Van Buren ‘shines’ for second consecutive year

story by Marla Cantrell
[email protected]

One year and two weeks ago, Robert Phelps, director of Keep Arkansas Beautiful, came to Van Buren to present the city with the 2009 Arkansas Shine Award.

He returned Thursday (Sept. 30) to do it again.

“It’s said history repeats itself, and Van Buren has proven that,” Phelps said. “You’re one of only six in the state, the only one of similar size, and the only one of two communities that has been awarded the Shine Award in two consecutive years.”

Phelps cited community involvement, and the recycling program at Van Buren schools that has kept more than 400 tons of debris out of Fort Smith’s landfill, as examples of why the city was chosen for the 2010 Arkansas Shine Award.

Entrants were accessed in several categories:
• environmental initiatives to reduce litter, and encouraging recycling;
• positively impacting economic development;
• developing public-private partnerships to accomplish goals;
• securing project funding; and,
• enforcing litter laws and city ordinances for property upkeep.

One Arkansas Shine Awards winner was named in each of six population categories.  The other winners were Greenwood, Fayetteville, Hot Springs, Eureka Springs, and Waldron.

Van Buren Mayor Bob Freeman thanked John Pope, director of Keep Van Buren Beautiful, for his efforts to reduce cigarette litter, the seasonal trash removal programs that bring out more than 250 volunteers, and his work with the chamber and Van Buren Public Schools.

When Pope took the podium, he said 1,200 bags of trash were picked up in the past year by the city’s community service workers. He also talked about the new recycling program at the Van Buren High School football games.

“We start tomorrow on next year,” Pope said. “And it’s not necessarily for an award. … We need to make sure we’re not complacent. We have to strive every day to keep things clean and green and vital.”

Phelps ended the program by expanding on Freeman’s remark that the program not only depends on those involved in organized efforts, but with every Van Buren resident.

“A great community sets the standard and they expect everyone, regardless of their individual behaviors, to accede to that standard,” Phelps said. “That’s one of the things that is constant with Shining Communities. They set the bar high. … You have set in place the consortium of government, citizen volunteers, organizations, and business that makes that work than better than most communities.”