For the first time in several years the City of Ironton will have a full-scale cleanup that is designed to help tidy up the city’s streets and alleys as well as provide residents an easy way to dispose of eyesores and other items that could otherwise end up improperly discarded.

Led by the Ironton Municipal Court Community Service Program and the Ironton Lawrence County Solid Waste Management District, this event provides a great opportunity for citizens and property owners to do some fall cleaning, really evaluate the appearance of their neighborhood and to make a big difference in the first impression the city gives to its visitors.

Judge O. Clark Collins and Dan Palmer of the solid waste district, have worked hard to put this together. It is amazing the amount of hoops that have to be jumped through and the hurdles that must be overcome to put on even something as beneficial to the community as this cleanup.

We applaud both these men and everyone else who has worked behind the scenes to make this possible. But, ultimately, it will not matter if the citizens do not take advantage of it.

The event is scheduled for Oct. 9-12.

During that period residents can dispose of tires, sofas, bedding furniture and other household items at the South Ironton Industrial Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

No solid waste garbage, appliances or hazardous household wastes will be accepted. Citizens must show proof of residency by either a valid driver’s license or city water bill.

The elderly or disabled can contact the Ironton Health Department at (740) 532-2172 to arrange for pick up.

Getting Ironton cleaned up and looking great — as well as keeping it that way — will take unity and hard work, but this is a positive step in the right direction with these two agencies leading the way.