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First Lady Barbara Richardson Awards Anti-Litter, Beautification Efforts

First Lady Barbara Richardson joined Tourism Department Secretary Michael Cerletti Friday (May 9, 2008) in recognizing New Mexico communities and organizations for their efforts at local beautification at the New Mexico Clean & Beautiful Annual Awards ceremony at the State Capitol Building.

The purpose of the awards is to recognize communities and organizations for their efforts to make their communities cleaner, more beautiful and overall, making a difference by improving their community’s surrounding environment.

“Governor Bill Richardson issued a challenge that all New Mexicans do their part to keep New Mexico clean and beautiful,” said Secretary Cerletti, “positively impacting not only on their community, but the entire state as well.”

Awards included:

Community Recognition –

Bronze – the Village of Mosquero and the Village of Roy
Silver – the Bernalillo County Anti-Graffiti Program and the City of Portales

Affiliate Recognition –

Silver – Keep Alamogordo Beautiful
Gold – Keep Albuquerque Beautiful, Keep Clovis Beautiful, Keep Las Vegas Beautiful, Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful, Keep Roswell Beautiful, and Tierra Bonita of Valencia County

Special Recognition Awards –

Expo New Mexico for its partnership on the Kids Clean Up
Kiser Elementary School in Clayton for its Litter Critters Program

The winner of the Truett Gill Award of Excellence was Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful for its overall program and performance.

“We are honoring these communities and programs for their efforts in litter control, education and elimination, beautification, recycling, graffiti and weed eradication,” said Joe Lobato, executive director of New Mexico Clean &New Mexico Clean and Beautiful, a program of the New Mexico Tourism Department, was created by the Litter Control and Beautification Act of 1985 and is affiliated with the national organization Keep America Beautiful, Inc. The program is charged with coordinating statewide litter control and beautification efforts. For more information call, Joe Lobato, 505- 827-6346, 800-867-7666 or visit www.tossnomas.com

High-resolution photos of the award winners are available upon request. Contact Mike Stauffer, Communications Director, New Mexico Tourism Department 505-827-7379 or mike.stauffer@state.nm.us