Mayor Hal McMillin wants to make Westlake clean again.

He spoke with the American Press on Wednesday about the upcoming third annual Trash Bash. From 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, community leaders, school clubs, industry volunteers and citizens will gather at Westlake City Hall, 1001 Bob Hardey Dr., to pick up litter.

The collective effort to clear Westlake’s streets of trash is in conjunction with Love the Boot Week – a statewide litter removal and beautification effort that takes place in the first weeks in April. Organized by Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Love the Boot week is held not only to clean up the state, but to educate citizens about the importance of environmental vigilance.

“Love the Boot Week brings everyone together to clean up litter, but more importantly, it’s a vehicle for promoting awareness and engagement with the goal of litter prevention,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser in a January release.

Last year, 760 events were hosted in all 64 parishes, resulting in the removal of 347 tons of litter.

McMillin wanted Westlake to get in on the action.

“We wanted to be a part of what they were doing and get Westlake in the mix with the other cities of the state that are participating in cleaning up.”

The Trash Bash is currently the once-a -year citywide spring cleaning. However, the event is part of an ongoing mission to keep the city debris-free. He said the city operates on the belief that municipalities have one chance to make a first impression. And good first impressions are especially important for a healthy local economy, he said.

“Coming into a clean, neat city is something that people will notice, and they’ll stop and pull over and visit our businesses.”

A clean city also boosts property values, he noted.

In addition to economic benefits, litter-free streets are necessary to keep the public healthy. At last year’s Trash Bash, the city challenged children to pick up as many cigarette butts as they could find while walking down the north and south sides of Sampson St. They picked up thousands of cigarette butts that would have otherwise ended up in the city’s drainage system and into the lake.

The quality-of-life boons of keeping trash out of waterways are clear, but one of the most important effects of the Trash Bash is the sense of pride and ownership that the physical act of picking up litter grants citizens, he said.

It is not just citizens chipping in to make a difference. McMillin added that the city has a multi-organization network of support for their mission. CITGO, LyondellBasell, Sasol, Phillips 66, Waste Management and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury will provide services and manpower to enhance the Trash Bash experience.

“It’s not only the community, it’s the community and the industries coming together to make a difference in our hometown.”

Participants will depart City Hall at 8:30 to start picking up litter. All volunteers will be provided with gloves, safety vests and litter pickers.

For citizens who want to get some personal spring cleaning done, Waste Management will provide two trucks for trash, debris, tree limbs and freon-free white goods – washers, dryers, refrigerators, hot water heaters.

Citgo will provide an e-recycle container for old electronics, light bulbs, and other electronic waste.

For more information, contact 337-433.-0691.