I’ll get off my box when the folks in Arizona take action against those that trash our highways and especially our Arizona Veterans Highway … the Arizona Veterans Highway isn’t a dumping ground for residents, tourists and ADOT …. or is it!

Most folks either don’t care, know how to care or even care about the “abuse” that ADOT has brought to our veterans memorial highway. Do you realize that ADOT manages the taxpayer funded Adopt-A-Highway Program and then they trash it ….. go take a look.

Robby do you care enough to put your words into some form of action? Share your plans to clean up our Arizona Veterans Highways …. maybe we could start something that would make a big difference or are you just a complainer.

One day soon you will know more about why I care about the slogan “America the Beautiful” and the price our veterans have paid. Robby, what are you going to do to help the situation?

Gary Chamberlain
Cornville AZ – USA
Vietnam veteran

The comments about donations not going “full circle” were the comments expressed by many business owners I visited with this summer while on a 9,000 mile trip throughout the United States (14 states in total).

A perfect example of not giving back are the many food banks that make life easier for those that struggle.

In 2010, FVUSA gave 160 hams and chickens to a food bank that agreed to make it a requirement of those that received them to participate in one highway cleanup event; not one person who received these items honored the commitment given.

FVUSA’s thought was that if those in need have time, energy and gas to receive generous offers, then why aren’t they giving back in ways that show appreciation for what the community and others do for them?

Full Circle benefits must be required and or expected, shouldn’t they? The Trash for Cash program offers more than charity, it offers opportunity and a decent return for community service to supplement household funds.

Gary Chamberlain
Owner FVUSA

On November 19, 2011, Northern Arizona’s Verde Valley Adopt-A-Highway groups collected 404 bags of trash and two bed mattresses on 30 consecutive miles of Highway 260 and Scenic Highway 89A.

On November 17, 2012 Folksville USA is inviting all of the Counties of Arizona to participate in a statewide Adopt-A-Highway event to “Occupy our highways” and clean up Arizona’s highways.

Each individual Arizona County is encouraged to energize their Adopt-A-Highway groups to be part of this statewide effort and set a record for the greatest number of Adopt-A-Highway Groups representing their county and the greatest number of bags of trash collected during this one-day event and report their/our results to Governor Brewer for review.

If Kentucky can have a 400 mile garage sale event can Arizona have the largest Adopt-A-Highway event?

Folksville USA is proposing that ADOT and Folksville USA evaluate the results of all counties to determine which county had the greatest number of Adopt-A-Highway Groups and the greatest number of bags of trash collected by those participating in this restore the beauty to our highway effort. The winner of this effort co-lead by all of Arizona’s Adopt-A-Highway Groups will be based on the greatest “average number of bags” per groups in that county.

The ADOT Adopt-A-Highway Group “Activity Reports” and the number of bags of trash recovered and stated on these reports will determine the winner of this event. As residents of Arizona, we all are winners with a cleaner state.

Questions regarding ADOT participation in this statewide effort should be addressed to Don Cassano, ADOT Ombudsman, (602) 712-4371 Office,(602) 377-3450 mobile or DCassano@azdot.com. For this event to be a success it must be safe and that safety is dependent upon ADOT mowing the highways prior to the event.

With or without ADOT’s support this event will be publicized to the fullest extent the media will allow and the mission will be carried out by our Adopt-A-Highway groups statewide….. “Strength in numbers!”

Gary Chamberlain, “Point Man” for Folksville USA may be reached at FolksvilleUSA@gmail.com or you may call (928) 202-1186 with any questions, comments or concerns about how to get involved. For those ADOT Adopt-A-Highway groups that need suggestions on media contacts, that information can be provided.

The ADOT Adopt-A-Highway groups participating in this statewide effort are responsible for promoting and encouraging those of legal age to join their effort. All ADOT Adopt-A-Highway groups will need to provide their contact information so those that wish to join them may do so. The ADOT Adopt-A-Highway Groups should contact their ADOT Adopt-A-Highway Manager and let them know that your group is planning on being involved in this self-managed and statewide event. Self-managed is defined as each ADOT Adopt-A-Highway group determining the outcome of their group. The participating Adopt-A-Highway groups need to contact their local media organizations and convince them to help promote this effort.

If established ADOT Adopt-A-Highway Groups invite legal aged residents to assist them with their effort, this is an opportunity for those assisting the Adopt-A-Highway Groups to solicit donations from their local businesses for each bag of trash they collect (see attached for guidelines associated with the FVUSA Restore the beauty to “America the beautiful”, Litter Aid Stand 101, Cash 4 Trash effort). The Cottonwood Boys and Girls Club earned $100 for the bags of trash they collected and $105 for a essay written by participating in the August 18, 2012 “Leap Frog” Adopt-A-Highway event.

Governor Janice Brewer & ADOT Director John Halikowski

Executive Tower

1700 West Washington Street

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Re: Restoring the beauty and slogan to “America the beautiful” and the revival of our National Adopt-A-Highway Programs

Dear Governor Brewer and Director Halikowski,

As a taxpayer, I will be requesting the 2012 ADOT Adopt-A-Highway “Activity Reports” for 50 Verde Valley Adopt-A-Highway Groups. As a taxpayer, it will be my 2013 goal to insure that the Director of ADOT instructs those that are part of the Arizona Adopt-A-Highway Program to honor their commitment or have their highway signs removed!

This information was taken from ADOT’s Adopt-A-Highway web site on May 26, 2012:

Volunteer groups.

adopt a two mile section along available State, Interstate, or United States highway. Groups sign up by completing a two year permit application. We generally ask that groups perform cleanups three to four times each year. Members of the Adopt a Highway Volunteer Program should be volunteers and not paid to pick up litter. Groups can partner with other volunteer groups, but may not pay another group or company to pick up litter.

ADOT will provide safety training, trash bags, and two signs to be used at each end of the adopted section. Signs will ONLY be installed once a cleanup activity is completed. If safety vests are not available from ADOT, the volunteer group must purchase them. Washable safety vests can be obtained from local vendors.

More information about becoming an Adopt a Highway volunteer can be found under the Volunteer link in the left hand navigation menu.

Comment to requirements: Three to four times per means that each group will spend approximately 9-12 hours per year in exchange for their Volunteer Group name shown on a sign at each end of their highway section. Other costs to the taxpayers is for four steel posts to hold the two signs, four holes dug in the ground for the four posts, concrete to secure the four sign posts, asset tags on each group sign for monitoring the signs and salaries paid to the Director of ADOT and Arizona employees to properly manage the Adopt-A-Highway Program! Factor in safety vests, litter bags, administrative costs, safety videos, gifts, rewards and other not so obvious costs, this program costs dearly and the intended results is marginal at best!

As a taxpayer, I am willing to work with but not dependent on the ADOT Managers for the nine Arizona districts that are paid employees to ensure that the taxpayer funded Adopt-A-Highway Program serves its intended purpose! As a taxpayer, I’m going to see that all of the selected 50 Arizona Adopt-A-Highway groups that have honored their commitment in 2012 are recognized for their efforts and request that those that haven’t honored their commitment have their signs removed!

As a taxpayer, I’m not willing to pay for Adopt-A-Highway Groups that want to have the taxpayers provide 2 signs for free advertisement and there are many Arizona citizens that now see the taxpayer funded ADOT managed Adopt-A-Highway Program as a failure. As I traveled the USA this Summer telling our FVUSA story and having it published in many out-of-state papers, the common comment from citizens was that their state has a failing Adopt-A-Highway program and they want their state employees to be held accountable for insuring the program has a cost benefit to the taxpayers of their state.

America needs role models that practice what they preach and “commitment” is one of life’s lessons our youth and many adults have lost track of.

If Kentucky can have a 400 mile garage sale, why can’t Arizona have the longest mileage highway cleanup event and challenge the other 49 states to join us (strength in numbers)?

We could have some fun while we restore the beauty to Arizona and America starting with our next “Leaping Frogs” Litter event scheduled for November 17, 2012 by connecting consecutive Adopt-a-Highway groups throughout Arizona. The Verde Valley Adopt-A-Highway group effort is one your office should investigate and recognize since most of these groups are the role models for the Arizona Adopt-A-Highway program.

Respectfully,
Gary Chamberlain, Arizona taxpayer *** “Point Man” FVUSA ***
folksvilleusa@gmail.com

If you or any or your team would like to join forces to cleanup Cottonwood-Verde Village on Sat. Oct. 27 from 8-12 noon, please let me know!
We would welcome your team’s help! I anticipate between 200-300 volunteers will be engaged in the massive community-wide Cottonwood-Verde Village cleanup on Oct. 27.

We will also be cleaning up the yards at homes of 12 to 15 seniors or adults with disabilities who called our hotline for assistance. They are unable to help themselves. FOC volunteers do yard cleanups and minor home repairs (exterior painting; ramps, rails and fences; weatherization and yard care) in partnership with Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity, and the LDS church.

Best Wishes,

Sherry Twamley
Director/Organizer
For Our City (FOC) Volunteer Coalition
for Community Cleanups and No Cost Minor
Home Repairs and Yard Care for Seniors and Adults
With Disabilities at No Cost
(928) 639-1666
sherrytwamley@msn.com