Crowley ‘Cleanest City’ in district

Louisiana Garden Club Federation District Cleanest City Director Sepha Guidry has informed Crowley Cleanest City Chair Nancy Broadhurst that the city of Crowley was named district winner of the 2014 Cleanest City Competition held Tuesday, April 1.

Crowley will now compete in the State Cleanest City Contest planned for the first week of May against other winning cities throughout the state based on population its size. 

“This award represents a community who cares about and takes pride in our city, their neighborhoods and where they work and live,” said Broadhurst. “It brings with it a community spirit that tells the world that our city officials, business leaders and citizens are invested in their home town.”

A very excited Mayor Greg Jones said, “If the city continues to band together as we did for this district win we certainly have a good chance of going all the way to the top and receiving the prestigious award and highest honor of being among the state’s cleanest cities.”

Amy Thibodeaux, president and CEO of the Crowley Chamber of Commerce, said having Crowley win the Cleanest City competition is another feather in the cap for local economic development officials looking to sell Crowley to businesses.

“It can only help us,” Thibodeaux said. “We are proud to add this to our reasons to visit and do business here and make Crowley a place to call home.”

“The state competition is much harder due to the competition being tougher. Now we are competing directly against other winners our size throughout the state,” said Broadhurst. “We have to strive harder to get the city ready for this next step of competition — and we will be prepared.”

Judging rules for state competition are same as those of district which requires judges be shown municipal and public buildings, recreation centers, parks, schools, churches, libraries, fire and police station, hospitals and nursing homes.

Along the route, judges view business establishments and residential areas, streets, sidewalks and neutral grounds. Vacant lots must be free of litter, junk and abandoned vehicles. They look for lawns to be edged, well-kept and fences to be painted and litter free.

The judges also look at community involvement. The participation of service clubs, church groups, and schools. They also take into consideration educational and beautification efforts that have been made throughout the past year by reviewing a scrapbook detailing all projects and before and after clean-up pictures.

The goal is that the judges leave with an overall impression of cleanliness.

Jones extends a special thanks to all citizens and employees of the city who worked long and diligently. 

“I am extremely proud of our Streets Director Gilbert Onezine and his department, the Chamber of Commerce, the Crowley Garden Club, West Crowley Beautification Society, School Board and other members of our Keep Crowley Beautiful Task Force who rose to the occasion and teamed together to make this win happen,” said Jones.

“We are fortunate to have such a supportive and responsive community to help with our city’s quality of life initiatives. Let’s keep it up.”