Baltakis: Active Keep Eunice Beautiful intends to be more so

The Keep Eunice Beautiful committee intends to become more active this year in awareness and education of litter ordinances, code enforcement and looking at vacant and dilapidated properties, Donna Baltakis, director, said in a report at the Eunice Board of Aldermen June 14 meeting.
“We know that changes in behavior and attitude do not happen overnight,” she stated. “But we need everyone, at all levels, to stand up with us. We need to stop litter, to recycle, to beautify our city, to be responsible for our property, and to take pride.”
Keep Eunice Beautiful has been active for five years and for four years has been an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, she said.
“In February of this year, and for the past three years, we have received the President’s Circle Award from Keep America Beautiful,” she said.
Baltakis’ presentation included the following:
— In March, 54 leaders took part in Leaders Against Litter, which included 104 people signing pledges. The cleanup collected 30 bags of litter weighing 325 pounds and included 315 cigarette butts. There were 186 volunteer hours valued at $3,391 and $336 of in kind donations. The event was supported by the Eunice Garden Club, churches and schools.
— In April, the Great American Cleanup was held with more than 20 businesses participating in a monthlong event. There were 74 bags of litter picked up, 1,110 pounds of trash, 55 pounds of recyclables and at least 615 cigarette butts picked. In addition, nearly two dozen plants were placed around Eunice. Also in April, the Eunice affiliate was of three in the state invited to the state capitol. The Eunice group served jambalaya and handed out city and parish brochures.
In May, the Eunice committee hosted the regional meeting of Keep Louisiana Beautiful at LSUE. Affiliates from nine parishes attended and toured the campus and downtown Eunice.
A community litter index is planned to cover 50 neighborhoods in all four wards of the city this fall. The index is used to target areas to be cleaned up by trusties and community service workers.
In November, Keep Eunice Beautiful plans to participate in National Recycling Day.
Baltakis said the group received a cigarette litter grant two years ago to place cigarette receptacles. The group also received a $2,500 grant for four trash receptacles for 2nd Street.