Site Sponsors
Archives
Read past editions of Images of Greenville-Pitt County magazine.
Local Advertisers
Site Sponsors
Contact Us
Feedback
Let us know your thoughts...
Advertising Info
Need more info? Looking for ad specifications?
Local Advertisers
Culture
It's Official, Greenville Is One Cool City
The city is putting the “green” in Greenville by passing laws to protect the forest areas.
Residents have known it for a long time‚ but now it’s official: Greenville has been named a “Cool City” by the Sierra Club.
The award recognizes the city’s many initiatives to improve the environment. At the same time‚ city officials are increasing efforts to make Greenville more accessible to all residents.
On the environmental front‚ the city is expanding its recycling program in residential areas as well as at schools and apartment complexes. All city buses and fleet vehicles now use low-sulphur diesel fuel‚ and the Fire/Rescue department has its first hybrid SUV on fleet.
“There are obvious economic benefits to environmental thinking‚” says Steve Hawley‚ public information officer for the city. “It keeps the tax rates lower. It reduces landfill and saves on dump fees.”
The city council also passed legislation to help keep trees and greenery in the city by restricting the wholesale clear cutting of land.
So that more people can enjoy the greener environment‚ Greenville is also working to make city facilities and services more accessible. The recently renovated municipal building and new city hall are entirely wheelchair accessible. All buses “kneel” and have wheelchair ramps. The recreation department offers opportunities for people with special needs‚ such as the Challenger League wheelchair-accessible baseball field at the Sarah Vaughn Field of Dreams.
Greenville is also working with the National League of Cities to build a diverse and inclusive community. The revitalization of West Greenville is one effort toward this goal.
Public meetings are scheduled regularly to gather citizen input‚ and Greenville’s Government TV (GTV9) airs “City Scene‚” a show that lets people know what’s happening in city government. There is also a Citizen Action phone line for citizens to submit ideas for the show.
“We’re trying to include everyone in the process of city government‚” Hawley says. “Increased communication with the citizenry has increased their participation.”
Hawley says city officials are “making a conscious effort to try and leave the city better than we found it.”
Story by Kimberly Daly
Additional Culture Articles
© Copyright 2008 Journal Communications Inc.
All rights reserved. No portion of this Web site may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.