Knox County Recycling Coordinator Matt Baugher told the Board of Commissioners on Feb. 12 that spring cleaning events will deal with tires and litter with the help of the Friends of the Kokosing and volunteers.
The initiative aims to reduce trash and debris along roads near the river, helping prevent pollution. The effort involves community participation, with full-page ads set to appear in Mount Vernon and Knox County seeking volunteers for cleanup activities. "Just like at your personal home, spring cleaning is no joke around here. So whether it's litter on the side of the road, or helping people with subsidized events to get rid of trash tires, to keep it out of the river on the side of the road in the first place, that's big focus in the department," Baugher said in a video recording of the commissioners' meeting.
According to Baugher, every Saturday throughout March and April, county volunteer groups and Friends of the Kokosing will clean up roads parallel or near to the river. He said these efforts go beyond their annual river rally in September by tackling cleanup during spring as well. "Mount Vernon and Knox County residents can expect to see full-page ads on behalf of the Friends of the Kokosing asking for volunteers to help out. Baugher said every Saturday throughout March and April the county volunteer group and the Friends' nonprofit group will be out cleaning up roads that are parallel or near the river. He said they do more than the river rally in September by tackling cleanup in spring. He said they've done it in snow, rain, freezing cold and whatever weather occurs," Baugher said in a video recording.
Baugher also outlined specific event locations: "Baugher said in the video recording that one Saturday it will be 'Let's Meet at Memorial,' and another 'Let's Meet at Lehman Road,' with locations announced for each Saturday. People who want to volunteer can contact Friends of the Kokosing on Facebook, or reach out to his office (117 East High Street, Suite 224, or email [email protected])," according to a video recording.
Additional activities include a tire take back event scheduled for late March and a shred day hosted with CES Credit Union. The department is also partnering with the City of Mount Vernon for these efforts. According to a video recording, Baugher said he's working with two seniors from the Global Scholars Project—Evie Brody and Colin McFarland—who plan to provide environmental education at local elementary schools as part of their consideration for environmental careers.
