CleanerSafer event being called a success

The first CleanerSafer Blytheville cleanup of 2012 is being touted as a success, despite inclement weather Saturday morning.

Participants met at Williams Park at 8 a.m. Saturday and moved to the Lake, Lilly and Cherry street areas to begin work. Afterward, people met back at Williams Park at a hospitality tent set up to provide food and fellowship.

Despite temperatures in the 50s along with high winds, about 200 people gathered to help clean up the area, according to Councilmen John Musgraves and Stan Parks.

"It wasn't as good of turn out that we thought, but I think that had to do with the weather," said Parks.

"It started slow but we got a lot done," added Musgraves. "Now we need to hold these property owners up to their end of the bargain."

Musgraves said that the next CleanerSafer cleanup will be Sept. 8, and will concentrate on an area on the west side.

Saturday's event was the first of two major community cleanup projects. On April 28, the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual cleanup beginning at 8 a.m. at the Chamber. The city of Gosnell is also holding a community cleanup that day.

afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com