City of Alliance, Ohio
Mayor Toni E. Middleton		 Home of the Scarlet Carnation
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Spring Cleaning

Every year when the flowers start to bloom and the grass turns green people get antsy to clean up their yards and houses. Winter leaves an unsightly accumulation of dirt and debris. The city wants to let you know about a few programs that might help with the clean-up.

The City of Alliance has had the Keep Alliance Beautiful (KAB) program for many years. The program has been focused on education and awareness of litter prevention and recycling efforts. In the near future those efforts will also include litter pick-up. Currently, the CIP (Community Improvement Program) workers, supervised by Ron Pisanello and Homer Wayne of Judge Lavery's staff, do litter pick-up activities. In the new program there will be two part-time litter supervisors employed by Keep Alliance Beautiful to work alongside the court workers and other volunteers. Community volunteers to work with the Litter Pick-up program are very welcome, as are community groups, to lend a hand with cleanup and on special KAB litter control projects.

Funds to hire the litter supervisors come from a grant from the State of Ohio, through the Recycle Ohio grant. By redirecting some of the funds from education and awareness programs to litter pickup, the city will be able to pay the wages of two part-time employees for approximately six months of the year. No, it's not the highest paying job in the world, but it might be perfect for an energetic senior citizen needing an extra income. Or college students trying to pay tuition. Please keep in mind, the city is not spending any money from the over-burdened general fund. The money for this program comes from a state grant that can only be used for those specific activities.

Education and awareness programs through KAB will still take place. We are not eliminating them. The city is just combining those activities with more direct action and intervention. Mona Henderson is the Keep Alliance Beautiful coordinator. She can be reached at 330-823-3254. Give her a call and volunteer to clean up your block!

Another program that might help spruce up the neighborhood is the new CRA program. This program is for those serious about fixing up their homes. Councilman Brant Luther, with the support of Mayor Middleton, has been in the news lately encouraging folks to take advantage of this program.

Certain areas of the city have been designated as Community Reinvestment Areas (CRA's). In those areas (which cover most of the city), renovation to your home can lead to property tax abatement for ten years on the increased value of the home. Call Vince Marion, the city's Development Director, about how you can participate in the program. The phone number is 330-829-2235.

Also, please don't forget about the city's rehab program. Eligible homeowners can get up to $20,000 worth of renovations to their homes as a deferred loan. In this program, health and safety issues needing repaired around the home are done first before cosmetic ones. The aim is to keep your home safe before it's made pretty. Applications for that program are taken through the Planning and Development Department at 330-829-2235. Connie or Kathi can help you with the application.

Community spirit is important. For many years, spring-cleaning has been the traditional time to refresh and renew our homes and spirits. Alliance is our home. We need to look forward to the bright sunny days ahead and not dwell on the past.