CLEANUPS BENEFIT COMMUNITY; FOX PAYS GROUPS FOR REMOVING TRASH ALONG STATE ROUTE 23.

Byline: Cecilia Chan Daily News Staff Writer

Drivers may not see him out alongside the highway with gloves and bag in hand picking up trash, but Councilman Andy Fox is doing his share of keeping up a two-mile stretch of Moorpark Freeway.

Since 1997, Fox has sponsored the cleanup of State Route 23 between Hillcrest Drive and Avenida De Los Arboles and is in the process of renewing his contract with California Department of Transportation's Adopt a Highway Program.

Fox pays community youth groups, looking to raise funds for activities such as sports or band, to pick up trash along the roadside.

``I think it offers community groups and nonprofit organizations an opportunity to do fund raising, and there's a direct benefit of keeping the community clean,'' Fox said. ``It offers young people community service, and I think it teaches them good civic responsibility.''

Fox uses a portion of the funds raised from his annual golf tournament for the highway program. He pays groups between $250 and $500, depending on their needs.

Fox's good deed is rewarded by Caltrans with two recognition signs bearing his name. And normally drivers can spot them posted along the highway, but political shenanigans have resulted in the signs' disappearance, Fox said.

New signs, he added, are on the way.

``We're trying to get his up as soon as possible,'' said Manuel McKinn, a coordinator for the Adopt a Highway program in Los Angeles.

Instead of a standard courtesy sign from Caltrans, the councilman has elected to pay for a custom one to be posted near Rancho Road, McKinn said.

Fox's name will be in capital letters in red, with an oak tree logo and the words ``charitable community funds'' in blue, he said.

McKinn said proof the 1985 program is successful is the waiting list of 561 people wanting to adopt a roadway in Ventura or Los Angeles counties.

Participants are given a safety orientation before going out on the freeway, and they are made aware that Caltrans is not responsible for death or injuries, McKinn said. So far, no one has been injured in the program.

Ventura County has 585 adoptable miles and five adoptable routes.

Any organization or an individual who is at least 11 years old, except for those who advocate violence, breaking the law or discrimination, are eligible to participate in the program.

McKinn said the program requires a two-year commitment to clean up a two-mile segment of roadway. Groups or individuals can clean the site themselves or hire a private contractor to do the job.

The number of cleanups varies according to the location of the roadway, but a minimum of four cleanups each year are needed in order for the adopter to have a recognition sign. According to Fox's permit, litter is supposed to be removed a minimum of 12 times a year.

``It's an opportunity to add value to their community and also raise money for their individual organizations,'' Fox said. ``As you become an adult, you are responsible not only to your family, church or synagogue but to the community.''

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