News Release

Help Needed for Litter Control Effort 3/8/2011

Click here for a pdf version of the following

(Submitted by Casey Jones and Lila Ervay)

“READERS TURN TO WRITE”

To the Olean Community:
Last spring Mayor Witte formed the City of Olean Neighborhood Preservation Committee (CONPC) to address two concerns within the city of Olean: Litter Control and Safety. Co-chairs of the litter control program are Alderman Gary (Casey) Jones and Olean resident, Lila Ervay.  Co-chairs of the safety program are Paula Snyder and Joyce Melfi, who are assisted by officers of the Olean Police Dept. and Code Enforcement.

This particular letter addresses the issue of litter, which as we are all aware, has become a monumental problem in our city. We are seeking cooperation from each and every resident to provide your individual assistance in cleaning up the streets of Olean. Those of us who live here and earn our living here have a personal responsibility to the community and it is in this spirit that we ask for volunteers to come forward to help in the cleanup effort.

Last year CONPC enlisted the help of 17 volunteer groups who adopted several of the main streets in Olean. These volunteers represented schools, businesses, churches, political offices, scouts, clubs and other organizations. We cannot give enough praise to the folks who stepped up to the plate and donated one hour every two weeks (a total of two hours per month) to picking up litter on the streets. It made a significant difference; however we still have much to do and we need more people to come forward to help. While we still need – and will welcome - more business groups, church groups, clubs, organizations, etc. to join with us, we are now turning to the private sector for YOUR help.

Here is how you can help:
First and foremost, keep your own property picked up and free of trash and litter.

Then, we would like to find two people (neighbors) on EACH BLOCK in this city to “adopt” the block in which they live and donate 10 minutes a week to picking up litter on their immediate street. Using a plastic bag and gloves, this would entail picking up papers, plastic bottles, styrofoam containers, etc. lying on the subway, sidewalk and along the curbside. We ask that you then dispose of the trash bag in your own garbage container at home. Please note WE DO NOT PICK UP CIGARETTE BUTTS.

We envision that two neighbors working together (one on each side of the street) can clean up their immediate block in about 10 minutes if the effort is made on a weekly basis. We all lead very busy lives these days but certainly this amount of time is not asking too much of any one of us as a way of giving back to our community. And think of what a difference each of us can make by donating just 40 to 50 minutes a month to this most worthwhile effort.

The litter control program runs from early May until late October.

Most of you are aware that the city has adopted a Strategic Plan which focuses on improvements to be made to our roads, stadium, street lights, aging water and sewer lines, among other issues. The city’s goal is to improve and clean up Olean in several phases. However, the responsibility of improving Olean’s image does not lie only with city government and its officials. We as residents can join in this endeavor by helping in our own way – and that is, to help rid our streets of trash and litter that adds to the overall blight and decay that we are experiencing.

If you are interested in adopting your street – and will commit to 10 minutes a week for litter control - please call either Lila Ervay at 373-0677 (email lila43@roadrunner.com) or Alderman Casey Jones (372-3772) to sign up and identify the street you wish to adopt. We need to have our program and list of volunteers in place by mid-April, so please call as soon as possible to inform us of your interest. Thank you.

Respectfully submitted,

Alderman Gary (Casey) Jones
Lila Ervay