Cumberland County Improvement Authority


	Steven R. Wymbs Executive Director Board Members Albert B. Kelly Chairman Sumner N. Lippincott Vice Chairman Virginia E. Curliss, Treasurer Clair H. Miller Assistant Treasurer Joseph W. Veight III Secretary Todd W. Heck, Esq. Solicitor Bruce T. Peterson Co Freeholder Liaison Louis N. Magazzu Co Freeholder Liaison

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2006

OVER 150 VOLUNTEERS TURN OUT FOR THE 15TH ANNUAL PUBLIC LANDS CLEAN-UP

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NJ: Over 150 volunteers from throughout Cumberland County spent part of their Saturday afternoon patrolling our woodlands in a search for trash as part of the Cumberland County Clean Communities 15th Annual Public Lands Clean-up. The long running event is sponsored by the Cumberland County Improvement Authority.

“ The Trash Hunt has become a wonderful opportunity for the community to show their support for protecting and preserving our environment,” said Improvement Authority Executive Director Steven R. Wymbs. “Over the last 15 years, thousands of volunteers have become involved by taking time out of their busy weekends to assist in cleaning up areas of Cumberland County. With their enthusiastic support again this year, we were able to remove several tons of trash, including many tires from Cumberland County’s woodland areas.”

Volunteer groups cleaned up areas throughout the County including the Union Lake Tract, the Peaslee Fish & Wildlife Management Area, the Maurice River Bluffs, the Edward G. Bevan Fish & Wildlife Management Areas, the Mauricetown Preserve, and Peek’s Preserve.

“ This is my first year as President of the Federation of Sportsmen,” said Bob Russell of the Tidewater Bass Gun Club. “I am proud to continue the Federation’s association with the Cumberland County Improvement Authority and this wonderful program. There is nothing worse than being out hunting or fishing and coming upon a pile of trash. It demonstrates a lack of respect for the environment and for the entire community, and could pose a health hazard. I would encourage more people to become involved in the Public Lands Clean-up program. It will give you a sense of accomplishment and help demonstrate the volunteer spirit which is a big part of Cumberland County.”

“ I would like to recognize Waste Management, Giordano’s Recycling, Cifaloglio, Inc. and the City of Millville for their help in making the Trash Hunt a success. Each of them pre-positioned roll-off containers and trash compactors in strategic locations throughout the County for volunteers to dispose of the trash and tires they collected,” said Cumberland County Recycling Coordinator Dennis DeMatte, Jr. “Also, I would like to acknowledge Bob Russell, Jeff Hammerstead, and the Federation of Sportsmen, and Lee Widjeskog of the New Jersey Department of Fish and Game for their invaluable help in coordinating this year’s Trash Hunt.”

“ In addition, Municipal Clean Communities Coordinators, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department, and the City of Vineland were also involved in this year’s clean-up effort,” DeMatte continued. “We appreciate all of the help they provided, not only for this event, but for their continued support over the years. Their efforts, and the efforts of so many others, are definitely making a positive impact on the appearance and integrity of Cumberland County’s natural environment.”

Over the last 15 years, the Public Lands Clean-up Program has removed nearly 1.5 million pounds of trash and almost 13,000 tires from our protected woodlands, waterways, and other important areas of the County. For more information on this and other Clean Communities and Recycling Programs in Cumberland County, please contact the Improvement Authority at 825-3700 or visit our Web site at www.ccia-net.com.

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For more information about this press release, please contact Dennis DeMatte, Jr. at 825-3700.