Media Advisory

Mayor Declares War on Graffiti Writing

(Friday, May 12/2000)-- Mayor Walter Fitzgerald wants to step up efforts to combat the battle against graffiti in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

To focus greater attention on the public campaign, Mayor Fitzgerald will be picking up paint and brush and painting over graffiti that has been sprayed on the Barrington Street wall of the Grand Parade (across from the main entrance to the CIBC Bank). He may be joined by some other HRM Councillors.

Mayor Fitzgerald recently launched the "Company's Coming" anti-litter campaign. It urges individuals and groups to organize litter pick-up events in their area during the months of May and June. HRM wants to be clean and tidy as it prepares to host a number of national and international events, such as the Memorial Cup, the national convention of the Canadian Legion and Tall Ships 2000.

In addition, the Mayor and Members of Halifax Regional Council have been trying to focus public attention on the growing problem of graffiti writing, particularly in the downtown area, and the defacing of other public and private properties.

When: Tuesday, May 16, 2000

Where: Grand Parade Wall, Barrington Street side, across from the main

entrance to the CIBC Building (at Duke Street)

Time: 10:45 a.m. (Just prior to the start of the Downtown Halifax Business Commission Graffiti Clean-up in Grand Parade, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

- 30-

Mayor Walter Fitzgerald
(902) 490-4010

John O'Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
(902) 490-6531