Thomas County certified ‘beauty’

February 3, 2010

Patti Dozier The Times Enterprise Wed Feb 03, 2010, 08:58 PM EST

THOMASVILLE — It’s official.

Thomas County has been certified as a Keep America Beautiful (KAB) community.

A certification ceremony is set for 5 p.m. Monday at Thomas County Emergency Services Center, 1202 Remington Ave.

No specific projects have been established, but trash reduction, litter control and attention to graffiti are among the areas of concern, said Len Powell, KAB chairman.

“We will have a number of committees, and each will have their own project to carry out,” Powell said. “When we hit the road, we want to be running.”

KAB also will take its mission into Thomas County’s smaller municipalities.

Powell referred to Meigs’ recent clean-up event as the type of activity in which KAB would become involved. KAB would provide resources for such a community clean-up, he explained.

The agency would provide appropriate literature for distribution. KAB grants also are available.

“As a new affiliate, I think we have a good shot at getting it (a grant),” Powell said.

Marge Willis, Carol Jones, Venesia M. Calhoun, Marta Jones Turner, Kathy Keown, Casey Dyksterhouse, Bob Dyksterhouse, Nate Tyler and Bob Graham, team leader, make up the precertification team.

To meet requirements to become an affiliate of KAB, the precertification team had to create the organizational structure and administration of Keep Thomas County Beautiful (KTCB).

The local KAB executive committee is made up of Powell; Tracy Sanford Giemza, interim executive director; Carol Jones, secretary; and Bob Dyksterhouse, vice chairman.