All-America Contest Too Costly, City Says

It may be an honor to be nominated, but city leaders have decided the cost of trying to win the designation of All-America City is too high.

Stanton was nominated by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) in January for the honor, which is awarded to 10 cities nationwide each year by the Denver-based National Civic League.

The All-America designation recognizes cities that most successfully demonstrate progress in improving the quality of life in their communities.

City officials believe Stanton had a good chance of winning the honor this year because of falling crime rates, a gang-prevention program and a citywide beautification campaign.

But the city is also contending with the constraints of a $9.5-million operating budget in which 75 cents of every dollar spent are for police and fire services.

Chamber of Commerce Director Joan Thomas said the cost of actively campaigning for the designation, including exhibits and air travel, could exceed $25,000.

“We’re talking about an awful lot of money,” said Thomas, who also heads the city’s Community Services Commission. “We didn’t realize that.”

Councilman David John Shawver said some competing cities have budgeted more than $50,000 to take part in the national competition, scheduled for June in Kansas City, Mo.

“It would help us continue to develop community pride,” Shawver said. “But the problem is, it would be very hard for us to compete now at that financial level.”

The National Civic League touts the award as an economic boost to winning cities, encouraging new investment, creating jobs and increasing property values.

Shawver and other city officials say they hope Stanton will take part in next year’s competition.