106 Awards to Be Offered for Property Maintenance

CERRITOS — The City Council is looking for homeowners and business owners who deserve recognition for keeping up their properties.

Awards for 106 properties will be given as part of Cerritos’ second annual City Wide Pride program. An awards banquet will be June 19 at the Sheraton Cerritos Hotel.

Robert Brady, city advance planning manager, said the program is designed to “encourage people to maintain their property at a high level so there will be no deterioration. The city is 35 years old, and it’s getting to the point where we have to pay attention to the appearance of the city.”

For the contest, Cerritos has been divided into 10 areas and there will be 10 awards in each. In addition, six awards will be given for property chosen on a citywide basis. Brady said judges will look for the best-maintained properties, not necessarily those with the most expensive landscaping or building materials. “It just has to appear to be very well-maintained,” he said. “We don’t encourage people to spend a lot of money to win.”

A free Home Maintenance Expo also will be held in connection with the pride program from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 28 at Cerritos Park East, 13234 E. 166th St. Information will be available on home maintenance and landscaping, and experts will be on hand to answer questions.

The deadline for nominating properties is April 1. Further information is available from the city Department of Environmental Affairs at (310) 860-0311.