Murray County
Keep Chatsworth-Murray Beautiful receives top award
WASHINGTON — Keep Chatsworth-Murray Beautiful was honored at this year’s annual Keep America Beautiful National Conference in early December, receiving the prestigious William Nash Award.
The William Nash Award is named in honor of the man who was instrumental in building Keep America Beautiful’s network of affiliates from the 1970s through the 1990s. The Nash Award recognizes a new affiliate for outstanding achievement in implementing the Keep America Beautiful system.
“The William Nash Award exemplifies the affiliate that best implements all pillars of the Keep America Beautiful mission, and Keep Chatsworth-Murray Beautiful has made us proud,” said Matthew McKenna, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful Inc. “This affiliate is deserving of KAB’s top award because of its remarkable achievements in its litter prevention, recycling and beautification programs.”
Keep Chatsworth-Murray Beautiful’s community improvement accomplishments this year include:
Litter prevention:
The Adopt-a-Mile program of Keep Chatsworth-Murray Beautiful (KCMB) successfully recruited individuals, civic groups, businesses and churches to adopt highway stretches of at least one mile both ways. As of June 30, 2009, KCMB boasted 63 volunteers who cleaned up 70 miles of highway.
KCMB also formed a new division of a program in conjunction with the 4-H, called “Operation Kool Kids,” which, as a result, created another program, “The Trash Busters.” KCMB also teamed up with the United Way for Murray Volunteer Vacation for a four-hour session in which nine youth volunteers and chaperones cleaned up the city park and its surrounding streets.
Beautification:
KCMB worked with code enforcement representatives of Chatsworth and Murray County to identify locations in gross violation of established ordinances. KCMB now has become the hotline for code breakers in which local residents can report unsightly and unhealthy sites, and code enforcement ensures the violations are then corrected.
Recycling/waste reduction:
This year KCMB maintained a revenue source through its recycling center in Chatsworth. Further, front-load recycling bins were installed in all 11 schools in Murray County with the support and cooperation of Caraustar Industries and Waste Services. Within three months, the city and county went from one antiquated recycling location to 17 drop-off locations. Thanks to Keep Chatsworth-Murray Beautiful, Murray County is the only county in the state to have full recycling programs in all public schools.
Community involvement and leveraging resources:
KCMB’s soliciting efforts within the community this year yielded annual donations in the $200-$500 range. Further, KCMB staff and board members donated and sold items including recycled jewelry, bags, hats and T-shirts that generated nominal revenue. Sales of recyclables this year amounted to $10,051, which has been designated for equipment and operations costs for the Recycling Center, school recycling program supplies, Adopt-a-Mile program supplies and educational collateral such as litter bags. KCMB reports that it is supported by city and county officials financially and in staff time.
Over the past year, volunteers accounted for 739 hours in roadside cleanups and board volunteers accounted for 1,378 hours of service and training.
Media and public awareness:
This year Keep Chatsworth-Murray Beautiful cemented its relationships with its local media community. Its executive director conducted interviews with local newspapers and wrote a weekly column addressing litter reduction and recycling issues. A part-time staff member began publishing a monthly newsletter, which features key programs and events, recognizes volunteers and board members, highlights new members and sponsors and solicits continuing support through membership and sponsorship investments.
Recognition programs:
KCMB established a beautification award, which is presented monthly to a local business in the city of Chatsworth, city of Eton or Murray County and is based on the cleanliness and litter-free appearance of the grounds and building. Also, KCMB mailed commendation cards to residences and businesses throughout the community, thanking them and recognizing the beauty and cleanliness of their property.
For a complete list of all Keep America Beautiful 2009 award winners from the 56th National Conference and additional information about the awards program, please visit Keep America Beautiful’s Web site at www.kab.org.
- Murray County
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Preparing for the big game
Kayla Webb, 15, performs a cheer with the varsity and junior varsity members of the North Murray cheerleading team Wednesday as they walk laps around the track at Murray High School. The team is getting ready for their first game of the season, scheduled for Aug. 20, a scrimmage against Murray High. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
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