SHORELINES

the water clean is not only good for anniversary of the first river cleanup. had all of the answers," he says. "Being the environment, it also keeps our "It's wonderful that it has lasted in SAP and listening to what the citizens who enjoy spending time on this long, but you also worry about others have been through, I've really the water safe." complacency when a program has been "You know I'm 18 and I thought I learned from that. I don't ever want to Etowah County is the first county going on for a while," says Powell. come back to jail. I'm learning to set in the state to use inmates to assist "That's another reason the help of SAP goals and accomplish something." in the cleanups, but being a pioneer has been so great. Using groups and Hassell said about 315 SAP in river cleanup is nothing new. The organizations is a good tool to keep members have taken part in the ROR idea behind Renew Our Rivers was people interested and coming out to do cleanups. Some have even returned to generated in Gadsden, when Gadsden it again each year. the river cleanup as volunteers after being released from jail. "It's really about the partnerships," "Today you're not a convict, Hassell says. "Everyone has rallied you're just part of the team." behind this program. Alabama Power bought the life jackets that the inmates — Al aba m a Power's Doug Powell wear when out on the boat, and they all complete a water safety course at the local YMCA. You couldn't ask for Steam Plant employee Gene Phifer "However, the best part of this a better relationship than the one we spearheaded the project as a small whole thing for me," Powell says, "is have established with Alabama Power." community cleanup in 1999. when I was on a boat with a group of Sheriff Todd Entrekin adds, "Not "I never thought it would grow like these guys and one of them asked me only do our inmates benefit from this it did," Phifer says. "We spent a lot of how it felt to be working with a bunch experience, the entire community hours planning this thing throughout of convicts. I looked at him and said, benefits. Our county thrives off the the years, and I am proud of what it 'Today you're not a convict, you're just river; the events we are able to hold has become." part of the team.'" here create tons of revenue. Keeping Next year marks the 15th — Theresa Helms Above: Photo by Nik L ayman — More than 315 SAP members have assisted with a Renew Our Rivers cleanup. Above right: Photo by Nik L ayman — Doug Powell of Alabama Power has been a part of Renew Our Rivers for 14 years. S hor el i ne s | 2013 Vol:2 19

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