Nomeites turn out for spring cleanup

By Laura Robertson

On Saturday, kids and adults with bright yellow bags ran around Nome picking up trash. It was the last day of Nome’s spring cleanup. At Old St. Joe’s, girl scouts gave out hot dogs and City of Nome employees handed out shirts, bags, and merch. The kids worked hard—there was a prize at stake. In exchange for picking up 12 bags of trash, they would be entered for a chance to win one of five child-sized bicycles.
“It’s really nice that kids have something to do,” said City Manager Lee Smith. “It’s fun, but they’re doing something for the community. And that’s the way to teach kids how you give back.”
The week-long spring cleanup has been going on for decades, returning each year with the slogan, “U-Call, We-Haul.” It culminates each year in the city-wide trash pickup, where the City’s Public Works department hauls trash and opens the landfill for free to residents all week long.
Smith emphasized that not only does the cleanup help town look better, but it also removes fire hazards and other safety hazards from the city.
The planning for the whole event started in late March or early April, according to Assistant City Manager Angie Nguyen.
Over seven days, the City hauled 60 dump trucks worth of trash, up from 43 truckloads last year. There were 118 visits by residents to the monofil, and 139 calls to U-Call, We-Haul for trash pick-up. The City also hauled 13 vehicles to the dump—after ensuring their owners had signed a vehicle release form.
This year, they did it in matching shirts designed by six-year-old Junie Ventress.

Photo by Laura Robertson | DESIGNER—Junie Ventress smiles for the camera wearing the shirt she designed, during the spring cleanup event on Saturday, at Old St. Joe’s.

“Last year, I designed it, but it was so basic,” said Nguyen. “And I like, I can design it this year, but I think it’d be so much cuter if it came from somebody else.”
Nguyen contacted the elementary school and held a contest to design the shirt. All the designs were displayed on the wall of Old St. Joe’s on Saturday.
Ventress’ design, which featured dozens of stick figures holding hands next to the sea and the skyline of Nome, was inspired in part by earth day images and in part by Nome’s sea. It was a strategic choice. Asked what she was thinking about when designing it, Ventress said, “If I was going to win or not.” 
Nguyen said that over the years she’s been planning the event, her social media reach has widened, and that has helped with getting the word out for the event. She said she was “spamming” Facebook, posting twice a day during the cleanup, but some people said they still didn’t know about it.

Photo by Laura Robertson | RAFFLE— Angie Nguyen draws a ticket for the bike raffle, as City Manager Lee Smith looks on. 

Smith added that the City is exploring new ways to communicate with the public, including updating their website and a potential new My Nome app.