WorkForce students help with citywide cleanup
By GIOVANNI P. ROSSI, Staff writerArticle Photos
WorkForce West Virginia assistants have returned for the second consecutive year to help clean sections of Weirton.
Mayor Mark Harris reported four individuals from the state-wide employment program have joined with employees from the Public Works Department to clear sidewalks, collect litter and perform landscaping at several sites. The mayor stated work began Monday as he and the crew addressed sidewalk issues along the northern end of Main Street.
"We got some shovels and brooms out there and swept the sidewalks," he said. "They also got all the trash and weeds up from around Main Street."
Harris noted his crew also worked at Cove Commons, Liberty School and along Culler Road throughout the day. With WorkForce WV workers available for four weeks, he stated future sites will include Edgewood School, the hillside near Cove School, Cove Road and several downtown locations.
"It's really great that the state pays to have these guys out here," he said. "People had been saying for years that it was too much of a liability having them working for us; but they are very good at the jobs we have for them and they aren't slacking."
The mayor reported receiving support for the program from several citizens during Monday's projects. He noted Weirton resident Ken Tomes purchased drinks for the work crew as they were clearing Main Street.
"It's good to see they're getting that kind of support," he said. "They're out there trying to make the community look better and it appears that they are well received."
(Rossi can be contacted at grossi@weirtondailytimes.com)
