Anthony Esposito will be working, not protesting, this morning. The community activist got the green light Friday to do some badly needed mowing and weed whacking at the neglected Golf and Gardens property.
In a vote taken by conference call Friday, the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame's board of directors unanimously approved his request to enter the Reynolds Street gates to spruce up the areas visible from the street and the Marriott Hotel & Suites parking lot.
The vote gave him right of entry for one year. Eight of 11 board members took part in the call.
Mr. Esposito, the founder and organizer of Growing Augusta the GreenWay, requested last week that he be allowed on the property at 8:15 a.m. today to try to bring the property within the city's nuisance ordinance, from which state-owned property is exempt.
Mr. Esposito said if he didn't get permission, he would stage a protest outside the gate with mowers and equipment.
Chairman Bryan Persons, of Macon, said former golf hall Marketing Director Robyn Jarrett will unlock the gates for Mr. Esposito, and all volunteers must sign waivers and releases of liability.
"I feel like all our interests are protected," Mr. Persons said during the call.
Its state funding gutted, the golf hall doesn't have money to keep the gardens maintained. Ms. Jarrett and Executive Director Dianne King were laid off effective Wednesday, and Ms. Jarrett said she'll be at the property on her own time today. Because she still has the keys and lives nearby, it is the easiest way to accommodate the volunteers, she said.
Mr. Esposito said about a dozen people have made verbal commitments, and he hopes to have at least two riding lawn mowers and three push mowers.
He said he's hoping more people will show, and he's hoping to coordinate with other volunteer groups throughout the city to keep the grounds tended on an every-other-weekend basis.
"Until the weeds are whacked, we can't declare victory," he said.
Reach Johnny Edwards at (706) 823-3225 or johnny.edwards@augustachronicle.com.
WANT TO HELP?
Anthony Esposito of Growing Augusta the GreenWay is looking for volunteers to help cut grass at 8:15 a.m. today at the property at 1100 Reynolds St.
Volunteers are asked to bring mowers, weed trimmers, work gloves and shovels.
Those without lawn equipment are still invited to help.
For more information, visit www.meetup.com/GrowingAugusta, or contact Anthony Esposito at (404) 451-3473 or avesposito@hotmail.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Way to go Anthony. I have been praying for you since we talked at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast and will continue to pray that God will use you to show Augusta His mercy. God Bless.
Good job Anthony, and thanks. BTW, should you win the "contest" and paint the town red with Nichole, she is a good catch...but don't tell her I said that.