LEWISTON – Citizens now have proof that their community is pretty good, Norm Rousseau said Monday.

“And maybe that’s what they needed,” said Rousseau, a Lewiston city councilor and one of 14 delegates to the All-America City contest last week.

“Maybe what people needed was someone from outside of the community to tell them that things are looking up,” Rousseau said.

Delegates returned to Lewiston Saturday night, successful in their bid to win the “All-America City” title. Lewiston was one of 10 communities to claim the honor Friday night in Anaheim, Calif. Winners were selected from a group of 21 by a jury of six judges.

Lewiston delegates learned Monday that the city received a unanimous vote on the first ballot. Four ballots were taken to decide the winning cities.

The National Civic League, which created the award, said it demonstrates national recognition for hard work and civic pride. The designation goes to 10 communities each year. The league claims each gets a public relations boost with the status, resulting in more tourism and new business investment.

“It doesn’t mean we don’t have any problems,” Rousseau said. “It means we come together to solve the problems we have. This group and these judges, from across the country, recognized that.”

Judges picked Lewiston on the strength of an application submitted in April and a presentation the group made on Thursday. Both focused on the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council, the Lots to Garden program and the city’s aggressive tax preparation program for low-income people.

“It’s amazing to be there, among all of these other cities that have so many creative ideas,” Rousseau said.

Lewiston High School sophomore Luke Jensen, one of the youth leaders who made the trip, said more teachers than students congratulated him Monday morning. But he expects the city will feel the effects for years to come.

“I don’t think it’s much of a big deal for us now,” he said. “I think it’ll take a little while to kick in. I think as the word gets out and spreads a little, I think it will really change people’s thinking.”

Signs going up

Public works crews made their first sign advertising Lewiston’s new status and erected it along Alfred Plourde Parkway Monday morning. It won’t be the last. City Administrator Jim Bennett’s staff is meeting Wednesday afternoon to discuss how the city can use the logo. Bennett hopes to put the red, white and blue shield on street signs and community vehicles as well as publications and press releases.

“But we have to figure out a budget first,” he said.

The logo doesn’t only belong to the city. Bennett hopes people find creative ways to use it. It can be displayed in store windows, on advertisements and on buildings.

“I hope they put it up everywhere, on their cars, in their businesses,” Bennett said. “They can put it up in their bedrooms if they want.”

On Monday, city staff were finalizing the expenses for the trip. The effort cost $22,892 for printing and making promotional materials, shipping, travel, meals and hotels for the 14-member delegation.

All of the expenses were covered by donations and pledges from local businesses and organizations. Donors include the Sisters of Charity Health System, Central Maine Medical Center, Casella Waste Systems, the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council, United Ambulance and Sam’s Italian Foods.