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November 22, 2010

Dalton employees take part in Clean Air Campaign

Charles Oliver charlesoliver@daltoncitizen.com

DALTON — Dalton Deputy City Clerk Luis Villavizar and his wife Maria have been carpooling to work since 2005.

“She used to work at the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners, so it was just a matter of me dropping her off and coming over here,” he said.

So when Villavizar heard the city was taking part in the Clean Air Campaign, a private effort to get Georgians to reduce the miles they drive, he was intrigued, especially when he found the campaign provides various rewards to those who carpool or bicycle to work.

“I thought I qualified, so I signed up for it,” he said. “I took the survey they do (on participants’ driving habits), and I won $50. This month, because I participated, I won $25. That was great.”

Dalton Human Resources Director Greg Batts said the city signed up with the campaign about three months ago.

“We had 103 employees take their survey, about 30 percent of our total. By doing that, they became eligible for a drawing for $50 (Visa) gift cards,” Batts said. “We had 10 employees who won those cards.”

Batts said participation in the program varies.

“You may carpool one day and not be able to the next day,” he said.

But those who do participate become eligible for more gift cards based on how often they take part.

City Administrator Ty Ross says the program, which doesn’t cost the city anything, is a great way to help the environment and boost the city’s “green” image.

“A large percentage of our work force commutes into town. They live in Whitfield County, Murray County. Some even live in Tennessee. The Clean Air Campaign helps them find greener ways to get to work,” Ross said.

Villavizar said he hopes to keep taking part in the program even though his wife changed jobs last week.

“We are still carpooling,” he said.

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For more information on the Clean Air Campaign, go to www.cleanaircampaign.org.

 

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