Spring cleaning of sorts

Published 11:36 am Thursday, May 1, 2014

Whether inside one’s house or around one’s community, Saturday seems to be the perfect day to kick off spring cleaning efforts. Many places around Lawrence County are using the first Saturday in May as a chance to spruce up their surroundings.

The City of Ironton’s 22nd annual Randy Lilly Downtown Cleanup Day begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday and all participants need to meet at the Farmers Market on Second Street.

“We are going to spruce up trees and clean tree boxes, things like that,” Rich Blankenship, Ironton mayor, said. “I encourage all volunteer groups, church groups and youth groups to participate. Let’s make our town shine.”

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A Dumpster for large items will be placed under the bridge near the Farmers Market. Placing tires or any chemicals in the Dumpster is prohibited. Blankenship said someone will be onsite to check proof of Ironton residency so people wishing to use the Dumpster should bring a utility bill.

“The cleanup effort doesn’t have to be only downtown,” he said. “Oftentimes churches and businesses clean around their buildings and I encourage them to do that as well.”

The cleanup should end by noon, Blankenship said, and the event has experienced a good turnout and grown every year.

All volunteer groups interested in participating can contact Blankenship’s office at 532-3833.

The Village of Coal Grove cleanup days will continue from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on May 1, 2 and 3. A Village of Coal Grove water bill and photo identification must be presented at the village impound lot on Pike Street where the Dumpsters are located. Each customer will be limited to disposing of two truckloads. No tires or any item containing Freon will be accepted for disposal.

The Lawrence Scioto Solid Waste Management District is having its countywide cleanup day beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday as well.

Last year the LSSWMD collected 1,052 bags of trash throughout the county. The trash bags will be supplied by the LSSWMD.

Any individual or group interested in participating needs to call 532-1231 and register by phone. Please specify the area of the county the group or individual will clean.

Other cleanups around Lawrence County include:

• Perry Township cleanup day is Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Dumpsters will be placed at the Deering and Sheridan fire departments. No tires, construction materials or liquid chemicals are permitted;

• Elizabeth Township will have its annual cleanup day from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. with Dumpsters available at the Elizabeth Township Volunteer Fire Department at 127 Township Road 113 in Pedro. All residents of Elizabeth Township are invited to participate. Items that cannot be accepted are car batteries, anything with Freon and liquid paint. Please place tires beside the Dumpsters;

• Lawrence Township Cleanup Day will be from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dumpsters will be at the Andis Community Center.