ITD gives TOPS tons of thanks for cleanup
<p>Courtesy photo Members of the Idaho TOPS Chapter 338 display their Idaho Transportation DepartmentþÄôs Adopt-a-Highway sign at their last meeting in November. The group recently þÄúretiredþÄù after 17 years of volunteer service to the clean-up program. Seated, from left; Judy Aktepy and Jean Dohrman, Standing, from left; Karen Sharon, Barbara Harpole, Carol Stendahl, Valerie Harris, Eileen Duhamel, Gwen Wadley, Sherri Lomas, Deanna King, Fran Miller, Jo Prophet, Elaine Desautel, Helen Lower, and Paulette Davis.</p>
If the Idaho Transportation Department could influence Santa’s legendary “Nice List,” it would definitely ask to place all of its Adopt-A-Highway volunteers on it.
Of all these supportive groups and organizations, the Harrison TOPS No. 338 group would have to be at the top of the list — not necessarily for filling up more trash bags or doing more litter pick-up than any other group per year, but in the longevity of its dedication and service.
The Harrison TOPS, or Take Off Pounds Sensibly, group has participated in ITD’s Adopt-A-Highway program for 22 years (maybe longer). Through all the broken glass, cigarette butts, wrappers and aluminum cans, it is estimated that this group has bagged nearly 6.08 tons of litter on Highway 97 between mile posts 66 and 69.
As ITD’s Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator, I was making contract renewal calls. I was surprised to learn this group did not want to renew its two-year contract. Gwen Wadley was quick to share that this was a tough decision, but was necessary due to the age of their members — most of whom are in their mid- to late 70s and even 80s. Wadley went on to explain that working in the ditches and other uneven areas has become a safety concern.
Eileen DuHamel commented that although a few of the members have had knee and hip replacements and could not participate in the actual litter pickups, that did not stop them from getting out of their homes, going to the Harrison Senior Center, and cooking breakfast for those who were able to work along the roadside.
Upon retiring the TOPS No. 338 group from their Adopt-A-Highway activities, Wadley did not “drop the ball.” Pride in her small community of 200 with a local business strip spanning just five blocks led her to recruit a replacement organization. Next spring, the Harrison Community Baptist Church will take over this highway’s adoption and pick up where the TOPS group left off.
Todd Moore, minister of the Harrison Community Baptist Church, spoke highly of Wadley, saying she is one of those people who is a tremendous asset to any group.
“She knows how to keep things going,” Moore said. “The TOPS group always seems to be there to step up in a big way. And, they do it over and over again.”
Damon Allen, District 1 engineer for the Idaho Transportation Department, congratulates the Harrison TOPS No. 338 group for its 22 years of service, and also thanks the many other groups and organizations that participate in Idaho’s Adopt-A-Highway program.
“To each of you, thank you for your service, commitment, and dedication to our ‘Idaho is too great to litter’ campaign,” Allen said.
TOPS group members Judy Aktepy and Eileen DuHamel both agreed that roadside littering at Harrison’s milepost 66-69 has decreased through the years. During the first 17 years of volunteer service, this organization would pick up more than 17 “stuffed” bags of litter on the 3-mile stretch of road.
Since 2010, the bags of trash have diminished to around 10 and they are “not so stuffed.” Whether this favorable trend was brought about through citizen awareness, some cultural shift, or influences from the Adopt-A-Highway Program, Idahoans have steadily been doing their part to keep our Gem State’s roadways clean.
As the writer of this article and a proud fourth generation North Idahoan — my children being fifth generation — Idaho really is too great to litter. It’s my home and yours. Let’s all continue to do a great job taking care of it.