Public Works Day offers Chance to Talk Thrift and Cost-Effective Mobility

Public Works Day is coming up on June 14th. With an educational component that needs to be accessible for families with kids, there's always more than a little of "Bob the Builder" about it.

That's great an all, but the emphasis is on cars, and gas- and diesel-fired heavy equipment - big toys and the infrastructure they build and maintain.

These are important things, of course, but as the City announces over-and-over new rounds of budget cuts, maybe it's time to talk about low-cost forms of infrastructure and maintenance? You know, with the TSP updates for walking and biking, public works can talk more about how cost-efficient are forms of mobility other than the drive-alone trip. Let's talk about the price of gas and of asphalt! And talk about studded tires and resurfacing schedules.

You're already talking about salmon and zero waste.

Public Works Day offers a chance to frame some new messages about efficiency and economy. What do you say?
Here are the details.

Salem Public Works Day 2012 is scheduled for Thursday, June 14, at Riverfront Park from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Public Works is the only City department that is in every Salem home, every day of the year. When residents drink water, flush and the stuff goes away, or travel down the street, it’s Public Works that makes it happen.

Public Works Day is a great opportunity to learn about all the different services Public Works provides. The event seems to grow every year with a lot of activities for kids as well as displays about a variety of City programs. Come see Claudia, the 29-foot Chinook Salmon.

Thanks to the generosity of local merchants, more than 700 citizens and Public Works family members are expected to attend a free hot dog lunch including chips, drink, and ice cream. Canned food donations benefiting the Marion Polk Food Share are encouraged.

This will be a Zero Waste Event! Hope you and your family can attend.