Local realtor Michael Edlen and Coldwell Banker Southern California have once again donated $6,500 each to the Palisades Chamber of Commerce in support of the street/sidewalk maintenance program in the Village. The Chamber launched the program in February 2003 to give a fresh, clean look to the Village. As the Village has become busier this year, the program is even more important, said Edlen, an agent at the Coldwell Banker West office on Sunset. ‘I feel that since we’re in the middle of the Village, it’s an opportunity to give back to the community in a tangible way,’ said Edlen. ‘I know that everyone appreciates that the Village looks so much more appealing with the maintenance program ongoing. ‘Last year I asked Scott Gibson, president of Coldwell Banker Southern California, to match me dollar for dollar, and he did,’ Edlen said. ‘This year, his successor Betty Graham agreed to again match the $6,500 donation.’ The Chamber has contracted with Chrysalis’ Street Works, a nonprofit back-to-work program to conduct the twice-weekly street cleaning and maintenance. ‘I think that the Chrysalis program is a win-win,’ Edlen said. ‘It gives their employees an opportunity to have a job that otherwise would not be available, and it gives Chrysalis more visibility in the Palisades.’ The Street Works maintenance workers come to town on Mondays to clean up the Village area, including the gutters and alleyways; on Friday, they pick up trash. Once a month, they steam-clean the sidewalks, rotating between the various business districts in town, including Swarthmore and Marquez. ‘It’s been very successful because of people like Michael and people from the community who’ve donated everything from $5 to $1,000,’ said Chamber president David Williams. ‘Without the residential support, this wouldn’t be possible.’ Williams said that the city provides cleaning maintenace to the business district about once a month, and trash pickup on Wednesdays. ‘We can’t get anything more from the city, their budget is strapped,’ Williams said. ‘We supplement when the city doesn’t pick up trash.’ The annual cost for the Street Works cleaning services is just over $31,000, and about $29,000 has been raised so far. ‘I encourage all Village businesses to contact the Chamber and see in what way, small and large, they can help improve the visual appearance of our small village,’ Edlen said. ‘There are other opportunities where funds can be put to good use.’ Donations to the program can be made out to Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, earmarked to Street Maintenance, and mailed to 15330 Antioch St., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. Palisadian Adlai Wertman is president and CEO of Chrysalis. In addition to Street Works, the professional cleaning business which helps formerly homeless men get work, the company also runs Labor Connection, a full-service staffing company.
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