Keep Payson Clean is a great idea, and the volunteers deserve credit. But let’s be honest: it is impossible to keep a town clean when its leadership refuses to address the largest sources of blight.
Litter along roads and in public spaces is visible and annoying, but it is not the root problem. Payson could be completely free of roadside trash and still look neglected as long as large-scale junk properties are allowed to exist unchecked. These aren’t hidden problems—they are in plain sight.
Anyone who doubts this should drive down Arrow Street. What you see is not “clutter,” it’s a full-blown eyesore that looks more like a junkyard. Look toward American Gulch and you’ll find the same thing: junk, disarray, and neglect that reflect poorly on the entire town.
This is not a lack of ordinances. Payson already has the legal authority to address these properties. The real problem is enforcement, and enforcement is the direct responsibility of the Town Manager, the Mayor, and the Town Council. Choosing not to act is still a decision—and it’s one that harms property values, drives away tourists, and tells residents that the rules are optional.
If residents want real change, posting online isn’t enough. People need to show up at Town Council meetings and use the “Call to the Public” portion of the agenda. That is where citizens are guaranteed the right to speak, be heard on the record, and put elected officials on notice.
One person can be ignored. A room full of residents, all asking the same question—why aren’t the ordinances being enforced?—cannot be.
If Payson truly wants to be clean, attractive, and welcoming, then its leadership must move beyond words and take visible action. Volunteer cleanups help, but they cannot substitute for governance.
Show up. Speak up. Use Call to the Public. Demand enforcement, timelines, and accountability.
That’s how Payson gets clean—for real.
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