Anne Martin, Chair of the Communities in Bloom 2006 spoke before Council tonight, announcing that Beauty and the Beetle is the innovative theme for this year’s event. Martin says the theme reflects everyone’s determination to meet the challenge of the Pine Beetle in a positive way.

City Council was given an overview of last year’s judges’ visit and then given a brief overview of what judges will see this August 8 and 9^th.

Martin says both judges are qualified horticulturalists and as well as being Parks Managers.  During their two day visit, judges expect to see 80% of the City. They will get to see the impact of the pine beetle during a helicopter tour and will also hear about remediation plans.

Last year Prince George won the National Turf and Groundcover Award. Prince George will be judged on eight categories this year. The City is in competition with eight other communities from across Canada, which have populations ranging between 50,000 – 100,000, says Martin.

Dan Rogers, who co-presented to Council, said that big or small there are many things people can do without instruction to make the community a better place. He noted that even something as simple as picking up a piece of garbage helps.