Do you have a little free time? Got a wrench? A lawnmower? A paintbrush? A desire to make Page look a little better than it did last year?

Then call the mayor. Call the city manager. Tell them you want to sign up.

Mayor Bill Diak has started a community-wide volunteer initiative called “For Our City Page”, which will work to coordinate service needs of the City of Page. The program will bring together Page’s non-profit organizations, faith-based communities, business and education groups – and  the various resources those organizations have at their disposal – and tackle some service opportunities in Page.

Those who choose to get involved can take responsibility for a one-time project or an ongoing series of projects, said Mayor Diak.

Possible service projects may include painting a house for someone who’s disabled, cleaning up trash or weeds, or any number of community beautification ventures.
Some projects may occur on city property, but the mayor says he expects that just as many, if not more, will occur on private property as well.“This is something I tried to get going six or seven years ago, but I couldn’t get all the pieces together, said Mayor Diak.

But that changed when the city hired city manager Mike Celaya who has experience organizing community-based volunteer groups from his previous experience.
“Since Mike’s been aboard we’ve been able to move this idea forward,” said Mayor Diak.

The city will hold a community conversation the morning of Oct. 10 from 9 to 11 a.m. A guest speaker will talk about how such community-based volunteer organizations have worked in other communities. The guest speaker is mayor-elect for Chandler, Kevin Hartke. He’s also a past city council member and the head pastor for Trinity Christian Fellowship in Chandler.

As of Tuesday morning, more than 70 people were signed up for Wednesday’s community conversation.

During Wednesday’s meeting, or shortly after, a group will get organized that will serve as the coordinating team for future projects.  This group will help organize what volunteers work on what projects.

“We’ll learn more about how this will work during Wednesday’s meeting,” said Mayor Diak.