Clarke County Citizens against Litter (CCCAL)
The focus of CCCAL remains three-fold: Education, Enforcement, and Eradication. In existence since March, 2003, the committee is organized to accomplish all three purposes, and has consistently worked to attractively display our county in its natural and beautiful state.
In conjunction with a statewide beautification effort called People Against a Littered State, PALS, volunteers in the communities of Clarke County are doing some commendable work on the litter front. Hundreds of people are involved in the PALS Spring Cleanup in April each year. Any community, family, or individual is encouraged to sign up. Just contact CCCAL co-chairmen Rita Wilson 251-276-3358 and Commissioner Patricia DuBose 251-246-3650 or your local Chamber of Commerce director in each municipality. Each participating group submits a report of their results which are compiled statewide. Supplies are furnished by PALS, Clarke County Commission, CCCAL, Clarke County Road and Bridge Department, ALDOT, and the municipalities. Additionally, citizens are urged to be litter-conscious always, to keep their own property and roadways clear, and to report litter violations. The tip line is 251-275-1091.
County Litter Control Officer Buster Hough has now been on the job two years using county inmates to pick up badly littered roads. He submits weekly reports showing the roads cleaned up, the number of miles covered, and the number of bags of litter collected. By keeping these records over time, we hope we will begin to see a pattern of less littering. The records show which roads are repeatedly being littered. Combining efforts with environment officer Kendall Bush and county law enforcement, we hope to prosecute litter offenders.
The committee holds a Fall Litter Awareness Week in September each year. Education efforts are headed up by Cheryl Horton, LaShaunda Holly, Jackie Newsom, and others of the committee. They plan and distribute anti-litter materials to every school in the county and present a booth at most of the county events. Many County Schools are now enrolled in the Clean Campus program with PALS. Contests are held each spring to reward students for participating in anti-litter education. Jim Cox and Evan Carden see that County newspapers carry litter awareness ads in every edition, and prominently feature litter education news stories and information.
By getting the message across about the cost in taxpayer dollars of the crime of littering, we hope to effect a change in everyone's perception and pride.
The year's activities culminate with a trip to the Governor's Award ceremony in November each year, where for the past six years Clarke County has had an outstanding record of recognition.
As always, at Clarke County Citizens against Litter, we invite volunteers to join us!
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