by PAUL RAYNER

Although at first glance it might look like Boissevain is being punished for its success, Mayor Ed Anderson feels Communities in Bloom changes could give the town breathing space to continue its beautification efforts.

At the January 9 Town of Boissevain Council meeting, Anderson announced an upcoming change for the 2007 beautification season. The community was approached by the National Communities in Bloom organization with a request to opt out of the competition this year. Instead, Boissevain would become involved in a new concept called “networking” which would be similar, only in a non-competitive situation.

“We were asked not to enter the competition for two years,” Anderson stated, “and we have been offered ‘networking’. Part of it will be the local Communities in Bloom committee working on the local yards and with the local people.”

Boissevain has been a part of the Communities in Bloom beautification competition since 1996. As well as a number of second place finishes, the community won nationally in 1999. The town moved on to international competition after, first with partners, then on its own. With partner Audley, England, Boissevain won in 2003, before winning as a solo act in 2006.

“We’ve been in for 10 years, and it might be good to take some time off of the competition. It is probably not all bad. I think we can do a lot without the competition.”

For one thing, Anderson is looking at possibilities in regards to the Purple Martin Park at the junction of South Railway and Highway #10. Perhaps, he said, a complete re-landscaping is in order, including moving in trees and doing work to make it an all-season attraction.

As well, involving more people is a priority.

“We need to network with the community,” Anderson stated, “and bring more local gardeners into the Communities in Bloom committee. Everyone has really bought in to beautification exceptionally well, but maybe we can bring it up to another level.”

One thing that will remain the same is the Communities in Bloom judges will visit Boissevain this summer. They will only be here for one day, and as we will not be in a competitive situation, they will not be judging.

“They will just analyze the town and mentor us. We can get down to earth advice without the judging.”

As well, Boissevain will keep its “bloom rating’. This means the town will be able to return to the International Challenge in two years time without moving through the previous steps again.

Council voted in favour of entering Boissevain in the new category for the coming year. Anderson reminded everyone that beatification in Boissevain would not go away just because of a non-competitive atmosphere.

“We will not be going backward,” he said. “The ground flowers and the baskets are ordered. I think we can do a lot of things. We will look at everything, but we will not take a step back.”