Embarrassed by tourists having to walk through the remains of this winter’s gravel supply, a dozen merchants decided to take brooms in hand and remedy the situation themselves. 

The first installment of “Operation Clean Sweep” occurred last Tuesday, Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, 12 volunteers swept three blocks on Main Street in two hours, carting off four loads of gravel. 

Chamber president Jon Halliwill said “Clean Sweep” was started after the “Stardancers” first arrival. “Merchants were embarrassed at the dirty streets,” he said. The Chamber decided to clean them after the city couldn’t because of a short supply of funds. 

“The responsibility for a clean community lies in each and every one of us,” Halliwill said. “It’s not just the responsibility of city government. If it takes a volunteer effort to get it done, we’re willing to do it.”

He said the Chamber feels keeping Haines clean this summer is important enough to keep “Operation Clean Sweep” going throughout the tourism season.

“The Chamber is asking each shop owner to keep the area in front of his or her building clean,” Halliwill said, noting a city ordinance covers this already, even if it has not been enforced.

A street sweeper, which wasn’t to be available until July, cleaned the streets Friday. Because of this, Halliwill said “Clean Sweep” volunteers may not have to pick up a broom again. But, he said, they will be on the lookout for picking up litter that detracts from the town’s appearance.

“At least we drew attention to the problem,” Halliwill said. “I don’t know why, but the street sweeper showed up this morning. We may have had some effect.”