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I, Councilwoman Kates, would like to share that our Seventh Annual District A Fall Clean Day on Saturday, Nov. 20, was a success. A special thank you to our participants: Larry Brown, Gloria Kates, Thomas Kates, Andrew Laurent, Glendora McEleve, Regina Powell, the Bogalusa High School Jr. ROTC under the direction of First Sgt. Rogers and Lt. Col. Harris (cadets were Wilson Glover, Raven Lee, Gregory Brown, Robein Williams, Mariah Miles, Katerina Harry, Adam Doty, Ashton Williams, Dany Duong, Tyler Williams and Albert Jones).

Also thanks to the City Court of Bogalusa Community Service team: Ms. Hillary, Mr. McMillan and staff of four; the City of Bogalusa Public Works Dept. in their manicuring our vacant lots and securing ditch cleaning throughout the district; and PW and Parks Directors in requesting the Washington Parish Corrections Dept. for the pre-preparation of the event.

There was a concentration in District A in the areas of high litter, branches, and tires around Austin St., Bayer St., N Border, Church St., College St., Cobourne St., Dauphine St., Davis St., Louisiana Ave., Peters St., Poplas St., Redmond St., Seal St., Second Ave., Second St. and Wabash St., just to name a few of areas visited throughout District A.

Many residents adopted a block and adopted their own property to clean up. Reportedly, resident Joel Miller Jr. has participated in a joint effort with the Burris and Williams families, along with myself, using his expertise of numerous individual projects to clean up properties in the Poplas area. In addition, the Batiste, Brown, Burris and Williams families, and many others, participated by adopting a site.

A special thanks again to Amwaste Management for allowing the project usage of 30 foot roll-off dumpsters, Keep Louisiana Beautiful for donating hand sanitizer and car stickers, and LA Minority Health for facemask donations.

The event was from 8:30 a.m. to noon, with lunch following. All are appreciated for this much-needed and ongoing task.

This article was written by Gloria Kates, who is the Bogalusa City Council member for District A.