Flemington and Midway need you. Both cities are looking for volunteers for city cleanups planned for Saturday, April 21.
The city of Flemington has a roadside cleanup on Old Sunbury Road and areas around Peacock Canal scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon. Mayor Sandra Martin encourages as many Flemington residents as possible to join us for a few hours that morning. Volunteers should call city hall at 877-3223 and should meet there at 8 a.m.
The city of Midway is also sponsor a clean-up day from 8 a.m. to noon. City hall was moved to the former elementary school building last year and so we will be working on sprucing up the front lawn. We will make a new plant bed around the sign for the city hall and cleaning out some of the older beds.  Jenny Scurry, a local master gardener, has been assisting us with an attractive plan that will do the city of Midway proud. When I saw her design, I fully understood why they call them “master” gardeners. She is really talented. We will also have some targeted roadside cleanups around town, but as Mayor Don Emmons says, “we really need our citizens to come out and help us on the 21st to get all these things done.” To volunteer, call city hall at 884-3344.
These cleanups don’t just make our roadways look better. They also protect our local streams and waterways from polluted stormwater runoff. This runoff, which occurs when rain flows over impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks and roads, picks up litter, auto fluids and other pollutants. These types of surfaces prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground. The debris accumulates in the runoff and drains into storm-drain systems in towns or eventually into local waterways. This runoff is one of the most significant sources of pollution for our waterways.
Here are some ideas all of us can put into action to reduce the amount of polluted stormwater runoff in our community:
• Don’t overwater your lawn. Consider using soaker hoses.
• Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. Use organic mulch when possible.
• Compost or mulch your yard waste.  Don’t leave it in the street or sweep it down storm drains.
• Inspect your septic system every three years and pump your tank every three to five years. Leaking septic systems can release pathogens into the ground that can ultimately be discharged into local bodies of water.
• Don’t dispose of household hazardous wastes in sinks and toilets.
• Consider using a commercial car wash that treats or recycles its wastewater, or wash your car in your yard so the water soaks into the ground.
• Repair leaks in your car and dispose of used auto fluids, such as motor oil and batteries, at designated auto centers that accept these items for recycling.
• When walking your pet, pick up and dispose of their waste properly.  Pet waste can be a major source of bacteria in local waters.

I know we all can take simple steps each day for our water. Water ... life depends on it.  
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world,” — Mahatma Gandhi

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Reminders about upcoming events with the Great American Cleanup:
• April 17: (5-7 p.m.) Kids Earth Day at the Park . Fun for the whole family!
The event, a fun afternoon at Bradwell Park in downtown Hinesville, will feature a sidewalk chalk art contest at 3:30 p.m, and,  from 5-7 p.m., environmental exhibits, food and prizes, and the hilarious but educational program “Water, Water Everywhere.”
The first 100 children, ages 12 and under, will receive a free knapsack. The group bringing the most kids for the program will receive a gift certificate for a pizza party.
• April 21: (8 a.m.-noon) Hinesville Neighborhood Watch Cleanups. Call Officer Michael Trombley at 368-8211 or your local Neighborhood Watch coordinator.
• April 21: (8 a.m.-noon) city of Flemington cleanup on Old Sunbury Road and Peacock Canal. To volunteer, call Flemington City Hall at 877-3223 or contact via email at flemington@coastalnow.net
• April 21: (8 a.m.-noon) City of Midway cleanup day. Meet at city hall. To volunteer, call 884-3344.
• April 22: Earth Day. To receive bulletin inserts for your church on Earth Day and environmental stewardship, call the KLCB office at 368-4888.
• April 28: (8 a.m.-noon) Hinesville’s Highway 84 Cleanup to the Limits. To volunteer, call Trombley at 368-8211 or KLCB at 368-4888.
• TBA cleanup dates in Riceboro, Walthourville, Lake George, Woodland Lakes and more. To help in these areas, call KLCB at 368-4888.
• May 17-19: Old-tire roundup in Liberty County. Noncommercial and Liberty County residents only may participate. No commercial customers. For details, call 368-4888.
• May 19: (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) Recycle It! Fair at the old hospital site on Highway 84.
Help local organizations and nonprofits collect items for recycling from old athletic shoes, plastic bottles, cell phones, aluminum cans — even old cars. Any nonprofit groups wishing to participate should call KLCB at 368-4888. Clean out your closets and help your community too.
• Through May 31: Young Adult Liberty Leaders and local schools are spearheading a recycling collection for plastic bottles (soda and water type bottles) with the Students for Recycling national project.
Please help these young leaders as they lead this drive for our community.
Midway Middle School Builders Club is collecting athletic shoes for recycling through the Nike Grind project. So, start gathering those shoes, because all parts of these them can be recycled!  
For more information on Keep Liberty County Beautiful programs, call me at 368-4888 or email klcb@coastalnow.net