Plains to hold clean-up days

by Ed Moreth

The Town of Plains is looking to make the community a bit nicer looking for Plains Days and at the same time help people who can’t always help themselves.

“Project Clean-Up Days,” nicknamed “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” by Plains Council Member Sandy Chenoweth, is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, May 18, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. Volunteers will meet at Fred Young Park at the start of each clean-up day. Children under 18 must be either accompanied by a parent or have a signed waiver. Mayor Dan Rowan said they’re also hoping for people with trucks that could help haul materials to the dump.

“We wanted to have this done before Plains Days to have the town look better for that community event. We just want to have the town more presentable,” said Rowan, who is heading the operation. The Public Works Department staff will be helping with the project on Friday and will be utilizing the town’s dump truck to take items to the dump.

Rowan said the main focus is to help people who are unable to help themselves because of age, a handicap or they have health problems. A dozen flyers have been posted around town, including Plains Post Office, City Hall, Sinclair Gas Station, Gambles, and Plains Drug Store so that people who need help can sign up. People can also call City Hall at 826-3411, ext. 1, 2, or 5.

The mayor said their helpers will pick up nearly everything: furniture, appliances, including refrigerators, yard scraps, scrap metal, and even tires, although it will cost the owner $1.25 per tire. The cost for the refrigerators and other non-typical garbage was waived, said Rowan, who added that it would be helpful if people could put their unwanted materials next to the street, although it’s not mandatory. He said the volunteers will be on hand to help people with their yards, such as raking leaves and trimming shrubs. If anyone needs a vehicle towed away, Rowan said the town can make arrangements. In addition, the lot across from the Plains Fire Department will be a collecting point for tires during the event.

The town has about 30 volunteers signed up, so far, but more would be welcome. Several businesses have donated materials for the event. Studs True Value Lumber donated trash bags and work gloves. Gambles donated trash bags. Plains Drug Store donated rubber gloves and hand sanitizer and Blackfoot Telephone donated 20 cases of water.

Rowan has been working with church groups, Plains School and the Plains Lions Club to get the volunteers and the word out to people in need about the project. “We hope that some of these groups will help spread the word about it and talk to people who might not ask for help,” said Rowan. Plains Council Member John Curry is coordinating the church youth groups for the clean-up.

The town plans to thank the volunteers by hosting a barbecue at Fred Young Park after the clean-up on Saturday. The Mangy Moose donated plates and silverware for the barbecue.