The third annual “Make Danville Shine” campaign is nearing the halfway point. The goal of the campaign is to encourage every citizen to focus on maintenance, upkeep and beautification of their property and to assist neighbors who may not be able to do so due to age or disability.
In declaring May as “Make Danville Shine Month,” Mayor Sherman Saunders points out that it is the intangible things like a clean community that make a difference in promoting business growth and the community as a whole.
The city kicked off the month by providing expertise in home improvement and lawn care at an expo held on May 2 at the Community Market. Nearly 40 vendors in the fields of landscaping, painting, roofing, siding, masonry, electrical, plumbing and pest control have committed to attend the expo, which this year will be held in conjunction with the opening of the Farmers Market.
“We urge all citizens to get involved and do their part at their house or in their neighborhood,” Jerry Rigney, director of inspections for the Community Development Department, said. “We’re talking about simple steps that every citizen can do around their house, such as clean the gutters, paint the exterior, landscape the yard and clear their property of weeds, vines and overgrowth.”
Toward that goal, the City of Danville invites all citizens to take the “Make Danville Shine Pledge” to take a pledge to spend time beautifying, maintaining and improving their home and neighborhood.
The campaign motto is, “Take an hour. Take a day. Take a weekend. Take THE PLEDGE to Make Danville Shine.”
To take the pledge, go to www.MakeDanvilleShine.com.
Residents also can set debris, trash, appliances and furniture at the curbside for city Public Works crews to pick up.
In support of the cleanup campaign, the Public Works Department again this year is allowing oversized piles of separated yard waste and household debris to be placed at residential curbsides for collection.
It also is waiving the cost of tire disposal for up to four tires per household, and it is waiving restrictions on construction and demolition debris if done by the homeowner. Restrictions will remain in place for contractor’s debris.
By appointment, crews will collect heavy debris such as bricks, rock and cinder blocks. The department’s mobile recycling trailer will be placed in strategic locations throughout the city.
For neighborhood cleanups, groups can make an appointment for use of roll-off containers.
Public Works also is waiving rental fees for a grapple “bucket” truck and an 18 cubic-yard trailer. Appointments are required for the rental of the truck and trailer.