AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta commissioners gave an OK Monday to an abbreviated celebration for the three Richmond County high school basketball teams that won state championships.
The T.W. Josey High School Eagles girls and Cross Creek High School Razorbacks girls and boys each won statewide in early March.
The commission, which resumed regular in-person meetings last week, had debated whether to permit a parade for the teams under COVID-19 restrictions after blocking similar events earlier this year. It also faced reluctance by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office to police the events.
As of Monday, the sheriff’s office had approved a short parade route, along Telfair Street and James Brown Boulevard to the Augusta Judicial Center and John H. Ruffin Courthouse, Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Williams said.
The commission voted 8-0 Monday for city Recreation personnel to assist with the event. Commissioners Brandon Garrett and Francine Scott were absent from the called online meeting.
Williams said the parade starts at 3 p.m. and culminates with an event at the courthouse at which the mayor, superintendent of schools, area legislators – who will present resolutions honoring the three teams – and other officials who desire can speak.
While the parade has sheriff’s office approval, it lacks public funding, he said.
“We’ve got some people that are going to pay the police department for us,” Williams said.
The funds will come by way of Butch Gallop, he said. Gallop works as a lobbyist for local government contractors.
