By Nyesha Stone
Last Saturday, on Aug. 17, all 15 of Milwaukee’s Districts came together to clean up the city. The BIG Clean MKE: Citywide Clean-up was created to beautify our city by cleaning up the litter that lines the streets.
The day kicked off with a press conference. Afterwards, alderpeople, community leaders and residents banded together to clean the city.
The cleanup was in honor of a fallen city worker Greg “Ziggy” Zysszkiewicz who was killed last year.
Individuals went block by block beautifying the city. In addition to cleaning up the city, these efforts also improve the morale and mental attitude of residents. When you look outside and see dirt you began to feel that is supposed to be the norm, when in actuality the streets should be maintained. So, instead of sitting back and just letting things be, residents from all over came together to change up the scene.
Ald. Cavalier Johnson said he was happily surprised by the event’s turnout. He said everyone came together for a great cause and made a huge difference.
“I think it went swimmingly,” said Johnson.
Johnson said this event was a prime example of what taking action into your own hands looks like. Instead of complaining and waiting for something to change, you be the change.
“You can stand up and do something about it yourself and that’s exactly what happened here,” he said.
Johnson continued, “There is so much good that happens in this city [more] than people realize.”
For next year’s clean up, Johnson said this year is a perfect example to look to, and it’s nothing he would change.
