Recycling Coordinator Matt Baugher told the Knox County Board of Commissioners on May 19 during its meeting that the Super Scooper event at the compost facility and the spring cleanup were both a success.
According to the video recording, Baugher said Green Machine was at the Knox County Compost Facility at 7425 Thayer Road with loading equipment to load the mulch right onto residents' trucks or trailers on May 16 and 23. Residents can load their own vehicles with mulch at the facility Monday through Sunday, weather permitting. He also said for most cleanups during bad weather days, typically eight to ten people would participate. But this year, at times approximately 20 people took part in the spring cleanup. He praised Knox County's strong volunteer numbers, who made things much easier. He said they promoted the event through social media networks and a full-page ad showing the schedule. Republic Services donated the trash collecting supplies, which cut the county's cost.
"The River Rally is great because it's a lot of work for one day, and then it's over. The spring cleanup is a two-month slug fest of every Saturday," Baugher said.
Baugher also said he's on the Knox County Convention and Visitors Bureau board's Resource Development subcommittee. One of their projects has been working toward getting Mount Vernon designated as an official trail town with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Committee. Many members are used to business and event tourism, so they rely on him and David Heighthaus, Knox County Parks District director, for environmental tourism efforts such as river tours and park tours. They are meeting with people from Columbus and having conversations about what makes Knox County stand out.
According to Baugher, Centerburg will also be a designated trail town with the Ohio to Erie Trail running through it. He said sources from outside the community have told him some of Knox County trails are among the best in the state. To provide information to residents, his department participated in Celebrate Trails Day. When not participating in spring cleanup activities, he engaged in educational outreach at events like Pheasants Forever Youth Day.
