April is Make it Shine month in West Virginia and the town of Marlinton is going to join in the clean-up and "make it shine" in its own way.

Marlinton mayor Joe Smith explained that the town has always had a free pick-up of large items for one week in April and one in October. This year, he said he and council decided to extend the clean-up for the entire month of April to encourage residents and businesses to join in the cleaning fun.

"We are encouraging people to pick up, clean up, fix up, paint up and beautify," Smith said. "I'm real enthused because several people came to me wanting to know if the town would promote the clean-up. The town needs to clean-up ourselves before we can really encourage others."

Smith said he remembers when he was younger, Marlinton had a clean-up week that culminated with a Clean-Up Parade. He hopes to bring back that type of enthusiasm for the cleanliness of the town.

"We used to have a parade that went through Main Street. The businesses participated and the 4-H clubs," he said. "I can remember it and a lot of the older people can remember it. I can visualize that coming back, maybe not the parade, but that type of atmosphere."

During the month of April, the town will offer free garbage pick-up every Monday and Friday for larger items, like mattresses or refrigerators. Smith added that the pick-up will also include leaves or limbs from the yard.

The town clean-up will involve everyone working together, including residents, businesses and the town.

"We've got the fire department involved," Smith said. "They are going to be washing some parking lots down. We're going to sweep and wash Main Street down, plus one block each way on Second and Third Avenues."

Other projects include cleaning the mini-park, the gazebo area, the river trail and cleaning the three "Welcome to Marlinton" rocks along the road.

Smith said the town will provide trash bags, paint, cleaning supplies, brooms, rakes, shovels, gloves and safety vests.

Instead of a parade, the culmination of the clean-up will be celebrated with a picnic, featuring live entertainment, at the gazebo area on April 27.

Organizations, businesses or individuals interested in assisting with the clean-up should contact Joe Smith at 304-799-4315.

Suzanne Stewart may be contacted at sastewart@pocahontastimes.com

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