Indeed, there is strength in numbers.

That’s a shame sometimes, when good causes are ignored because they aren’t the squeaky wheel, but that’s just how it seems to work.

Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. spent some time in Natchez this week along with more than 20 other mayors participating in the annual meeting of the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative, which is a group of mayors of cities along the Mississippi River.

That group developed because often Mississippi River cities suffer the same woes and have the same needs. Together, they are stronger in lobbying the legislature and federal government to help with those needs.

This week, that group agreed on a number of issues they want to work toward, including the promotion of agriculture practices that cut down on pollution in the river and advocating for changes that would allow more containers to be shipped on barges on the river.

More than 20 million people and 50 cities drink water from the Mississippi River, said St. Louis Mayor Dave Kleis is announcing an initiative with Wal-Mart to work toward cleaning up Mississippi River water.

He said one of the biggest threats to Mississippi River water is nutrient loading, which comes from agricultural practices that cause nutrients in large amounts to flow into the river. Wal-Mart, he said, is working with food suppliers to create management plans that reduce water pollution.

Opening up more of our river to shipping containers on barges benefits all of us.

Our national’s crumbling highways are bursting at the seams with super-huge trucks carrying goods. Those same goods can be transported more effectively on the Mississippi River and other of our nation’s waterways.

As Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell said, “The project has great potential to enhance port activity in Natchez and Vidalia. The impact on port activity could be tremendous and result in job growth.”

The same is true for Vicksburg, and even moreso with the port improvements being considered by county supervisors and with the potential the development of the Continental Tire in Clinton brings.

We’re hoping the mayors of Mississippi River cities and towns are successful in their efforts to improve lives and protect one of this nation’s greatest natural resources.