Champion Warner Robins Demons praised by Mayor Toms and Council

The first Warner Robins City Council meeting of 2021 took place via Zoom and started off with a proclamation read by Mayor Randy Toms to guests, Chris McCook, principal of Warner Robins High School and Marquis Westbrook, head football coach for the Warner Robins High School Demons.

Last Wednesday, the Demons faced the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes in the State Championship in Atlanta. Securing the win of 62-28, the city of Warner Robins has been celebrating the victory with praise for the football team and the leadership of the coaches. The Demons reigned victorious, bringing home the title of State Champions for the first time since 2004, making it their fifth time winning overall.

Westbrook praised the young men on the team for the state of the art skill and teamwork they exhibited. “All of these kids will enjoy it for the rest of their lives,” Westbrook pointed out. “And we represented our city very well. We’re very proud of those guys.” 

The rest of the council members praised the coach and principal and the honor they and the team have brought to the city of Warner Robins. Councilman Keith Lauritsen commented, “I’m an alumnus, and I’m a proud state and national champion. And when you said a minute ago that these kids won’t forget, I can promise you that. They won’t forget it. I’ve been on a lot of sidelines over the last 10 years and Coach Westbrook, you’re the best. The composure by the entire coach staff, the players—100% class act across the board. I’m just so proud to be a former Demon—I’m still a Demon. I’m just thankful for everything you guys have done and [you’ve] brought great honor, not just in the winning, but in the way you act.”

McCook and Westbrook have worked hard to teach their student players more than just the skills on the field, but they’ve dedicated a lot of their time to guiding them in their character as well. Councilman Larry Curtis attributed to this by saying, “Family…it’s what we do. We see that you care about the children. You’re teaching them integrity, you’re teaching them the right things. Just keep it up.”

In matters concerning Renotto Solomon’s term correction on the Development Authority board, which continued from December’s council meeting, Curtis presented the motion followed by discussion of the subject moving forward. This matter was discussed at the last mayor and council meeting and was set to be resolved for vote. Solomon was initially appointed in 2019 for one year, but the by-laws state that the term is actually for four years and received attention for discussion of correction. According to the bylaws of O.C.G.A 36-62-4, a requirement for all directors on the Developmental Authority of Warner Robins must also reside in the municipality, which they are serving. Councilman Kevin Lashley pointed out that physical proof of Solomon’s residency in Warner Robins has yet to be provided and was hesitant to approve the term correction without it.

When Curtis questioned how this concern arose, Toms confessed it was brought forth by a citizen of Byron in Peach County who declared that Solomon actually resided on Southland Trail in Byron instead of the address of Suzanne Drive in Warner Robins that was on record for Solomon. Lashley stated that Solomon and his wife have owned the aforementioned home since 2004, according to the tax assessor’s website.

Councilman Holmes suggested that the council move forward with correcting the term with the caveat of further correction of Solomon from the Developmental Authority, if otherwise proven to reside elsewhere. Toms agreed and revealed that they will be waiting for an answer by Friday, January 8 regarding the final proof. All council members, with the exception of Lashley, approved the motion.

The council then moved on to appointing Judges Sherry Campbell as Associate Judge and Monica Wilburn as Chief Justice of Warner Robins Municipal Court. Toms backed the motion by expressing, “I’m probably one of the biggest Monica Wilburn fans on the planet. I think she’s a tremendous lady, I think she’s a tremendous attorney, and has certainly proven to be a great judge. And I also think Sherry Campbell is a person of extremely high integrity.”

Lauritsen indicated his excitement for the new municipal court building, saying it “looks fabulous.” The former location of the old Houston Mall houses the new location for the Warner Robins Municipal Court and it has received a noticeable facelift. The court is located on the north side of Warner Robins on North Davis Dr. and provides a professional aesthetic for the city.

In other business, the council resolved the execution of the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grants (LMIG) Memorandum of Agreement with surrounding jurisdictions to “secure the best price for road improvement projects.” 

The meeting adjourned after more congratulatory words for the WR Demons followed by all council members urging the community to continue practicing safe measures while out in public as they face the real threat of the growing number of COVID cases.

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