City comes together to make Newton clean again
Many of the residents in Newton came together on Saturday, March 20 to help clean up their town.
In preparation for the upcoming Loose Caboose Arts and Crafts Festival in April, several volunteers went around Newton and picked up trash.
The service project was an idea spurred along by Newton Alderwoman Linda Wash. Wash recommended that cleaning up the litter around town would be a good idea to do ahead of the festival.
Everyone from city officials to local high school students showed up to do their part.
Members of the Newton High School softball team and students at Newton Career and Technical center were among those who showed up to volunteer.
Newton Career and Technical Center Director Dr. Kevin Carter and Newton’s softball coach Ms. Dunn came with the students to volunteer themselves.
Carter said that he felt that it was really important for the students to volunteer.
“I wanted the students to come out today to do some community service,” Carter said. “It gives them an opportunity to give back to the community.”
President of the Newton Municipal School Board Levera Chapman also went out to help clean up Newton.
“with the festival coming up, we want our city to be clean and represent us well,” Chapman said. “We’ve got a beautiful town and we want everyone to know that we care about keeping it clean.”
Among the city officials that helped pick up the litter, Newton’s mayor Murray Weems pitched in to help the cause.
A few of Newton’s aldermen were also present to help with the cause. Alderman Michael Hillie of Ward One said that he was glad to help clean up his town.
“We do this about three times a year. We hope that people will see this and be a little bit mor consciences about where they throw their trash. If you keep a trash bag in your car so you have a place to put your trash, it might cut down on the trash that’s along the roads.”
Volunteers worked from 9-11 a.m. picking up the litter along Newton roads. Once they finished, several trash bags had been filled and Newton’s streets were clean.
Sonya Chapman, biology/chemistry teacher and cheer coach at Newton High School, showed up to lend a hand in the efforts.
Caroline Phillips/The Appeal
City Clerk Charlene Evans picks up trash along a roadway in Newton on Saturday morning.
Caroline Phillips/The Appeal
