By Pepper Parr
April 27th 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
They were celebrating their fifth year as the leaders of the annual CleanUp GreenUp event that brought out 11, 970 people who pulled garbage and litter from creeks, ravines and roadside ditches.
Amy Schnurr and Paul Haskins go over their notes before announcing how many people took part in the event.
Prior to BurlingtonGreen (BG) taking over the event it was run out of the Mayor’s office. In a short comment Mayor Goldring explained that it just got too big.
One parent commented that there is SO MUCH more litter around the bridge entrance at Desmond and folkway. I was astonished at the amount of trash in the creek.
The Clean Up day is just one part of what BurlingtonGreen does each Spring. They plant trees and in the past have done this on the same day as the CleanUp – which is frequently a chilly day – although this year there was some sunshine.
Later in May BG will be doing some work in the Mountainside area planting trees and planting trees in the Beachway where some of the land is environmentally sensitive. BG expects to plant some 150 trees in the Beachway.
This is how much garbage my kids pulled from the creek in Ireland park this morning, walking along one side only between the two bridges.
Amy Schnurr explained the interesting effect tree planting has on people. Many people see the tree they planted as “their” tree and the drop by over the years to see how it is doing. They have a sense of personal ownership of the tree they planted which is really nice to see.
Mayor Goldring makes last minute changes to his short speech.
Each year, some of the people who take part in the CleanUp GreenUp gather in the civic square to chat with friends and neighbours and look over the tables with information.
There didn’t seem to be as many people taking part this year. As a celebration of the work that had been done – it was kind of a limp event. A lot of people, 11,970 of them, had worked hard for half of the day. It would have been nice to see more of a sense of celebration to the event.
A little show business might be added to the event next year.
People line up for the free burgers grilled up by Turtle Jack’s
Turtle Jacks had their trailer on site and cooked up all the hamburgers that could be eaten – veggie burgers as well.
Congratulations to Burlington Green and all of the volunteers who undertook this worthy project of trying to keep our planet clean. You have made a positive difference to the environment. Thank you.
Once again, the Mayor’s office cannot do the job at hand. The City of Burlington does not and will not manage CleanUp Greenup any longer. Mayor Goldring stated in his speech that “it just got too big”.
What kind of leadership is this? As taxpayers we hired you to solve these problems. Now get to work!