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W-B Seeks Statewide Cleanup Volunteers

Posted on: Wednesday, 12 April 2006, 06:00 CDT

By Jon Fox, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Times Leader

Apr. 12--WILKES-BARRE -- The winter clouds have cleared and sun -- at least recently -- is shining on the Wyoming Valley.

It's time for a little spring cleaning.

Mayor Tom Leighton is calling for residents to participate in this year's Great Pennsylvania Cleanup. On April 22, the city will participate in the cleanup's main event, Let's Pick it Up PA Day.

The city is looking for volunteers to help tidy up locations like the River Common, Kirby Park and Coal Street Park.

Speaking Tuesday, Leighton asked residents to pitch in by cleaning the tree lawns and roadways in front of their properties. He also asked residents to give a hand to older residents who may want to participate but may be unable to clean their yards.

As a new element to the cleanup, which the city participated in last year, block captains will be designated who will be responsible for coordinating the cleanup within their neighborhoods.

The city is asking volunteers to provide their own equipment, although garbage bags, vests, gloves and a limited supply of rakes and brooms will be distributed as part of the program sponsored by the state Department of Transportation.

In addition to the free supplies distributed by PennDOT, members of the Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association are offering free landfill space to dispose of nonrecyclable waste collected during the cleanup.

Communities will also be able to dispose of waste tires for free through the end of May, according to PennDOT.

Leighton described this year's cleanup as part of the recently announced Community Action Team initiative. CAT grew out of a one-year $37,500 grant from the state's Weed and Seed program and represents a more proactive approach to attacking problems of crime and dilapidated properties in city neighborhood, he said.

As part of the new program, a retooling of the similar Neighborhood Impact Team, all the branches of city government are working more closely together and e-mailing back and forth, he said.

"You have the police and the fire department communicating with each other, so we know what's going on and who's living here," Leighton said.

The team, he said, has resulted in a more fluid and aggressive response to complaints that filter into City Hall.

Residents interested in participating in the cleanup or becoming a block captain can contact Ron Trimble at 208-4246. More information about the citywide clean may also be found at .us [http://www.wilkes-barre.pa.us].

Jon Fox, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7219.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Times Leader

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.)

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