South Side cleanup proves popular

Joe Justus foresaw a need for cleaning up the South Side and decided to make plans to set things right. Justus supervised a cleanup for the area Saturday morning, relying on the muscle from a small crew of volunteers. Four dumpsters were arranged on a side parking lot of Apple Market on King Hill Avenue, with two of the containers filling up with refuse and junk by late morning. “It’s been really good,” Justus said of the public response. “First thing this morning, we had cars wrapped around the drive and on down the street.” About 45 vehicles came to the site just before noon. There’s a simple reason why Justus decided to take on such an endeavor. “South Side doesn’t get a lot of appreciation I thought it would,” he said. Mitchell Park area resident Steve Holdenried served as inspiration for the cleanup and placed Justus in charge. “He’s been a big help,” he said, adding South Side resident Martha Clark also provided assistance. The six-person detail included aid from Pittman’s Property Service of St. Joseph. Trash was taken to the city landfill, while all other items were removed to St. Joseph’s recycling center. Buchanan County handled old tires that were dropped off at the site. Sponsors were Apple Market, South Side Progressive Association, city of St. Joseph, Buchanan County Western District and the South Side Junction Farmers Market. The range of items left by residents would fill a list of throwaways from a typical household. “We’ve got TVs coming in,” Justus said. “We’ve got tree branches, cardboard boxes, tires and metal.” His ambition is to join the armed services and become a military policeman. It’s unknown whether another South Side cleanup will be held again this year. Yet Justus has already issued a request for more volunteers and dumpsters. “It’s most likely a sure thing for next year,” he said. http://www.newspressnow.com/news/local_news/article_3e393506-f9a4-5c9d-b408-cdc085427867.html