To the citizens of Oakes from Doug Sitzler, Mayor
As we approach the annual Irrigation Days weekend in June, I am sharing some information about our fine city.
Last fall, Chad Raatz, City Supervisor, Jeremy Sitzler, and other city employees spent days cleaning up the City Shop and surrounding areas. Also, the city employees and firemen cleaned up along the roadways to the city’s dump, leveled areas, and did general cleanup of the dump. In recent weeks, Chad, city employees including summertime workers Andrew Undem, and Levi Nagel, have begun the process of cleaning up the shelter belts west of the cemetery.
Park Board employees, Jeremy Sitzler and Tim Sitzler, along with family members, friends, and school coaches, have been cleaning up the various parks – Hockenberry, softball complex, Veteran’s Park, Cummings Field, and Eagle Scout Park in preparation for this summer’s activities, highlighted by Irrigation Days and our country’s 250th 4th of July celebration. Jeremy and individuals working with him have repainted the grandstand. Look for further improvements at Cummings Field.
The Park Board has purchased new playground equipment. With the assistance of Doosan employees, a new unit is at the swimming pool. Watch for further park installations…
A group of community-minded individuals, with support from OEI, Oakes Chamber, and Growing Small Towns, has begun assisting in beautification projects to keep this momentum going. This process began at Hockenberry Park with weeding, cleaning of the picnic shelter, and a fresh coat of paint in the bathroom. The Healing Garden at CHI is next on the list.
As the summer progresses, I would like to encourage you in two ways. First, look at your own property and clean-up in any way that you can. And secondly, as city beautification projects are identified on the Oakes Chamber Facebook page and volunteers requested, I would invite you to be a part of the work to display our community pride.