A former Vicksburg Warren School District trustee, an architect and a master gardener are among the nine people named to Vicksburg’s beautification committee Monday by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

The nine-member committee consists of three appointments each by North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield and South Ward Alderman Willis Thompson and three city officials. Representing the city are Community Development Director Victor Gray-Lewis, landscape director Jeff Richardson and community service director Robert Hubbard.

Residents named to the committee were Andrew Dawson, the manager of Bazinsky House and Re/Max Excellence and a building restoration company; former teacher and Vicksburg Warren School District trustee Zelmarine Murphy; S.J. Tuminello, architect and owner of the historic home Floweree; former city right of way supervisor Ray Banks; master gardener Barry Payne; and Mary Lynn Thomas, gardener and an office associate with the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

“At one time, the city had an affiliation with Keep America Beautiful,” Gray-Lewis said. “This is our opportunity to re-establish that affiliation.”

He said the committee will have an organizational meeting in the near future, adding members of the Keep America Beautiful staff will be in Vicksburg to hold a training session in late September or early October.

The board in June approved a resolution establishing the committee, which was discussed at a March meeting of city officials about cleaning and beautifying the city. Representatives from the city’s two wards will serve staggered terms, with two appointees from each ward serving two years, two serving three years, and another two for four years.