This past summer, City officials decided to fly the national towns and cities competition's banner from the flag pole in front of city hall for the first time since Westmount was reconstituted as a municipality more than two years ago.

For the four years before that, when it was a borough of the City of Montreal, Westmount was unable to take part, since only towns and cities qualify. Communities in Bloom is held annually to foster civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement.

Last Saturday, during a national awards ceremony held in Moncton, N.B., it was revealed that Westmount, which was competing in the 20,001 to 50,000 population category, had achieved the rating, and a special mention, for its exceptional heritage conservation.

"Westmount is a unique city built into a mountain which offers many challenges for residential construction and landscaping," competition organizers said in a statement. "The city and residents have managed to control this area and have contained their history into much of their buildings. This is due to a strong historical policy developed by the city."

Victoria Hall, the greenhouse and the public library were all cited as "a testament to the community's desire to contain and focus on its history with repair and reproduction keeping the styles alive. Joining these buildings together provided visitors with a unique visit through the three buildings and their historical importance.

"The view of Montreal from the Summit Lookout is very worthwhile," they added, as are a trip up the mountain, the "glorious historical houses and the variety of wonderful landscaping."

Raymond Carrière, president of the organization based in Kirkland, said in an interview with the Examiner that the judges were impressed not only by what Westmount managed to accomplish while embellishing its surroundings, but also by what it planned to do in the future.

"It's not just what you see that the judges evaluate, it's what you've done and plan to do," he said. "As we often say, it's not just the flowers. It has a lot to do with planning, due process and the environment." Westmount was one of six Canadian communities that were competing in the same category. Charlottetown, P.E.I., prevailed in the end.

All the contestants won five blooms. Councillor Kathleen Duncan, who was delegated by city council to attend the event in Moncton, said competition from the other participants was strong. "I've got to tell you, the pictures of the other communities were really remarkable," she said. "They did such a beautiful job."