Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 6, 1995 TAG: 9505080046
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
Similar gatherings are set for the next two Saturdays to cover the south side and northeastern section.
The town's newly formed Board of Economic Development had pointed out that a clean community would help it attract new business and industry. Citizens speaking at recent town meetings held by Pulaski Town Council in different areas of Pulaski also stressed this need.
The town is trying this volunteer effort for three straight Saturdays to recruit citizens for the effort.
"This is the first time, so we're kind of shooting from the hip a little bit as to how to get people involved," Town Manager Tom Combiths said.
"I think it's not only helpful to the community but helpful to organizations such as ours," said Rotarian T. Rod Layman, a Pulaski lawyer who will be among the volunteers next Saturday.
"To actually put a little sweat ... I think we need to do that, and we don't do enough of it. This seems to be an excellent program," he said.
Layman said it was also a good example of a basic principle of self-government, "that you must have a public administration that citizens support, a public policy that they support. It is absolutely not possible for the government to police litter."
But citizens can, not only by picking it up during the designated cleanup month but by chastising friends and acquaintances who forget themselves and litter.
"They just need to remind each other, I think. If you lecture that guy who's going to throw it out a dozen times, he's going to get tired of it," Layman said.
Volunteers should come to the gazebo in the park this morning to take part in the first day of the effort.
by CNB