Block party about illegal dumping set

Code Enforcement is hosting a community block party to help bring awareness to illegal dumping in the city of Odessa.
The free community block party will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Ector County Coliseum Barn G. There will be entertainment, jumpers, music and food.
Odessa’s Public Information Coordinator Andrea Goodson said the city is holding the event after Code Enforcement recently finished up a sweep that allowed residents in a specific area to throw away large bulky items for one week.
“It’s an effort to help keep our community clean and let our citizens know about some of the codes that are out there,” Goodson said.
Goodson said every quarter in the calendar year, an area of the city will be allowed for one week to dispose of bulky items — couches, beds, TVs or refrigerators. She knows there are people in the community that can’t make it to the bulk item drop off center located at 814 42nd St.
She said she hopes this block party can show attendees the effects of illegal dumping can have on a community.
“Our goal in the city is to empower our citizens to do the right thing with voluntary compliance to keep the city beautiful and clean,” she said. “Illegal dumping is a huge issue in the city. Not only is it ugly, but it creates a health and sanitation issues. We want our citizens to dispose of things properly.”