The second annual community cleanup event is returning to the streets of Moose Jaw and the mayor is encouraging people to participate to help beautify the city.
During the recent city council meeting, Mayor Clive Tolley announced that the event takes place on Sunday, May 7, starting at 10 a.m. in the Co-op grocery store parking lot. It wraps up at 1 p.m. with a barbecue.
The cleanup advisory committee is spearheading the event and wants to create a sense of community spirit among residents. It hopes to do this by encouraging people to pick up refuse and tidy areas of the city. It will hand out garbage bags to support people’s efforts.
“I was there last year. It was a wonderful event (and) many people participated,” Tolley said. “You get out and you do some cleaning (and) then you come back and you have a barbecue.
“So we’re asking that our business owners, residents and schools all chip in and clean up Moose Jaw.”
Any resident or group interested in participating can email [email protected] and let city hall know which area of Moose Jaw they would like to clean up.
Moose Javians can join the Clean Up MJ Facebook group to let the city know how they are helping the cause anytime before or after May 7. If residents post pictures of their efforts, they should use the hashtag #CleanUpMJ on social media.
Rain barrels
Coun. Crystal Froese inquired during the meeting about the city’s rain barrel program and how residents can acquire one.
Darrin Stephanson, director of public works, explained that the program is still active and his department supplies the barrels for a 50-per-cent reduction in cost. He encouraged residents to contact his department at 306-694-4450 to acquire a container.
On its website, the City of Moose Jaw offers tips to homeowners about how to handle outdoor landscaping. One tip focuses on preserving rainwater.
“Consider using the rain spout from your gutters to capture rainwater into a barrel. This rainwater can be used to help water your lawn or garden and conserve water,” the city says.
Hometown exhibition
The Moose Jaw Exhibition Company held its monthly meeting on April 18, where it announced the details of this year’s Hometown Parade and Fair, Coun. Doug Blanc said.
The fair’s theme is “Summer in the City,” while the parade occurs on Wednesday, June 21, at 7 p.m. The fair then takes place from Thursday, June 22, to Sunday, June 25, on the exhibition grounds.
“And there will be lots of excitement up there and they’re hoping to get new vendors in there and a bunch of other stuff,” said Blanc. “That’ll be exciting for the city.”
Community Players
Froese and Blanc commended the Moose Jaw Community Players for its recent production, “Notoriously Moose Jaw.”
Froese singled out several people for rebuilding the group, including Debbie Burgher, Joan Stumborg, Crystal Milburn, Nadia Frost, Fiorina Hauck, Jarrod Jeanson and the late Tara Gish. She also praised the group for putting on a “notoriously entertaining” performance highlighting the community’s history.
Meanwhile, Blanc said he attended “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Fantasia” several years ago in Toronto. He noted that the Mae Wilson Theatre is equal to or better than the theatre in Hogtown, while the Community Players’ cast is just as good — or better — than the cast of those other plays.
Council appointments
During the meeting, city council voted to appoint Coun. Dawn Luhning as deputy mayor, Coun. Kim Robinson as chairman of the executive committee and Blanc as chairman of the personnel committee for terms starting May 1 to June 30 and/or until a successor is appointed.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, May 8.
