FROM THE GOVERNOR'S DESK: Cleanup Efforts Are Making A Difference
A weekly column by West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin
Charleston, WV (HNN) -- It’s been a tough winter for many parts of West Virginia. Few areas of the state were spared the record-level snowfalls or the recent flooding. Some experienced both.
While I heard stories of heartbreak and loss, I also heard tales of heroic rescues and of neighbors helping neighbors that have touched my heart and made me proud.
As we emerge from these long and difficult winter months into spring, many of us are experiencing a renewed sense of optimism. People are emerging from their homes and cleaning up the debris left by the storms. Cities and communities are out removing the salt and cinders from the streets and making preparations for spring flowers in the landscape.
In addition, volunteer groups from around the state are gearing up to take part in two cleanup efforts that are coming up soon. The West Virginia Make It Shine Cleanup takes place the first two full weeks of April. All 55 counties have cleanups planned, and if you haven’t signed up for one, I encourage you to do so. These cleanup events target streams and public lands such as parks and school grounds.
Also, the annual Adopt A Highway Statewide Cleanup takes place Saturday, April 24. All over the state, volunteer groups that have adopted one-mile stretches of West Virginia roadways organize efforts to pick up litter that day.
Last year, close to 8,000 dedicated volunteers participated in these two cleanup programs and made great strides in ridding our state of unsightly litter. During the Make It Shine Cleanup, volunteers collected 269,748 pounds of litter. They picked up 4,564 old tires and collected 344 appliances. Ninety-one miles of West Virginia’s streams, 43 miles of its trails and 398 acres of its parks were cleaned up by volunteers, who worked a total of 6,448 hours.
The Adopt A Highway Cleanup was a success, as well, and met its objectives of saving taxpayers money by increasing public awareness and focusing on the consequences which result from unchecked litter. Over 5,000 volunteers picked up 409,070 pounds of litter and collected 797 tires from West Virginia’s scenic roadways during the Adopt A Highway Cleanup.
I hope that everyone – especially those who were fortunate enough to have been spared the challenges of this winter – will make the time to help clean up around their communities. Without dedicated volunteers, it will be very difficult to meet the worthwhile goals of our cleanup programs and to fulfill our commitment of making West Virginia the cleanest state in the country.
The spring and summer tourist season is approaching fast, and we have company coming. Let’s work together and clean up so our guests can see what a beautiful home we have.