Cleanup Blitz set for Saturday June 23

Cleanup Blitz set for Saturday June 23

Help ‘ Keep West Memphis Beautiful’ with citywide event

news@theeveningtimes.com

The date for the seventh annual city beautification blitz is on. The 2018 installment of Keep West Memphis Beautiful was set at the Public Works Commission meeting for this Saturday June 23. Initial interest from fraternities, sororities, churches, civic organizations, city government departments, and neighborhood groups appeared stronger than ever in the organizing meeting.

KWMB chairwoman Lorraine Robinson expressed enthusiasm for the citywide litter clean-up and beautification day.

The city looked better than ever during a litter survey.

A renewed focus on code enforcement, especially inoperable vehicles improved the score over previous years.

“The city really looked better the day we did our litter index survey,” said Robinson. “Everything appeared cleaner, especially not seeing all those cars.”

Police Community Outreach Coordinator Tawana Butler had groups already lining up.

“We have a couple of groups, a police academy class and nurses at ASU- Mid South are wanting to help,” said Butler.

Participation interest from the college is up this year as the school celebrates 25th anniversary in part by contributing 2,500 hours of community volunteer service.

Robinson hoped the code enforcement effort coupled with KWMB would be a catalyst for changed attitudes about trash and junk in the city. The city sweep will be a little show and tell.

“”We need to get people out of accepting whatever they see and not doing anything about it,” said Robinson. We have to talk to people and show them the difference they can make just on their own block.”

Saturday will deliver that demonstration to every part of the city.

Groups meet for registration and assignments for the city-wide sweep, Saturday, June 23, beginning at 8 a.m. in the city hall parking lot. Refreshments, T-shirts and trash bags and a few gardening tools will be handed out to equip the effort. The morning of litter control ends with a noon cookout back a city hall.

For more information check out the Facebook event , 7th Annual Keep West Memphis Beautiful Clean-up Blitz, or contact Councilwoman Lorraine Robinson at (870) 6352315.

By John Rech