By Monique Roth

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – St. John the Baptist Parish officials and the Keep St. John Beautiful committee hosted two successful clean-up events last weekend to honor April as Keep St. John Beautiful month.

St. John Parish Presi dent Natalie Robottom, District Attorney Tom Daley, Judge Sterling Snowdy and numerous community leaders led the anti-littering efforts with the Leaders Against Litter Golden Litter Grab on the morning of April 11.

Sponsored by Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, the group picked up 50 bags of litter on Airline Highway in LaPlace, cleaning the street from the River Region Chamber of Commerce Building to the Percy Hebert Building.

On April 12, clean-up efforts continued as more than 350 volunteers from government agencies, churches, schools, community and neighborhood or   ganizations, St. John Parish Council members and parish employees all participated in Clean Sweep and worked around the parish to pick up trash and other litter to promote the beautification of the community.

In coordination with the committee, each group was assigned specific areas around the parish to clean. To end the day and celebrate a great clean-up effort, volunteers returned to Highway 51 Park in LaPlace for food, music and drinks.

“I wish to thank the members of Keep St. John Beautiful, Par   ish President Natalie Robottom, and her Administrative Assistant Dana Milioto for their help and assistance in organizing this year’s event,” said Daley.

He reported community participation was up from last year, and said local organizations, including church groups and local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, all helped to make the event the success it was.

“This weekend was an example of what can be done when government and the community partner with a purpose,” said Robottom. “I am extremely pleased with the energy and effort displayed during the clean up Saturday and thank all who participated.”

She said she encourages all residents of the parish to help change the culture in St. John Parish and work to keep it clean all year long.

Dana Milioto, Clean Sweep coordinator, asks residents to mark their calendars for a fall Clean Sweep with a tentative date of Sept. 20.

“Participants are encouraged to be on the lookout for more information and to sign up early,” said Milioto. “Don’t forget to get your family, friends and neighbors involved.”

Residents can continue beautification efforts by adopting their storefronts, subdivision entrances, faith-based facilities and parish roadways through the Adopt-A-Spot and Adopt-A-Road programs. To Adopt-A-Road, visit http://www.dotd.state.la.us. The Litter Enforcement Agency manages the Adopt-A-Spot program, but those who are interested are asked to contact Milioto at 985-652-9569 or visit sjbparish.com for more information.