BELLE — Mayor James (Pudd) Mitchell closed the Oct. 15 city meeting with a series of reminders about community, responsibility and respect.

The mayor addressed a recent sewer backup incident that required city workers to clear a blocked main. He said the problem was caused by residents flushing baby wipes and other non-dissolving materials.

“Our main issues are coming from baby wipes,” Mitchell said. “They do not dissolve and fall apart. They pile up, then we got problems. You know, we’ve got blue paper towels in there. We’ve got T-shirts out of them.”

He emphasized that many backups that are blamed on the city actually begin in household drains.

“Everybody’s real quick to judge, ‘Oh, it’s the city’s fault.’ No, it’s what you’re putting down the line,” he said. “When you flush your baby wipe, it does not dissolve. It cost us two days wages for these guys and could have been prevented.”

Mitchell also thanked residents and volunteers who helped organize the Oct. 11 the benefit for Mike Green to raise money for his medical expenses. Mitchell praised the turnout and community generosity.

“This benefit generated a ton of money,” he said. “It’s going to help this family tremendously. It was the biggest event that’s ever been raised in this town.”

He commended those who put it together — a car show, side-by-side ride, food sales and raffles — saying it reflected Belle’s strong sense of compassion.

“It says a lot for our community,” Mitchell said. “We have our problems, but generosity is not one of them.”

Mitchell then turned to a more personal message, asking residents to treat City Hall staff with respect and courtesy.

“These girls in the office, they’re doing all they can do,” he said. “For people to come in and get irate with them and be hateful and snotty — before you walk through that door, think about what you’re going to say to them.”

He urged citizens to remember that the city’s clerk handles water bills, permits and community services daily, and that it is a hard job.

“They keep our City Hall open and going,” Mitchell said. “They deserve respect for what they do. Please respect them before you come in and raise Caine with them, because they don’t deserve it.”

The mayor ended on a lighter note, thanking public works staff for their continued efforts to maintain city infrastructure and acknowledging that there’s always something every day.

“We’re just trying to improve this town,” he said. “Do whatever we can. Just try to keep top of it.”