Attention all green-thumbed residents and meticulous landscapers of District 5: your efforts to beautify your little slice of Milwaukee have not gone unnoticed. Alderman Lamont Westmoreland is on the lookout for the crème de la crème of residential and commercial yards for the first-ever District 5 Beautification Award. Think your or your neighbor's yard could take the top spot? Well, it's time to throw your hat in the ring. Nominations opened yesterday, July 2, as announced in a press release, and will be accepted through July 18.
Those wishing to nominate can email Westmoreland or hit up the provided phone number (414) 286-3870. Be sure to include the address of the residence or business you're nominating in District 5. Eligibility requires a nomination from a District 5 resident or business owner, and yes, self-nominations are totally fair game. The chosen nominees will get a yard sign as a token of participation—so even if you don't snag the main prize, there’s still bragging rights to be had.
This beautification effort serves a greater purpose, according to Alderman Westmoreland, who emphasizes the value of these external displays of care and pride in our shared spaces. "Beautifully maintained properties can serve to enhance pride in a neighborhood, as well as boost the overall quality of life for the area," Westmoreland stated in the City of Milwaukee release. He endeavors to recognize those who contribute to the district's charm and vitality by going the extra mile.
When the nomination period comes to a close, a local beautification committee is set to embark on a district-wide tour starting August 1 to evaluate the contenders and eventually pick a winner and a runner-up. Local businesses, including Bunzel's Meat Market and Catering and Sentry Foods at 9210 W. Lisbon Ave, are sponsoring the event, perhaps as an acknowledgment of the role such aesthetic contributions play in fostering a vibrant community atmosphere.
