Beautification commission honored

Attached photo by Mark Friedman (back row: John Nuernberger, Commissioner, Bill Burrough, Hot Springs Sanitation Director, Denise Marion, Commissioner, Judge Rick Davis, Garland County Judge. Middle row: Gene Lichliter, Commissioner, Jean Wallace, Hot Springs Parks and Recreation Director, Julie Tharp, Commissioner, Judith Harper-Bennie, Volunteer, Mindy Porter, Commissioner, Rebeccah Tromater, commissioner. Front Row: Robert Phelps, Keep Arkansas Beautiful Executive Director, Cecile Carson, Director of Affiliate Certification, Keep America Beautiful, Bea Arline, Commission Chair, and Adam Roberts, HSGCBC Executive Director. (Note: All “commissioners” are members of the Hot Springs/Garland County Beautification Commission (HSGCBC).

On Tuesday, July 17, Keep America Beautiful (KAB) and Keep Arkansas Beautiful presented awards to Hot Springs/Garland County Beautification Commission (HSGCBC) and Keep Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Clean & Beautiful, Arkansas’ longest-tenured Keep America Beautiful certified local affiliates, at an evening reception at the Governor’s Mansion.

Governor Mike Beebe and Mrs. Ginger Beebe attended the event, co-hosted by Cecile Carson, Director of Affiliate Certification for Keep America Beautiful, and Robert Phelps, Director of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission. Special awards were given to Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Clean & Beautiful Commission, founded in 1981, making it the oldest Arkansas affiliate member of Keep America Beautiful; and to the Hot Springs/Garland County Beautification Commission, that began in 1986 as a group of volunteers interested in beautifying the community.

At the reception, the Beautification Commission received a crystal glass award along with a letter of commendation read aloud by Matthew M. McKenna, President and CEO of KAB:

“Dear Adam:

Hot Springs/Garland County Beautification Commission has become Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission’s second Affiliate to reach the 20th anniversary milestone! Congratulations!

“Hot Springs/Garland County Beautification Commission has been a frequent recipient of Keep America Beautiful’s National Grants [8] and awards [14], and has contributed its leadership and strength to KAB’s national success. Thank you also for your service on the national CLPP (Cigarette Litter Prevention Program) Committee. You have been an innovator, advocate, and advisor to the program, and your insight is greatly appreciated.

“Adam, you have been a role model for the entire KAB national network and are to be commended for your contributions to Hot Springs/Garland County Beautification Commission, which have been instrumental to the success and longevity of the affiliate. Keep up the great work.”

For information on the Beautification Commission’s activities or to volunteer, call 655-2161.