Mayor Bondy hosts community clean-up in Essex

by Garrett Fodor

As spring arrives in Essex, Mayor Sherry Bondy is encouraging residents to take advantage of the warmer weather by coming together to help beautify the town.

  This past Saturday, Bondy hosted the third of four “Community Clean Up” events organized throughout the municipality. This latest edition invited residents of all ages to gather at Essex Town Hall before spreading out across the area. Equipped with gloves, garbage bags, and pails, participants walked through town, collecting litter along sidewalks, roadways, and other public spaces.

  “I want to lead by example, encourage our community to help beautify our town, and end any stigma around picking up trash,” Bondy said. “Nobody likes to see garbage, especially as the weather warms up and more people are outside. These events are about bringing people together, but it’s also something anyone can do – whether that’s bringing a bag on a walk or organizing something of their own.”

  The hour-long event allowed participants to move at their own pace and choose their own routes.

  Residents of all ages took part, something Bondy said was encouraging. That gave youth and families the chance to make a difference, while seeing firsthand the impact of littering. She added that even within the hour, volunteers made a noticeable difference throughout Essex, particularly in the downtown core.

  “One takeaway from volunteers was the number of cigarette butts being found,” Bondy said. “It’s sparked conversations about what more can be done to address that, whether it’s adding more butt disposal containers or continuing to raise awareness.”

  Bondy said she is proud of the impact made during the cleanup and is looking ahead to the fourth and final event in the series on April 18 in the Gesto area, meeting at the Building Department office (the former Station 2 Firehall on County Road 12). She encourages anyone interested in participating to reach out and get involved.

  The cleanup series is being held in the lead-up to Earth Day, with the Town of Essex also planning additional community cleanups across its centres next month. Dates and times will be announced.

  Bondy is grateful for everyone who has had a hand in the cleanups thus far and thanks everyone for helping to beautify the Town of Essex.