Do your part for the CiB National Judging July 21 - 24, 2010

In 2010 Chatham-Kent is determined to boost participation, increase its overall score, maintain the top honour of a National 5 BLOOM status and perhaps walk away with one of the special international awards again! Chatham-Kent Communities in Bloom (CiB) volunteers selflessly dedicate their time throughout the year to prepare for judging and to make Chatham-Kent a better place to live. However, in addition to the committee's efforts, we need each and every member of the community to join in around their own homes, neighbourhoods and businesses to make this a truly flourishing and blossoming community. July 21 - 24 will be our opportunity to shine!

Please do your part... It's easy!

• Recommend a local "Garden of the Week."
• Include 2010's Flower of the Year, Rudbeckia Tiger Eye Gold in your front gardens.
• Be environmentally conscious.
• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
• Turn it Off, Turn it Down or Trade it in.
• Add planters or hanging baskets to your home or business.
• Plant a garden (flower, shrub or vegetable).
• Keep sidewalks and curbs weed free.
• Touch up any weathered paint.
• Be sure to compost.
• Plant a tree.
• Maintain your lawn.
• Become a Community Partner, Sponsor or Volunteer.
• Pick up litter around your home, neighbourhood or business.
• Volunteer as a member of the C-K CiB Committee.
• Use a mulching mower to naturally feed your lawn and keep shredded grass and leaves out of the landfill.
• Get involved in a neighbourhood cleanup, beautification project, tree planting or local trail development.
• Report all Chatham-Kent activities/projects, which by encompassing environmental responsibility, beautification or heritage preservation fulfill one of the 8 CiB judging criteria.

The Chatham-Kent CiB committee meets monthly and invites individuals (with or without ‘green thumbs’) to join us. All the committee’s work ultimately revolves around preparing to be judged on our efforts in the 8 CiB judging criteria. It is the process of trying to fulfill these criteria that makes Chatham-Kent a better place in which to live, work and play. If you share an interest in any of the 8 categories, come be a part of CiB, where “People, Plants, and Pride are Growing Together”.

Chatham-Kent – 2009’s Tidiest CiB competitor

In addition to maintaining its prestigious ‘5 Bloom’ status in the National Communities in Bloom (CiB) in 2009, Chatham-Kent also received the international Tidiness Criteria Award! Chosen above more than one hundred possible national and international competitors’ submissions from across all population categories is an impressive accomplishment.

The Tidiness category encompasses more than you would think. It includes the tidiness of green spaces, medians, boulevards, sidewalks, streets, ditches, and road shoulders. It covers the state of our signage, vacant lots and buildings and whether there are concerns regarding garbage, weeds, or maintenance and repair. The judges are even looking for issues with, dog droppings, littering of notices/posters, graffiti and vandalism.

Chatham-Kent’s continued National 5 Bloom performance, combined with winning an international criteria award in 2009 is an indication of the exceptional quality of life established here!

2008

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent, received a 5 BLOOM rating and a ‘special mention’ for Student Summer Staff in the 2008 Edition of CiB. Maintaining this prestigious 5 Bloom status, the highest rating CiB competitors can attain, since 2005, validates what a beautiful, healthy and vibrant community Chatham-Kent is!

Both National judges were impressed with Chatham-Kent and its efforts. Berta Briggs commented that it is important for residents to know that it’s not so much a comparison between communities, as it is a comparison against each community’s potential and how they measure up to being the best they can be. She noted it was obvious that Chatham-Kent understands the program and what makes a community. Steve Preston was impressed with the effort of all our communities to rejuvenate their downtown cores, as well as our rural and agricultural landscape.

Though the National judging was mid-summer, and the results revealed in September, CiB continues to promote and create civic pride, community spirit, beautification and environmental excellence throughout the seasons.


2007
Chatham-Kent once again earned the highest honour – 5 Blooms, in the 2007 National Communities in Bloom competition. Special mention was made for the Municipality’s Community Partnership Fund.

The judges visited Chatham-Kent mid-July and were somewhat overwhelmed by the geographic size of our Municipality but remarked that the Communities in Bloom program has helped bring the communities together. The Municipality was also commended for its “thorough and progressive Community Strategic Plan” which “sets out the goals for the community, and has inspired community involvement from all sectors.”

2006
Received International recognition!

Chatham-Kent received the Scotts’ Best Community of Gardeners Award (1^st out of 118 international competitors). The Municipality also earned the highest honour—5 Blooms, at the 2006 National competition.

Special mention of our Garden of the Week Program was made and we were selected to receive one of only 12 internationally distributed Criteria Awards—the ‘Scott’s Best Community of Gardeners’ Award. The overwhelming distinction of being the Best Community of Gardeners gives credit to precisely those who deserve it most. To receive this calibre of recognition for our accomplishments was truly an overwhelming honour. Chatham-Kent’s 2006 success reflects the enthusiasm and hard work of the volunteer