The city of Ontario shines a little brighter lately thanks to the city’s first annual Beautification Contest held this past July.
Seven residential properties and one business property inside the city of Ontario spruced up their landscaping for judging, which took place on July 14. Mayor Randy Hutchinson explained the contest came about as a way to acknowledge the hard work of Ontario residents.
“Part of my goals coming into office was trying to do things to make this city a nicer place to live,” said Hutchinson. “This fit right into my game plan coming into office, doing everything we can to make this city a better place to live.”
Hutchinson said the idea for the contest came from Ontario Growth Association member Betty Connolly. Connolly explained she served on a similar judging panel for the beautification of Mansfield many years ago, and thought the same concept could apply to Ontario.
“I know [Hutchinson] is working hard in Ontario to make it nicer. They had clean up days during the summer picking up litter, so that’s where I got the idea and I said why don’t you have beautification of Ontario? And he liked the idea really well,” she said.
The Beautification Contest judging panel, made up of Connolly, Hutchinson, and other members of his office looked for curb appeal, use of space, uniqueness and overall appearance. The entire property was inspected, not just an initial drive-by.
“We got out of our car and walked around and everything,” said Connolly. “Maybe it’s something different they have or the way they decorated the outside. I looked for something I like personally and felt like they did a good job, beautiful flowers, everything else that would make a house attractive.”
The first place winner in the residential category was Patty Poland of 3359 Elmstone Court. Second place was Tonya Flanegan of 1765 Victoria Court, and third place was Robert Cleckner of 3550 Ridgestone Drive. All three residents will receive a certificate, with Poland receiving dinner for six at Outback Steakhouse. Mechanics Bank was the business winner, receiving lunch for 25 people at Outback.
“There is a lot of time and effort put into landscaping, and it’s nice to see,” said Hutchinson. “There are so many other houses out here and businesses that do a lot of nice work to their landscaping, I wish we had more entries.”
Next year, Hutchinson said the residential contest will expand to three categories: curb appeal, backyard, and overall. Both he and Connolly hope for many more entries in the second year of the contest.
“I think it’s a good way to start having people thinking about their house and being aware of their home and how they’re decorating it,” said Connolly.
“A lot of people put time and trouble into their landscaping, and it’s nice to be able to acknowledge people who use the space,” added Hutchinson. “Basically it’s a chance to let people show and take pride in your area and get some recognition for the hard work they do.”
“Basically it’s a chance to let people show and take pride in your area and get some recognition for the hard work they do,” said Ontario Mayor Randy Hutchinson.
