TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

It takes a village

ADVERTISEMENT

By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: October 31, 2009

Brooksville - Debbie Clemons doesn't see the garbage like she used to.

When she and her neighbors got together for a community cleanup in 2007, their bags filled after only a few blocks.

On Saturday, she strolled down New Gate Street and didn't have to bend over but a few times. People don't seem to be leaving bottles and cans behind like they once did throughout South Brooksville.

"The first year we did this it was terrible," Clemons said. "The second year was better. This year is a lot better."

The house-proud residents have honed their housekeeping and landscaping skills and that has made not just an aesthetic difference, but the community has improved other areas too, Clemons said.

"It's just been better. People appreciate their houses more," she said. "The drugs aren't as bad as they used to be."

The community cleanup is one project overseen by the Community Initiatives Team (CIT) – a joint venture by the city and county governments to improve the standard of living in South Brooksville.

Public works officials are doing the heavier, more laborious work – which includes putting up fences and pulling old tires out of ditches.

But the efforts of CIT seemed to have trickled down to community leaders and residents.

County Commissioner Rose Rocco, former Brooksville City Councilman Frankie Burnett and community organizer Bishop Scriven were among those who spoke to the more than 30 participants Saturday. They gathered inside Eastside House of God along Twigg Street before donning their gloves and grabbing their trash bags.

"You need to be the ones to tell (people), 'this is what I want for my community and this is what I want to see,'" said Burnett. "We have come a long way, but we really need you."

Erica D. Moore is an assistant county attorney. She helped organize the community cleanup last year and this year.

As a government employee, she gave a government perspective. There has been more teamwork and streamlining between the city and county and the residents seem to have noticed, she said.

"For me, what is happening here is larger than picking up trash," Moore said. "In many ways, the county and city are becoming more involved with the community.

"The biggest shift has been in the attitudes," she continued. "I never really saw a lack of community spirit. I just never thought the larger community cared much about South Brooksville. I think we're starting to see a change in that."

Linda Hamilton, wife of County Administrator David Hamilton, said her husband's first visit to the neighborhood more than a year ago made an impression. He saw troubles, but he also saw an undaunted community. She was with him during that tour.

"He was profoundly affected by the circumstances down here and their passion for getting it fixed," she said.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT