www.montereycountyweekly.com SEPTEMBER 21-27, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 It all starts with small steps, especially when it comes to changing habits. That is the thinking behind Amor Salinas, launched two years ago by the City of Salinas, a new venture seeking to inspire pride among Salinas residents and invite them to work together to improve their quality of life. Since 2021, Amor Salinas has organized dozens of cleanups across the city to remove litter and debris from streets. The city continues to host trash disposal events in partnership with Republic Services, Salinas’ waste hauler. This year, Salinas held nine trash disposals, two more than in previous years. Amor Salinas started with a monthly cleanup and now does them regularly in parks and neighborhoods, working with churches, schools and local organizations including Blue Zones, Niner Empire (a 49ers fan organization), and more. Some events are initiated by city staff members, others are requested by Salinas residents. On Aug. 19, Compass Church hosted an Amor Salinas cleanup covering eight blocks in each direction around the church. “We just provided the volunteers and the muscle to make it happen,” Associate Pastor Andrew Statezny says. About 100 volunteers showed up and collected more than 100 bags of trash. Salinas has a goal to be a low-litter city by 2030. According to a map that tracks litter progress in Salinas, 1 percent of the city has a high litter problem, while 27 percent is moderate. Litter has historically been a challenge, with some streets around the periphery of the city serving as dumping grounds for trash, including large items like mattresses. It’s an eyesore and an environmental hazard and, as Amor Salinas organizers note, negatively impacts community pride. While cleanup participation has climbed, some residents say litter has also visibly increased. They cite higher prices to drop off trash at the Madison Lane Transfer Station than the old Sun Street station, which closed permanently in September 2022. Victor Cervantes, a gardener who works around the city, says litter has worsened and he blames it on the closure of the Sun Street station. “[At the Madison Lane station] they have a $50 minimum charge and they take no cash,” Cervantes says. He notes that it’s cheaper at other locations (like Marina and Gonzales) but both are further away, expending more time and gas. Bill Freeman, a longtime Salinas resident, says he has seen more litter near Highway 101 entrances along Boronda Road and homeless encampments in Salinas. He attributes some of it to a lack of trash cans. Jose Arreola, a city community services administrator who oversees Amor Salinas Neighborhood Services, is working to increase participation in litter abatement efforts. (Organizers don’t check ID, one way of encouraging participation.) Arreola notes that participation was up at two citywide trash disposal events earlier this year. “The response was more than double anything we’d ever experienced at a free cleanup,” he says. More than 300 vehicles showed up at each. Clean and Green Salinas has increased community involvement in an effort to clear litter, but the struggle continues. By Celia Jiménez Volunteers participate in a cleanup event organized by Amor Salinas. The city also sponsors free trash disposal days; the next takes place on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 9am-noon at Natividad Creek Park. NEWS “We just provided the volunteers and the muscle.” COURTESY CITY OF SALINAS Smarter, faster urgent care. 8 a.m.–8 p.m. every day including holidays Walk in or make a reservation online MoGoUrgentCare.org LOCATIONS y CARMEL 26135 Carmel Rancho Blvd., Suite B-1 y MARINA 2930 2nd Avenue, Suite 120 y MONTEREY 2020 Del Monte Avenue, Suite B
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