#KeepCorbinClean needs big push to win, ‘Beautify the Bluegrass’

#KeepCorbinClean is one of 11 finalists in the 2018 Beautify the Bluegrass initiative and it has until Wednesday to overcome a substantial voting deficit.

Ballots may be cast at www.kentuckyliving.com.

As of Monday morning, Mt. Sterling’s effort to rejuvenate its downtown park had jumped out to a substantial lead, garnering 1,277 votes.

The #KeepCorbinClean project was in eighth place with 28 votes.

In order to be in contention for the award, #KeepCorbinClean must finish in the top five in the voting.

Governor Matt Bevin will then select the winner from the top five.

#KeepCorbinClean currently trails fifth place by 173 votes.

The effort, which began in 2017, involved individuals, groups and organizations taking the time to pick up trash in areas around the city and posting pictures on social media with the hashtag #KeepCorbinClean.

As part of the effort City Commissioners Trent Knuckles and Andrew Pennington, along with New Hope Ministries Pastor Mike Addison took on the task of picking up trash on Gordon Hill between downtown and Circle K.

“It is a lot of what I call, ‘afterthought litter,’” Pennington said previously explaining that Styrofoam cups and plastic wrapping from cigarette packs makes up a good portion of what the trio finds.

Pennington said it is not about the size of the area an individual or group takes on, but taking on something.

“You can be involved by picking up a few pieces of trash around you mailbox. You don’t have to go all out,” Pennington said.

The winning community will host a barbecue event for 200 members of the team with Governor Matt Bevin and Lt. Governor Jenean Hampton attending.