Augusta’s mayor has bragging rights for the next year and a trophy to prove it.
The first “Trash Bash at the Border,” held Sept. 18, pitted the city of Augusta against the city of North Augusta to see which city could bring together the largest team of volunteers to clean up on and along the river after the annual “Border Bash” party.
In addition to the number of volunteers, teams were judged on the total amount of debris collected and how many tires and other recyclable materials are removed. Points were also scored for the most unusual item found.
Augusta won the competition.
At stake was the Mayor’s Cup trophy, to be presented to the winning mayor during an upcoming council meeting. During the Nov. 16 Augusta Commission meeting, it was time for North Augusta Mayor Briton Williams to pay up.
“Now, this is a little loose because I kicked it just a bit,” joked Williams before turning serious. “When it comes to the Savannah River, we are on the same page when it comes to what we’re trying to do, preserving the Lock and Dam,” he said. “We both won because our river looks better and our land looks better. We got citizens involved and when you can get citizens to volunteer and get involved with making your community better, that is special.”
Davis said the cities have a river between them, but it does not divide them.
“Thank you for the camaraderie that we enjoy as cities. Thank you for the work that you did to put it together,” he added.
The event, coordinated by Keep Augusta Beautiful and Keep Aiken County Beautiful, is expected to return in 2022.
Williams vows North Augusta will have more volunteers, work hard and reclaim the trophy.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
