Recent Miller County cleanup draws nearly 140 participants
TEXARKANA, Ark. — Dozens of Miller County officials, residents and volunteers, organized into 22 Green and Clean teams spent three hours combing the sides of at least 28 county roads and 15 community areas on Saturday.
Each team’s mission included clearing the landscape, not only of every discarded beer and soft drink can found, but also of any and all trash, during the county’s first annual road cleanup.
Trash was disposed of at nine different dumpster locations at each of the county’s volunteer fire departments, and residents were also allowed to dispose of such items as broken furniture and appliances.
Miller County Treasurer Teresa Reed said her teams, that worked along County Roads 17 an 70, filled 43 trash bags with assorted items — including a chainsaw.
Terry Roberts, Ward 1 City Director on the Texarkana Arkansas’ City Board of Directors, said that in addition to tires, his group collected metal shelves along with two pieces of concrete.
Antony Robinson, vice president of the Texarkana League of Champions, said his group filled 76 bags and found roadside throw-aways that included stoves, couches and even washing machines.
Miller County Clerk Stephanie Harvin, whose eight teams accounted for 51 participants, said her groups filled 105 trash bags.
“Getting more of everyone involved in working on a project like this will make it even more of a success next year,” she said.
Following the cleanup, many participants who gathered at the Miller County Fire Department Training Center near the Ferguson Exit about two miles behind the Rock Store, won door prizes provided by dozens of Texarkana area sponsors.
With the early summer sun making itself well known throughout the mid to late morning cleanup hours, Miller County Judge Cathy Harrison said she would consider having next year’s cleanup in late March rather then in late June.