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Jennifer Shrader / Daily News Troup County Commissioner Ken Smith, right, accepts the ‘victory torch’ made from aluminum cans and recycled trash bags, from Keep Troup Beautiful Executive Director Doris Jefferson, left, and chairman Ken Wiggins. Commissioners brought in more than 1,000 bags of trash during Keep Troup Beautiful’s annual cleanup.
“I just want to say thank you to the county for being so supportive,” said Doris Jefferson, Keep Troup Beautiful executive director. “This is the biggest turnout we’ve ever had.”
A “side bet” between Commission Chairman Ricky Wolfe, and LaGrange, Hogansville and West Point Mayors Jeff Lukken, Jimmy Jackson and Drew Ferguson IV added extra drama to events Saturday as bags were tallied and prizes handed out on Lafayette Plaza. Each government leader had a bet that their groups could pick up the most trash, and a dinner was on the line.
Troup commissioners, who all showed up Saturday after picking up trash, were declared the winner with 1,051 bags turned in. Hogansville council turned in 22 bags and West Point turned in 23. LaGrange council did not report any bags.
“This is a great event, and it’s wonderful to see all these children out here with their parents,” Wolfe said. “They are part of the solution. We have to remember that children are watching us and they will follow our lead.”
West Point Mayor Drew Ferguson IV was disappointed with the loss but said the city had a good turnout for its cleanup and on Friday, students from Springwood School had a successful “Wildcat Workday,” cleaning up parks and other public areas around the city.
Overall, 61,000 pounds of trash were turned in, which Jefferson said is close to the group’s goal of 2 tons. About 475 volunteers showed up for festivities on the plaza and more than 800 have been picking up trash in the last two weeks.
Along with door prizes, a Honda Civic hybrid was on display downtown and “Buster the Trasher,” Gov. Sonny Perdue’s anti-litter mascot, entertained and took photos with children.
Ali Wheeless, Mallory McGowan and Ankita Kanwar took home the award for most unusual item - a bag of animal bones believed to be a coyote - found on New Franklin Road.
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