Charlottetown, PEI, September 24, 2007- The City of Charlottetown picked up its second national title in the Communities In Bloom competition during an awards ceremony in Moncton over the weekend.

Mayor Clifford Lee accepted the award on behalf of all residents and businesses of Charlottetown. He told the delegates, who came from across Canada, the United States, Britain and Ireland, that the program has been so successful in Charlottetown because of the dedication and commitment of the people of the city, people who care about the quality of life in their community and at the same time are aware of the importance of civic pride in bringing all partners in the community together to achieve this goal.

Communities In Bloom is a Canadian organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community participation and the challenge of national competition.

Charlottetown won the 20,001-50,000 category of the 2007 edition, receiving total marks of 87.5/100 with a special mention for the city’s adopt a corner program. More than 100 municipalities competed for the trophy, provided by the National Capital Commission. National finalists participate in various population categories, while previous winners compete with past winners in the International Challenge category with participants from the United States, England, Scotland and Ireland.

“Charlottetown’s tiered gardens in the numerous parks add a dramatic visual effect to anyone touring through the city,” said a citation from the national CIB office.

“The city has successfully engaged the business community with a strong commitment to restore historical buildings and building facades utilizing records and photographs.

“The new Adopt A Corner program, started by a local businessman, has grown from one corner to six that other businesses have adopted. This has made a difference in the presentation of the city, its tidiness and visual impact, to residents as well as visitors and is a great example of community involvement.” Charlottetown also won this national competition in 2001.

“We cannot begin to mention the benefits the city has reaped from this competition,” said Lee. “How the citizens in this community have come together to make this city, the birthplace of our country, a better place to live, to visit and to do business.”

Charlottetown also won the winter edition of Communities In Bloom Winterlights this February.

“What a tremendous year for the City of Charlottetown,” Lee said. “We should be proud to live in such a great place and to be recognized nationally twice in one year.”