New Cumberland shines

NEW CUMBERLAND - For the second year in a row, New Cumberland has been recognized as a Make It Shine community, city council announced at its meeting Monday.

Keep New Cumberland Beautiful director George Hines said the recognition comes from meeting eight out of 10 requirements put forth by the state, including beautification, litter control, recycling, Adopt-A-Highway, and youth participation, something only three other communities in West Virginia qualified for.

Hines thanked all the volunteers who have helped make New Cumberland "a cleaner and greener place to live. These volunteers help in so many different ways to improve the look of the city and surrounding area."

Hines said people from across the tri-state area come to New Cumberland to donate their recycled paper and aluminum cans, and that many groups, including the county courthouse and municipal building workers, the Board of Education, the New Cumberland Candle Company, the WV 4-H Extension Office, the Hancock County Health Department, and members of Nessly Chapel, bring in newspapers, pop cans, shredded paper, and other products that can be recycled to raise funds for local projects. The New Cumberland Lions Club alone has also helped to recycle over 50,000 pounds of paper this year.

Hines said there are also volunteers who pick up litter every day as they take walks in and around the city. "This just proves that people working together can make a positive difference in out community. It's never too late to get involved in some way with any of these efforts," he said.

Hines added that there are recycling containers in both the Hancock County Courthouse and New Cumberland City Building where plastic bottles and aluminum cans can be dropped off.

In other business, the New Cumberland City Council:

Accepted a bid of $28,305 from Lauttamus Communications for car radios for the city's police cruisers, the funds for which will come through a grant.

Approved new equipment, including a light bar, strobe lights, a cage, and decal work, for the city's new police cruiser, at a cost of $5,271.98. Police Chief Lester Skinner said the vehicle should be on the road by January.

Donated $100 to the Oak Glen Middle School Boosters Club for their basketball teams.

Approved the use of the city building for the Youth Soccer League.