is one of the best, if not the best states in this country in my opinion. I love the commercials with reference to “Keep Mississippi Beautiful.” I think we do well in promoting the state and what it has to offer, yet there is still more to be done.

I am very disturbed with the maintenance of our highways. No matter which direction I travel in our state, our highways are in a very poor condition.

I travel daily south from Vicksburg on U.S. 61 and the grass has not been cut this summer. It not only looks bad, but is a safety hazard. I travel a lot at night and at the speed of 65 mph a deer or any other animal can dash out where the grass is so high without any warning of their approach.

I am also disturbed that where mowing work is done it is contracted out to save liability expense to the state and expense. The contractors take this money to another state.

Also, when it is cut, the grass is left in bundles and this still does help the appearance.

Is it OK to save a dollar for the state if we are going to sacrifice the imate of the state of which we are so proud?

Please reconstruct the maintenance department of the Mississippi Department of Transportation to maintain our highways so that not only jobs will again be provided for the citizens, but we will be able to control the image of our state and increase highway safety, too.

The old system provided jobs for the citizens of our state and the state was better kept in terms of maintenance, upkeep and cosmetic presentation of our highways.

Willie L. Glasper Sr.

Vicksburg