Councilman Williams plans to repeat Surprise pride day

Surprise Councilman John Williams hopes the holiday spirit rouses residents to join him for a second community pride day this year.

Williams, in partnership with city staff, coordinated his first pride day in June, when more than 200 people turned out to help clean up trash and pull weeds at about 150 homes, many left empty after foreclosures.

The biggest concern for volunteers in June was the scorching heat, so Williams is back asking for help in cooler times.

Contingent on community support, the next community pride day will be Dec. 13, Williams said.

While holding a pride day between Thanksgiving and Christmas might deter some, Williams hopes many residents will be swept up in "the spirit of the season." If not, William said he may try again to host a cleanup in February.

Williams plans to spend the next several weeks reaching out to the city's homeowner associations to target certain areas. He also is looking for sponsors in the business community who might lend a hand or in-kind donations such as food for the laborers.

"I think people have been asking for this," Williams said. "I think we will get a positive response, but then again times are tough."

It has yet to be decided whether the city would support the event with funding. Given the current economy, the city has had to cut back on non-essential spending.

Williams said his hope is to receive enough donations and support from the community not to have to turn to the city for funds.

Surprise resident John Godfrey throws dead brush into a pile to be discarded at a foreclosed property during Surprise for Community Pride Day in June 2008.