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
May 24, 2007
IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY SPONSORS 2007 ENVIRO FAIR

MILLVILLE, NJ: The 13th Annual Cumberland County Enviro Fair, sponsored by the Cumberland County Improvement Authority, was held recently at the WheatonArts And Cultural Center. Nearly 400 fourth grade students and teachers from 14 schools throughout the County participated in this year’s event. Tricia Dufford, from the WheatonArts And Cultural Center, served as the Mistress of Ceremonies.

“ We believe Cumberland County really benefits from the Enviro Fair,” said Steven R. Wymbs, Cumberland County Improvement Authority Executive Director. “The Enviro Fair is an Authority sponsored event that’s designed to educate County students about several aspects of the Improvement Authority’s solid waste and recycling programs. We believe that by the time the students leave the event. They have a much better understanding of how their individual actions effect the environment.”

“ I would also like to thank the WheatonArts And Cultural Center, our hosts for this year’s event,” Wymbs continued. “Normally, the Enviro Fair is held at the Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex, however there is currently construction in progress. Since we were already partnering with WheatonArts on the First Annual Eco-Fair to promote Green Living for the home and garden the following day, May 12, we approached them with the idea of hosting our event. The Enviro Fair is a perfect tie in, and the setting at WheatonArts is beautiful.”

Freeholder Bruce Peterson, Co-Liaison to the Improvement Authority said, “I am impressed by the fact that every year the children are eager to come to the Enviro Fair. I believe it truly makes an impression on them because it is such a visible and tangible experience. Getting an opportunity to listen to and ask questions of professionals involved in protecting and preserving the environment is something very valuable that they can take away from this event.”

According to Improvement Authority Recycling Committee Chairperson Virginia E. Curliss, “Projects like the Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling Days, Public Lands Clean-up, the Adopt-A-Road Program, and, of course, the Enviro Fair all help in getting the message out to County residents and businesses about the importance of recycling. In addition, the Authority continues to develop new programs to increase recycling participation such as our new Municipal Recycling Collection Program. As a result, Cumberland County was recently recognized as the top recycling County in the State.”

“ The students began preparing long before they arrived at the Fair,” said Improvement Authority Recycling Coordinator Dennis DeMatte, Jr. “In fact, the students spend weeks leading up to the Fair working in teams and individually, creating sculptures and fashion show outfits using recycled material. When you finally see what they have come up with each year, you can’t help but be astounded by their ability to be so creative.”

Waste Management, Cumberland Recycling, Giordano’s Recycling, and private citizens all contributed prizes to be awarded to the winners of the sculpture contest and for a special drawing. In addition, $4,000 worth of playground equipment made from recycled material was awarded to the winner of the fashion show contest courtesy of the Cumberland County Improvement Authority.

A special thank you goes out to all of the municipal organizations, businesses, and individuals who have contributed to making this event successful including: the New Jersey Department of Agriculture; the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association; the Landis Sewerage Authority; the New Jersey Audubon Nature Center of Cape May; Giordano’s Recycling; Waste Management; Haskins Shellfish Research Laboratory; the Bayshore Discovery Project; the Nature Conservancy; the New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program; the Cumberland County Health Department; the cities of Bridgeton, Millville, and Vineland; the Townships of Deerfield, Hopewell, Downe, and Upper Deerfield; the Rosenhayn and Carmel Fire Companies; the Cohanzick Zoo; and the Vineland High School S.H.A.P.E. Club.

“ We feel very proud to have been able to reach thousands of students through the Enviro Fair who go on to spread the knowledge they have received about recycling throughout Cumberland County. Thanks once again to the WheatonArts And Cultural Center, our volunteers, and the Improvement Authority Board, administration, and staff who continue to make this event a success,” DeMatte concluded.

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For more information about this press release, please contact Dennis DeMatte, Jr. at 856-825-3700.