DAPHNE, Ala.—Mayor Fred Small declared Nov. 15 as America Recycles Day in the Jubilee City.

“To focus the nation’s attention on the importance of recycling and closing the loop, businesses, industries, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and individuals have joined together to celebrate America Recycles Day,” Small stated in the proclamation. “We want to support the efforts of citizens, businesses, and organizations to celebrate, and are encouraging their employers, staff, customers, schools and  all citizens to pledge to buy more recycled-content products starting on Nov. 15, 2010.”

Pledge cards are available at Daphne City Hall, the Daphne Recreation Center and local schools.

On the pledge card, citizens are welcomed to list a school name and principal name, which will help each come closer in the contest for a recycled computer.

“The school that gets the most people to sign a pledge will receive a recycled computer,” Small stated in the proclamation, which was read at Monday’s city council meeting.

“The City of Daphne recognizes the importance of protecting and preserving our natural resources, and is working to make the world a better place by adopting conscientious living habits that will improve our daily lives and bring about a cleaner, safer and healthier environment.”

Councilman Bailey Yelding handed out pledge cards after the meeting and showed his support of the initiative during his council comment.

“Make sure to recycle and come out to the event,” he said.

The city also plans to hold an event to celebrate recycling on Nov. 15 in front of City Hall. Daphne Utilities plans to have free hot dogs for attendees.

Public Works Director Richard Johnson teased, “Rumor has it Daphne Utilities will be out there with their weeny wagon, and there will be free, non-recycled hot dogs available,” he said.

In other news, the council:

•Rezoned a property at the northeast intersection of Whispering Pines Road and Parker Lane from R-3, High Density Single Family District, to R-4, High Density Single Family District.

•Listened to a presentation from Mobile Bay Tarpons Head Coach Bill McWhorter. The Tarpons — an arena football team coming to Mobile — will begin their season next month, McWhorter said. “We’re going to fill the need in the spring,” he said. “We’re going to be affordable family entertainment.”