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Steve Myers
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The city's aggressive cleanup project swept up an award Saturday from Keep Genesee County Beautiful.
The ongoing Flint project involves cleanups in neighborhoods, providing trash bins, designating a "blight czar" within city government and graffiti removal - even though a move to cover messages on the unofficial community billboard "The Rock" disappointed many.
"It's had far more positives than negatives," said Flint City Councilman Matt Schlinker. "Bold steps were taken, but the award granted today is not just for the city, but reflects the efforts of volunteers and neighborhood groups throughout the city."
Schlinker said that while other mayors promised, Don Williamson followed through on a campaign goal to clean up Flint neighborhoods.
Davison Township also received a governmental award, for creating the township's first park in July. The first phase is a Veterans Court of Honor with gardens, trees, arbors and walkways.
Keep Genesee County Beautiful, funded by the Ruth Mott Foundation, is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, a national group aimed at grassroots community improvement. It hosted its first conference and awards ceremony Saturday at the University of Michigan-Flint - to encourage, educate and inspire people to make improvements in their community, said program Director Karen West.
Communitywide beautification projects can start in one yard, said Kay Kelly, the group's president.
"Our organization represents a countywide effort, but it's important to remember that Flint is the county seat," Kelly said. "It has a glorious past and a radiant future. ... It's constantly reinventing itself."
At the conference, community groups learned how to organize neighborhood cleanups and write proposals for grants funded locally by the Ruth Mott Foundation. Every dollar in grant money received generates $4 worth of business donations and volunteer time, West said.
The National Women's Farm and Garden Club received the 2004 Beautification Award for maintaining high-profile gardens at the triangle at Ballenger Highway and Miller Road and the heart garden at the split of W. Court Street and Miller Road.
The group of mostly elderly women said they'll keep it up "as long as they can."
The Tall Oak Award was picked up by Tony Palladeno, president of the Citizens Nuisance Task Force, which worked 19 Saturdays in a row last summer to remove 1,300 tons of garbage.
"We've got to take care of what we have," Palladeno has said of the group's efforts.
Full Story:
http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-27/111011702158120.xml |
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Sun Mar 06, 2005 10:24 am |
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Steve Myers
Site Admin
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Tall Oak Award: Citizens Nuisance Task Force
Neighborhood Award: Grand Traverse District Neighborhood Association
2004 Beautification Awards: National Women's Farm and Garden Club, Clio Veterans Memorial Park
Nonprofit organization Awards: Leader Guides, UAW Local 598
Government Awards: Flint, Davison Township
Leadership Award:
Cynthia Stilley |
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Sun Mar 06, 2005 10:24 am |
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