Ex-rivals plan a joint cleanup

The cleanup is to take place in July, when water levels at the creek are low.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Rather than spend Election Day last November cutting one another down, two men vying for a city council spot instead agreed to work together.
Dave Wilkerson ran against Councilman Frank Fuda for the 1st Ward seat last year. They spent their time outside the polls discussing how to improve their neighborhood and in turn, the city.
"It was all Dave's idea," explained Fuda. "The main concern was getting rid of trees that have fallen into Mosquito Creek."
Now the men -- along with a host of volunteers -- are planning a cleanup day along the creek in July, when the water levels are at their lowest.
"We already started getting rid of some of the trees behind Fairhaven School," Fuda said, adding that Fairhaven officials may get involved in cleanup efforts as well.
The plan is to clear out a large enough section to install a wooden dock to allow for fishing and canoe access.
"There's a section where, once six or seven good-sized trees are gone, we would have the room," Fuda said.
Park site
The area is near the Fairhaven School, where a city park also features playground equipment, baseball fields and basketball courts.
Wilkerson and Fuda -- along with Carmen Vivolo, Niles' parks and recreation director -- think that adding the dock, and maybe a picnic area and a path to the creek, would help the park get even more use.
"Once it's finished, it could be a pretty great thing for the neighborhood, and for all of Niles," Fuda said.
Fuda said he and Wilkerson are also planning to get Congressman Tim Ryan and officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers involved to ensure the cleanup is done properly, and possibly to get assistance in finding the right equipment.
Fuda said the downed trees are unsightly, and many residents along the creek have wanted someone to come and remove them.
Unsuccessful efforts
A few years ago, he contacted the Army Corps about getting the area clean, and was directed to the county engineer's office. Representatives there, however, told Fuda that unless the trees were blocking a bridge, it would be the city's responsibility to clear the vegetation.
"The city just doesn't have the equipment needed to get back in there and get it done right," he said.
In the meantime, Fuda said, neighbors are ready to get out their saws and other tools to clean the area. Eventually, the group plans to clear the creek from U.S. Route 422 into the downtown area behind Niles McKinley High School.
"These people are just raring to go," he said. "We have a really good group of volunteers so far."
But more help is always needed, he added. Anyone interested in volunteering to clean up the creek can contact Fuda at (330) 652-0775 or the city's Parks and Recreation Department at (330) 544-9000, Ext. 175.