MARTINS FERRY - The streets are clean and the town a sight to see after the community held a city wide cleanup this past Saturday. City government agencies, citizens groups and area businesses came together to improve the city.
"It was a really good day," said Kathy Wade-Gagin, development director for the city.
She added that the Jefferson Belmont Solid Waste Authority provided funding that was used to purchase trash bags, gloves and water for the volunteer workers who gathered to collect litter and recyclable materials.
Article Photos
Photo Provided
Martins Ferry Director of Development Kathy Wade Gagin, Councilman Robert Duncan Code Administrator Betty Suto take a break from participating in a city cleanup held last Saturday.
The effort to keep the city clean will be continued by a grant from the J.B. Green Team funds to purchase recycling containers for use in various locations in the city.
Work continued from noon to 3 p.m. with 19 volunteers including 10 administrate personnel gathering at prearranged sites at the four wards. The collaborative effort resulted in three pickup truck loads of litter and aluminum cans collected from the streets, sidewalks, alleyways and public areas in the city.
Advanced Auto, Snack Brothers, United Dairy and McDonalds also provided snacks and refreshments afterward at Fodor Park.
Gagin said the day's effort was met with support from the volunteers and community.
"That community spirit, that's what we're pushing," she said.
She said the city hopes to schedule another event in fall and to make the city wide cleanup a yearly practice.
"A lot of people think it looks nice and clean," she said.
"Hopefully It'll instill more people to take pride in their community, get involved."
Gagin added that 15 recycling centers will be installed throughout the city.
DeFrank can be reached at rdefrank@timesleaderonline.com
