The next time you drive through the community of Sunland Park, see if you don’t notice something “different.” Does it seem to sparkle in the sun? The community has come together in a big way to celebrate the beautiful city that is now home to 18,000 residents. Pride is blossoming in Sunland Park in the form of impressive turnouts for events like the Earth Day community cleanup.
“Our participation exceeded 100 volunteers this year,” says Hector Rangel, Community Services Director, City of Sunland Park, “including families, student organizations, Gadsden High School’s wrestling team, Santa Teresa High School’s Band and Science Club, the City of Sunland Park Police Department and Fire Department, and La Red Fronteriza (Border Network).”
Rangel adds, “We were honored to have our elected officials participate – all the way from Mayor Javier Perea and City Councilor Francisco Jayme to United States Congressman Steve Pearce (R-NM 02). I think what we see is that together – whether you’re an elected official, student, police officer, or firefighter – we succeed in making our community a better place to work, live, and raise a family.”
The cleanup efforts were supported by the South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) which provided seven roll-offs (for 6 districts), a grappler truck, a residential side loader which made it easier for volunteers along McNutt Road to toss trash bags. “In the end the SCSWA safely landfilled 23 tons of trash picked up from the districts, almost one ton of blown litter along McNutt, and the numbers on the scrap tires picked up are still rolling in,” says Rafael Leos, Deputy Director of the SCSWA. “We are eager to partner with communities like Sunland Park who are willing to provide community volunteers to do the work of cleaning up, and we will provide all the assistance we can to support that effort.”
Louise Marquez, Community Development Superintendent notes, “We saw the excitement and energy the community poured into this event as the beginning of an ongoing clean up initiative where it will no longer simply be a clean-up campaign, but an investment the city can make to beautify our city and improve the quality of life for our residents.”
Suzanne Michaels provides this content on behalf of SCSWA
Green Connections is submitted by the South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) managing solid waste, recyclables, and working to stop illegal dumping for residents and businesses throughout Doña Ana County. Contact the SCSWA at (575) 528-3800 or visit www.SCSWA.net.