City and county to hold Peachy Clean Day Sat.

City and county residents are urged to put on their walking shoes and slather on plenty of sunscreen for "Peachy Clean Day" set for Saturday, April 26.

Sponsored by the City of Lincolnton and Lincoln County Government, the annual event is held to encourage residents to pick up trash along the roadside in preparation for the Lewis Family Homecoming and Bluegrass Festival May 1-3.

Volunteers are asked to meet in the parking lot at the Lincoln County Courthouse at 8:30 a.m. to receive their assignments. The clean-up initiative will officially end at 12:30 p.m., but those who wish to keep working are heartily urged to do so. Water, gloves, hand sanitizer, and trash bags will be provided.

To reserve a stretch of highway for a youth group, church, club, neighborhood organization, etc. contact City Hall at 706-359-3239 or the Lincoln County Planning and Zoning Department at 706-359-5522.

As in years past, the city has agreed to collect bagged garbage in the county, if residents will pick up the trash and place it in a central location. County volunteers are asked to call Kay Remsen at City Hall by Friday, April 25, so city workers will know where the garbage will be located.

Last year, 14 volunteers picked up 65 bags of trash, which translated into approximately 1,170 pounds of garbage. However, each Georgia resident disposes of about 6.3 pounds of trash each day or more than 2,300 pounds annually. This amounts to the weight of eight baby elephants.

What follows are seven good reasons to take part in Peachy Clean Day:

(1) Litter poses a danger to wildlife.

(2) Litter can contaminate soil and water and pose a fire hazard.

(3) Litter creates the impression that no one cares, which results in more littering, vandalism, and other crimes. Litter attracts more litter.

(4) Litter can directly affect property values.

(5) Litter provides food and a breeding ground for insects, rats, and snakes.

(6) Garbage and litter breed bacteria and molds, which can spread disease.

(7) Litter adversely affects tourism.

Everyone is urged to participate in Peachy Clean Day for a "Cleaner, Greener Georgia" - the theme for this year's anti-litter campaign.