KCNB ADOPT-A-MILE PROGRAM
What is Adopt-A-Mile?
Adopt-A-Mile is a litter control program sponsored by Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful (KCNB) to attract public involvement in picking up litter along Georgia streets and roads.
Litter along Georgia roads has reached an epidemic stage. Keeping our roadways clear of litter has proven to be a very time consuming and extremely expensive operation for our community and state.
This program is gaining attention statewide, as it is becoming a major part of our Keep Georgia Clean and Beautiful volunteer network. Adopt-A-Mile is also an integral part of KCNB’s own anti-littering campaign, "Litter: It Costs You."
Who Can Adopt?
Any civic-minded organization, such as Garden Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Church Groups, Junior or Senior High School Student Councils, FFA/FHA, Rotary Clubs, etc. can adopt a stretch of road (one mile minimum) leading into their community.
What Are the Responsibilities of an Adopting Organization?
Through such adoption, an organization would have responsibility of controlling the litter problem within that section of Mile. In addition, the organization will:
~ Develop a functional plan that will influence and encourage the public to improve the appearance of their adopted Mile;
~ Plan for a general cleanup four times a year;
~ Assist KCNB in securing media coverage for the program; and
~ Coordinate with KCNB’s staff to carry out the plan.
What Are KCNB’s Responsibilities?
KCNB will:
~ Coordinate the erection of a mile sign indicating the section of mile under adoption and the organization responsible;
~ Furnish supplies necessary to aid with general cleanups;
~ Coordinate media coverage to inform the public of the program; and
~ Provide assistance.
Are There Safety Precautions for the Volunteers?
All organizations will conduct safety meetings with KCNB to discuss the dangers of working along the side of the roadway. KCNB will provide safety vests to all volunteers and will post traffic control signs during cleanups.
What is the Objective of Adopt-A-Mile?
The objective of the program is to create public awareness of the litter problem along Georgia's roads by making the adopted section of mile an example of community involvement that improves the beauty of the area through volunteer effort.
What are the Benefits of Adopt-a-Mile?
--Group Recognition
--A clean and beautiful community
How Does an Organization Adopt?
Any interested group should make a commitment to clean the area it chooses at least four times a year, fill out this paperwork, and return it to KCNB at the address below:
KCNB
1124 Clark St.
Covington, GA 30014
Phone: 770-784-2015
Fax: 770-784-2082
newtonclean@co.newton.ga.us
www.kcnb.biz
Please call with any questions or concerns.
The numbers were impressive: Some 600 Newton County residents gathered on a soggy Saturday to help clean up the county.
It was the Great American Clean-up, and the campaign lived up to its name, drawing concerned cleanup crews of all ages from across the county for a day of giving back to the community.
The uniform of the day was yellow, as in the brightly-colored T-shirts handed out to participants and in the heavy dusting of pollen that covered everyone and everything.
Our crew from The Covington News cleaned out the creek at U.S. Highway 278 and Alcovy Road. Debris blown from the adjoining shopping centers was removed from the banks and a shopping cart was freed from the creek bed. When we were through, some 70 pounds of garbage (excluding the shopping cart) had been placed in a nearby business's trash receptacle. The creek wasn't pristine, but it was more than presentable.
Now, if everyone on Saturday averaged just 10 pounds of debris, that means 6,000 pounds of garbage was removed in a day from our roadsides.
Nice work, and accolades all around.
The paper crew will be back on the job in three months. We've signed up for quarterly cleanups under the Adopt-A-Mile program through the Clean-up campaign coordinator, Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful (http://www.kcnb.biz//, (770-784-2015).
And while it was a good haul, much remains to be done. Just drive up Ga. Highway 81 north of Oxford and check out the chair along the roadway, a dropped bag of household garbage and the piles of paper and bottles in miles and miles of ditches.
It's no better along Brown Bridge Road, where there's still an almost overwhelming amount of garbage along the road. All our main corridors need work.
It's awful.
That's where you come in.
You can call for help. For problems along state highways, call the Department of Transportation at (706) 343-5836. To report litter along county roads, call (770) 784-2097.
If you're able, you can get out there, too.
As exemplified on Saturday, in an hour, you can easily pick up 10 pounds of garbage, about a half a garbage bag, and then toss it in your can. Just consider it a one-and-off good deed.
If that's too much commitment for you, how about taking a grocery bag and five minutes time to walk out into your neighborhood and pick up a bit of the trash?
And if you don't have the time for that, how about picking up one just piece of trash on the sidewalk, or a can out on the road?
No, it's not your fault.
Yes, someone should have picked up after themselves, but it's there, so deal with it.
Please?
Tharon Giddens is editor of The Covington News. Reach him at (678) 750-5011 or at tgiddens@covnews.com.
