Gwinnett Daily Post

DULUTH -- Officials want Gwinnett's arm of the Great American Cleanup to focus primarily on one target this year: abandoned and neglected properties.

The national Great American Cleanup began this month and runs through May 31, and is hosted locally by Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful. While any beautification project can be part of the effort, executive director Connie Wiggins said her organization is urging citizens to focus on cleaning up foreclosed homes and other abandoned properties.

"People's impressions of Gwinnett are being formed by the increasing number of foreclosed properties," Wiggins said. "People are seeing more of these properties in their neighborhoods as they travel through the county. Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful sees this as a perfect match with our goal of keeping our county a clean and green community."

During the cleanup, Gwinnett residents are asked to identify, suggest and complete projects that help beautify the local landscape. Wiggins said foreclosed homes and empty lots can become eyesores, "reducing neighborhood property values and inviting crime."

County Chairwoman Charlotte Nash identified Gwinnett's high foreclosure rate as one of the issues lowering local quality of life in her State of the County address.

"Improving our community's appearance causes big things to happen," Wiggins said. "We become a better place to live and learn, to conduct business and to raise a family."

Interested residents can learn more and suggest projects at www.gwinnettcb.org.