By Bob Smith
Kitsap News Group
PORT ORCHARD — It really can’t be simpler than picking a project, getting into your work clothes and using your tools.
That’s the mantra of Port Orchard Mayor Rob Putaansuu, who plans to join City Council members, city staff, service groups and fellow citizens to beautify the city during Community Service Day on April 29, beginning at 10 a.m.
Putaansuu said there’ll be no kickoff meeting or hoopla about the event that morning. “Just pick a project, show up with gloves and bring the tools you’ll need to do it,” he said.
“I’m going to be out that day and popping in and out of projects and talking to people, thanking them for coming out and making our city a better place.”
The mayor said that Community Service Day came together in response to some criticism that the city hasn’t put enough effort into maintaining its parks.
“We’re a small city, and it’s challenging what we’re doing,” Putaansuu said.
He said the city is doing a better job at maintaining its park spaces, especially so in the past year.
“We’ve made a concerted effort to have Public Works out there (cleaning up) on the sidewalks and doing some maintenance projects,” Putaansuu said.
“But if we come together as a community — the city buys the materials — I think we can get a lot more accomplished with 100 or 150 volunteers coming out and spreading those playground chips, and doing a spring cleanup for our community and making some improvements to our parks.”
Putaansuu cited the work done in the city and at some schools over the last two years by local Latter-Day Saints church member groups.
“They were talking to me about it this year and I said, ‘Gosh, why don’t we expand this and involve more people.’”
He is hoping to get the help of reliable service organizations in the effort, including the Rotarians, Kiwanis members and business groups like the Chamber of Commerce, “as well as our citizens and the faith-based organizations.”
If you want to become part of the civic initiative but aren’t handy with tools or don’t possess a green thumb, you can always help pick up trash on the street or join with others to do the same within a neighborhood, park or community area, the mayor said.
