HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw, in cooperation with Towns County Conventions and Visitors Bureau Executive Secretary Jane Hedden, is asking for the public’s efforts in keeping the area pristine and litter-free.

“Towns County is our home, and we should all do our part to keep it beautiful,” Commissioner Bradshaw urged.

Towns County plans to distribute printed information on the incentive from key locations in the near future.

Garbage transported in vehicles should be covered and secured to prevent contents from flowing onto roadways. Tips for securing loads involve covering the rubbish with sturdy plastic, canvas tarps or nets, held in place with rope, bungee cords or straps.

Lighter weight items should be transported at the bottom of the load in order to prevent it from exiting the vehicle duting transit. Trash transported in truck beds is encouraged to be hauled inside of a five-gallon can.

The county urges residents to sweep truck beds prior to leaving the transfer station. A broom will be provided.

The requests are pursuant to Georgia State Laws OCGA 40-6-248 and 40-6-254, in addition to Towns County Ordinance Section 36-31.

Although volunteer roadside and shoreline clean-up events are scheduled annually, the issue of litter is a year-round concern.

On the first Saturday in November, the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition is scheduled to host its 8th Annual Lake Chatuge Shoreline Cleanup, in conjunction with Georgia Rivers Alive. The event will kick off at the Towns County Swim Beach Pavilion at 9:00 a.m. with breakfast and coffee.

Volunteer coordinators will lead teams of 5-10 to designated trash sites along the shoreline of Lake Chatuge, regrouping at the swim beach pavilion at 11:30 a.m. for prizes. The first 100 volunteers to sign-in will receive a free Rivers Alive t-shirt.

Additional information on the Lake Chatuge clean-up effort can be found on the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition website.