SAFFORD — The City of Safford would like its residents to begin conserving water and electric, and children will be the first to hear the message.
Jennifer Bryce, with the city’s Utilities Division, explained the education program will focus on three areas — how each system works, how to conserve, and how to be safe with water and electricity — and tailor messages by age group.
“The first phase that we really want to kick-off as soon as we can, is our elementary-aged kids. We decided to (start) that at the second- to sixth-grade area,” Bryce said.
To that end, the city plans to develop cartoon characters to act as mascots for the different utilizes, hoping to keep children engaged. There will also be contests, give-aways and, if agreement can be reached with the schools, field trips.
Phase two would engage junior high and high school students, focusing on home and landscaping design, as well as trivia, and other contests and give-aways.
Phase three would engage adults via multi-media, special events, site visits and give-aways. The focus would be on what adults can do in the short-term, such as replacing toilet flappers and replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED lights.
“We currently do have money budgeted to kick-start the program, but we are actively search for grants that are available to fund this program,” Bryce said.
