Special to Iredell Free News

Thanks to the efforts of community members Jacobi Gray and Latonya Graham, the City of Statesville is planning a multi-phase cleanup effort.

The pair approached city officials recently to suggest a major cleanup initiative to help boost pride in the community.

“I feel like when the community is attractive, the residents feel a sense of pride about where they live,” explained Gray.

Realizing the task is a major initiative, the plan was made to launch the cleanup in phases over a period of time.

The first phase is scheduled for the week of October 4-8 and involves the collection of excess household garbage. For that week only, residents can place extra bags of household garbage on the street, as well as furniture and white goods for pick up. The extra items will be picked up on their regular collection day.

Typically, city crews do not pick up trash that is placed outside the rollout cart, and often charges a fee for large amounts of trash that needs hauling off. Next week, however, the rules and fees will be waived to allow for the extra bags of household garbage and furniture items.

“Efforts like this also foster accountability about where they live. Once we see it clean, we want to keep it clean. We have a stake in the process,” added Gray.

Crews will not pick up the following: used paint, construction debris, lumber, sheetrock, brick, block, plywood, roofing materials, guttering, fencing, doors and windows, carpet, carpet padding, batteries, tires, gas tanks, oil, stumps, ashes, saw dust, ai conditioners, television sets, computers/components and 55-gallon barrels.

Placing any of these items on the curb may result in a fine, but plans are in the works for future opportunities to dispose of these items.

LEARN MORE

For more information on the Community Cleanup initiative, go to www.statesvillenc.net/cleanup or call 704-878-3415.