GEBE announced the winners of the GEBE Christmas Lighting Competition in Saba during its annual Staff New Year’s Party on January 17, 2009. Saba received a record number of participants in the 2008 Christmas Lighting Competition who were wowing residents with their festive displays throughout the month of December.
"The standards of the displays keep rising every year and I am sure that the judges had a really challenging time selecting a winner for each category. I congratulate the winners and thank all entrants for their time and effort in putting up attractive Christmas lights and lighting up our community," Brooks stated as he presented the prizes. Winning first prize of $1500 was Cornell Johnson, followed by Peddy Johnson who won the second place prize of $1000. Peddy Johnson explained that his wife had done all the work. "I only plugged them in," he quipped. and Karel Sorton who won the third place prize of $500.
A new addition to the lighting competition was the popular prize. The winner was determined solely by the number of votes received from the community through the newspaper ballots and online voting. "We really wanted to encourage the community to get involved by visiting the many lighting displays and voting for their favorite." Bradley Johnson of Booby Hill won by a mere two more votes in a tight competition that closed on December 31, 2008 and accepted his prize of a $500 shopping certificate.
GEBE encouraged the community to Save Some Green by using energy saving technology such as LED Christmas lights when decorating since they run 90% more efficient and save money and the environment. The lights were available at Ace, Cost U Less, Electec and Kwik Bargains.
"We are really happy with the participation on this year and we are looking to make the 2009 Christmas Lighting Competition even more exciting."