FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 23, 2009
CANAL CORPORATION, PARKS AND TRAILS NEW YORK, ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES CORPORATION, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION BOARD SEEK VOLUNTEERS FOR FOURTH ANNUAL “CANAL CLEAN SWEEP”
Weekend Event Will Encourage Community Cleanup Activities Along Canal System
In preparation for the upcoming 184th consecutive navigation season on the New York State Canal System and Earth Day 2009 , the New York State Canal Corporation, in partnership with Parks and Trails New York, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and the New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB), today announced that it is seeking volunteers for the Fourth Annual Canal Clean Sweep scheduled to take place during the weekend of April 17th – 19th, 2009.
New to this year’s event, the CPB will kick off Canal Clean Sweep by providing consumers with an opportunity to do a "clean sweep" of their personal records, discs, CDs and DVDs and at the same time help the environment by hosting a free public Shredding Day on April 17, 2009, in the parking lot beside Aqua Vino Restaurant and Banquets at 16 Harbor Lock Rd. in Utica from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Shredding is a reliable way of safely and properly disposing of documents containing personally identifiable information that, if discarded improperly, could be a conduit to identity theft. Confidata, located in Utica, will be providing the shredding services.
The Canal Clean Sweep will help highlight the significance of the Canal System as a recreational and tourism destination in New York State by encouraging communities, businesses and not-for-profit organizations to engage in cleanup and beautification activities along the Canal System and the Canalway Trail.
During last year’s weekend-long Canal Clean Sweep, more than 60 groups participated in events throughout the Canal corridor.
Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the Canal Corporation, said, "Each year the Canal Clean Sweep celebrates Earth Day and gives volunteers an opportunity to work closely with their canal neighbors and our employees to spruce up public parks and scenic areas along the Canal System and the Canalway Trail. Last year’s event was a great success and I encourage communities, business and volunteer organizations from across the corridor to participate by holding a clean up event in their neighborhoods. The Corporation is pleased to partner with Parks and Trails New York, EFC, and the CPB to organize the Canal Clean Sweep."
Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks and Trails New York, said, "In these challenging economic times the Canal System and Canalway Trail, which are growing in prominence as a world-class tourism destination, become even more important as close-to-home recreational resources for local residents and all New Yorkers. For this reason we are pleased to collaborate with the Canal Corporation, EFC, and the CPB on the 2009 Canal Clean Sweep to engage community groups and citizens in cleaning up the Canal Corridor in advance of the summer season. The growth of this event over the past three years shows that local pride in the Canal and Canalway Trail is high and the spirit of volunteerism is alive and well across the state. We hope new organizations and municipalities will join those already engaged in sprucing up the Canal System to make the 2009 Canal Clean Sweep even more successful and fun."
Matthew Millea, Acting President of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, said, "EFC looks forward to partnering with the Canal Corporation, Parks and Trails New York, and the CPB on the Clean Sweep Program to commemorate Earth Day. This is a great way to help advance Governor Paterson’s goal to increase community service and volunteerism. Thanks to the many volunteers, last year’s event was a huge success and we expect even more participants in 2009. Volunteers can take pride in knowing that they are helping to improve the environment and protect our natural resources from pollution."
Mindy A. Bockstein, Chairperson and Executive Director of the New York State Consumer Protection Board, said, "Consistent with Governor Paterson’s vision for a safer, cleaner and better New York State, the CPB is pleased to join with the Canal Corporation and the many participants and volunteers of the Canal Clean Sweep effort. In celebration of Earth Day, and to help protect consumers against the threat of identity theft, I am encouraging New Yorkers to dispose of their personal documents in a safe, environmentally conscious manner, and inviting residents of Utica and the surrounding areas to shred their documents free of charge on Friday afternoon. Further, the CPB’s Identity Theft Prevention and Mitigation Program experts are standing by to provide consumers with identity theft information and assistance during regular business hours."
The Canal Corporation, Parks and Trails New York, EFC, and CPB are seeking the assistance of canal communities and partners to organize clean up activities in Canal parks, along public promenades and on Canalway Trail segments in their region. The Canal Corporation will provide garbage bags and trash pickup following each of the events. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gloves and supplies and wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
For more information on the Fourth Annual Canal Clean Sweep or to help coordinate an event in your community, please contact Wally Elton with Parks and Trails NY at (518) 434-1583 or email canalsweep@ptny.org.
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The New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation offers a free email service called TRANSalert to its customers via email or text messaging to inform them of major incidents and emergencies that may affect travel on the Thruway or navigation on the Canal System. To sign up for the Canal TRANSalert service, customers can visit the Corporation's website at www.nyscanals.gov/tas/. To sign-up for Thruway TRANSalerts please visit the Authority's website at www.nysthruway.gov/tas/.