Community Lead Clean Up

Saturday, likeminded Newarkers came together - as citizens of Newark to clean their town. Celeste Bateman, the organizer of the "clean-up" promoted it on facebook. Her message on the event page is clear, "take an hour to clean up the front of your home, your block, your neighborhood and, in turn, your city -- Newark, New Jersey. There may be a "hot spot" in your community that needs to be cleaned. It may be a corner, a storefront or a vacant lot. NO ONE CAN CLEAN UP THIS COMMUNITY FOR US. WE MUST DO IT OURSELVES!"

Celeste lives in the Weequahic section of the South Ward. The idea for her anti-litter initiative came out of one of Councilman Baraka's monthly assembly meetings. A committee was formed, but quickly fell apart. So Celeste decided to take the initiative and more forward with it. She wrote a PSA which aired on Cablevision since October 1st.

One of her pet peeves was the ramp on Rt. 22 East, so her family agreed to clean up that area. A few days later, the ramp isn't sparkling, but better than what it was. In the past, she has written to the state, the county and the city, without response, so she took things into her own hands. She says, "Our actions are symbolic if nothing else, to show people that as individuals we can make a difference."

If we all can wait a few extra steps to a garbage can, hold onto our garbage in our car until we get home, or even educate someone we see litter - we can make a difference. Newark is our town - let's keep it clean!

Below is Celeste with Carter Mangan and Jamil Mangan.