Cleanup
week rakes in tons of trash
By JOSHUA
COFFMAN
Landmark News Service
Many groups and county
workers hit the highways in Owen County last week, doing their
share to spruce things up during the statewide Commonwealth Cleanup
Week.
In what might have been an all-time high number, volunteers turned
out throughout the community, enjoying pleasant weather throughout
much of the week, picking up litter and cleaning out illegal dumpsites.
“I believe we’ve had more participation this year
than any previous year since we’ve started,” said
Judge-Executive Billy O’Banion, who noted that such an event
fits in with some of the recommendations made by the County Beautification
taskforce of the Owen 20/20 project.
Solid Waste Coordinator and Road Supervisor Dan Logan oversaw
much of the cleanup effort during last week’s campaign.
He said in a written statement that county leaders “urge
residents, youth groups, civic organizations, and government agencies
to work in cooperation to help cleanup.”
The county transfer station offered free dump days throughout
last week.
According to Logan, more than 270 tons of garbage were delivered
from the station to a Williamstown landfill, an increase of 71
tons compared to last year.
He said there was a 40-ton increase during the cleanup week, in
addition to the more than 150 tires and 30 tons of scrap metal
and steel collected.
One site in the southeastern part of the county produced many
tons of trash during last week’s cleanup efforts.
Employees from the county road department, along with the Northern
Kentucky branch of the state Environmental Protection Agency,
worked to clean up an illegal dump on the side of Red Oak Pike.
In all, 18 tons of garbage,
6 truckloads of metal and 30 tires were removed from the site.
Logan said in a written statement that he was proud of the work
done by various groups to clean up the county throughout the week
— and year round through other programs.
“The effort from groups participating in the Adopt-a-Highway
program, the Roadside Litter Pickup program, (the) inmate program
from Carrollton, the Owen County Road Department employees and
all the local residents who volunteered their time was absolutely
astounding,” he said.
O’Banion also expressed thanks to those who participated,
including the county road department, in a written statement.
“Your dedication and commitment in making Owen County a
cleaner place is greatly appreciated,” he said. “It
is my hope that we never have to pick up this much garbage again.
We do that by taking the time not to throw garbage from our vehicles
as we travel our roads. Keep it in your car and throw it
away when you get home or when you have access to a garbage can.”
He said, despite the efforts during the past week, such dedication
should be shown across the calendar.
“Please help us keep Owen County clean everyday, not just
one week out of the year,” he said.
The county has implemented a couple of programs for that goal.
Several groups participate in the Adopt-a-Highway program, including
TKR Farms, the Elk Creek Hunt Club, Fiscal Court and the Owen
County High School National Honor Society and student council.
Groups participating in the roadside litter program have signed
on to cleanup 81.7 miles of roadway in the county. Groups
participating in the county Roadside Litter Pickup program:
Canby Tabernacle Church, Hwy. 330 from Dogwalk to Hwy. 607 and
Pleasant Grove Road, 9.6 miles; completed.
New Columbus Baptist Church, Hwy. 607 from Hwy. 330 to Natlee
Slatin, 4.5 miles; completed.
Stonewall First Church of God, Hwy. 227 from Hwy. 607 to Scott
County line, 5.2 miles; completed.
Boy Scout Troop 891, Hwy. 127 from Hwy. 845 to Hwy. 607, 4.7 miles;
in progress.
El Bethel Church, Hwy. 845 from Hwy. 227 to Hwy. 330 and Hwy.
1197, 7.9 miles; in progress.
Hesler Assembly of God, Hwy. 127 from Hwy 845 to Hwy 22, 5.9 miles,
signed up.
Monterey Baptist Church, Hwy. 127 from Monterey to Franklin County
line, 4.0 miles; signed up.
Old Cedar Baptist Church, Hwy. 607 from Hwy. 227 to Hwy. 127,
7.7 miles; signed up.
Richland Baptist Church Hwy. 227 from Hwy. 607 to Hwy. 330, 6.6
miles; signed up.
Macedonia Baptist Church, Golden Circle, Gold’s Valley,
Snell Lane and Stewart Ridge Road, 7.5 miles; signed up.
Maurice Bowling Middle School, section of Hwy. 127 North and Hwy.
978, 9.5 miles; signed up.
Lighthouse Church, section of Hwy. 127 North, Hwy. 35 and Hwy.
36, 8.6 miles; signed up.
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