Organization assists in clean-up

March 22, 2008 11:43 pm

— Staff reports

The news of another city-wide cleanup had Larry Young, owner of Wave Carpet Cleaning, a little concerned.
“I have always believed these efforts put an enormous strain on under-privileged elements of our community,” Young said. “At times, they seem a little lopsided in their en-forcement.”
He said, “There’s al-ways talk of helping out, but no one ever does much.”
Enter Enid Trade and Skilled Labor As-sociation (ETSLA).
ETSLA was conceived as a loose association of local businesses in all fields of restoration and repair. Group members agree to a sliding-scale pricing system based on the income of applicants.
“It levels the playing field between those with the money to have their houses perfectly manicured and those who don’t,” Young said.
The list of business owners getting involved is growing, and it runs the gamut from painting to junk removal. Gary Collins, of U Call, We Haul, was one of the first to get involved in the group, as was Tommy Seiger from Enid Paint and Drywall.
“I believe it will create opportunities for families to get their homes healthy, which is where the main concern should be,” Young said.
Rules for the citywide cleanup, which begins next month, are being revised by city officials. City Manager Eric Benson has said code enforcement may be more forceful than it was last year.
For information about ETSLA, go to www.enidtrade.axspace.com or e-mail etsla@suddenlink.net.