No bloomin' way!

BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

The decision to register as a “Community in Bloom”(CIB) was deferred by council last week until a full report could be compiled.

The proposition to register for the program was speaheaded six months ago by councillor Liz Galbraith. Since then, the motion has continued to be tabled by Council. With the CIB registration deadline of April 14 looming, Galbraith brought the issue forward for consideration.

Former Alberta resident Annett Bennett was on hand to make a presentation to Council about her experience as a “Communities in Bloom” member in her hometown of Grand Cache. She commented on the positive impact CIB had on the town. She said the international program is primarily volunteer-based and that a registered community can gauge its own level of participation.

Bennett told council one of the benefits of being a “Communities in Bloom” town is an enhanced sense of civic pride. “It certainly helps to have a positive approach to your community,” she said. “When a town starts to look better, citizens start pulling together. It’s very contagious.”

She argued that participation does a lot for the tourism industry. “If people know your town is a Communities in Bloom member, they’re more likely to want to stop in or drive through.”

Cost, maintenance issues

Council voiced concerns around issues of cost, maintenance and public interest. “No one disagrees that it is not a great program,” said Mayor Anna Allen. “But we’re undergoing many changes in this town and are running full steam ahead. The priorities of this council have already been set.”

Deputy Mayor Andy Kirk was also wary of diving in feet first. “I think if we tag the community as a CIB there will be certain expectations.” He said he would rather wait to get a clearer picture of what the program will cost and what will be required of public works staff.

Galbraith pointed out that by the time a thorough staff report is available the deadline for registration will have passed. “I think you’ll find that once word gets out to the public, people will want to volunteer and it won’t require any staff time. I don’t know if we need to go through that amount of administration for the sake of a $400 registration fee.”

Front-yard fix-up contest

Several references to the “Front-Yard Fix-up Contest” developed by Woodshire Inn and Bistro owner Scott Geddes and Windsor Home Hardware manager Jeff Redden were made by council. “I support CIB in principal,” said councillor Laurie Murley. “But I’d like to wait until Mr. Geddes’ and Mr. Reddens’ project has taken place. That will help us gauge public interest,” she said.

Mayor Allen agreed. “We need to get through the priorities we’ve set for council this year.” She said the “Front-Yard Fix-up Contest” could be the catalyst to support CIB another year. “We don’t need the Communities in Bloom name,” Allen said. “It’s not a disaster if we don’t do this right now.”

Galbraith argued that the “Front-Yard Contest” is a good idea for those residents ready to take the step, but CIB is for the entire town. “The front-yard contest will show a level of interest in the contest, but doesn’t incorporate all of what could make this town a real showcase,” she said. “Participation in CIB won’t cost the taxpayers anything beyond the $400 registration fee.”

Nevertheless, the decision whether to register was deferred until a preliminary report by public works, outlining possible cost and staffing demands, could be assessed.

Outside chambers, Bennett expressed her disappointment in council’s response. She said being a Community in Bloom is a reason to celebrate, not debate. “Council should take pride in what the town is already doing” and she said it’s involved in typical Community in Bloom activities. “The town is already doing it; it’s just a matter of involving more members of the community. Council shouldn’t be afraid to celebrate their beautiful town.”

The Towns of Yarmouth, Wolfville and Truro are full-fledged “Communities in Bloom.”