With the help of local students, the United Progressive Young Democrats and local elected officials, Bensonhurst saw some summer sprucing up on Saturday, August 20.
Sponsored by District Leader Charles Ragusa, with help from Assemblymember William Colton, Councilmember Mark Treyger and District Leader Nancy Tong, a community clean-up was organized in response to Bensonhurst cleanliness concerns.
“I’m glad this clean-up helped draw out the local volunteers because it is truly a group effort to clean the streets of our great neighborhood and to maintain its cleanliness,” said Ragusa. “For years we have held clean-ups to clean the streets and also promote the positive message. We hope to clean up the streets through a strong community effort by encouraging store owners and residents to take part in keeping our neighborhood beautiful.”
The weekend clean-up saw schools and organizations joining forces not only to contribute to the neighborhood’s physical cleanliness, but to take a stance in filth prevention. Participants spoke to residents and businesses throughout the day about sanitation regulations and encouraged them to step up and do their part in maintaining the community.
“One of the main objectives for our clean-ups is to remove the garbage from the streets, but we must emphasize setting a precedent and example to keep them clean in the future,” said Colton. “A few weeks back, Bay Parkway and 86th Street was flooded and we were able to locate the direct source of the problem: clogged catch basins.”
86th Street from 25th Avenue to 16th Avenue, 18th Avenue from Benson Avenue to 82nd Street and the area surrounding Bensonhurst Park were the targets of the clean-up that took place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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