In April, a number of exemplary volunteers from throughout Franklin County will be recognized for their volunteer efforts. It will also be a perfect time to initiate several public service projects including clean up efforts. Neighbors helping neighbors clean up can be a rewarding experience for everyone involved. The city and county should offer free days at the landfill for both commercial and residential customers to encourage the clean up effort. The spring clean up should be an annual event coordinated by the city and county to foster tidiness and community pride.
Many communities offer such a clean up in the spring and fall.
The clean up effort shouldn't just include cleaning. New welcome signs and other such efforts demonstrating community pride would be a nice touch. One of Ottawa's biggest eyesores, the old Ottawa Middle School, likely can't be beautified before the Sampler Fest. The old structure cries out out attention, but instead sits and falls into further disrepair. If some decisions can be made prior to the Sampler Fest, perhaps residents could at least point with pride to the structure and tell visitors in what manner the building will be preserved and re-used.