SIDNEY — A Christmas tradition at City Hall is alive and well. Each year, the various departments are encouraged to decorate the hall door leading to their department. The mayor then judges the doors, and the top two winners receive a pizza party. A number of departments within the city of Sidney participated in this year’s Christmas Door Decorating Contest and Mayor Mike Barhorst has announced the winners.

“The doors decorated by the Information Technology and Revenue Collection departments tied for first place,” Barhorst stated in announcing the winners. “The departments tied for first place each garnering 58 of the possible 60 points. The doors were decorated totally differently, but both well-executed!”

Finishing a close second with 57 points was the door decorated by the city clerk. Other top finishers included the doors decorated by the city manager and the Shelby County Building Department. Each of those doors tied with 55 points.

All doors were judged on the criteria of originality, theme, creativity, use of materials, quality of construction, and visual appeal. At the mayor’s suggestion, a new category will be added next year. That category will be special effects.

“Had we had that category this year, Community Services would have scored well,” Barhorst stated. “They had specially selected theme music to accompany their door.”

“We receive a number of very positive comments from citizens who visit the building,” Human Relations Manager Vicki Allen noted, “and the employees enjoy participating. It is a morale booster.”

The project was originally the suggestion of the Employee Activity Committee. Although the committee is no longer active, the door decorating contest has continued.

The prize money is contributed each year by the city manager, the assistant city manager, and the human resources manager.