In 2012, a group of property owners formed a team to start the initiative “Keep 15th Clean & Green.”

The ongoing goal of the initiative is to engage all 15th Street property owners to maintain high standards of appearance so that visitors as well as our own residents know that we welcome them along our area of work.

With this goal, the team contacted all property owners asking that all business owners and residents take a few minutes to look at their property and see it as a visitor would, and make sure it is clean and well kept up.

Team members include:

Mike Buhr, American Family Insurance

Al and Eileen Yung

Rhonda Chambers, Fort Dodge Regional Airport

Bill and Mickie Messerly

Dr. Nick Drzycimski, Rolling Hills Dental Clinic

Bruce Hall, Crystalwood Creations

Phil Gunderson, Gunderson Funeral Home

Rob Gunderson, Gunderson Funeral Home

Steve Lawler, Tom Thumb Deli and Dairy Queen

Larry Linn, Domino’s Pizza

Bruce Murman, Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits

Mitch Lunn, State Farm Insurance

David J. Bradley, Iowa Realty of Fort Dodge

Paul Cain, Sports Page Bar & Grill

Matt Hickman, Certified Transmission

With the impending influx of visitors to Fort Dodge created by the Iowa Girls Athletic Union State Softball Tournament, the goal is particularly important.

For some among the thousands of tournament participants and spectators, this will be their first glimpse of the city.

The Messenger encourages all Fort Dodgers to make it a good one.

We applaud the goals of the 15th Street team, and hope that all home and business owners endeavor to make their own corners of Fort Dodge as pleasant as possible.