By Cecilia Nasmith

The yearly Mayor's Keep The County Clean Challenge has missed two years because of COVID, Mayor John Henderson noted at Monday's Cobourg council meeting – and it shows.

“As I have been walking around town, you can see the result,” Mayor Henderson said.

“I am delighted this has come back.”

Co-ordinated by Manager of Parks Rory Quigley, it aligns with plans of neighbouring municipalities and the week-long Northumberland County litter clean-up campaign April 18 to 23.

Residents are asked to register on-line at https://arcg.is/1Xv8Lf. The process includes sharing where you plan to do your clean-up on April 23 (the day after Earth Day - though you can register and do it another time).

It will also offer a chance to report afterwards where you left your filled bags for town staff to collect, and to notify the town of items of concern – large, hazardous and dangerous items that should be left but reported.

Your confirmation e-mail will include information on picking up supplies (gloves, garbage bags and safety vests), which will be available at 9 a.m. at the Cobourg Community Centre (750 D'Arcy St.).

You can do your pick-up alone or with a group. Henderson is putting a group together, and he has a definite plan.

“My group is doing the new Kerr Street extension. If you have been there lately, it's a wonderful extension but boy does it look awful. There's litter everywhere on both sides of the road,” he said.

“I am more than willing to put on my work boots and go clean up that whole entire area.”