April 1-30: Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center (Thibodaux)
April 1, 2010
LA 1 gets $33M CIAP grant
April 5, 2010
City officials are once again preparing to go for gold by winning the Cleanest City Contest, a feat that was overcome last year when Terrebonne claimed victory.
The contest was developed in 1958 and first sponsored by the Louisiana Garden Club Federation (LGCF). Although the initiative aims to clean up the city and improve its appearance, it also seeks to instill a set of values that encourages citizens to take pride in their place of residence and not litter.
The program runs nationwide and involves communities and participants from multiple states.
There are two categories: district and state, which are categorized by population. This year, Terrebonne will be pitted against New Iberia. The cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge will have a battle of their own, according to Linda Brashier, chairwoman of the Cleanest City Contest.
If a city wins district, then it goes onto the state arena to compete. Last year, Terrebonne won first place at both levels.
As the event unfolds, judges from the LGCF are taken on a predetermined route to analyze the area on its cleanliness and beauty.
Judging took place Tuesday, but the results will not be in until later this week.
Although the route is already set in stone, “…my hope is that the [ideals of not littering] will spread throughout the rest of the parish,” claimed Brashier. “You can only try. You can’t do more than that.”
Overall, people have stepped up and pitched in, as a little encouragement goes a long way.
“Most everyone is willing to cleanup and participate. Sometimes they just need a little nudge,” she added.
Neighborhood watch groups along the course also pitched in by helping the elderly turn their outdoor living spaces into nothing short of spectacular – mowing and picking up trash were just a few of the chores volunteers were undertaking. “Everyone is working toward a common goal,” noted Brashier.
Unfortunately, in this day and age, trash cans seem to have become a seldom-used apparatus. “I think littering has become a mindset,” she said. For most, it’s easier to throw their trash out of a car window or on the ground, rather than locating a receptacle.
While the contest is sure to produce a multitude of aesthetic benefits, it could also have greater implications for the education arena and the area’s youth.
“Education is the foundation in teaching people that littering doesn’t belong in our life,” explained Brashier. And with things nearing an end, this project was very important in relaying that message, she noted.
But instilling anti-litter values in our population is something that needs to happen early, especially if they’re going to stick around for a lifetime.
“I think children are very receptive to the issue,” said Brashier. “They come up with some great ideas and really think deep. That helps spread the message to the rest of the community.”
As Brashier touted her message last week during a routine parish council meeting, nearly a dozen hand-drawn posters urging residents not to litter hung from the walls. However, the publications were produced by area youngsters keen on the importance of keeping the environment clean – not politicians or activists, just regular household children.
Last year, the Terrebonne Garden Club partnered with students from Southdown Elementary School to construct similar posters. “Clean is your friend. Don’t let the friendship end,” is a particular phrase that continues to stick out in Brashier’s mind from that group.
This go around, “Real fisherman don’t litter,” rings true to home as it spread across a piece of poster board in the council room. “When people go out on the lake, they normally don’t think twice about throwing something out of the boat,” she explained.
Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet is also eyeing the top prize this week, as he not only supported participation in the project, but is looking to rise to the top once again.
“Hopefully this will be a repeat performance,” added Brashier. “There was a lot of renewed interest this time because of last year’s win.”
Terrebonne Parish is awaiting results from this year’s Cleanest City Contest. Local residents spent hours beautifying their yards and places of business in preparation for the event, which Terrebonne won last year. * Photo by MICHAEL DAVIS
