‘FOR OUR CITY’ LAUNCHES LOOKING GOOD COTTONWOOD CITYWIDE NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP CAMPAIGN

Distressed neighborhoods may soon take on a new look, thanks to Looking Good Cottonwood, a new neighborhood revitalization and For Our City Cottonwood initiative. For Our City Cottonwood is a recently formed group of faith based and nonprofit volunteers who desire to make a positive difference in the community. The initiative provides a framework to bring together the talents and creative energies of diverse civic and volunteer groups including faith and nonprofit organizations committed to transforming neighborhoods into neighborhoods of opportunity.

For Our City Cottonwood plans a citywide cleanup on Saturday, April 14 from 8 a.m. until noon. Volunteers will comb Cottonwood and Verde Village Streets picking up litter to spruce up the city. In Cottonwood, volunteers will meet at Evangel Worship Center, 1380 East Mingus Ave., at 8 a.m. for coffee and donuts. The city of Cottonwood will furnish garbage bags for volunteers who will spread out into assigned districts throughout the city. Margaret Paddock, president of the Verde Village Property Owners’ Association, will be asking Verde Village volunteers to work in Units 1 and 3. At noon, volunteers will take their garbage bags to Evangel Worship Center where two dump trucks donated by Brent Deal will be available to haul them to the Cottonwood Transfer Station. Evangel Worship Center will furnish lunch to the volunteers.

Cottonwood Mayor Diane Joens asks, “Will you be caught cleaning up your yard?” Cottonwood Youth Advisory Commission members, Mingus Union High School Student Council members and MUHS Interact Club members will be looking to catch community residents cleaning up their yards. They will be handing out free meal tickets to some of Cottonwood’s favorite restaurants.

Cottonwood businesses and residents are encouraged to clean up their properties to make the entire city sparkle. For Our City Cottonwood’s motto is, “Bringing the community together through volunteerism.” Their first project is to engage and promote strong vibrant neighborhoods through the Looking Good Cottonwood program.

Residents and businesses will be encouraged to take pride in community by getting out and raking and mowing their lawns, planting flowers and enthusiastically cleaning up their yards. Volunteers will help others who are not able. A clean and beautiful city promotes the health of residents and neighborhoods, encourages thriving economic development and enhances tourism.

The city of Cottonwood will provide free dumping to city of Cottonwood residents from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The dumpsters will be located behind the CAT bus facilities. Follow the signs from 89A turning onto West Mingus Ave. toward the Cottonwood Airport. Pass the airport and turn at the next right on Happy Jack, just before the Fire Training Center. Follow the road to the dumpsters. No commercial loads, liquids, tires or cement can be accepted. City of Cottonwood residents may dispose household trash and yard trimmings.

In Verde Village, businesses and residents are also encouraged to clean up their properties in this collaborative Cottonwood-Verde Village cleanup. Yavapai County Supervisor Chip Davis will furnish dumpsters for Verde Village residents at the Club House on 4855 East Broken Saddle Drive from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 14. No yard waste will be accepted, but Verde Village residents can take their slash and yard waste to the Camp Verde transfer station. The transfer station is seven miles east of I-17 on Hwy. 260. Take General Crook Trail to Hwy 260 going toward Payson. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A separate household hazardous waste event will be held Saturday, April 14. Yavapai County is sponsoring a free household hazardous waste recycling event from 8 a.m. until noon. Verde Valley residents are encouraged to recycle paints, auto batteries and other batteries, motor oil and fluids, aerosol cans, pesticides, fluorescent lights, acids, household cleaners and lawn and garden products. Please limit loads to 15 gallons or 125 pounds. Residents with questions about the household hazardous waste event may call Yavapai County Public Works at 928-639-8100 extension 3183.

Residents of both Cottonwood and Verde Village—as well as all Verde Valley residents—may participate in the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors 2012 Free slash drop off program at the Camp Verde transfer station. Now through June 1, 2012, the free slash drop off program will assist residents in developing necessary defensible space around their homes and other structures that could fuel fires. Supervisor Chip Davis says, “Keeping fuels managed is absolutely necessary to help avoid uncontrolled fires that can become extremely damaging.” He encourages residents to take advantage of the free slash drop-off program and clean up around their properties. Only the following items will be accepted: brush, branches, grass and leaves and yard trimmings. All slash must be removed from plastic bags. The county cannot accept lumber, stumps, roots, cactus, metal or garbage. For additional information about the slash program, call 928-639-8100, extension 3183.

Part of the neighborhood cleanup plan is to assist elderly people who are unable to do their own yard work or clean up their properties. For Our City Cottonwood volunteers want to help. Volunteers are being recruited now. Experience in the building trades is a plus, but not a requirement. There is a particular need for team leaders who can help supervise and train teams of volunteers.  If you would like to help beautify Cottonwood, clean up or work on home repair, please call Mayor Diane Joens at 634-4112 or email her at mayor@dianejoens.com.  Eligible elderly households who need assistance may call 634-4254, extension 54175 and leave a message.  A For Our City Cottonwood volunteer will return calls as soon as possible.

 “Neighborhoods are the fabric of a community—the threads that tie both geographic and social systems together,” says Mayor Joens. Mayor Joens believes that strengthening and promoting existing neighborhoods can stabilize the housing stock and contribute towards community ties. These ties produce a stronger community that can effectively react to problems such as crime, litter or deterioration. Dealing with these threats in a proactive and tenacious manner can ensure the vitality and property values of a community. Focusing on neighborhoods protects the health, safety and welfare of the people who live within the community. Communities want to address deterioration issues before they become a widespread problem within the community.

For Our City Cottonwood Coordinator Mike Worden asks, “What would Cottonwood look like if hundreds of volunteers worked together, contributing thousands of hours collectively to serve our city? Think of how we could address problems, alleviate suffering and transform our community! Together we will work with public servants, community, business, nonprofit and faith leaders in all areas of society—facilitating relationships and effecting positive change.” Other ideas For Our City Cottonwood has discussed include a teacher appreciation week, homeless program unification, a youth cultural activity center, volunteer fair, and other community projects.

Businesses or residents with questions may email Mayor Joens at mayor@dianejoens.com or check the Web site www.dianejoens.com for .pdf files of the images below.