Media Room

News Release

Community Clean-Up Set for Rural Areas

(Wednesday, October 15/2003)-- A community volunteer clean-up effort in the rural areas of HRM will be held this weekend - Saturday, October 18^th - beginning 9 a.m.

HRM's Community Response Team is urging members of the public to arrive at the designated sites between 8:30 am and 9:00 am on Saturday to assist in the removal of brush from roadways. A site co-ordinator will be present to identify roads to be cleared and to provide further instructions. Representatives from the RCMP will be present at each site to provide security and safety to the public who will be working on the roads.

A number of designated areas have been identified as drop-off sites for community volunteers to bring debris from Hurricane Juan (brush and branches only) for collection. The clean-up will take place rain or shine in order to ensure that roads are cleared for public safety. ( HRM crews will soon be preparing its trucks etc for winter snow removal operations).

Members of the public with trucks and flatbed trailers are being asked to assist as well. A chipper will be set up at each location to chip the debris.

Imperial Oil (Esso) is assisting in this project, by providing complimentary gas vouchers for those participating in the clean-ups. Cocoa-Cola, (Canada Bread) Ben's, Superstore & Tim Horton's have agreed to sponsor the barbeque at each site.

The following is a list of the designated sites:

• DOT site - Hammonds Plains Road - between Hwy 103 overpass and Route #3 (new Superstore)
• DOT site - Beechville/Prospect Rd.
• DOT site - Enfield Scale House (off Hwy 102)
• DOT site - Head of Chezzetcook (#7816 Route 207 - old #7 Hwy)
• DOT site - Middle Musquodoboit (#12703 Hwy 224)
• Musquodoboit Harbour Rink
• Lower Sackville - Beaver Bank Road / Majestic Ave.
• East Preston Recreation Centre
• Upper Sackville - Between Orchard and Fenerty on Sackville Drive
• Sambro - West Pennant Road Fire Hall

A dedicated phone line has been established for this community venture and residents are encouraged to call 490-6360 and leave a message if they wish to volunteer for Saturday or any future cleanup initiatives (especially in HRM parks).

The Community Response Team will co-ordinate calls from residents who require assistance on their private property, in conjunction with Nova Scotia Housing Services. They are encouraged to call 490-6360 and leave a message as well.

Safety vests, glasses and gloves will be provided, however, should anyone have their own supplies, they are encouraged to bring them along.

The HRM website www.halifax.ca (under the "State of Recovery" link) will be updated as details are finalized. Enquiries can be made by calling the Community Response Team at 490-6174.

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Gary Martin
Manager, Community Response Team
(902-490-4070)