City officials raise funds by taking on The Beast

Mayor Chip Holman (right) and Alderman Zach Craft (left) take on The Beast for Gower parks.

The Beast took on a pair of worthy challengers last week, who were fighting for a worthy cause, but ultimately, Gower’s gargantuan pizza won the day.

Gower Mayor Chip Holman and Alderman Zach Craft attempted to conquer The Beast, a 29-inch specialty pizza from Simple Simon’s Pizza, in the 45 minutes allotted for the challenge, but they succumbed to the massive pie.

The pair solicited pledges for each piece eaten and Simple Simon’s donated 20 percent of sales from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, January 26. Each of the challengers ate four pieces and started on the fifth piece, but they were still able to raise $1,000 from pledges, which came in increments between $1 to $5 per slice. Simple Simon’s Pizza was able to donate nearly $300 from their sales.

The money raised will be given to the private Gower Parks and Recreation Board. Bill Stallard is the president and Cassie Parker is the treasurer of the board.

The Beast consists of 72 oz. of dough, 32 oz. of cheese and 200 pepperoni (about 16 percent). It retails for $59.99 for one topping and if it can be eaten in 45 minutes, it is free.

Since the pair could not finish off The Beast, Chip and Pam Holman covered the cost of the pizza, allowing all the monies raised from the pledges and donations to go to the park board fund.