Time once again to help ‘Keep West Memphis Beautiful’

Time once again to help ‘Keep West Memphis Beautiful’

Cleanup Blitz returns May 7

news@theeveningtimes.com

As April turns to May, the 2016 edition of a recent city-wide spring cleaning tradition known as the Keep West Memphis Beautiful Cleanup Blitz comes back around.

For the past five years, the first Saturday of May has marked the time when school groups, civic organizations, churches, neighbors, and businesses band together to make a clean sweep of the Wonder City.

West Memphis City Councilwoman Lorraine Robinson, who also serves as director of the Keep West Memphis Beautiful Commission, heads the effort.

She announced preparations for this year’s event during the April 7 City Council meeting.

Preliminary work began with a Litter Index survey of the city. Past inspections have showed the city is getting cleaner each year.

“Our Litter Index last year compared to the two years prior shows the City of West Memphis is really improving,” said Robinson.

“We are doing much better.

It not only marks our progress but the survey also helps us identify project focus spots.”

Robinson asked each council member to muster groups from their respective wards and identify some one-day work projects. Mayor Johnson and city councilors Ramona Taylor, James Pulliaum and Willis Mondy volunteered for the effort last year and appealed to city residents under the banner of civic duty.

“It is more than cleaning and just picking up litter,” said Robinson. “You can plant a tree in memory of someone. You can recycle or help mowing lawns.

Find a block and have a neighborhood block cleanup. Everyone who lives in the city should be a part of this as part of community responsibility.”

“It is a fun loving event full of fellowship,” said Robinson.

Early registration is open by contacting Robinson or leaving a message with your contact information on the Keep West Memphis Beautiful Facebook page.

Signing up early insures assignments are ready to go first thing in the cool of the morning, but there is also an 8 a.m. registration on Saturday morning May 7, at the starting point in the City Hall parking lot on South Redding at Tyler. If it rains the event will be moved to the following Saturday.

“Several groups have registered already with Keep Arkansas Beautiful,” said Robinson.

City Councilman Willis Mondy has made a tradition of capping off the morning of work with a cookout lunch. Mondy pledged to bring the grill again this year.

“I promise to have the grill there, hot and ready,” said Mondy.

Robinson promised the results inspire others.

“I moved a house in a different neighborhood,” Robinson told the public Works Commission. “I thought I could be an example to the community. I talked to everybody about not dumping in the two vacant lots there. Instead let’s pick it up. If I stay here another year, I know we will see more improvements.”

By John Rech