ANAHEIM – Linda Varrell knew it wasn’t Lewiston’s year the moment the judge said “affordable housing.”
Judge Bob Rawson had read through nine names, awarding those cities the status of All-America City. Each time, his delivery was the same: He named the three civic accomplishments that got each city into the competition, before finally calling out their name and inviting them to the stage.
Lewiston’s group got more nervous each time Rawson spoke, waiting for him to name its accomplishments: Welcoming new immigrants, involving the youth in civic activities and bringing in new economic development.
Affordable housing wasn’t on Lewiston’s list.
Varrell, her head in her hands, began shaking her head the instant Rawson said it.
Not this year.
They clapped gamely, cheering on the tenth community, Pharr, Texas, as they made their way to the stage. Like the 18 other communities in the Anaheim Marriott Sunday, they’ll have to be happy with the title of “All-America City Finalist 2006.”
But the group was shocked that they didn’t make the top ten.
Even the harshest local critics have to admit Lewiston has changed in the last few years, said City Administrator Jim Bennett. But it’s tough to convince Lewiston residents that things are getting better.
“Everyone around us can see that we’re doing something different, but it’s the same old city with the same old problems to the people that live here,” Bonnet said. “We tend to be the hardest folks to convince that things are changing.”
He’d hoped the All-America City title would do that.
“It’s a huge honor and national recognition,” Bennett said. “This is a difficult competition. It’s no beauty contest. If you win this, you’ve earned it.”
Lewiston’s Youth Advisory Council began working toward the title last fall, drafting a 20-page application detailing the city’s efforts to welcome new Somali residents, involve the youth in community decisions and bring in new businesses.
The city learned in April that it was one of 34 finalists invited to compete in Anaheim. Lewiston brought a diverse group, with nine high school students from the youth council, local Somalis, business leaders and city government officials.
Competitors had stories similar to Lewiston. The population of Lincoln, Calif., exploded from 9,000 four years ago to more than 30,000 thanks to new housing developments. That gave the small town all the problems of a medium-sized city virtually overnight.
But while communities competing for the All-America City title had similar challenges – including economic development, helping the poor and building affordable housing – their responses differed.
“You heard it in the presentations,” Bennett said. “It was master plan this,’ and study that,'” Bennett said. “We actually did something, and we got results.”
Lewiston’s delegates spent Sunday before the awards ceremony relaxing. While many of the Youth Council delegates took in some rides at Disneyland, a 20-minute walk north of the Anaheim Marriott, City Councilor Stavros Mendros and his cousin Ray Goulet, a member of the youth council, rented a car and attended a local church.
Azeb Hassan and Catherine Yomoah, two of Lewiston’s delegates, took in the last few presentations by the remaining cities Sunday morning.
“I’m watching because I’m too nervous,” Hassan said. “I want to see how well we are doing compared to the rest.”
Judges heard the last of the presentations at 1:30 p.m. Pacific time and began sorting out the 10 winners. They began announcing winning cities at 7:40 p.m.
Title winners
The biggest spoil of the contest is the title, All-America City, and the red-white-and-blue shield logo. John Guy, spokesman for the National Civic League, said the 10 winning cities are welcome to put it on shirts, bumper stickers, signs, letterhead and Web sites. That’s not limited to the city government either, but includes local businesses. They can display the logo on store windows, letters and brochures but cannot use it on for-profit products – such as on credit cards.
The remaining 18 cities can continue to use the title “All-America City Finalist 2006” on letterhead and promotions.
Lewiston’s delegation begins its trek home Monday, with a 4 a.m. Pacific time charter bus to Los Angeles International Airport. They’re scheduled to arrive back at the Colisee at 9:30 p.m.
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