Volunteers join forces to clean up Monongahela
By ERIC SEIVERLING
eseiverling@yourmvi.com
Monongahela is a little bit cleaner thanks to hard work by some local organizations.
On Saturday, Boy Scouts of America Troop 1448, Monongahela Rotary Club, the Monongahela Fire Department, Monongahela Parks and Property employee Scott Miller, Monongahela Councilman Rusty Polonoli and John and Andy Hess of Gallatin-Sunnyside VFD gathered to pick up trash at the Monongahela Aquatorium and the Monongahela Cemetery hill.
Polonoli said the group began at 9 a.m. and didn’t stop until 2 p.m., with some scout members going as far as 50 feet from the road to collect litter.
“I’ve been on a few of these but nothing this intense,” Polonoli said. “They were down in ravines. They did a fantastic job.”
Polonoli said the day ended with enough trash to fill a pick-up truck and its trailer twice, with the trash bags being put into city-owned dumpsters. Trash included fast food bags, tires, metal and cigarette butts.
“One spot looked like someone emptied their ashtray from their car,” Polonoli said.
Polonoli said he hopes more people get involved in keeping trash out of the Valley.
“Let’s pick a road and let’s handle it,” he said. “There’s other areas and numerous places. It’s a shame how much garbage is out there. No one has respect anymore.”
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