People traveling to Downtown Danville have become accustomed to seeing lots of flowers and other plants during the summer. But this year Downtown Danville Services Superintendent Shelly Larson was concerned when severe budget cuts impacted her department.
‘’Because with the budget cuts,’’ said Larson, ‘’there’s just not going to be annual plantings or beautification as we’ve known it before, and that makes a difference in how our city will appear.’’
But Larson says some businesses, industries and volunteers have come to the rescue to help keep Downtown Danville beautiful.
‘’This week alone I’ve adopted out most of the planters on Vermilion Street. Some businesses have elected to plant and maintain their own – and they’ll water them. Others have elected to sponsor (planters and hanging baskets downtown),’’ says Larson. ‘’We’ve got ThyssenKrupp Presta, we’ve got McDonald’s – Deanna Witzel was very generous. And we’ve also had a lot of volunteers just planting areas.’’
Larson says when the budget cuts occurred it was decided to bring back the City of Danville’s Pride Grows program…
Larson’s department was severely impacted by the budget cuts. Normally she works with a staff of about a dozen people during the summer – including seasonal help. But this year there is just Larson and one other part-time employee. Larson says the Danville Garden Club and nearly 70 cadets from Danville High School’s JROTC program have been among those who are helping to keep the downtown area beautiful.
