Community group floods Putnam with message of determination backed by action

By Christine Holmes, News Director
October 4, 2019

Carrying a sign that reads “WE WILL TAKE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BACK,” Joe Nezbeth led the Friends of Putnam community group up and down Putnam Avenue Thursday evening as neighbors, business owners and community leaders picked up trash along the roadway, making their presence known to all in sight.

“The purpose of this is to clean the neighborhood, actually physically pick up trash, but just as important, is to show the unity of the community,” said Zanesville Public Safety Director Keane Toney. “Show that people do care that live in the Putnam neighborhood, south side of Zanesville and the whole city of Zanesville, which is obvious by individuals driving by blowing their horns, thumbs up, yelling words of encouragement.”

Melinda Umstott showed up to the walk with her older daughter, Kiersten Norris, after learning about the movement.

“I was like, alright, let’s go,” said Umstott.

The two live on Washington Street where they frequently find homeless camping behind their house and needles in front.

“My 7 year-old can’t even go out to ride her bike,” said Umstott about her younger.

To see the amount of neighbors who feel the same way left the mother and daughter in awe.

“This, it’s humbling,” said Norris.

Norris said she felt a sense of friendship and open mindedness amongst the community watch group.

For Wesley Frank, a Maysville high school senior representing his father’s Putnam Avenue business, 3i Holsters, Friends of Putnam shows the potential the community has to revitalize Putnam and restore it to the way it once was.

“I wish I would have been able to see it,” said Frank. “This might be my opportunity.”

Already, cleanup work has been done in the area through the combined efforts of Friends of Putnam and City of Zanesville officials like Toney and Assistant Fire Chief Doug Hobson.

A community cleanup is scheduled for 9 a.m. Oct. 19 at Restoration Park. Friends of Putnam and the City will be working together to clean trash left behind from encampments in the surrounding area.

Friends of Putnam next meets Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. at Weasel Boy Brewing Company located next to Restoration Park at 126 Muskingum Ave.

Also see: https://ycitynews.com/13239/news/newly-organized-friends-of-putnam-takes-first-steps-toward-improving-community/