Pike Run cleanup delayed
CALIFORNIA – A cleanup at Pike Run has been delayed as officials await approval to have work-release prisoners help with the project. California Mayor Gerald “Galvie” Gardner said at a meeting Thursday that inmates from the Washington County Prison may help to remove debris that has collected in Pike Run due to recent flooding.
The cleanup originally was scheduled to take place July 20, with local Boy Scouts to assist the borough road crew, who will use borough equipment for the project. But the date has been pushed back in order to have prisoners help. Gardner said Washington County Commissioner John Bevec approached him with the idea.
“I think it’s a great idea. They (work-release prisoners) should do that,” he said, noting that it has not been approved yet.
Gardner said he is waiting to hear from Bevec to see if the prisoners will, in fact, help with the project and to set a new date.
Gardner said residents should not be alarmed, because prisoners on work-release programs are imprisoned for non-violent, “low crimes” such as driving under the influence.
He also said prison guards will supervise the prisoners at all times.
Gardner said he also will be there to help with the cleanup, but he’s not sure if the Boy Scouts will be included if the prisoners assist with the project.
“I’m not sure. We may not want to mix them together,” he said.
Gardner said the borough had work-release prisoners help clean up along the river a couple of years ago and there were no problems.
He said he hopes the prisoners can assist with the project.
“We have a beautiful creek. It is good for this area and right now it is full of debris. I want to see it cleaned.”