Clean sweep: Cities kick off spring cleaning season

MAT-SU — As the last of the snow melts and the sun lingers longer, trash piles are showing up along roadways, parks and sidewalks.

It must be time to do a little spring cleaning.

Municipalities across the Valley are kicking off the cleaning season this week with a variety of activities and events. The cities of Wasilla, Palmer and Houston are all participating in what amounts to a public spring cleaning extravaganza.

Tedman Allen, recreation coordinator for Wasilla, said Wasilla Clean Up Days are underway and continue through May 10. Overall, he hopes people will lend a hand to make the Mat-Su Valley a little more appealing during the sunny months.

“I think it’s important for all the communities in our borough,” Allen said. “If we participate in making it messy in the winter, we should help make it beautiful again for the summer.”

Allen said the effort will include a competition aimed at collecting as much trash as possible. For Wasilla, there are three trash collecting divisions: group, individuals under 12 and individuals over 12 years of age. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m. Saturday and prizes will be awarded.

Sheila Jette, an employee at the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex, said she and others will be stationed at Wal-Mart from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day through May 10 to help those looking take care of a little trash. On the first day of the Wasilla cleanup, activity was already picking up.

Jette said participants can get all the necessary supplies like trash bags, gloves, water and free T-shirts at the booth. The Wal-Mart location also serves as the drop-off point to dispose of full bags of trash.

There are also opportunities for those looking to get those old, rusting vehicles out of their yards or driveways. Alaska Night and Day Towing is offering free junk car removal in correlation with the city cleanup.

In Palmer, the effort is known as the 2008 City of Palmer Spring Clean Up Day.

Mayor John Combs said Palmer cleans its house a little differently. While other cities frown on residents bringing trash from home, Palmer allows certain household refuse to be collected and disposed of as part of spring cleaning.

“I guess it’s because we get a lot of wind, so we get things from other people’s houses,” Combs joked. “We just want a clean city and we don’t want trash stacking up.”

Combs said household trash is allowed, but there are some restrictions. Items must be non-hazardous and brush must be no larger than 4 inches in diameter and no longer than 4 feet.

The mayor said the Palmer cleanup will take place Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the pavilion across from the visitor center. Participants can get trash bags at the pavilion Saturday or Palmer City Hall before the weekend.