San Rafael cleanup guru earns public service award
Years ago, Tom Harrison noticed that the trail between Bahia Vista Elementary School and Spinnaker Point was overrun with trash.
“I called the city and they said they didn't have the manpower to clean it up,” the San Rafael resident said. “So I said, `If you guys aren't going to clean this up, can I do it?'”
And for the last decade, he has. His self-directed mandate has since expanded with beautification and graffiti removal work throughout the downtown. Now, the 76-year-old's efforts have
earned him a special commendation from the city.
Harrison is this year's recipient of an award spawned from an endowment established by J. Michael Maloney with the Marin Community Foundation in 2001 to honor former San Rafael planning commissioner Dick O'Brien. The award is now known as the Richard O'Brien and the Mary Ferrario O'Brien Public Service Award.
“This award is always given to an outstanding community member who has gone above and beyond and truly embodies the values of San Rafael,” Mayor Kate Colin said.
The city estimates his work has
kept hundreds — perhaps thousands — of pounds of garbage out of area waterways.
“I think people feel better about living in San Rafael. Graffiti and litter is a visual annoyance to people. It's a way of going back and making the city a cleaner, nicer place to live,” Harrison said.
Colin said Harrison was selected for his work maintaining the trail, as well as his beautification work throughout the city.
“Tom brings so much insight to the groups he participates in and he is never too good for any task,” she said.
“Tom models civic duty and public service at its best.”