Spring clean-up day set for April 16

Got an old TV or microwave you don't want any longer, a worn out sofa, junk in your garage, basement or backyard? Perhaps you have some old tires lying around that you need to get rid of, or some leftover weed killer that simply needs to go.

Well, on Saturday, April 16, Vernon County and Nevada are giving you an opportunity to get rid of all that stuff and more during the annual Nevada/Vernon County Spring Clean-up Day.

And for the first time in several years, limited curb-side pick-up will be available. To take advantage of this you must call the city at (417) 448-2700 before 3:30 p.m., on April 15, so they can compile a list of locations to be picked up.

James McKenzie, who did this three or four years ago, will again be offering this service. He said that he will have at least one and perhaps two trucks and crews out picking up junk people have piled at the curb.

McKenzie said that he will be picking up things like appliances, air conditioners, storm doors, TV sets, computers and tires.

He said that he will not be picking up garbage or yard waste.

If there is a question about what you want picked up, ask when you call the city to get on their list.

"We want people to clean up the city and this is a way I can help solve the problem," McKenzie said.

Besides, he said it is fun to do it.

"We get four or five people and we jump off the truck and see how fast we can load everything," he said.

He encourages anyone wanting their junk picked up to be sure it is on the curb early on Saturday morning or late Friday evening.

"I hope to be done by noon or 1 p.m.," he said.

For those people who will bring in their own junk, the City-County Recycling Center on East Locust Street will be open from 8 a.m. to noon and will be accepting electronics, appliances, household hazardous waste (no paint), and the normal recyclable items the center accepts. If you have latex paint to dispose of, it can be mixed with dirt or sawdust and allowed to dry and then put in your regular trash.

In addition to the items that the recycling center will be accepting, the city's public works site on South Jefferson Street, will have large dumpsters available for residents to drop off anything that can be sent to a landfill. City employees will be there with front loaders to help get the refuse into the dumpsters. There will also be an old tire drop-off at this site. As in the past they will accept unmounted car and small truck tires.

The city will also have its compost site, across from the public works site on South Jefferson, open for people wanting to drop off leaves, tree limbs and yard waste. Compost mulch from the city's annual fall leaf pick-up will be available for free. Just bring your own container to put it in.

The cost for these services is paid for jointly by the city and the county.

The most convenient way to go to the public works site is to follow East Maple Street until it runs into Jefferson at the public works building.

For more information contact the City Hall, (417) 448-2700, or check the city's Web site: www.nevadamo.org.