PROGRESS BEGINS WITH PRIDE-COMMUNITY CLEAN UP CAMPAIGN

During the month of April, the City of Litchfield and the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce are partnering together to conduct a Community Spring Clean-up, "Progress Begins with Pride" campaign. The community's image is crucial during declining economic times as it demonstrates pride and commitment to keep Litchfield thriving. The campaign's ultimate goal will be to support beautification and rehabilitation for all property in Litchfield and will encourage participation by residents, volunteers, and the business community.

The City of Litchfield will be offering its annual Spring Brush Pick-up beginning April 6, 2009 with Wards 1 & 2 and the Spring Trash Round-up the week of April 20, 2009. This year the City will be adding dumpsters for trash disposal all month long. The extra dumpsters will be located in the Edwards Street Parking Lot, the City Street Department Lot on Illinois Street, and in A & D Electric's parking lot on Old Route 66. Coleman Metal will also be providing a dumpster in the Edwards Street Parking Lot for scrap metal only. The public may use the dumpsters for disposal of trash items. The dumpsters will be camera monitored and prohibits items such as tires, brush, railroad ties, paint, chemicals, household trash, or computers.


The City and the Chamber will also be having a contest for those who register to participate for a "Pride" Award. Those properties which have the most improvement will be awarded such prizes as trash service, gift certificates for home improvements, yard care equipment, etc. To compete in the contest, you must register by April 6th with the City or Chamber prior to the improvements. The contest will run April 1 through April 30. Keep in mind; you don't need a lot of money to do this, just a little time and hard work. Encourage your neighbors to work together to clean up your entire block, reduce the amount of clutter from around your property, tidy up your landscaping, or add paint to make things look new again!

A local volunteer group, Character Builders, is offering to help the elderly or handicap do some minor exterior clean up. If you are in need of assistance for minor clean up services, please contact Marshall at 217-324-8140. The City and the Chamber are hoping that other local groups/organizations would adopt projects throughout the City to help beautify the community such as parks, residential, and commercial areas. If your group or organization is interested in volunteering for a project or to register for the "Pride" Contest, please contact Tonya or Christy at City Hall at 217-324-5253 or Nikki at the Chamber Office at 217-324-2533.


Individuals of all ages will be served by the community wide clean-up. The April Spring Cleaning event will help the community improve its appearance and will instill pride in local residents. We are hoping everyone gets involved through individual property clean-up, organizational projects, or as community volunteers. We hope to get the community interested in putting its best foot forward in making a positive first impression. So get involved the month of April. Clean up your property, join others in volunteering to complete a community project, or help a neighbor. April will provide many opportunities for you to do your part. The whole community benefits as Litchfield's Pride shines! Please join in our efforts to Clean-up Litchfield!