Photo Contributed/Courtesy: SEACAB: SEACAB invites the public to an information session starting at 4:30pm on 4th May at GSB in Safford.

Public invitation to May 4th meeting

John Johnson

john johnson news@gmail.com

SAFORD – One of the many victims of the pandemic has been community gatherings as the disease can spread. For South Eastern Arizona Clean and Beautiful (SEACAB), a small nonprofit that uses volunteer assistance to help clear trash from its landscape, the loss of its community has put its cleanup efforts on the back burner.

But now, SEACAB is back and holding information sessions at the Graham County General Services Building at 921 W. Thatcher Blvd. The meeting, which starts at 4:30 pm in Safford on May 4th, will be an opportunity for the public to see the inner workings of the organization and possibly join the board.

SEACAB has been beautifying Graham and Greenlee counties for the past 13 years.

“Our founder, Jay Lasko, was originally determined to clean up Gila Valley himself,” said Director Danny Smith. “Jay was taking foreign tourists out on tours from Gila Valley to Gilabox and he was talking about how much he loved the scenery, but wondering why there was so much trash.”

While Rasco ushered guests into the desert, local businessman Tim Linden was enjoying the scenery on his UTV and worried about trash.

“I loved exploring this county side by side and was sick of the illegal dumping, so I started a nonprofit to get it done,” Linden said. served as chairman.

The Board has completed dozens of community cleanup events, resulting in hundreds of tons of litter removed from the landscape. Many hands are doing light work, and hundreds of volunteers are proving that adage true. We have completed projects in a variety of areas, including estates, and local bridges and back roads throughout Graham County.

The SEACAB Board is currently undergoing a reform process with new board members and interested parties are encouraged to attend the 4 May meeting at the GSB.

“Illegal dumping is on the rise as people move out this spring, and SEACAB has been receiving a lot of calls for help,” says Smith. “There is a lot of energy in the community to see SEACAB take off again.”