Residents of Shreveport’s District G will soon get a knock on their door to be rewarded for their efforts to give their neighborhoods a new look. Next week City Councilwoman Joyce Bowman launches an initiative called the Community Pride Award, that will honor residents and businesses that put forth a noticeable effort to improve or beautify their property, home or business, while encouraging others to do the same.

Monday November 5, 2007 Councilwoman Bowman will begin to canvass neighborhoods within District G. Awards will be given at her discretion, based on the improvements she notices or information she receives from community leaders. Neighborhood improvements will include, but are not limited to liter pick-up, lawn beautification, enhancements to home or business exterior, removal of debris and inoperable vehicles.

“My mission is to encourage Community Pride by creating an atmosphere that acknowledges pride, hard work and efforts, not in a spirit of competition, but a desire to see a positive change,” says Bowman. “The awards are designed to foster community building, increase neighborhood awareness and promote citizen involvement”.

Winners will receive a recognition yard sign, a Community Pride T-Shirt (one or two per household) and a certificate confirming participation in the Community Pride Award Initiative. The program is funded by the city sponsored Neighborhood Investment Program and administered by Shreveport’s Department of Community Development.

The program’s design work was developed in part by Miss Bethany Hejtmanek, a participant in Mayor Glover’s 2007 Summer Internship Program (MISP).

For information about the Community Pride Award Initiative contact Councilwoman Joyce Bowman at 318.673.5262 or Mortimer Harris at 318.673.7503.