For Immediate Release

NEWARK COUNCILMEN ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO CLEAN UP THEIR COMMUNITIES

Councilman Oscar S. James II, Anibal Ramos Jr. and Ronald C. Rice Each Sponsor Community Cleanup Activities in their Respective Wards

Newark, NJ – April 17, 2009 – Each concerned with encouraging residents to take pride in their communities, and wanting to provide activities and information that support that effort, Newark City Councilmen Oscar S. James II, Anibal Ramos Jr. and Ronald C. Rice are each doing their part to clean up their respective communities. The councilmen-who represent the South, North and West Wards, respectively-are each sponsoring events and campaigns that get the word out about the importance of keeping neighborhoods clean, and in some cases, offering rewards to citizens who help catch offenders that destroy neighborhoods.

Councilman James is spearheading the South Ward Spring Cleaning Campaign, a series of three events that will make a concerted effort to tidy up major entrances and exits to the South Ward, and major arteries in the community. "Our Spring Cleaning campaign was created to not only clean up our ward, but to also show support and care for our homes and neighborhoods," says Councilman James. The April 18 cleanup will be at the on and off ramps of Route 78 on Lyons Avenue; the May 16 cleanup will take place on Bergen Street from Lyons Avenue to Nye Avenue; and the June 13 cleanup will focus on Clinton Avenue from Bergen Street to Clinton Place. Volunteers should meet at 84 Clinton Place at 9 a.m.; cleaning supplies and t-shirts will be provided. For more information, call (973) 353-4341. Additionally, Councilman James will be conducting community clean up days with South Ward block associations throughout the summer.

In the North Ward, Councilman Ramos is honoring Earth Day 2009 by taking on the graffiti that defaces many of the properties in the community. "Graffiti is a problem that has been rampant in our community for far too long, and I think it's time we put an end to it," says Councilman Ramos. The first graffiti cleanup event will take place this Saturday, April 18 from 2 to 5 p.m. Volunteers should meet at 292 Summer Avenue to clean and paint buildings on Broadway, Mount Prospect Avenue, Summer Avenue and Verona Avenue and that have been defaced by graffiti. Additionally, Councilman Ramos has partnered with the Newark Police Department's Crime Stoppers Unit to secure tips about graffiti offenders. Anyone with information should call (877) NWK-TIPS. If a tip leads to the successful prosecution of a lawbreaker, the informant (who is kept anonymous throughout the process) will be eligible for a monetary reward.

Councilman Rice, utilizing the newly created West Ward Block Federation, has created a spring cleaning campaign. The campaign slogan, "Display Your Pride, Clean Up Outside" encourages everyone to clean up around their homes, and also offers assistance to block associations interested in organizing their own community clean up. "My experience in the West Ward has shown me that block associations are a powerful resource in getting things done," says Rice. "By putting out the call to action to the block associations in our community, I'm confident we can truly make the West Ward an example of cooperation and teamwork," he adds. The campaign will run throughout the summer months. For more information, or assistance in starting a cleanup campaign in the West Ward, contact Councilman Rice's office at (973) 733-6427.

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For more information contact Kim Prime, Cole Media, Inc. at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and (973) 609-2446