Celebrating Earth Week in Halton Hills Despite wet weather, Makeover, Clean Up Day deemed successful

Garbage bag-toting residents hit the streets and parks Friday and Saturday to take part in the Town of Halton Hills' 20 Minute Makeover and Annual Clean Up Day. Friday, businesses, institutions and schools sent employees and students out into their neighbourhood areas to take part in a 20-minute blitz cleanup of Halton Hills. This was the second year for the event and many were enthusiastic about the joint efforts to make Halton Hills beautiful. "The 20-Minute Makeover was a tremendous success. We had a great buy-in," said Councillor Jane Fogal, chair of the Town's Litter-Free Task Force. "(There was) fabulous participation by schools," she said. "I hope that carries the message to (students) littering is a bad thing. I think they were getting the message from what I could hear." Sixteen schools participated in this year's event, including Christ the King students who ventured into the Dominion Gardens Park for their cleanup. "It was a mess," said Clayton Schatti, a Grade 10 student. "There were cans and wrappers everywhere. We even needed to clean a wrapper from a duck's nest with an egg in it." "It's a beautiful town and we need to keep it that way," said Jason Mitterling, also a Grade 10 Christ the King student. Similar sentiments were echoed by participants from the 20 businesses that took part. "There is an unacceptable amount of garbage left around," said Helen MacCormack of Partners in Planning and the Litter Free Halton Hills Task Force. "We need to take pride in our town. It is a beautiful town and the amount of junk left lying around is embarrassing." "I got out here to help the town. The town looks so much better when it's clean," said Joanne Close of Yorkshire Enterprises Inc. at Knolcrest Plaza. Eleven groups of Town staff were also out on Friday picking up garbage in various

sectors, said Fogal. Organizers estimated 6,000 kg. of garbage was collected. As well, a tandem load of scrap metal, 20 car tires and three tonnes of scrap wood were picked up. A total of 57 residents and/or groups took part, up from last year's total of 35. "Saturday (Halton Hills Clean Up Day) was a miserable day for the second year running," Fogal said, "but we still had a lot of people out. "I guess there was good news and bad news: we're very successful in picking it up but there was a lot to pick up. Someday we hope to be out of a job," said Fogal. Due to the heavy rain Hornby Rate Payers Association rescheduled its community clean-up day for this Saturday. "Not only the rain, but the amount of water in the ditches and the slipping and visibility hazards were determining factors in calling the day," said Erik Kowal, H.A.R.P. member. "We were out this morning (Saturday) picking up bags from yesterday's collection and we got more then 60 bags and at least 600 lbs of bulk stuff." Hornby residents wishing to participate should meet at 9 a.m. in the Hornby Park car park. Gloves and collection bags will be provided. A free barbecue starts at noon in the park. Students helping with the clean up will qualify for the required school `Community Service' time. Please call Peter Vaughan, 905-878-2620 or Kowal, 905-8761582 to confirm your participation.