Complex sentence: In 1985, firemen hosed down the sticky walls, but the gum-chewers proved to be more determined than ever and within the month fresh wads appeared on the wall and Bubblegum Alley once again prevailed.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1985, firemen hosed down the sticky walls, but the gum-chewers proved to be more determined than ever. Within the month fresh wads appeared on the wall and Bubblegum Alley once again prevailed.