Jennifer “Miss Sam” Janzen and Mayor Ronnie Marks
ATHENS-A band director from East Limestone has vowed to beat the mayor of the City of Athens.
The city’s mayor has referred to his opponent as a “one and done.”
This banter is not part of a heated political race but is part of a friendly wager.
East Limestone Band Director Jennifer “Miss Sam” Janzen is expecting to receive a key to the City of Athens and acknowledgement from Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks that she still is the reigning top Celebrity Waiter.
On Tuesday, May 2, the City of Athens Relay for Life Team will host its annual Celebrity Waiters Night at Applebee’s from 5-8 p.m. The Celebrity Waiters compete to see who can earn the most tips in the fight against cancer. For the past two years, Janzen has raised the most tips, surpassing Marks, who placed second last year.
“Really, this is not even a contest,” the confident Marks said. “Miss Sam is a one and done. I’ll zoom back into first place with ease this year.”
Last year, Janzen raised $1,000 in memory of the late Councilman Jimmy Gill, who also enjoyed raising more money than Marks. Gill died from cancer in 2016.
“I enjoy the friendly competition,” Janzen said, “But Mayor Marks needs to learn to count. I am not a one and done. I have beaten him twice, and if he learns to count to three, he’ll realize I am about to beat him a third time. When I do, I want him to come to band practice and present me the key to the City of Athens in front of my band students.”
In addition to these two having their own personal competition, there are two other sets of Celebrity Waiters competing against each other.
Veteran Celebrity Waiters Councilman Frank Travis and city attorney Shane Black are competing, as are two rookies, Athens firefighter Lee Marker and Athens police officer Michael Stainbrook.
“I know Councilman Travis has talked about raising money ahead of time, so Shane better get to work,” said City of Athens Relay for Life Team Captain Holly Hollman. “And Athens Fire recently won a wing eating contest at Buffalo Wild Wings, so Athens Police need to earn some bragging rights.”
Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson said Stainbrook has dress as a chicken, the Statue of Liberty and in a toga for community events.
“I am sure he is willing to pull out all the stops to win this competition,” Johnson said. “We enjoy giving back to the community, so we hope the community enjoys giving back to us and supports our police officer for Celebrity Waiters Night.”
The public is invited to dine at Applebee’s on May 2 from 5-8 p.m. and tip the Celebrity Waiters. Also, those who cannot attend can show support for a favorite Celebrity Waiter and donate prior to the event by contacting Hollman at hhollman@athensal.us or mailing a check made out to City of Athens Relay, P.O. Box 1089, Athens, AL 35612 and including a note as to which Celebrity Waiter gets the credit.
