2 weeks Ago By Todd R. Hansen
FAIRFIELD — Fifty streets have been embraced since the city's Adopt-A-Street program was started in January 2018. "Not everyone renews their contract, but a street can be adopted by a group, an individual, a service club, church or family," Karen Rees, the Fairfield city clerk and program coordinator, said during Tuesday's City Council meeting. Karen Rees, Fairfield city clerk The presentation also served to recognize Volunteer Appreciation Week.
"The Adopt-A-Street program actually started in 2018, and Ana Petero ...
she was the brains behind the program. She thought it would be a great idea to have a street cleaning operation in the city of Fairfield to get residents involved (and) businesses," Rees said. Petero, a trustee on the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District board, said she was campaigning in 2016 when she noticed how much trash there was along Suisun Valley Road.
"So I moved it away from my sign, but I thought, this is silly; it's still there," Petero said. Not long after that she ran into former City Manager David White, and complained about the situation, and wanted to know what the city could do about it. His answer was, "Why don't you help?" "And that's all he had to say," said Petero, a self-described "clean freak," who reached out to neighbors, friends, and through social media, the community.
"It's fun," said Petero, who was out with her crew Friday morning at Lopes Road and Fulton Drive. The contract with the city requires six cleanup events a year, but Rees noted that there are those involved who go well beyond that with monthly or weekly cleanups, and even some going out virtually every day to keep their spot on Earth spiffy. City Public Works provides all the supplies needed, right down to the safety vests and goggles, and picks up the trash after the cleanup is done – on Monday if the event is on a weekend.
A sign is also erected to show the street has been adopted. "Some people have asked it be in memory of someone who has passed away," Rees said. "One guy asked for (the sign) to be in memory of Pokey, his dog, because Pokey used to go with him to clean up the street all the time.
" Petero was among the individuals and groups that were recognized at the council meeting. Ben Jandreau, of Bally Keal Estates, adopted Sanctuary Drive; Councilwoman Doriss Panduro adopted a section of North Texas Street; and the Police Department also adopted a section of North Texas Street. The Gold Ridge Neighbors adopted two streets; James Smart adopted a section of Travis Boulevard; June Johnsen as part of Rolling Hills Neighborhood Network adopted Hilborn Drive; Linda Elkins adopted a section of Laurel Creek (Friends of Laurel Creek) and Redwood Drive.
Ruth Clawson has adopted two streets with Petero, and adopted Green Valley Drive with her husband, Steve. The Matt Garcia Foundation cleans up Texas Street in the downtown area, and works to keep Allan Witt Community Park clean, too. For information on the program, go to www.
fairfield.ca.gov/government/city-departments/city-manager-s-office/volunteer-services/adopt-a-street#ad-image-1 .
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