Mayor’s task force against litter formed

Last April for Earth Day, students and community members, including Newark Mayor Vance Funk, cleaned up city parks.

2:38 p.m., Sept. 23, 2005--Newark Mayor Vance A. Funk III has announced formation of the Mayor’s Task Force Against Litter.

Thirteen Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), including eight fraternities and sororities, at the University of Delaware are members of the task force, Funk said.

Task force members include the Black Student Union (BSU), Blue Hens for Israel, Caribbean Student Alliance (CSA), Delta Gamma sorority, Habitat for Humanity, Kappa Alpha fraternity, Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity, Kappa Sigma fraternity, Sigma Alpha sorority, Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, Sigma Chi fraternity, Sigma Phil Epsilon fraternity and Stimulating Prose, Ideas and Theories (SPIT).

The task force fulfills two campaign priorities Funk set when running for mayor of Newark--reducing litter and promoting student involvement in the community. “This task force accomplishes both goals,” he said.

The fact that so many members of RSOs are willing to donate their time demonstrates that University students and Newark residents realize that clean streets help contribute to a better city, he said.

"Involvement generates campus spirit and personal friendships, " Marilyn Prime, director of student centers, said. "Students do better socially and academically if they are involved in extra-curricular activities. It's not just about getting out and doing events. it's about becoming a part of the community in which we live."

Funk said that after the election, the city began cleaning Main Street for the first time on Saturdays, and, shortly thereafter, UD fraternities and sororities began planning for fall and spring city-wide cleanups. With assistance from Matt Lenno, assistant director of student centers, each of these cleanup events attracted more than 500 students, who picked up litter from city parks and streets.

In April, Funk said, the city also began a program where building inspectors work on Saturday and Sunday mornings to identify and cite abusers of city litter ordinances. “I’ve been amazed by the reduction in after-party litter as a result of this initiative,” Funk said.

As members of the task force, the student groups have agreed to clean a city street--from Cleveland Avenue to Choate Street--at least four times during the academic year.

Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson

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