Alleys, backyards, attics, basements – any spare storage space – is a blessing when handling that extra stuff that tends to accumulate. Sometimes those items overflow or devolve into what your family and neighbors have the gaul to call “junk”. Residents will have the opportunity to throw away all the unwanted extra non-Dumpster/landfill acceptable items they have free of charge during Alliance Clean-up Day Saturday, June 29.
City staff and volunteers will man three drop-off sites from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Bower-Shankland Legion Field:101 Mississipi Avenue; Knight Park: Sixth Street ad Dakota Avenue; and Lakefield Subdivision (former Community Garden site): 2701 Big Horn Drive. Screeners will assist in sorting items into two categories bound for the landfill: Yard Waste and Construction and Demolition debris as well as recyclables to be processed by Keep Alliance Beautiful.
Screeners will be prepped with a short training session. The City will continue to recruit volunteers in the coming weeks. “We invite volunteer groups of all sizes and backgrounds to participate in this meaningful initiative. . . . By volunteering your time and energy, you’ll not only contribute to a cleaner environment but also foster a sense of pride and unity within our community,” a City news release states. For information or sign up a group contact Kaytlin Norris at knorris@cityofalliance.net or call 308-762-5400.
Organizer Ross Grant, City Public Works director, has led other community-wide cleanups before coming to Alliance yet said it is a first here. “I don’t remember and neither does anyone else – never done it.” He expects to be responsible for manpower, safety and equipment, adding that Jay Weisgerber will initially organize the container (rolloff) placement with H&H Sanitation.
Household waste that would go in a City Dumpster should still be placed there that weekend. Ross shared a list of prohibited items that will be rejected if found to “ensure safety and proper disposal,” consisting of: tires, items with Freon, oil, contaminated soil, dead animals, containers of chemicals, dry chemicals, asbestos, radioactive materials, flares, explosives, ammunition (etc.), paint, car batteries, liquids, and medical waste. He explained certain items above are accepted at the Alliance landfill for a fee or if the material meets certain criteria while others must be handled at other facilities.
“When, how often in the future is up for discussion,” Ross said. “My intent is to facilitate people cleaning up areas that are in need – it’s a beautification.”
Response to a first-time event of this nature is anyone’s guess. Saving money is attractive though the narrow window of time may be offputting. Maybe it will be less popular than the current offering of two free landfill coupons good for a year.
“It’s kind of a weird dynamic – for (some) reason people are more prone to go to these dump sites,” Ross said. “Some people might not use tickets but will do this. If it accomplishes the end goal so be it,” he said, noting if the City sends a little money to offer this option it’s worth it.
As we concluded the interview Ross mentioned another practical benefit: a successful cleanup will make the code enforcers’ jobs easier. In a way, June 29 is about pitting a citizen’s love of convenience against a municipal disdain for conflict. The Council Contingecy funds alloted that day are preferable to seeing a neighbor down the block who refuses to extract a washer and dryer from the alley right of way, then fights the fine.
Looks are not everything, but a cleaner community will be a welcome summer sight.