City offers tools to get the job done

BY JENNIFER BAILEY
Commercial-News

DANVILLE May 08, 2008 11:28 am

— An increase in neighborhood association cleanups this year has meant more booked dates for the city’s PRIDE Grows trailer.
“Yes, we are seeing a lot of requests for the PRIDE Grows trailer full of tools for the neighborhood groups. It’s been out about every weekend since early April,” said Paul Sermersheim, community improvement coordinator with the city.
Sermersheim attributes part of the increased usage to more neighborhood associations now, easily reaching into the double digits.
The city obtained the PRIDE Grows trailer about five years ago through a state grant working with Renaissance Initiative.
The funding paid for the trailer and tools.
Since then, Women in Construction also has given the city rakes, and other items have had to be replaced or resupplied, such as garbage bags.
The trailer is full of yard and garden-type tools, such as a lawn mower, string trimmer, gloves, bags and other items.
Sermersheim said in cases of abandoned lots, the neighborhood group might want to adopt a lot and use the provided tiller for a garden.
Sermersheim said Peer Court offenders and those on probation who need community service hours also have helped with neighborhood cleanups.
The city will move the trailer from the parks department facility on Jackson Street on a Friday afternoon into the neighborhood where the weekend cleanup will occur.
Sometimes the city also will provide a Dumpster if needed or empty toters for extra yard waste, “and we’re very happy to pick up all the full bags and big piles of yard waste,” Sermersheim said.
The city picks up the bags of yard waste and garbage the following Monday. The yard waste goes to the city’s yard waste site for recycling.
“These are easily justifiable expenses,” Sermersheim said of the costs to the city and in return seeing beautified neighborhoods. “That’s what we’re here for.”
The city’s assistance for improved neighborhoods help with better views of neighborhoods and pride, he said.
Sermersheim said neighborhood groups don’t have to conduct the cleanups on weekends. The cleanups could occur after work or during weekdays if there are more retired people involved.
He said the Kentucky, Tennessee and Delaware streets Neighborhood Association has used the trailer the most over the years and has taken care of several abandoned lots.
“They are one of the best groups to go out and identify people in the neighborhood (who) need help with their lawns, which is a great function,” Sermersheim added about elderly and other residents in need.
Sermersheim and Public Works Director Doug Ahrens remind residents that the city provides the supplies and Dumpsters only to recognized neighborhood associations.
“It’s not meant to clean out someone’s house or garage,” Sermersheim said. “Our services are designed for volunteer litter pickups around the neighborhoods.”
FYI
A neighborhood association interested in using the city’s PRIDE Grows trailer for a neighborhood cleanup can call Paul Sermersheim with the city at 431-2273.

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