Beech Tree News Network

The streets and sidewalks of Morgantown stay clean, but have you ever stopped to wonder how?  Stop and think... in the past few months several events have been held within the city. For example, Harvest on the Square, Trick or Treating, the Christmas parade, and various races.  All of these events leave remnants of scattered candy debris and trash.  Joyce Edmunds is the individual who keeps the city streets clean.  Most of you may recognize her in her yellow safety vest with her cleaning supplies at all times of the night and day.  If you honk or holler at her as you pass by, you are almost always guaranteed a wave or a smile.  For over forty years, Ms. Edmunds has kept the city clean, working in all types of weather to guarantee that her job was done right.  Despite cuts to her working hours, she has still managed to do her job well because she takes great pride in what she does.
When asked why she has stayed at this career so long, she smiled and replied because she loves it. She enjoys talking to the people she meets while cleaning the streets, and the company of the store owners in town as well.  Not only is it the citizens she loves, but it's also keeping a family tradition alive.  Buckner Reynolds, Joyce's father, and her brothers had this job before her. She said she could remember her father and brothers coming to town late at night to clean the streets.  Starting in her twenties, Joyce began her job working for Mayor Charles Black performing the same tasks that her family members had perfomed.   She has been employed with the city now for over 40 years, working for a total of four mayors so far.
Providing clean streets and sidewalks to the community of Morgantown has proven to be a very valuable resource to have.  Each day as people drive through town you can’t help but notice how many people utilize the sidewalks.  Whether it be for exercise, pleasure, or a route to work, several people are walking on our streets and sidewalks every day, 365 days a year. Next time you are driving by or walking the streets and sidewalks of Morgantown, remember Joyce Edmunds and her service to the community.