Local volunteer cleanup group removes tens of thousands of pounds of trash, warns of needles near Yacht Club

During the public-comment period on March 4, resident Dean Jewett described the Mason County Cleanup Crew’s volunteer work along the hill above the Yacht Club and reported that volunteers had removed about 25,000 pounds of trash.

"So far, there's been about 25,000 pounds of garbage removed from the top of that hill," Jewett said. He said volunteers included business owners, recovery-cafe members and people experiencing homelessness. Jewett told the council volunteers had collected multiple containers of used syringes: "My partner, he's got 3 containers of it. I've got 3 containers of them," he said, and described concern for children and others who use outdoor spaces.

Jewett said volunteers plan to next clean the Yacht Club property and adjacent land alongside the tracks near a day-care home, and that he had coordinated with the Yacht Club board president and staff at Recovery Cafe to provide trespass notices and offer services prior to cleanup. He said he had notified the police chief and city staff so they would be aware of the cleanup activity.

Jewett also said his view on a previously proposed mitigation site had changed: while he had strongly opposed a mitigation site several years earlier, he said he was no longer as opposed if it helped reduce downtown disorder. He asked that, if staffing improves, the city start more proactive patrols and offered to lead a volunteer patrol.

The remarks were given during the public-comment portion of the council meeting; no council action on the cleanup or needle-handling protocols was recorded at the March 4 meeting.