I found a little stretch of road to call my own on the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff, thanks to Gary Dickson, our publisher.
Ever since I put those rubber gloves on and armed myself with a trash picker-upper stick, I”ve taken ownership of sorts of that Record-Bee Adopt-A-Road section of Lake County. Now when I drive it, I note each piece of refuse mentally. If I have time, I stop and pick it up.
The program beautifies the county and all across the country businesses, churches, groups and individual people get down-and-dirty for the cause. I also notice other sponsors like Lake County Wine Studio and I wonder about “Thelma and Louise” and who they are.
I notice that these scenic roads are particularly tidy.
Pride in ownership I guess.
Aside from the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of the county, I also embrace the time spent with co-workers from other departments. These are people I typically see only in passing, but spend five days a week surrounded by.
I learned that we should refrain from picking up dead animals, good to know.
On Saturday morning a gang from editorial, advertising, press room, classified, business, reception and the mail room will gather for breakfast at High Street Cafe and then proceed to the parking lot at Rodman Slough and partner up to engage in keeping the county clean.
After that, I”ll shower and head to the 10th annual Lake County Wine Auction at the National Guard Armory to soak up more good feelings about the county”s non-profits getting much needed help as a result of the event and the amazing people who work tirelessly to make it happen.
According to the Lake County Web site at www.co.lake.ca.us/Residents/Roads-Transportation/AdoptARoad.htm, “The Lake County Adopt-A-Road Program provides an opportunity for businesses, organizations or individuals to save taxpayers dollars and beautify the community by removing litter along a stretch of a County road. The Public Works Department will place a sign, at the beginning of the adopted road section, in each direction of traffic in recognition of the adopter”s contribution. In some areas, with an approved plan, wildflowers may be planted.”
The requirements are as follows: Commit to picking up litter for a period of two years along a 2-mile stretch of roadside (pavement not included) a minimum of four times a year or plant approximately three acres of wildflowers according to an approved plan, select a location and type of work, request copy of information packet on the Adopt-A-Road program from the Public Works Department, complete the free permit/application and liability release forms and return completed forms to the Department of Public Works.
Afterward public works staff will review the application to determine if the selected county maintained road is available for adoption and meets Adopt-A-Road safety requirements. The county loans grabbers and safety gear consisting of hard hats, orange vests and safety glasses to approved participants. It also supplies free trash bags.
We leave the filled bags out of the traveled roadway on the side of the road and then notify the public works coordinator. The county road department picks the bags up and disposes of the trash. To learn more about Lake County”s Adopt-A-Road visit PublicWorks@co.lake.ca.us, go to 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport or call 263-2341.
Adopt-A-Road has plenty of road space to be adopted.
However, Caltrans is currently re-evaluating its Adopt-A-Highway program guidelines. An announcement on its Web site states that no new Adopt-A-Highway encroachment permits will be issued until this process is complete. Existing encroachment permits that are scheduled to expire during the evaluation period will be extended. Caltrans is encouraging interested groups to submit Adopt-A-Highway program applications in order to secure a place on the waiting list. For more information and for an application link, visit www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/adopt/.
My co-worker and friend Carol Wilbur says, “You don”t have to be part of a group to participate in the beautification of the county.” She plans to clean up an area off Highway 53 between Olympic and Lakeshore drives. I”m going to join her. We will wear 1980s colors for safety”s sake.
Mandy Feder is the Record-Bee news editor. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 Ext. 32.
