Wednesday, July 15, 2020
VOL. 12, NO.41
pelika Observer O
Opelika, Alabama
“By local people, for local people.”
AO Discover! Receives Main Street On Kuvio Creative Grant Tap cancelled Special to the Opelika Observer East Alabama’s fi rst handson science museum, AO Discover!, has recently been awarded the Kuvio Creative Impact Grant. As a recipient, AO Discover! will receive up to 100 hours of branding, web design and marketing services at no cost. The grant will allow AO Discover! to overhaul their current website and reach more families through enhanced virtual programming. “This grant will allow us to offer a brand-new dynamic, interactive website to showcase East Alabama's first children's hands-on science center,” said AO Discover! CEO and Director Katie Murrah. “This new site will offer more to excite visitors, engage donors and celebrate our partners.” The Kuvio Creative Impact Grant provides free web design,
web development, branding and operations consulting services to nonprofits, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses and minority-owned businesses. Each year up to 16 recipients are awarded the Kuvio Creative Impact Grant valued at an estimated $20,000 each. The Kuvio Creative team is slated to begin collaborating with AO Discover! next month. About AO Discover! AO Discover! is a nonprofit children's museum and science center created to provide exceptional
hands-on educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and arts for the children and families of East Alabama and beyond. AO Discover! is East Alabama’s first hands on science museum and is slated to open in next year in Auburn, Alabama. The mission of AO Discover! is to promote engagement, develop knowledge, and provide opportunities in STEM fields for lifelong learning. www.aodiscover.org Turn to A2 for photos from AO Discover!
O-Town at Midtown By Wil Crews Opelika Observer
See O-TOWN, page A3
Photo special to the Opelika Observer
Opelika Main Street released the following statement on Facebook on Monday: “After monitoring the situation in our area, we have made the decision to cancel this year’s On Tap event. Opelika Main Street is dedicated to the safety of our community and we feel this is not the time for a large gathering of this nature. We
hope to bring back this event next year, in the meantime be sure to support our great downtown businesses!” The craft beer festival was scheduled to be held on Aug. 1. Over 25 craft breweries from across the nation had committed to participating in the event. For more information about Opelika Main Street and its upcoming events, visit the Facebook page of the same name.
New consignment store and baby boutique opens today in Auburn By Will Fairless Associate Editor
O-Town, Opelika’s beloved ice cream shop and eatery, is opening a second location at Midtown Auburn, located at 1188 Opelika Road across from Niffers. Marketed as, “where 30-A meets Auburn,” Midtown is an attractive communitystyle take on student living, featuring retail stores and restaurants, outdoor entertainment, a swimming pool, fitness center and more. Only adding to the appeal is O-Town. The new location’s opening date remains
Special to the Opelika Observer
I’m That Mom is a babies-to-juniors consignment store that opened today at 1452 Opelika Road in Auburn. The store will be open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The store offers used and new clothing, will purchase used clothing and offers a boutique with children’s and babies’ clothing, including holiday outfits, Auburn and Alabama baby clothes and a variety of other themed items. Heather Bice, an Auburn resident and the owner of I’m That
Mom, had been making baby clothes and other infant-related items since January, selling them on the website Etsy. “I have a daughter who’s nine months old,” Bice said, “and I started looking into her clothing and stuff and seeing how expensive it was.” Bice started by making bibs for babies, which she still makes quite a few of, and eventually made a variety of products. She tries every new item on her daughter or her four-year-old son before she sells it. “I really try to cater to what everybody needs,” Bice said.
She has spent all the daylight hours of the last few weeks preparing the store for its grand opening, trying to give it an atmosphere distinct from most other stores in the same arena. “I didn’t want it to look like a traditional retail store with the metal racks,” Bice said, “so my husband built all of my racks; everything’s painted . . . it looks like a kids store.” It is important to Bice that I’m That Mom serve everyone from the lower-income population to those who want to buy highend, new products. She See BOUTIQUE, page A3
Index OPINION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A4 SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . . . . . . .A9 RELIGION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A13 COMICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A16
SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B1 POLITICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B9 PUBLIC NOTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . B11
Alabama Statewide COVID-19 statistics as of July 14 5,6441 cases / 1,136 deaths | 1,716 cases / 37 deaths
A2 July 15, 2020
Auburn resident writes book about struggles with postpartum depression By Will Fairless Associate Editor Amanda DodsonGremillion, an Auburn graduate and resident, has self-published a book about her experience with postpartum depression. She originally published the book under the title “This Isn’t the Kid I Ordered: A True Story About Postpartum Depression” in 2012. Last year, with encouragement from her 12-year-old daughter, she published the same story under the title “Just Buy Her
a Dress and She’ll Be Fine: My Postpartum OCD, Anxiety and Depression Story.” The book is available under that latter title on Amazon. What is now a book was born as a journal then had an adolescent life in the form of a blog. “I started to get messages from people I knew and people I did not know saying it had helped them so much to hear someone else was going through the same thing,” DodsonGremillion said. It has been 10 years
since she got help for her postpartum depression. At the time, her daughter was 2 years old and her husband had left. She had also lost her job, and her father and grandfather had recently passed away. Journaling helped her realize that something was wrong. She eventually went to the doctor and was diagnosed with OCD and anxiety, both aggravated by those life events. “I got on medication long-term, which was a life-changer for me,” Dodson-Gremillion
said, “I also went to therapy for a little while and started going to my old church, First Baptist of Alabaster.” She hopes that the book reaches a larger audience than its intended one, which is women who are about to have a child or who have young children, especially those who have or are at risk to have a postpartum mood disorder. “I truly feel everyone can get something out of this story,” she said, “It is also a story about parenting, about marriage and
about making it through the hardest times of your life.” Just Buy Her a Dress and She’ll Be Fine is about a heavy topic, which is lightened by humor and anchored with statistics about postpartum depression and other mood disorders. The title comes from a remark DodsonGremillion heard from someone she knows, “her” and “she” referring to a woman with postpartum depression. Dodson-Gremillion has, since being diagnosed with OCD and
anxiety, been on what she called life-changing medicine, joined a “very supportive” Sunday School class and got back together with her husband. “I like to think our marriage is stronger than ever today from all we went through,” she said. The book is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle forms, and one can find links to purchase the book, to DodsonGremillion’s Facebook and Twitter pages, and to her blog at justbuyheradress.com.
AO Discover! offers hands-on experience
Photos courtesy of AO Discover!
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A3 July 15, 2020
Support local retailers this sales tax holiday Special to the Opelika Observer Opelika Main Street is encouraging residents to shop local and support downtown merchants during the 2020 Alabama ‘Back to School’ sales tax holiday. The holiday will extend from July 17 to 19. Items that are tax free include clothing $100 or less, computers $750 or less, school supplies $50 or less and books $30 or
less (textbooks $50 or less). Many downtown Opelika stores will be open during the weekend, providing opportunities for residents to support local businesses. “During the sales tax holiday take the opportunity to visit downtown Opelika merchants,� said Opelika Main Street Executive Director Ken Ward. “By shopping local, you help to support your neighbors and friends
while ensuring that dollars stay in our community.� For more information about the sales tax holiday visit the Alabama Department of Revenue’s website at: revenue.alabama. gov. About Opelika Main Street: Opelika Main Street helps Opelika thrive by promoting small businesses through exciting events, projects and social media engagement. Founded in
1987, Main Street has helped assist in the revitalization of historic downtown Opelika through facade grants
beatification projects and various community events. Learn more about Opelika Main Street by going
to opelikamainstreet. org and by following Opelika Main Street on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Children's of Alabama Adoption Experts to Host Virtual Seminar Sept. 12 Special to the Opelika Observer Adoptive parents, social workers, teachers, occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals are invited to participate in a virtual seminar on Saturday, Sep. 12, led by experts from The Adoption Clinic at Children’s of Alabama. The live, interactive seminar will be held via Zoom from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $200 per family, up to four adult attendees. Registration for healthcare professionals is
OďšşTOWN
>>
FROM A1
uncertain, but coowner of O-Town Angela George says she plans to have the shop ready by midJuly. “Because we’re in a pandemic and I don’t know what to expect at this point,
BOUTIQUE
>>
FROM A1
also wants everyone, including children, to feel comfor table
priced differently. For more information or to register, call 205-638-6964 or email adoption@ peds.uab.edu. This seminar is for anyone considering adoption, already in the adoption process or works with children who have been adopted. Attendees will receive a comprehensive prospective on the unique challenges and rewards of building a family through adoption. Specific topics include medical challenges, emotional and behavioral challenges and development (ages
and stages) of the adopted child. "Certainly the effects of COVID and quarantines have been felt globally. Our adoptive families have been impacted on multiple levels. For those who are waiting to travel to other countries in order to meet their new additions, travel has been suspended until each country opens up again to receive international visitors. The waiting is a painful process for these expectant parents,� said Karen Belcher, clinical program coordinator and pediatric nurse clinician. “Fortunately, The
Adoption Clinic has remained open and available to come along side of these families during this crisis and provide the services needed to help them.� The Adoption Clinic at Children’s of Alabama has been helping adoptive families since 2002. Staff have served the needs of children from more than 55 countries beyond the United States such as China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, South Korea, Guatemala, Peru, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Ethiopia, Uganda and many more. About Children’s
of Alabama Since 1911, Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children, offering inpatient and outpatient services throughout central Alabama. Ranked among the best pediatric medical centers in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s provided care for youngsters from every county in Alabama and 42 other states last year, representing more than 684,000 outpatient visits and more than 15,000 inpatient admissions. With more than 3.5
million square feet, Children’s is one of the largest pediatric medical facilities in the United States. It is a private, notfor-profit medical center that serves as the teaching hospital for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) pediatric medicine, surgery, psychiatry, research and residency programs. The medical staff consists of UAB faculty and Children’s of Alabama’s fulltime physicians as well as private practicing community physicians.
we just take it day-today,� George said. At the Opelika location, O-Town is famous for their ice cream. But for the customers without a sweet tooth, O-Town provides a delicious variety of lunch items too. However, for now,
George says the new location at Midtown will be strictly cups and cones. O-Town has many customers in both Auburn and Opelika and the new location is an exciting — and convenient — development for tasty treat chasers from
across the tracks. The area surrounding O-Town’s new location houses about 10 separate bodegas that are ready for more restaurants to occupy. Rosshouse Coffee and Drive-by Tacos are a couple of restaurants already confirmed to be
joining O-Town at Midtown. There is also a charming and spacious courtyard that adds to the beachtown vibes and allows for socially-distanced fellowship. Midtown appears to have a grand vision for student residents and the
Auburn community alike. With outdoor entertainment, retail and restaurants, it’s surely got the potential to be a staple post-pandemic hub. Regardless, O-Town will be there, serving up sweets and soliciting smiles along the way.
in the store. “The goal is, once the pandemic is over, to have a diaperchanging station with free diapers
and wipes,� Bice said, “and also a children’s play area with a TV.� Bice car ries youth extra-large
products, products for premat ure babies and ever ything in between. Any items she takes in that are stained, damaged or
otherwise not worth selling get donated (to the Big House Foundation, Mission Thrift and other organizations).
For more information about I’m That Mom or to purchase Bice’s products online, visit imthatmom.net.
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ELDER ABUSE “This project was supported by Subgrant #18-VA-VS-050 #16-VA-VS-076 awarded by the Law Enforcement / Traffic Safety Division of ADECA and the U.S. Department of Justice.� The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice or grant-making component.�
pelika Opinion O
A4 July 15, 2020
Just when I thought I had seen everything
R
ecently, down on the coast, I was walking the shore when I saw this guy standing at the water’s edge, his attention fixed on a box he held in his hand. About six inches square, it had two antennae sticking from the top, and dials on either side. As I drew closer, I saw that he was gazing intently at the small TV screen imbedded in the box. He paid me no mind. I waited patiently until he raised his head to look beyond the box, and when he did, I asked, “Whatcha got?” – Count on me to get right to the heart of the matter. “Trying to find a couple of dolphins that were out there a while ago,” he answered, as if I would
immediately understand and let him go about his business. I didn’t, so I didn’t. Instead, in ignorance I pushed on. “How?” I am a man of few words. Matching me word for word he replied, “Drone,” and pointed to an object buzzing around about 100 yards offshore, five feet above the water, flitting around like a big dragon fly. Then he patiently explained that the drone carried a little sonar camera that could find the fish and report back where they were. No longer does a beach fisherman have to know how to read the surf, how to spot where fish lurk to feed off stuff the current brings from shore and shallows. Another skill that I worked
By Hardy Jackson years to develop rendered obsolete before it was perfected. Now every Tom, Dick and Harriett can go to their local electronics store and buy a drone that will tell them where to catch the big ones. Fish ain’t got a chance. A few days later, still mulling over how fish-finding technology was changing the world as I know it, I passed a bikinied girl
lying languidly on the sand, her endearing young charms spilling out seductively. Being a gentleman, and old, I normally would have hurried by, but something caught my eye. There it was. On her right thigh. Alabama. Not the logo of the University of Alabama. Those are so common they are hardly worth a second look.
No, the bikinied girl lying languidly on the sand had the map of Alabama tattooed right there north of her knee and south of the tiny triangle of fabric that passed for a swimsuit. Not just an outline of our state. No sir. The outline was filled in with all Alabama’s geographic regions, in living color. The Tennessee Valley was green. The Piedmont was reddish. The Black Belt was blue. The Piney Woods were brown. The Wiregrass was purple. Or as best I could tell from the discrete distance I maintained. The river systems were expertly drawn in. When she moved Alabama moved with her – a seismic shifting that rearranged
the streams slightly but did no damage to the land that we love. She smiled, so I boldly ventured where, I am certain, no retired historian in his 70s had ever ventured before, and said, in my most professorial voice, “I like your tattoo.” Eloquence, thy name is Jackson. “Thank you,” was the reply. Then, to keep the conversation going, I observed, “are those the geographic regions of Alabama?” She lit up like a Christmas tree. I would be willing to bet that I was among the few who knew what was tattooed there, much less asked. I inquired where she was from. Birmingham. Was she in See JACKSON, page A5
‘Alabama Bucket List’ Shoals of the Tallapoosa River
S
ince early Spring, my family and I have spent many weekends at a friends hide-away located on the Tallapoosa River. Each trip, we load up all the goods for water and outdoor fun on our truck and we take off as a modern day Swiss Family Robinson. Buried down dirt roads and miles and miles of forest our escape is like a 2020 treehouse. Tall stilts above a deck, camp rooms and an outdoor kitchen hold weight for the largest porch in East AL, overlooking the flowing downstream waters of the Tallapoosa. It is this sweet spot only 30 minutes form
A
little breakfast joint. The waitress is wearing a mask. I wear a mask. The few customers are wearing masks. All God’s children got masks. Waylon Jennings is singing on an unseen radio. The whole place smells like bacon and lemon-scented Lysol. A construction worker beside me is sipping from a mug. He is not wearing his mask per se, it sits atop his head while he drinks coffee. It looks almost like he is wearing a little sunbonnet. “More coffee?” says the waitress. Her own mask impedes her speech, so it sounds like she’s saying, “Mmm kpfff?” The waitress is wearing rubber gloves. After she touches his cup for the refill she removes her gloves, throws them into the
By Bradley Robertson home that my family has space to breathe and room to play. We all jump out upon arrival, greeting our friends and taking yummy food to our host, Sandy Buff. We soon begin chatting about who’s going to “float” that day and
garbage, and gets a fresh pair. “Thanks,” he says. “You’re welcome, darlin’.” she says. A little boy sits at the counter a few seats from me. His mask has licensed cartoon characters on it. He lifts the mask before each bite, then pulls it back over his face to chew. “Take your mask off to eat, honey,” says his mother. “But,” says the little kid, “I like wearing it.” This is a very different world than I’m used to. The bell on the door dings. Three workmen come walking into the joint. They are not wearing masks. They are wearing work clothes, ball caps and they are covered in sweat. “Masks,” the waitress says to them. At least, I think she’s the one doing the talking. I can’t
soon we are loading up kayaks, heading to our drop off location. We have kayaked this portion of the River, up from Bibby’s Ferry, about 5 times this year. Each trip brings a new story and with-it new memories and views that will never escape your mind. My first trip this year brought me a great blue heron of which I followed and admired for over an hour. But our most recent trip, on the 4th of July, brought us to the rustling and lively shoals of Alabama. The first thing you must know about the Tallapoosa, is there are hardly any people or houses along it’s way. The River is
far from the busy of Lake Martin, and the quiet air, calm waters and trees cannot be replaced anywhere. Islands of green lush tall grasses and mild rapids become art fit for anyone. What the eyes see and the ears hear are life giving. I never knew of AL “shoals” till I met Sandy up here on the River. Shoals are places in water where rocks, sand or other natural life like logs, stops or slows the movement of water. This creates pools, sandbanks or in our terms, places to hang out and play. Arriving to the shoals, on the day of the 4th, was like arriving to an oasis of pure
BREAKFAST
By Sean Dietrich see her mouth moving. The men dig surgical masks out of their pockets, wrap them over their faces and apologize. They all sit in a booth with Sunbonnet Guy, who is apparently their pal. They browse the menus. After a few minutes, one of the men starts talking about his daughter. It’s a brief conversation, but
from what I gather, his daughter has just been released from the hospital. She’s had some kind of serious infection. The doctors have been feeding her antibiotics like water. The other men are very inquisitive about his daughter. They ask heartfelt questions that typical construction workmen wouldn’t usually ask.
happiness. We docked our kayaks on island banks and among millions of rocks, stones, boulders and logs was a southern living space for whomever was lucky enough to find it. A grill and house size tent were set up amid orange soft pebbles with just enough water to cover your feet. Waterfalls stretched across the river making the perfect playground for older children. A water slide fit for the smallest was carved out to the left, for when the rushing water pushed over the rocks and around the islands, it created a lazy river. And all was found right in the middle of
the River. Finders keepers perhaps. The Farmer and I found ourselves perched upon a log in the River, forming a waterfall fit for 30 people to sit upon. He assured me the log had been there since the Civil War, the water preserving it and I felt as though I sat upon time. Water pushed over the log and there we sat with friends laughing and gazing up stream at the vast sky and never ending sound of rushing water. I watched my big children in the distance, becoming acrobats as they waded across massive
I was once a typical construction workman. We were not exactly known for our sensitivity and heartfelt behavior. The most sensitive issue we ever discussed was the importance of a wishbone offense. But these men aren’t like that. They are genuinely concerned about this man’s daughter. And I can’t help but eavesdrop. “Is she hanging in there?” asks one man. “Every day gets better. Doctor says we’re out of the woods now.” “Thank God.” Another says, “My wife and I have been thinking about her, and praying every day.” “Thanks.” “She’s such a smart little girl.” “Tell me about it.” “How is she taking it?” “Like a champ. She just doesn’t understand what’s happening.”
Now the father is showing cellphone photos to the men. A few of the guys are older and need reading glasses to see the photos. They all swipe the screen with their finger and say things like: “Gaw, she’s a cutie.” “She’s gonna be a heartbreaker.” “She looks just like you.” “You’re gonna have to keep the boys away from your door with a stick.” Laughter. The waitress comes to take their orders. The men all order the Basic American Breakfast. Bacon. Eggs. Toast. Coffee. “Cute girl,” the waitress says, pointing to the cellphone. “Thanks,” says Dad. “She’s eight.” “I love that age,” she says.
See ROBERTSON, page A5
See DIETRICH, page A5
A5 July 15, 2020
Revere Plastics Systems expands footprint in Auburn Special to the Opelika Observer By David Dorton Director of Public Affairs - Auburn The Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH) is proud to announce that it is the recipient of an Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History for its bicentennial exhibition, We the People: Alabama’s Defining Documents. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in their 75th year, are the most prestigious recognitions for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history. We the People: Alabama’s Defining Documents featured all six of Alabama’s
JACKSON >> FROM A4
school there? UAB I started to ask what she was studying, but at that point someone back at the
ROBERTSON >> FROM A4
rocks and skyline to get drenched among waterfalls and wade in the pools. Shep found himself on the Civil War log too, building towers of rocks and playing knee deep in cool, running waters. There is just nothing like this natural scene of Alabama; the sights, the sounds, the water upon your skin. It forces one to become childlike. To hold nature as a playground and become one with it. We held space with freedom here for the rest of the day. Freedom to just be, an escape we seem
DIETRICH>> FROM A4 Next, the waitress calls their orders to the cook. I love hearing waitresses speak that code-word language they use in joints like this. They holler things like, “Pull three bacon, drop four, scattered, smothered, chunked, topped, diced, tilted, shaken, smashed, dropped from a moving bus and beaten with a number-two tire iron!” And the fry cook memorizes it all. The humble fry cook is the most underrated man in this country. Somehow, a fry cook can keep fifty orders in his mind, simultaneously, without writing them down, without asking questions, using nothing but a single spatula to chop, dice, scoop, spread, flip,
constitutions, along with the 1861 ordinance of secession, which declared Alabama’s separation from the Union on the eve of the Civil War. This exhibition explored how these documents, some of the most important in state history, reflect their framers’ values, hopes and fears. The exhibition was curated and designed by the staff of the ADAH, where the documents permanently reside. In preparation for the celebration of Alabama’s bicentennial year, extensive conservation work was conducted on the documents by the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) in Andover, Massachusetts. Todd Groce, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Georgia Historical
Society, called We the People “a model of how primary sources, supplemented and contextualized by scholarly history, can be presented and made available to the public…By taking an unblinking look at the past, this exhibit helped the people of Alabama to better understand what happened and why, how the world they live in came to be and how the law and our political system are stronger when more citizens participate in the process of self-government.” A website created by
steps called. She got up, collected her towel and the book she was reading, and left – taking Alabama with her and leaving me to wonder why a languid lady would
have Alabama and all its geographic regions tattooed on her right thigh. Then the answer came to me. If the picture would cause an elderly man with
to be longing for. I think we forget how connected we truly are to nature. It’s the great creation we are meant to enjoy. My family and I are forever grateful for the fun we enjoyed that day on the shoals. A sneak peak into the glory of the world, right in our own backyard. If you have interest in visiting the Tallapoosa, please visit www.aces.edu. You may also Google Search Harold Banks Canoe Trail. It has all the public access sights as well as camping. Get outside friends, I’m pretty sure we are meant to be there! squish, mix, scrape and smash. It’s amazing, really. The cook gets to work on the orders. Soon, the whole place is alive with the hissing sounds of morning sausage and bacon. Dad starts talking to his friends again. “Yeah, when that doctor told us she could die, we didn’t know what we were gonna do. We cried for a week. It was like being kicked in the face, man.” There is silence among the men. It’s one thing to talk about your daughter. It’s another to share your innermost feelings. This level of sincerity demands respect. “I’m glad she’s okay,” says one workman. “There must be a reason.” “A reason? What do you mean?” “I think there is a rea-
the ADAH for We the People, featuring expanded content, teacher resources, video clips and a virtual tour of the exhibit, won the Alabama Historical Association’s Digital History Award. Sponsored by the oldest statewide historical society in Alabama, the award recognizes excellence for digital history projects that make contributions to promulgating state and local history. The website is wethepeoplealabama.org. Becky Hebert, the ADAH’s state and local records coordinator, is the recipient
of a Council of State Archivists’ Rising Star Award in recognition of her leadership in rebuilding the Records Management program over the past several years. The award also recognizes Hebert’s contributions to the grant-funded Alabama State Electronic Records Project, a partnership with the Secretary of State’s Office and several other projects within the ADAH. Earlier this month, the ADAH was awarded a CARES Act grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to fund the digitization of archival material documenting its archaeological collections. The grant will ensure the continuation of an ongoing project to research, organize and record documen-
tation on 170,000 funerary objects in the ADAH’s collection and to provide access to tribes and researchers, in compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The Alabama Department of Archives and History is the state’s government-records repository, a special-collections library and research facility and home to the Museum of Alabama, the state history museum. It is located in downtown Montgomery, directly across the street from the State Capitol. The ADAH is currently closed to the public. Visit archives.alabama.gov for the latest information about the agency’s status during the COVID-19 pandemic.
drones on his mind to stop, suck in his stomach and strike up a conversation, it would certainly attract the younger swains and inspire them to do the
same. There you have it, two things I never expected to see on the beach and, now that I think about it, two ways to catch the unsuspecting.
Harvey H. (“Hardy”) Jackson is Professor Emeritus of History at Jacksonville State University. He can be reached at hhjackson43@gmail. com.
Photo courtesy of Bradley Robertson
son for all stuff,” says another. “We just never know what it is.” They don’t say much more. And they don’t need to. Even though, personally, I wish they would because it would make a great story if they added a few more tidbits. But you can’t have everything. When the cook finishes, the waitress brings their plates. Before the men unwrap silverware and start eating they remove their hats. They bow heads. They fold hands. “Dear Lord,” says Sunbonnet Guy, “thanks for this food, and thank you for helping J.T.’s daughter get better. She’s so special, and we just love her to death. We all owe you one, Lord.” Four amens from the whole table. One amen from the guy who wrote this column.
A6 July 15, 2020
Auburn’s McCrary Institute, Air University join forces in strategic partnership Special to the Opelika Observer Auburn University’s McCrary Institute is partnering with Air University to examine challenges related to cyber and critical infrastructure security, for the purpose of advancing U.S. national security. The two entities will combine their extensive expertise on national security issues to spur dialogue and action on pressing problems and practical solutions. As part of this joint endeavor, the partners recently published a paper on protecting critical infrastructure during the coronavirus pandemic. The paper lays out a multilayered action plan for protecting shared airspace, which will simultaneously support both public health and economic reopening across the nation. “Our partnership with Air University is an exciting and strategic step forward,” said Frank Cilluffo , McCrary Institute director. “Together, our networks and capabilities will be greater than the sum of the two parts. Each
Frankcilluffo side will significantly extend its reach and impact.” The publication is the first in a series that will continue to address the national security implications of the pandemic and other critical issues of national concern. “Air University looks forward to working together with Auburn’s McCrary Institute,” said Lt. Gen. James Hecker , President and Commander of Air University. “This partnership will enable both sides to expand and deepen their efforts to provide thought leadership and serve the national interest.” Air University, based at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, is the
intellectual and leadership center of the U.S. Air Force, providing full-spectrum education, research and outreach, through professional military education, professional continuing education and academic degree granting. The McCrary Institute, based in Auburn but with additional centers in Washington D.C., and Huntsville, seeks practical solutions to pressing challenges in the areas of cyber and critical infrastructure security. Through its three hubs, the institute offers end-to-end capability – policy, technology, research and education – on all things cyber.
A7 July 15, 2020
Group from Arkansas travels to help Beauregard residents
Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer With money from Disaster Assistance grants, volunteers from Prairie Grove Christian Church in Arkansas, in cooperation with MEND and the Fuller Center, bought locally-sold materials to build two houses in Lee County. They either worked or drove for 10 hours each day last Sunday to Wednesday to make up for the work inintially scheduled for March (which was cancelled because of COVID-19). Lee County United Way sponsored the Dean Home on Lee Road 721, and 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika sponsored the Bohanon Home on Lee Road 946.
every alabama voice must be heard. it’s not too late. visit my2020census.gov
The Denson Group Real Estate & Design of Opelika is excited to announce that Tinker McCain has joined their team. If you are looking to list or buy a home in the area please call with your real estate needs.
Tinker 334-748-0183
Opelika E vents, Society, & Food
UPCOMING EVENTS
• OTC Summertime Showcase - Aug. 15
Olga Duncan finds career, love of cooking in Opelika
Southern
Hospitality
W
hen Olga Duncan moved to Opelika in 2003 with her husband, Dr. Bryan Duncan, she could not speak English or cook. The couple met in Olga’s homeland of Brazil, and she never thought she would come to America. Olga adjusted to being in this country with the help of ladies from Trinity Presbyterian Church, who treated her like a daughter, taking her grocery shopping and inviting the couple into their homes to teacher her about southern dishes. Born in a small city in Brazil, Olga was seven years old when her family moved to a city the size of Atlanta on the southeastern side of Brazil. Grow-
ing up, she spent her summers with her aunts and uncles on big farms in the country. Her relatives’ farmhouses did not have electricity. There were huge kitchens with wood burning stoves, and every dish was made from scratch. All of the social activities revolved around food. Olga helped plant the gardens and harvest the vegetables, including tomatoes, okra and squash. Since Brazil is a tropical country, they had many varieties of vegetables and fruits. Guava is one of the fruits, which has a green covering and is red inside. With bountiful fruits, many people made jams and fruit-based desserts. Fruit with sugar, such as man-
go and papaya, were popular throughout the year. One of her favorite desserts was pumpkin and coconut with sugar. When Olga was 18 years old and getting ready to start college, her father, who was a businessman, gave her a small pizza place. This prevented her from having to work for someone else while attending school. Olga received a bachelor’s degree in pedagogy from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. When she graduated, she began working for an American organization called the ChildFund, formerly Christian Children’s Fund, which sponsors poor kids with a monthly fee. Olga would go
Roger Bell announces his retirement as Victorian Front Porch Tour chairman
to poor areas to teach teachers how to take care of kids and trained community leaders. Olga met Bryan, an Auburn University professor in the fisheries department, when he
Roger Bell, longtime chair of the Victorian Front Porch Tour (VFPT) announced his retirement after 19 years serving the Northside Historic District. The City of Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer
was visiting Brazil. He traveled to different countries for Auburn University. In order to communicate they both spoke Portuguese. After they were married in 2003, they
moved to Opelika. Olga studied English as a second language at Auburn University. She then received her master’s degree in See CIPPERLY, page A12
AACT and the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center to host ‘A Musical Walk in the Woods’ Special to the Opelika Observer
Special to the Opelika Observer
See BELL, page A10
Photo special to the Observer When Brazilian Olga Duncan came to Opelika in 2003 with her husband, Dr. Bryan Duncan, she could not speak English or cook. Today, Olga is an excellent cook and has a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from Auburn University. Two years ago she started her coaching business to help students with ADHD or learning disabilities.
On July 31 and Aug. 1, the Auburn Area Community Theatre invites the public to the Kreher Preserve and Nature center for an evening of socially responsible open-air entertainment! Small groups, of
not more than 15, will enjoy a walking tour led by a friendly guide through a gently lit path that will feature stations where community artists will entertain with family friendly, songs from theatre classics. On the easy walk between stops, your guide will delight you with details about the songs, shows and per-
formers. The entire tour is estimated to take about 90 minutes. Tours will begin at 6:30 p.m., spaced out to start every 10 minutes until 7:40 p.m.. Each group can accommodate up to 15 people, with no more than 10 unrelated individuals. You can See AACT, page A10
A10 July 15, 2020
OBITUARIES Jeffery Hiram Smith Jeffery passed away July 6, 2020 at 10:06 a.m. He was a beloved husband, son, brother and uncle. He was preceded in death by his parents, Byron Frederick Smith and Beatrice Speigner Smith; son, Derek Thompson and niece Kelly Melton. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Smith, siblings - Priscilla
AACT
Pugh, Wayne (Sandra) Smith, Doug (Deede) Smith, Neva (Tommy) Wilson, Blanche Whatley, Jennifer Smith, Scott (Cathy) Smith, Guy (Cherrie) Smith, Carl (Faye) Smith, Bob (Marcella) Smith, Todd Smith, Lori Ann Smith, 28 nieces and nephews, 49 great nieces and nephews, as well as eight great-great nieces and nephews. Memorial service
was held at 1 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2020 in the Chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home with Dr. Tommy Wilson officiating. He will always be remembered for his laugh and good humor.
Chyron Joe Wood Mr. Wood was a veteran of the Army, National Guard, and Army Reserves. He
McDonough, Georgia, LeAnne Wood Hornsby (Jeffery) of Ranburne, Alabama, siblings - Zoie Perkins of Arab, Alabama, Fleta Wideman of Bessemer, Alabama, sisters in law - Connie Wood, Christine Henke, Marjorie Mize of Cullman, Alabama brother in law - Noel Mize (Robbie) of Cullman, grandchildren Rebecca Hornsby
Smith (Taylor), Seth Hornsby, Caleb Hornsby, Parker Lawrence, & Truett Lawrence (Anna), great-grandchildren - Jackson Smith and James Lawrence. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice or to: Pepperell Baptist Church, 2702 2nd Ave. Opelika, Alabama 36801
Lee County low-vision group to host virtual meeting
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FROM A9 also reserve an entire slot for your family or group. Tickets are $5 for kids (ages five to 18), $7 for adults or $60 to reserve an entire slot (up to 15 people). To select your time slot and purchase tickets, or for more information, visit www.auburnact. org. Aug. 2 will be a rain date for performances, if needed. Please note the following safety procedures and precautions that will be observed: • Guests encouraged not to arrive more than 15 min before their start time. Please wait in your car until this time and then walk on the gravel drive to find your group’s waiting area. Gather in this area. If you are in a group with unrelated people, please observe a distance of five feet. • Performers (1 to 3 people per station) will be in stage area marked off with small fencing or rope, at least 15 ft. from audience. Audience members can stand even farther down path if they choose. • Masks are required for everyone ages five and up, unless while traveling in a “family-only” tour group. Please contact us if there’s a reason a mask isn’t feasible for some-
served his church family at Pepperell Baptist Church as a Deacon and leader in youth and children’s ministries for many years. He also was the founder/director of the Master Builders mission team for 32 years. Mr. Wood is survived by his wife Lynda Mize Wood, children - Martha Wood Lawrence (David) of
Special to the Opelika Observer Lee County Low Vision, "The Eyes have It" have not missed a beat on learning about valuable resources to help those with low vision to cope this summer. The group
BELL
>>
FROM A9
one in your party because of a medical need or special circumstance. Extra masks will be available if you don’t have one or forget. • Physical distancing is incorporated into the setup of the event, so that you won’t even notice that you are being safe, if you listen to the directions of your tour guide. • Public areas of the preserve will be open according to the safe policies outlined by the Kreher Preserve staff. Auburn Area Community Theatre is a
non-profit organization that exists to serve the Auburn/ Opelika Community. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for education and participation in the world of theatre and present a quality, entertaining and thought-provoking theatre experience. AACT is actively soliciting new members who have an interest in helping the growth of community theatre. AACT members and the community-at-large are encouraged to participate. For more information visit www.auburnact.org.
Opelika and the Opelika Northside Historic Neighborhood Association extend a thank you to Bell for his dedication and passion for the VFPT. “Roger has been involved since 2001. I am eternally grateful for his hard work. This was a labor of love for Roger and Opelika is fortunate to have such a wonderful event to share,” said Mayor Gary Fuller. Hunter Thorington,
thanks Leisa Askew for providing important information on the Covid-19 Caregiver Car Kit as well as other pertinent information from Lee-Russell Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. Shiquita Fulton, Vision Rehabilitation Therapist with Alabama Department
Rehabilitation Services will be conducting another conference call on , July 21 from 2 to 3 p.m. Those interested can contact her at 334705-2024 office or on her cellphone at 334803-3750. Her e-mail address is shiquita. fulton@rehab.alabama. gov.
president of the Northside Historic Neighborhood Association, added, “As Roger steps down, we’re excited to announce that Tracie Davis Allen will be the new chair of the tour. We look forward to seeing what Tracie brings to the table to improve on an already memorable Christmas event. Tracie is energetic and eager to bring the Victorian Front Porch Tour to a whole new level.” The VFPT began in 1993 with just a few homes partici-
pating, but has grown to include 60 homes on North 8th and 9th street. The homes are decorated with lifesize Santas, angels, toys, carousel horses and other Christmas-themed figures. The Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour has been voted one of the Southeast’s top-rated tourism events and has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living. For more information about how you can get involved with the VFPT, call Tracie Davis Allen at 334–744-1339.
A11 July 15, 2020
H
umility is the fruit of gratitude. We all know the feeling when someone does something special for us or gives us something significant—we are indebted to them. The most appropriate response we can make is to say “thank you” because we are touched and humbled by their generosity. That’s the way it is with our Father. As we think about our dependency upon Him and His provision for us, we are filled with gratitude and the humility that flows from it. The difference is that God’s giving is on a much grander scale and it is ongoing. Therefore, humility isn’t to be a
Church Calendar • Church of Christ at Cunningham - meeting at their building at 9:30 a.m. for Bible class, 10:30 a.m. for worship, 5 p.m. for evening worship and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. • First Baptist Church Of Opelika - continuing online streaming services; “FBCO will be deliberate but diligent as we begin to meet in person again.” “I would project that a FBCO’s return to corporate worship and ministry opportunities will be strategic.” • St. Marys Catholic Church/ St. Michael’s Church SMCC is having Daily Mass on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 a.m. and on weekends they are distributing holy Communion on Sunday's from 9:30 a.m. to 11. A Mass is also held on Sunday's at 12:30 p.m. at St. Michael's Church over in Auburn. For more information people can call the office at 334-749-8359 or go to the parish website: stmarysopelika.org. • Trinity United Methodist Church Opelika Trinity UMC has online worship at 10 a.m. streaming on Facebook, YouTube and their website, www.tumcopelika. org. • First United Methodist Church Of Opelika - The, bishop has asked for all United Methodist churches in our conference to suspend in-person gatherings through June 1. There is a COVID-19 task force that will help make decisions about June/July and work out those logistics.
The Fruit of Gratitude temporary response; it is a state we are called to live in. This is a challenge because most of us are better in the sprint than the long run. We mean well—it’s just that time, distance and the activities of the day have a way of diluting our good intentions and humble attitudes. What we prayed about and purposed in the morning is often a faded memory by nightfall. We’re still working our way through a pandemic that has forcefully reminded us of our dependency upon God. If we were paying attention at all, we were humbled. The challenge is how to maintain this humility as the pandemic lessens its
By Bruce Green Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika
grip and we return to normality (and with it the temptation to think we’re in control). How do we do this? One way is to slow our lives down, so we are living life the way God gives it—one day at a time. Nothing will kill humility quicker than the thinking that we are somehow guaranteed the future—we’re
not, so we need to stop acting like we are. Learning to live within a day will sharpen our focus, increase our joy and diminish our anxiety. That returns us to gratitude. If humility is the fruit of it (and it is), then growing in gratitude means we grow in humility. Slowing our lives down and changing our perspective about the future gives us the opportunity to be more appreciative in the present, and as Abraham Heschel observed, “It is gratefulness that makes the soul great.” It’s hard not to be humble when your heart is full of gratitude. Something else that can assist us are living
ABOUT BRUCE GREEN witnesses. Israel had their feasts, stone markers, the jar of manna and the budding rod. The church has the Lord’s Supper and baptism. It we are awake and aware, both the Supper and baptism testify to important spiritual realities our identities are rooted in: we are people Christ died for who have been raised with Him to live a new life to the glory of God. We are not our own. We’ve made it to this point in life by the grace of God. To be moved by and mindful of this reality is to live in humility. You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: atasteofgracewithbrucegreen.com.
You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: atasteofgracewithbrucegreen.com.
Hunley Group Lambert Transfer & Storage An Interstate Agent for North American Van Lines 1102 Fox Trail Opelika, AL 36803 745-5706
Verse of the Week “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. .”
Matthew 7:2
Church Directory APOSTOLIC HOLINESS God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 HIghland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672 True Deliverance Holiness Church 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700 BAPTIST Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506
ANGLICAN Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd 2312 Center Drive Unit D 334-758-6749 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Bridge Church 1000 Lee Road 263, Cusseta 334-742-0144 AME Mount Zion AME Church West Point Hwy 334-749-3916 St. Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St. 334-749-1690 St. Paul AME Church 713 Powledge Ave. 334-745-6279 Thompson Chapel AME Zion 187 Columbus Pkwy 334-749-8676 BAPTIST Abundant Life Baptist Church 1220 Fox Run Ave. Suite B 706-4421464 Airview Baptist Church 2301 Airport Rd. 334-444-5148 Antioch Baptist Church 605 W. East Morton Ave 334-742-0696 Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St. 334-745-7528 Bethel Baptist Church Hwy. 29 Sasser Rd 334-745-4865 Central Baptist Church 1611 2nd Ave. 334-745-2482 Community Baptist Church 154 N. 16th St. 334-745-6552 Cornerstone Missionary Baptist 500 N. Railroad Ave. 334-742-2008 Eastview Baptist Church 1208 Spring Dr 334-749-9595 Farmville Baptist Church 3607 Alabama Hwy N. 334-887-7361 First Baptist Church of Opelika 314 S. 9th St. 334-745-6143 First Baptist Church 301 S. 8th St. 334-745-5715 First Baptist Church Impact
Green Chapel Missionary Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184 Lakeview Baptist Church 1600 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-7094 Pepperell Baptist 2702 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-745-3108 Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608
10th Street Church of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181 COMMUNITY OUTREACH Changing Hearts of Destiny Ministry 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700
CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ at Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika
METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800 Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley
709 Avenue E 334-741-0624 First Freewill Baptist Church 103 19th St. 334-703-3333 Friendship Missionary Baptist 432 Maple Avenue 334-742-0105 Greater Peace Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave. 334-749-9487 Heritage Baptist Church 1103 Glenn St. 334-363-8943 High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 Love Freewill Baptist Church 1113 Frederick Ave. 334-745-2905 Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Church 1098 Lee Road 155 - 334-745-3600 Northside Baptist Church 3001 Lafayette Hwy 334-745-5340 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Uniroyal Rd 334-749-2773 Purpose Baptist Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy #704-0302 St. James Baptist Church 1335 Auburn St. 334-745-3224 Union Grove Missionary Baptist 908 Huguley Rd 334-741-7770 BUDDHIST Buddha Heart Village 3170 Sandhill Rd. 334-821-7238 CATHOLIC St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1000 4th Ave. 334-749-8359 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy 334-742-9721 Southside Church of Christ 405 Carver Ave. 334-745-6015 CHURCH OF GOD Airview Church of God 3015 Old Opelika Rd 334-749-9112 Church of God 114 17th Place 334-749-6432 Tabernacle Church of God 3 Oak Court 334-745-7979 CHURCH OF NAZARENE Opelika Church of Nazarene
1500 Bruce Ave. 334-749-1302 EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave. 334-745-2054 HOLINESS Eastside Emmanuel Holiness Church 86 Lee Road 186 JEWISH Beth Shalom Congregation 134 S. Cary Dr. 334-826-1050 LATTERDAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 510 Groce St. 334-742-9981 METHODIST First United Methodist Church of Opelika 702 Avenue A 334-745-7604 Hopewell United Methodist 1993 Lee Rd 136 334-745-0460 Pierce Chapel United Methodist 8685 AL Hwy. 51 334-749-4469 Pepperell United Methodist 200 26th St. 334-745-9334 Trinity United Methodist Church 800 Second Ave. 334-745-2632 Wesley Memorial United Methodist 2506 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-2841 PENTECOSTAL Full Gospel Pentecostal Church Hwy. 29, PO Box 1691 334-741-8675 Gateway Community Church 2715 Frederick Rd 334-745-6926 PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church of Opelika 900 2nd Ave. 334-745-3421 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Outreach Seventh-Day Adventist 1808 S. Long St. 334-749-3151 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Apostolic Holiness Church 610 Canton St. 334-749-6759 Auburn Opelika Korean Church 1800 Rocky Brook Rd 334-749-5386 Beauregard Full Gospel Revival 2089 Lee Road 42 334-745-0455 Christ Church International 1311 2nd Ave. 334-745-0832
334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319 PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889
Church of the Harvest 2520 Society Hill Rd 334-745-2247 East Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. 334-737-1488 Emmanuel Temple of Deliverance 207 S. Railroad Ave. 334-745-6430 Faith Alliance Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy 334-749-9516 Faith Christian Center 600 S. 8th St. Faith Church 3920 Marvyn Pkwy 334-707-3922 Family Life Christian Center 601 S. 7th St. 334-741-7013 Father’s House Christian Fellowship 214 Morris Ave. 334-749-1070 Fellowship Bible Church 2202 Hamilton Rd 334-749-1445 Ferguson Chapel Church 310 S. 4th St. 334-745-2913 First Assembly of God Church 510 Simmons St. 334- 749-3722 Garden of Gethsemane Fellowship 915 Old Columbus Rd #745-2686 Grace Heritage Church Opelika #559-0846 Holy Deliverance Church 831 S. Railroad 334-749-5682 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. 334-737-1488 Living Way Ministries 1100 Old Columbus Rd 334-749-6241 Move of God Fellowship Church 1119 Old Columbus Rd 334-741-1006 Connect Church 2900 Waverly Pkwy 334-749-3916 New Life Christian Center 2051 West Point Pkwy 334-741-7373 New Life Independent Church 10 Meadowview Estates Trailer 334-741-9001 Opelika’s First Seventh Day 2011 Columbus Pkwy 334-737-3222 Power of Praise, Inc. Church 3811 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-6136 Shady Grove Christian Church West Point Hwy 334-745-7770
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A12 July 15, 2020
CIPPERLY>> FROM A9 adult education and a Ph.D. at Auburn. Before she began coaching college students at the Academic Support Office and the Office of Accessibility, Olga taught success strategies and study smart seminar courses at Auburn University. She also worked at Auburn University at Montgomery, as the seamless admission tutoring coordinator and advisor. Two years ago Olga started her coaching business to help students with ADHD or learning disability. She enjoys working from home since her husband has retired. “As a coach my focus is to help students develop academic
RECIPES LEMON BUTTER DILL BAKED SALMON 4 (8 oz.) salmon fillets 2 Tbsp. melted butter 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. cracked black pepper, 1 Tbsp. minced garlic 1 Tbsp. fresh chopped parsley 1/2 Tbsp. dill 2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice Heat oven to 400 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, arrange salmon down the center. Rub salmon evenly with the ingredients listed above. Bake until the salmon is opaque throughout, (about 12 minutes). Pour coconut milk over the fish and vegetables. Bring soup to a simmer, reduce the heat, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings. Garnish with cilantro. Serve with rice.
BRAZILIAN COCONUT STYLE FLAN 1 cup caster sugar 4 eggs 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk 1 (14 oz.) can unsweetened coconut milk Preheat an oven to 350 degrees. Melt the sugar in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Once the sugar becomes a golden brown syrup, pour it into a round baking dish, swirling so that the syrup coats all sides of the dish. Set aside to cool. Place the eggs, condensed milk and coconut milk into a blender and blend on medium for 5 minutes. Pour egg mixture into the baking dish and cover with aluminum foil. Place baking dish inside roasting tin, and place roasting tin on oven rack. Fill roasting tin with water to reach halfway up the sides of the baking dish. After 30 minutes check the level of water and add more water if needed. Bake for around 55 to 60 minutes. The center of the flan will still be soft. Allow flan to cool before un-molding onto a plate. Refrigerate before serving.
skills and strategies that will help them live more productive, balanced and fulfilling lives,” she said. The Duncans have three children: Anita, 13; Lucas, 10; and Isadora, who is married and lives in South Carolina. Their family also includes three grown children from Bryan’s first marriage. Bryan was attending Trinity Presbyterian Church before they married. The ladies in the church knew they were getting married and that Olga could not speak English or cook. They were expecting her and began right away inviting them for dinner and taking Olga out to lunch. She remembers Rae Weissinger and Terry Plunket taking her to the grocery store to
show her how to shop in America. Mary Jane Teague would take her everywhere like she was a daughter. Other ladies in the church invited them for meals. Since Bryan had been close to international students, they began inviting international students to their home. “When I was going to Auburn University, I felt God had a purpose for me. It was so hard. I thought maybe God wanted me there to meet these international students. To be in another country and being so young can be hard,” Olga said. A few years ago, Olga and her Brazilian friends cooked a dinner for 150 international students. She opens their home for international students
to cook their favorite meals. She will ask what they want to cook, and then grocery shop to have the ingredients ready for them to cook. The students enjoy preparing their native dishes. When Brazilian students visit, they will cook together. Generally, they prepare rice, fresh beans, chicken and pork, fresh vegetables and salads. In addition to students, Olga enjoys having their friends over for meals and making them feel welcome. “We enjoy conversation around the table,” she said. While she starts cooking early, she is generally still in the kitchen as guests arrive. She enjoys cooking fresh ingredients and keeping them simple. Her favorite
menu is salmon, rice, green beans or asparagus with salad and Brazilian Cheese Bread. She serves appetizers and wine while she finishes up in the kitchen. Olga also enjoys cooking for her neighbors in the Collinwood neighborhood. “I like to help people,” she said, “and cook for neighbors when there is sickness.” She shares meals with elderly neighbors who do not enjoy cooking for one. When the Covid-19 virus hit Brazil badly this spring, Olga and Auburn University Brazilian students decided to help poor families in Brazil who lost their income because of the virus. Olga and the students held a fundraiser by preparing Brazilian meals to sell. They were able to raise $2,000 to send to the
families. Her daughter Anita has picked up her mother’s love of cooking and enjoys making American desserts. Pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread are their favorites. When Olga looks back on coming to Opelika, she feels thankful. “Some people dream about coming to America,” she said. “I never thought I would move here or marry an American. I love the Opelika and Auburn area. From day one I always felt welcome. “People have been so good to me,” Olga added. “I have been blessed by everyone I have met here.” Ann Cipperly can be reached at recipes@ cipperly.com.
EASY BRAZILIAN CHEESE BREAD (From Brazilian student Ana Carolina) 4 cups tapioca flour 1 cup milk 1 cup water 3/4 cup vegetable oil 1 1/2 tsp. salt 3 or 4 eggs 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a baking tray. Bring milk, water, oil and salt to a boil in saucepan. As soon as it starts boiling, add tapioca flour all at once. Stir constantly until it forms a dough that pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and let the dough cool a little bit. Add eggs one at a time, and then add in all the cheese and beat the dough until ingredients are mixed. With greased hands, take small pieces of dough and form balls the size of a golf ball. Place the dough 2 inches apart on a greased baking tray. Bake for about 20 minutes or until puffed and lightly golden. Serve warm.
taste 2 Tbsp. fresh chopped parsley Remove some of the skin and excess fat from the chicken pieces. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and black pepper. Place a large heavy pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle olive oil into the pan and add chicken. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown. Add garlic and onions to the pan and sauté for 3 minutes. Stir in the okra into the stew and the rest of ingredients above, cover the pan, and cook for 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Serve with rice.
collard greens and sliced oranges. 1 lb. dried black beans, soaked overnight in cold water 1 lb. thick-cut smoked bacon, cut into small pieces 1 lb. boneless pork loin, cut into chunks 1/2 lb. fresh sausages, such as chorizo or Italian sausage 1 lb. smoked sausage, such as linguica or kielbasa 1 smoked ham hock, optional 1 cup chopped onion 6 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 6-8 bay leaves 1/2 Tbsp. nutmeg Salt and black pepper to taste 1 Tbsp. white or cider vinegar ½ cup orange juice Enough water to cover all the ingredients in the slow cooker Drain beans and rinse. Add to a 6-quart slow cooker. Cook bacon in a large skillet until lightly crisp. Place on paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Return skillet to burner with bacon drippings still in it. Sprinkle pork with salt and garlic and add to skillet over medium-high heat and cook until lightly browned. Transfer pork to slow cooker, leaving most fat still in pan. Add sausages to skillet and cook until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to slow cooker. Drain half the fat from the pan and return pan to burner. Add onions and all other ingredients to slow cooker. Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until meat and beans are tender. Remove bay leaves before serving.
Black pepper to taste Stir together first four ingredients in small bowl. Set aside. Heat nonstick skillet over medium-high heat: brush chops with vegetable oil and season with pepper. Brown on one side (2 to 3 minutes); turn. Add peach mixture, reduce heat to low, cover and cook 4 minutes (or until done). Serve with peaches and sauce.
SMOKY ORANGE KABOBS 2 lb. pork tenderloin, cut into ¾-inch cubes 2/3 cup smoky barbecue sauce 1/3 cup orange marmalade 2 Tbsp. spicy mustard Thread pork cubes onto skewers. Stir together remaining ingredients for basting sauce. Place kabobs over medium-hot coals. Brush with basting sauce. Grill 10 to 12 minutes, turning and brushing frequently with sauce.
In a large covered pan, add 2 Tbsp of olive oil and heat on medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, paprika and red pepper flakes and cook a few minutes until softened. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir in the sliced tomatoes and cilantro. Cook for more 5 minutes. With the stove off start to assemble the stew. Use a large spoon to remove about half of the vegetables (you will put them right back in). Spread the remaining vegetables over the bottom of the pan to create a bed for the fish. Arrange the fish pieces on the vegetables. Then add back the previously removed vegetables, covering the fish. Pour coconut milk over the fish and vegetables. Bring soup to a simmer, reduce the heat, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings. Garnish with cilantro. Serve with rice. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or cracker crumbs are golden brown and thoroughly heated.
BRAZILIAN FISH AND COCONUT MILK STEW 2 lbs. fillets of firm white fish such as swordfish or cod, rinsed in cold water, pin bones removed, cut into large portions 3 cloves garlic, minced 4 Tbsp. lime or lemon juice Salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 cup sliced yellow onion 1 green, 1 yellow and 1 red bell pepper, sliced 2 cups sliced tomatoes 1 Tbsp. paprika Pinch of red pepper flakes 1 small bunch cilantro, chopped with some set aside for garnish 1 (14 oz.) can unsweetened coconut milk In a bowl, combine the garlic, lemon juice and salt. Add the fish and turn the pieces to coat. Keep chilled while preparing the rest of the soup.
PUMPKIN BREAD OR MUFFINS From Martha Hill, a neighbor in Collinwood 3½ cups flour 3 cups sugar 1 tsp. salt 2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. nutmeg ½ tsp. allspice 1 cup vegetable oil 4 eggs 2/3 cup water 2 cups canned pumpkin Grease loaf pans. Blend dry ingredients in bowl until well mixed. Combine oil, eggs, water and pumpkin; beat until well blended. Add dry ingredients slowly and beat well. Bake in a preheated 325-degree oven for 60 to 65 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans and continue cooling on wire racks. Wrap in foil and store in refrigerator or freeze. Makes three 8 ½ x 4 ½ x 2-inch loaves. Bake muffins for 25 to 30 minutes or until test done.
SAUTÉED COLLARD GREENS OR KALE 2 large bunches collard greens or kale, stems removed and finely sliced/shredded 2 Tbsp. olive oil 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced Salt to taste Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil and garlic. Add collard greens and sprinkle with a little salt. Stop cooking while collard greens are still bright green.
BRAZILIAN STYLE CHICKEN WITH OKRA STEW 8 oz. trimmed and sliced okra (fresh or frozen) 2 1/2 lbs. chicken pieces (such as chicken drumsticks or thighs) 1 lime (juiced) 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 cup chopped onion 1 Tbsp. minced garlic 2 chopped tomatoes 1 cup water Salt and pepper to
OLGA’S CHICKEN CASSEROLE 5 cups chopped cooked chicken breasts 2 cups sour cream 1 can (10.5 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup ½ cup melted butter 1 can heart of palm, sliced 1 tsp. garlic powder Salt and pepper to taste 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed, plus 1 cup for topping Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients. Spread creamy mixture evenly in bottom of ungreased 13 x 9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Spoon and spread extra Ritz crackers evenly over chicken. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or cracker crumbs are golden brown and thoroughly heated.
SLOW COOKER FEIJOADA (FAYZHWA-DAH) BRAZILIAN BLACK BEAN STEW Typically, this is an all-day Saturday cooking in which families and friends get together around the table to share a good feijoada served with rice and garlic sautéed
PEACH GLAZED PORK CHOPS 16 oz. can peach slices 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 2 Tbsp. peach preserve 2 Tbsp. mustard 4 boneless center cut pork chops Vegetable oil
A13 July 15, 2020
The Bottling Plant Event Center announces August lineup By Wil Crews Opelika Observer 2020 has not been very fun. And the usual fun-filled summer season has been, at the least, unaccustomed. However, in a lively breath of normality, the Bottling Plant Event Center, located in downtown Opelika, is proudly hosting three events that will provide a humorous and harmonious end to summer. The August event lineup consists of David Lee –– The Ultimate Elvis, along with comedians Henry Cho and Opelika-born Jermaine “FunnyMaine” Johnson. Per his website, elvis4u.com, Lee is one of the most authentic, most professional Elvis shows
around. He has been performing his tribute to Elvis since 1995 and his act is suitable for any age group. Lee was named the “Ultimate Elvis” by the Elvis Presley Enterprise in 2015. Cho, a regular performer at the Grand Ole Opry, provides a clean and versatile stand-up act. You may recognize his name from his various TV appearances on NBC’s The Tonight Show, CBS The Late, Late Show and NBC’s Young Comedians Special. He has had many guest roles on various networks and his comedy special “What’s That Clickin Noise?” is currently running on Netflix. Johnson, who rose to popularity as
“FunnyMaine” in part because of his reaction videos to college football games from the perspective of an Alabama superfan, is coming to Opelika for his Off the Couch Spring 2020 Comedy Tour, which was delayed because of COVID-19. Per his website, funnymaine.com, Johnson is a lifetime class clown and professional comedian since 2005. His talent has taken him from small stages to large arenas, television and radio. Notably, he’s worked with TV and radio personalities such as Kevin Hart, Steve Harvey and Rickey Smiley of the Rickey Smiley Morning Show. The event dates, times and costs are as follows:
Photo special to the Opelika Observer
• The David Lee Show with Larcus Fuller: Saturday, Aug. 8, 6 to 9 p.m.; advanced tickets $20, Day of $25 • Henry Cho: Friday, Aug. 14, 6 to 9 p.m.; general admission $20
• FunnyMaine: Friday, Aug. 28, 6 to 9 p.m.; advanced tickets $25, Day of $30 The events will be following social distance guidelines, per Lisa Ditchkoff, owner and
event coordinator at The Bottling Plant Event Center, For information on all of these events or to purchase tickets visit www.showclix.com/ events/19949.
Wreaths Across America to present a live virtual concert to honor veterans Special to the Opelika Observer National nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) is proud to announce that, this year, it is producing a free, virtual “Giving in July” concert on Facebook to replace its annual “Stem to Stone Rally in the Valley” weekend event in Maine. This family-friendly, virtual concert event will air live, nationwide on the WAA Official Facebook Page on July 19, at 7 p.m. ET, featuring patriotic musical guests who are supportive and appreciative of our country’s veterans and their families. The organization’s mission is to remember, honor and teach. The event will include a special message from Operation Red Wing lone survivor United States Navy SEAL (Ret.) Marcus Luttrell and his wife Melanie from their home in Texas. Also, during this virtual concert there will be appearances from local volunteers across the country who are giving back in their own communities through their participation in the
WAA program. Performers will include, but are not limited to: Craig Morgan Chris Roberts Lindsay Lawler Mark Wills The Bellamy Brothers The Don Campbell Band Darryl Worley Six-String Soldiers The event will also feature WAA Sponsorship Groups – like-minded civic and youth groups, veteran service organizations and other nonprofits – around the country who partner with WAA to raise funds and awareness in their own communities about the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach. Throughout the live event, viewers will have the opportunity to support these local groups and participating cemeteries in their hometowns. The Sponsorship Groups are part of a program where $5 of each $15 wreath sponsorship received goes back to them to be used locally for programs in their own community. Through this national program, WAA has given back more than $12 million in local contributions over the last 11 years.
“WAA recognizes Giving in July as opposed to the well-known Christmas in July because our program works with local sponsorship groups in communities across the country who are giving back, year-round,” said Karen Worcester, Executive Director, WAA. “The local programs that benefit from this fundraising are oftentimes the bridge to keeping community-based veteran initiatives going in small towns. Through your support of WAA now, both nationally and on the local level, you are not only placing a wreath for a hero in December, but helping give back to these community efforts who need support.” In accordance with the CDC’s recommendation against large gatherings stemming from concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, this will be a live virtual concert that will be held on-line using Vimeo Livestream, with the help of Black Fly Media and The Nashville Music Loft on the WAA Official Facebook page. All donations received from this event will be used
to sponsor fresh, balsam veterans’ wreaths to be placed by volunteers on National Wreaths Across America Day, Dec. 19, 2020, at more than 2,100 participating locations nationwide. “Now, more than ever, we are excited to host this important virtual event to highlight all the good that unites us in communities across the country,”
concluded Worcester. About Wreaths Across America Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember,
Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information or to sponsor a wreath visit www. wreath sacrossamerica. org. 890 North Dean Rd. Auburn, AL 36830 Phone: 334-501-2005 Fax: 877-679-7743
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We are an interventional pain clinic dedicated to compassionate, appropriate treatment of your pain. All patients receive a complete and thorough evaluation and exam in order to establish an individualized treatment plan. All procedures are performed in our state of the art facility without the hassle of pre-registration and increased hospital charges. Services Offered: • Epidural Steroid Injections • Facet Joint Injections • Radiofrequency Ablation • Botox • Kyphoplasty • Sacroitice Joint Injections • Spinal Cord Stimulation • Dorsale Root Ganglion Stimulation
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A14 July 15, 2020
COMICS
“Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.” ― Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
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Inside • opelika schools • lee county schools • community sports
• JULY 14 - Lee County School Board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Meetings are held at 2410 Society Hill Road in Opelika.
Two local young women win at the Miss Alabama United States Pageant Special to the Opelika Observer
On the Mark By D. Mark Mitchell
Fall sports plans being tossed around
W
e are in the middle of July. The heat is normal, but COVID-19 is not. The pandemic that swept across the world continues to be the main topic in our lives. There are many things COVID-19
affects. Opening schools and playing sports are important to many in the South and the rest of the country. Last week two Power 5 Conferences, the Big Ten and PAC-12, See SPORTS, page B4
Two local young women won big in their respective divisions at the Miss Alabama United States Pageant on June 28. The competition was held at the Pell City Performing Arts Center. Michaela Sanford, 11, won the Miss Pre-Teen Alabama United States title and Airiana CarlosLee, 23, won the Miss Alabama United States title. Michaela is a rising sixth grader at Drake Middle School in Auburn, and Airiana recently graduated from Auburn University at Montgomery. See MISS ALABAMA, page B5
Photos courtesy of Airiana Carlos-Lee
OCS providing meals to students AHS Work-Based Learning Program, LCYDC, and Diverse Resources secure grant money through WIOA Special to the Opelika Observer
Work-based learning opportunities for Auburn City Schools Career and Technical
Education students continue to expand thanks to collaborative efforts between the Auburn High See LEARNING, page B4
Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer
Opelika City Schools have been providing meals for students this summer as part of the school lunch program that has been going on since the school classes ended because of the pandemic. Staff has provided meals Monday through Friday to students under the age of 18 via a drive-thru pickup line. Students must be in the car at the time meals are picked up. More than 250 meals per day have been provided. Pictured above, OCS staff packages meals in preparation for the day’s pickup.
B2 July 15, 2020
Lady Bulldogs hit the weight room
Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer
B3 July 15, 2020
Planting A Heart of Faith In Our Children
O
ur children have so many doors to go through as they live and grow. We have the language door in communication. Babies are constantly looking and observing as they go through the learning and curiosity door. The first step in walking a young baby makes carries them through the physical door. In the Classroom Observer I would like to open the spiritual door in planting seeds in the hearts of young children in living and experiencing faith. During this time of pandemic, our community churches have done a wonderful Vacation Bible School outreach for our families through virtual VBS. To our churches we say “Thank you for helping us to keep the faith” during an unusual time. God gives us altars in our lives with answered prayers, carrying us through tough times, and letting us know that He is walking beside us. In the classroom and in children’s church when young children
have come to ask literally, “What is faith that you keep talking about?” my answer has been complete trust in God. Of course young children will literally reply every time, “But I cannot see God.” This is a question that we as parents, grandparents and teachers answer by showing our children. As we search our own hearts and spirit on explaining faith, I would like to share a few pointers and activities on how we can share our faith. These are based on lessons, past experiences, many activities, and suggestions from teachers and families. I. Model a life of faith. Being in the midst of young children is the best audience to be in. They will challenge your thoughts and truly encourage you in hope and joy. Children observer their parents and teachers closely. This is a time where we as parents can look for opportunities to share what faith is. II. Short messages. We have to remember children don’t learn the
same way as adults. Their attention spans are short! So, as we parents and teachers move through our days, we can plan little five-minute lessons to share with our children. These are a few that I have done over and over with young children. A. Lights. Darken the room just a little bit because you don’t want to scare young children. Use a simple light switch. Ask your children what will happen when you flip the switch. Lights will come on. Use a flashlight in the same way of flipping the light on and off. Other forms of lights can be used safely such as a match, a candle, glow sticks, tea lights. Explain to your children each time they had faith that the light would come on. In carrying this simple lesson a step further with children, explain that each of the lights you use had to have a power source like flipping switch lights needs electricity, flashlights need batteries; candle, a match to light it; match, a surface to strike on. Soon these kinds of lights burn out, but Jesus asks us to be a bright light to the world and we have faith and trust that He will always be our power source. Our light of HIS love shines forever! B. A Leap of Faith. This is a simple jumping game that you can play with your children. Ask your children to see how high they can jump. Put out two pieces of tape on the ground some distance from each other. Then ask them how
SUSCC Hosts FAME on the Plains signing Special to the Opelika Observer
Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC) hosted its inaugural Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) signing last week welcoming nine students into the program. Southern Union’s FAME Program is known as FAME on The Plains and is a five-semester program that allows students the opportunity to earn wages while completing an Associate of Applied Science in Advanced Manufacturing with a Concentration in Mechatronics at SUSCC. Each student chosen for the program interviewed with area companies that are sponsoring
students, and the selections were announced at the signing. Once enrolled, students will spend time in the classroom and in the industry. While not guaranteed, there is the option for sponsor companies to hire students upon graduation from the college. “It is exciting to see that our local industry partners are willing to invest in our students’ future through participation in this program,” said SUSCC President Todd Shackett. The FAME program began in Kentucky in 2009 with Toyota as one of the main initial industry sponsors, and the initiative has been established in Alabama in recent years. The purpose of FAME is to be the driving force for developing world-class
technical talent for manufacturing and other employers of technical workers. FAME strives to be a powerful conduit between industry and education. Students sponsored during the event were: Alexis Vasquez -Hyundai Andrew Williams - Baxter Mario Martinez-Sodecia Aziza Hurt-Golden State Foods Jason Cade Egbert -Golden State Foods Drake Vaudo Norbord John Billingsley -Norbord Jordin Roysdon- Norbord Robert Hayden Aderholdt- RAPA For more information on FAME on the Plains contact Tyler Nelson at (256) 395-2211 ext. 5414.
far they can jump. Of course in families our children are different sizes. Some children can make the long jump but some cannot. With smaller children, make it an effort as a family or class to help and carry those young children from one piece of tape to the other in a long jump. Brag on the younger, smaller child who made the long jump with help so they feel a part of the group. Of course, there will be children who will complain and say the helped jump is not fair. But this is where you can bring in a truth that faith is similar to the jumping game that we are playing now. There are some things that we just cannot do by ourselves. We have to have faith to trust God to help us. C. Faith like a Mustard seed. At eight years old I can clearly remember my grandmother teaching me the Bible lesson from Matthew 13:3132 when Jesus told the parable of the mustard seed: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in His field. That seed is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows, it is one of the largest garden plants. It becomes big enough for the wild birds to come and build nest in its branches.” My Dad gave me a mustard seed enclosed in a little glass bulb that I wore as a necklace, which gently reminded me as a child and young adult of this important life truth and Bible truth. This is a good intergenerational lesson to do as a family by passing out the very
little mustard seeds in cups for the children to be able to observe. The children can even roll these little seeds around between their fingers just to feel how very small they are. As a family you can plant these seeds just to see how big a plant grows from these little mustard seeds. This is a good over time science project you can do as a family. Too, a mustard seed plant shows your children that they can have faith as small as a seed and God will help it grow. III. Using our own experiences as models of faith. In Nov. 2009, right in the middle of a teaching year, I was diagnosed with tumors on my thyroid gland. I knew immediately surgery would be upcoming and possibly I would be missing holidays with my children in ministry. The tumors were benign but during the surgery my vocal chords folded. When I came out of surgery I could not speak except to whisper. Being a teacher and a Children’s Ministry Director, I needed my voice. As I met with my classes of children I asked them to pray and to walk this journey of faith with me. The doctors told me it would probably be a year before my voice would come back. Family, parents, grandparents and staff helped me to continue to teach during that year even though I could only whisper. I had a microphone that I whispered through to teach and sing. One year after my surgery I was whisper singing a favorite children’s
ministry song with our K4 class. All of a sudden through the whispers of singing my vocal chords gave out a deep, rich audible tone. One little boy quickly raised his hand and shouted “Mrs. Pinyerd your voice has come back!” These children had patiently walked in faith and witnessed that their prayers and faith had been answered on behalf of their teacher. This is one of the altars in my life that I share with my readers and families that you too may be encouraged. Why talk about faith during this very different and unusual season in our lives? Hebrews 11:1 says we are encouraged that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. During this time of uncertainty around Coronavirus, we can have faith where hope is exemplified as we pray together, search God’s Word together, bring the best out in people with love, magnify what’s right in other people, forgive and value relationships above accomplishments; truly we are more love-focused as we adjust to our world being a little different. Our community is doing a wonderful job for our children as we prepare to go forth in life with school, sports and activities. At this time we can have faith that God is going to bring us through this season of uncertainty by a lifelearned lesson of faith truly modeled hands-on by a community who puts children first. Beth Pinyerd, Classroom Observer
Sportsplex to host virtual kids triathlon Aug. 1 Special to the Opelika Observer
The Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatics Center is hosting a virtual kids triathlon for children 6 to 15 years of age on Aug. 1. Pre-registration is required. Participants will compete based on their ages. The two competitions will consist of the Kids Tri and the Small Fry Tri. The age divisions are separated into ages 6 to 8, 9 to 11, and 12 to 15. Participants will compete based on their ages as of Dec. 31, 2020. 5-year-olds may participate in the Kids Tri or the Small Fry Tri. A paper registration (deadline July 17) is required for 5-yearolds to compete. Registration is $30 per child until July 21. The price will increase to $35 per child after July 21. There will be
Photo courtesy of Opelika Sportsplex a $5-per-child discount for families registering three or more children at a time. When asked the importance of children staying active during this time, the race director Nicole Carter said, “Incredibly important for families to stay active right now for their physical and mental health. Get outdoors. Our children need less electronic time and more outside time.” The race proceeds will benefit the local American Cancer Society. The Sportsplex
Tri For Kids began as a dream of Nicole Carter, Sarah Herren and Kimberly Myers. The first race was held in 2012. They’re hosting a virtual race this year in an effort to keep kids active. To register for the race visit www.sportsplextriforkids.com/ race-info/. To find out more information about the race visit www. facebook.com/ SportsplexTriForKids. For more information or questions, contact sportsplextriforkids@ gmail.com.
B4 July 15, 2020
AORTA to host 21st Annual Tough10/ Tough2 Race in October Special to the Opelika Observer
The public is encouraged to mark their calendars for the Auburn Opelika Running and Track Association’s (AORTA’s) 21st Annual Tough Ten/Tough Two race coming up on Oct. 24. The event is held in memory of Dr. Nicholas “Nick” Holler,
a beloved community leader and avid runner. Registration is open now through Oct. 22. The race will begin and end at the corner of Ogletree Village in Auburn. Participants can register to run, jog or walk a scenic 10-mile or two mile route down Ogletree Road, into the Grove Hill neighborhood and back to
Ogletree Village. All proceeds will benefit the East Alabama Medical Center’ s Foundation for Breast Cancer Early Detection. The Breast Cancer Early Detection Center serves to provide free mammogram screenings for women who are uninsured, as well as to educate women in our community regarding
the benefits of breast self-examination and annual screenings. To register for the AORTA’ s Tough 10/ Tough 2, visit www. runsignup.com/Race/ AL/Auburn/AORTA ToughTenToughTwo For more information or questions, contact Anthony Terling at Anthony@aotourism.com.
Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama announces ‘Every Girl In a Park’ program Special to the Opelika Observer
Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama (GSSA) has partnered with the Alabama State Parks and Alabama Historical Commission for Every Girl In a Park, going on now through Oct. 31, 2020. From the backyard to the backcountry, Girl Scouts has a long and storied history of getting every girl outdoors. In fact, many Girl Scouts say “camping trips” are one of the best things about their Girl Scout experience. Connecting with the great outdoors in a girl-led setting is a big benefit of belonging to Girl Scouts. All 21 Alabama State Parks and 14 Alabama Historic Sites are offering free admission for Girl Scouts and one accompanying adult, as long as they are wearing the Every Girl In a Park t-shirt. Alabama State Parks is also offering a 10% off discount for campground rental or
LEARNING >> FROM B1 School Work-Based Learning Program, the Lee County Youth Development Center and Diverse Resources. A newly developed local workforce readiness internship program for students funded through the Central Alabama Works Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds resulted in Diverse Resources securing a Central Alabama Works Request for Proposal Grant in the amount of $263,000. Plans are underway for this grant to support Auburn High School and LCYDC students who desire to receive career ready training and work-based learning opportunities.
room rate at one of the lodges (Discount does not apply to Gulf State Park). Discounts will be available now until Oct. 31 (excludes Labor Day). For more information, you can visit their website at www.girlscoutssa. org/everygirlinapark. “At Girl Scouts, our mission is to help bring up the next generation of fearless G.I.R.L.s (Go-getters, Innovators, Risktakers, Leaders),” said GSSA CEO Karlyn Edmonds. “That’s why we try and offer as many opportunities as possible for our girls to learn and grow in the great outdoors.” Through Girl Scouting, girls lear n
to face challenges head-on, embrace failure as a lear ning oppor t unity and f ind solutions to social issues, all while building the skills and courage they need to take the lead ever y day. Although many extracur ricular activities AR E canceled right now, Girl Scouts is NOT canceled. Ear ning patches is just one of the amazing things girls can do as par t of Girl Scouts. To join Girl Scouts or lear n more about volunteering, please visit www. girlscoutssa.org. About Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama
serves more than 5,000 girls, ages 5-17, and 2,500 adults who believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) to change the world. We’re the preeminent leadership development organization for girls and have been for more than 100 years and a recent recipient of the Montgomery Impact Maker Award. With programming across 30 counties, GSSA offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure and success. To volunteer, reconnect, donate or join call 800-239-6636 or visit www.girlscoutssa.org.
Diverse Resources will take the lead in funding student internships with local companies interested in hiring and offering paid work experiences. Auburn City Schools will meet training goals set forth in the grant by offering training, credentialing and paid work-based learning experiences to Career Technical Education students who desire opportunities in high-demand career areas. Students will be eligible to receive not only training and paid work experience but also industry-recognized credentials and the opportunity to create a positive impact in our local workforce. Employers in specifically targeted industry sectors will benefit by receiving funds to employ
students who have received prior training to decrease the extraordinary costs associated with the onboarding, hiring and training of youth eligible for employment. The grant recipients were selected by Central Alabama Works Board for demonstrating a desire and commitment to leveraging WIOA to promote longterm outcomes in student development and economic opportunities for local employers. Targeted areas consistent with the priorities of the WIOA Youth Program include: career exploration and guidance, support for educational attainment, opportunities for skills training in in-demand industries and occupations and culminating in a good job along
a career pathway or enrollment in post-secondary education. Laura Bailey, Auburn City Schools Career Technical Education Director, added: “We are very excited to be the first public school in Lee County, and possibly Region 5, to directly benefit as a recipient of a WIOA RFP. We look forward to training students and placing them in local industries.” For additional information about this grant or to learn about partnership opportunities with Auburn High School for work-based learning opportunities contact: Audrey Marshall, WorkBased Learning Coordinator amarshall@auburnschools.org or Ann Thomas, Owner athomas@diverseresources.org.
SPORTS >> FROM B1 announced they would play only conference games. The announcement means Alabama and USC will not play in the season opener and another teams outside those conferences will lose games. In our home state, the Alabama High School Athletics Association continues to prepare for the upcoming season. AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese was a guest on the “On the Mark” radio show last Friday. Savarese updated the listeners on where we are today. He talked about the meeting with the Fall Sports and Football Coaches’ Committees earlier in the week. The virtual meeting included ALSDE State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey and Doctors James Robinson and Jeffery Dugas. Mackey briefed us on his “Roadmap to Reopening Schools” plan. Medical advisors presented the most recent data and updated the best practices relating to high school sports activities. Saverese said the meeting was to hear from the two groups and discuss some of the changes that will be implemented. Coach Sav mentioned some of the changes that will be recommended to the Central Board of Control on July 22. For one, sidelines will look different due to a few changes. Players will be allowed to spread out between the 10 yard lines. Coaches must stay in the normal box (25 yard line to 25 yard line ). Savarese said “No one but essential personnel should be on the sideline. I know the schools are in charge of regular season games. However, the association will issue guidelines for the sidelines,” Savarese said. “I know some schools have more guests on the field than others. Superintendents, principals, mayors, county commissioners and so on. Unfortunately, they will need to sit in the stands or other areas not on the field . . . remember, we are doing everything possible to play sports this fall,” Savarese said after I joked with him about Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller being on Opelika sidelines for 16 years. Other changes include longer timeouts, so teams can clean and sanitize equipment and take care of other issues that may need attention. I applaud AHSAA’s Steve Savarese and staff, ALSDE Dr Eric
Mackey and staff, Dr James Robinson, Dr Jeffery Dugas, the coaches serving on the committees and all those involved trying to find a solution so we can have sports this fall. No question, canceling fall sports would be detrimental to many schools and cities across Alabama. Football generates more money for schools than any other sport. Many programs can’t operate without income from football. Football is responsible for boosting the economy of many cities. The health and safety of student-athletes are more important than anything, but it would be good for everyone if allowed to play. NFHS and AHSAA Partner to Provide 2-Free Pixellot Production Units for free The AHSAA announced the NFHS Network will provide up to two pixellot automated production units for use in their primary sports venues. The program allows schools to stream live and on-demand high school sports and was created to assist schools schools facing revenue loss due to restricted attendance in light of COVID-19. The network allocated $200 million in capital for the nationwide project opened to eligible schools whose state high school association is a NFHS member. Alabama high schools qualify because of its membership, “The NFHS Network is offering a remarkable opportunity for our schools that are currently without automated production capabilities. I encourage our eligible schools to sign up for the units immediately,” Savarese said. The Opelika AllSports Booster Club helped purchase the equipment from the NFHS Network in the first year. All of OHS football games have been live streamed for many years. This year’s games will be aired on YouTube live and on 97.7 Kicker FM. Fans can watch YouTube live at no charge. Opelika Superintendent Mark Neighbors has not announced if fans will be able to attend games in Bulldog Stadium. OHS sent a letter to season ticket holders explaining that no reserved seats will be sold. This will be the first time since Bulldog Stadium opened that fans will not have reserved seats. All seats will be general admission. Stay tuned for details as we get closer to the season opener. WEST RIDGE HOST DIXIE BOYS See SPORTS, page B5
B5 July 15, 2020
A-1 Auto Transport offers scholarship opportunity to Opelika area students Special to the Opelika Observer
A1 Auto Transport, Inc. is not only one of the nation’s largest automobile transport companies, but they are also a company that strives to guide college students into a stable career path. For the last decade the company has offered annual scholarships in amounts ranging from $250 to $1,000 for students across the globe to assist with reducing the financial strain of the cost of
education. This year the company has opened the opportunity to students
in the Opelika region of Alabama and other Alabama cities. To be eligible for entry, students
must be enrolled at an accredited college, university or trade school and maintain a GPA of
Rogers announces East Alabama Service Academy appointees Special to the Opelika Observer
Congressman Mike Rogers announced the appointees from Alabama’s Third Congressional District to the United States Service academies. Students received appointments to the United States Air Force Academy, West Point and United States Naval Academy. “It is always an honor to nominate these outstanding young men and women to our country’s service academies. Each year, I am so impressed with our ambitious candidates and I congratulate each of them on their achievements,” Rogers said.
This year’s appointees include: United States Air Force: Taylor Michalski Parent: Tina Bunyard Central High School Phenix City, Alabama Jay Thomason (Baseball Scholarship) Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Jay Thomason Auburn High School Auburn, Alabama Phillip Ramsey (Football Scholarship) Parents: James Elliott and LaLanya A. Patrick Central High School Phenix City, Alabama West Point: Stephen Torres
Parent: Aimee Torres Auburn High School Auburn, Alabama Aleksander Slavich Parents: Dr. & Mrs. Ivan Slavich, III Brookstone School (Columbus, Georgia) Lanett, Alabama (hometown) United States Naval Academy: Shania Vincent (Track Scholarship) Parents: Mr. Donte & Mrs. Faye Vincent Oxford High School Oxford, Alabama Chloe Clausen Parent: Gigi Clausen Sand Rock High School Piedmont, Alabama
Prepare Girls for Kindergarten with Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama’s Virtual Events Series Social and emotional skills are imperative for success in kindergarten, and Girl Scouts is filling this critical need that has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Special to the Opelika Observer
Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama are launching a free “Make New Friends” virtual event series to ensure that all girls are prepared to start kindergarten with confidence. The COVID-19 pandemic and transition to virtual learning and activities has disrupted important educational milestones, particularly for children entering kindergarten this year. Social and emotional learning is important for success in kindergarten, and as the experts on girls’ leadership and development, Girl Scouts is uniquely poised to lead fun and impactful events that help girls make new friends while boosting their social skills, self-confidence and experience in a classroom or virtual setting. One of the largest girl-serving organizations offering social and emotional kindergarten readiness programming,
Girl Scouts has designed a specialized, engaging four-part virtual event series that is free and open to all girls who are entering kindergarten. Girls will: • practice interacting with other girls, exploring new ideas and gaining the courage to ask questions about what they see •explore emotions and learn how being persistent can help them achieve their dreams • use their senses to process the world around them while
practicing reasoning and problem-solving skills and • learn how to listen to a story, identify key characters, follow a plot line and then share what they learned. Many in-person kindergarten readiness and pre-K programs have been cancelled or modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including opportunities to meet teachers and classmates and to try out a classroom activity. Knowing that social and emotional learning
and development are some of the strongest predictors of academic success and healthy relationships, Girl Scouts has designed fun activities for girls to meet these critical milestones. Events will include activities for girls to explore the solar system, create an inspiring drawing to represent their dreams and remind them to be persistent and much more. “Girl Scouts is filling the critical need of preparing girls to learn, lead and thrive in their kindergarten classrooms,” said GSUSA CEO Sylvia Acevedo. “Girl Scouts’ national reach gives girls in rural, urban and suburban communities the opportunity to learn important pre-K readiness skills, especially social and emotional learning. Our Make New Friends virtual event series helps girls create friendships, develop independence and practice social awareness skills so they are poised for success.” The series will be offered from July 14 to Aug. 6. Parents can sign their girl up for the Make New Friends event series at www. girlscoutssa.org/ready.
at least 3.0. To enter, students will need to submit an original, unpublished essay with at least 1,000 words. Essays must focus on auto transport including international car shipping, motorcycle shipping, door to door car transport, local Alabama vehicle transport and other topics of interest in the automobile transport industry. Essay submissions can be sent to scholarships@a1autotransport. com and must include the student’s name,
SPORTS >> FROM B4 STATE TOURNAMENT Opelika’s West Ridge Park is set to host the 2020 Dixie Boys State Tournament from July 17 to July 19. There will be two divisions, 13U and 14U, playing for the championship and a trip to the Dixie Boys World Series in Sterlington, Louisiana, on Aug. 1 to 5. Three Junior Dixie Boys (13U) teams, Opelika, Beehive and Fairhope, will compete in a round-robin tournament on Friday. The top two teams will play a best-of-three starting Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
mailing and email address, phone number and the name of the school in which the student is enrolled. Entries will be judged by the A-1 Scholarship Committee and winners will be notified this fall. Scholarships will be paid directly to the financial office of the school the winner attends. For further information students can visit the A-1 Auto Transport, Inc. website at www.a1autotransport. com/a-1-auto-transportscholarship/. The “if necessary” game will be Sunday at noon. The schedule is below. Friday, July 17 Opelika vs. Beehive at 4 p.m. Fairhope vs. Beehive at 6:15 p.m. Opelika vs. Fairhope at 8:30 p.m. Four Dixie Boys (14U) teams will play in a double-elimination tournament beginning Friday at 5 p.m. The championship game is scheduled for Sunday at noon. That schedule is below. Friday, July 17 Mudcats vs. Showstoppers at 5 p.m. Fairhope vs. Opelika at 7:30 p.m. Second round begins Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
MISS ALABAMA >> FROM B1
Both girls are now on their way to represent the state of Alabama at the Miss United States 2020 Nationals in Las Vegas, Nevada in October.
B6 July 15, 2020
AJGA Junior All-Star golfers play through heat, rain
Photos by Robert Noles The American Junior Golf Association held a 54-hole tournament from last Monday to Thursday at the RTJ Grand National Lake Course. There were boys and girls divisions, both for players from 12 to 15 years old. Chase Kyes led the field of 78 with a total score of 11-under par (Cooper Claycomb was the runner up at -7, and Reggie Zhu and Zhengfei Han tied for third at -5). On the girls’ side, Avery Weed won at even par for the tournament, followed by Megan Meng at 3-over and Arenui Faana at 4-over.
Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics
B7
July 15, 2020
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Inside the Statehouse
GOP Senate Race Decided
T
he much-anticipated battle between former U.S. Senator and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville to capture the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate was the marquee event on Tuesday. Unfortunately, my column for this week had to go to press prior to the primary votes being counted. Polls indicated that Tuberville would win for one reason and one reason only: Donald Trump endorsed him. President Trump is extremely popular among Republican voters in Alabama. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Trump does not like Sessions. Trump has tweeted negative comments about Sessions, not only during this race but consistently for the last three years. Therefore, the message was clear. Tuberville, to his credit, ran a very simple campaign and said he is Trump’s man. He never deviated and never delved into the issues. He stayed the course and stuck to the script. There is a tried and true adage in Alabama politics that more people vote against someone or something than for someone or something. If Sessions lost this race to recapture this senate seat he held for 20 years, it is because Alabama GOP voters were so enthralled with Donald Trump that they voted against Sessions because Trump asked them to. It certainly was not because Tuberville is more qualified to be our junior U.S. Senator than Jeff Sessions. It really does not matter which one won. Either one, Tuberville or Sessions, will win in November
Photo courtesy of Leigh Krehling/City of Opelika
STEVE FLOWERS against liberal Democrat Doug Jones. It is almost comical that you have a liberal Democrat who has a threeyear voting record of voting straight down the line with the Democratic leadership led by Chuck Schumer, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Nancy Pelosi representing one of the most Republican conservative states in America. Indeed, Jones is the only Democrat in a U.S. Senate seat from the South. Jones has millions of dollars of leftwing California and New York money in the bank for his fall campaign, as well he should. Californians figure they have stolen our seat and have three senators. He has an identical voting record as the aforementioned liberals, but it is also identical to California’s two Democratic senators, Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein. That is why I refer to Jones as the “California Kid.” It really does not matter whether See FLOWERS, page B10
County votes to grant Tier I benefits to Tier II employees By Michelle Key Opelika Observer
In an effort to increase and maintain employee retention, the Lee County Commission voted to grant Tier I benefits to Tier II employees and submit a plan in accordance with Act 2019132 to raise rates as required in Act 2011-676. “A benefit from this is, all of our employees, regardless of when they were hired, will be contributing the exact same amount of money toward the retirement system and will be receiving the exact same
[retirement] benefits,” County Administrator Roger Rendleman explained. Commissioner Robert Ham commented, “I just see where this does nothing but help [retain good employees.] I think it is one more step in keeping these good employees. We are just overrun with good employees in this county. We are so blessed with that… Roger, I applaud you for your efforts on doing this.” In other business, • Sheriff Jay Jones recognized five members of the sheriff’s office for the follow
promotions: - Jason Black - promoted to captain; Black has more than 25 years with the department - Lee McLeroy promoted to sergeant in the Court Security Division; he has six years with the sheriff’s office - Pamela Revels promoted to sergeant in the School Resource Division; Revel has served the sheriff’s office for nearly 16 years - Jeff Snyder - promoted to sergeant in the Investigations Unit he has nearly 10 years See LCC, page B10
Mayor, City Council honor the late Anne M. Grady By Michelle Key Publisher
Mayor Gary Fuller and the Opelika City Council approved a resolution honoring the late Anne M. Grady during last week’s city council meeting. Grady, who passed away on June 14, 2020, had served the Opelika community for the last 45 years. She was the city’s first female elected government official, and she served District 5 for three terms. She also served as the city council president during her last four years in office. Grady was responsible for the inception of the county’s first Leadership Program in the mid-1980s and helped establish similar programs in other communities around the state. She served on several appointed board positions including the United
Way Campaign Chair, Keep Opelika Beautiful, Department of Human Resources Board for Lee County, Opelika Planning Commission, Opelika Board of Zoning Adjustments and many others. Gov. Bob Riley appointed Grady as a member to serve to promote the provisions of the U.S. Highway Beautification Act, and was named Woman of the Year in 1990 by the Opelika Professional and Business Women’s Club. Grady was married to Dr. James D. Grady III who was the ‘love of her life.’ Together they had two daughters and four grandchildren. Fuller and the city council issued the resolution to recognize with great admiration and appreciation the achievements
and contributions that Grady made to the community and to extend their condolences to her family and friends. Grady’s official portrait was presented to her husband during the meeting. Former Mayor of Opelika Barbara Patton spoke of Grady, saying, “Anne was a leader and she knew her job as city council president… she did the job well.” In other business, the council • approved a request by RS Brown Enterprises LLC. DBA Whistle Stop AB Wine and Beer for an on- and off-premise alcohol license • held public hearings for weed abatements for the following properties then voted to approve the lien assessments on the same - 9 Ave. B for the See GRADY, page B9
B8 July 15, 2020
Erica Baker Norris qualifies as candidate for Ward 2 By Will Fairless Associate Editor
Erica Baker-Norris, Vice President Elect of the Alabama Association of Public Personnel Administrators and the Diversity and Inclusion Chairperson of the East Alabama Society of Human Resources Management, has qualified as a candidate for the Ward 2 City Council seat. Baker-Norris is also currently serving as the Human Resources Director for Lee County Commission. She worked for over ten years in public service for the city and county governments. She has also served as the Parent Teacher Organizer President and as a Home Room Mom in the Opelika school system. “I’m most proud of being the mother of three wonderful children,” Baker-Norris said. Her primary goal as a representative of Ward 2 will be to develop a plan for the ward to have a supply of housing that will meet its population’s needs. “I understand the importance of affordable housing for our citizens,” Baker-Norris said, “There is a stigma attached to the term Affordable Housing and this creates a barrier for those individuals who cannot afford high cost housing.” Her plan to create this supply of housing is to preserve affordable rental property while enforcing standards set by fair housing, incentivize the production of affordable housing and educate the community on what affordable housing is. “My hopes is that education will be the start in helping to improve the housing issues in Ward 2,” Baker-Norris said. The following are some other platform items she listed in correspondence with the Observer: • Partnering with educational institutions like Southern Union Community College, recreational facilities, religious organizations and social groups in Ward 2 and the city
BAKER-NORRIS of Opelika to create more opportunities and activities for young people and senior citizens • Partnering with groups and agencies to provide training to the Ward 2 workforce in the areas of interviewing skills, resume preparation, college planning preparation, skilled labor mentoring, diversity and inclusion training and commercial driver’s license training • Building bridges in the community, which includes addressing crime and poverty in Ward 2 and continuing successful projects like upgrading Bandy Park, continuing the Ward 2 Academy and Keep Opelika Beautiful Awards, providing computer classes for senior citizens, assisting citizens with the restoration of voting rights and creating a platform to highlight the great things that people in Ward 2 are doing The point most important to BakerNorris is that she loves people, will advocate for the fair treatment of all people and will work hard for the people in Ward 2. “I am so excited to have an opportunity to earn the vote of the people of Ward 2,” she said, “and to be given a chance to serve them. In a time of so much uncertainty, I am certain of this: I am called to serve.”
Elizabeth Burton to run for Ward 1 city council seat By Will Fairless Associate Editor
Elizabeth Burton, a lifelong Opelika citizen in Ward 1, has decided to run for the city council seat of her ward. She would like to represent the people of Ward 1 and give back to her community. “It will be my total desire to push for the work that is needed to improve the necessary and neglected conditions needed to keep Opelika beautiful,” Burton said. Burton said that she could spend time talking about her degrees and certification in ministry, but would rather tell people that she believes her calling and passion is to serve all people, no matter their races, creeds or genders. “As your leader, I will work extra hard and go above and beyond the call of duty to fight for equality and justice for all,” Burton said. A more concrete plan Burton has is to improve the qualities of roads in Ward 1 and
BURTON the rest of Opelika so that they are safer to travel. Beyond roads, she will be focused on keeping all of Opelika safe, including its youth. “I would like to continue to promote education while being safe and still keeping social distancing,” Burton said, “I feel like the kids should not go back to school right now.” Burton also places a strong emphasis on caring for people on the other end of the age spectrum. “I would like to solicit [everyone] to take a small portion of your time to perform a kind
gesture to a senior citizen or anyone in need,” she said. Burton said she empathizes with those who do not feel heard or helped and who feel overlooked. “If you, the people of Ward 1 will elect me to represent you, I promise that I will work for you and your rights,” Burton said, “I refuse to hold a position just to say that I am a city councilwoman, dust off a city seat, use the tax payers’ dollars for my own financial gain and not help the people of my ward. That is not the person I am.”
Oscar Penn joins Ward 2 race Special to the Opelika Observer
Oscar Penn announced his candidacy for the Ward 2 seat on the Opelika City Council last week. “I’ve been a part of the development and progress of this community since 1987,” Penn said. Penn stated that he has worked to ensure that the citizens of Ward 2 receive a “seat at the table.” “I stood on the frontline against injustices when everyone else was quiet.” Memberships: • President of the Concerned Citizens of Opelika, • Vice-President of Lee County Voters League • Member of the Evision Opelika board • Co-chair of Opelika’s National night Out, • Member of Moms Demand Action Against Gun Violence • Character Council
PENN • Christians Care Ministries • Dad’s League • North West Auburn task force • The Mayor’s Commission Against Crime, which helped bring back the summer job program for youth in the community and was involved with a grant recently given by Gov. Kay Ivey to help curb incarceration of the community’s youth Accomplishments: • Worked with Rep.
Jeremy Gray to get the practice field for the ‘Dawg Pound Youth Football program and to get Moore’s stadium for home games for our children. “My daily routine is answering the needs of the citizen’s no matter what ward or city. I’ve fought this fight and I have proven results that out number some of our elected officials yet not being elected See PENN, page B9
Brandon Fincher announces intention to run for Councilman of Ward 5 Special to the Opelika Observer
Fincher believes this is a critical time for the city to make decisions that will promote sustainable growth and benefit all Opelika citizens. “I am entering this race because I believe Opelika needs a forward-looking city council that is willing to actively pursue and include input from all its citizens into how the city should grow and respond to challenges in this new decade,” Fincher said. “Opelika is filled with wonderful people, but I believe our current leadership is not in tune with the needs of everyday Opelikans.” One example Fincher cites is the pay raise the city council instituted for itself and the mayor set to go into effect this November. The new mayor will receive a whopping $48,000 pay raise in the new pay scale. This $120,000 annual salary will be equal to the salary of Gov. Kay Ivey, who leads a state of approximately five million people while the mayor leads a city of approximately 31,000 people. “I know plenty of hard-working, smart and educated people who do not make $48,000 in a year, much less receive a raise of that amount at taxpayer expense,” Fincher said. The Opelika City Council members will see their salaries rise from $12,000 to $13,200 annually with the city council president pay going from $13,200 to $14,400. The Auburn City Council, whose members already receive less pay than Opelika’s council, considered raising the salary for council members earlier this year but decided against it. Fincher believes the city council and mayor taking this pay raise while so many local businesses and individuals are struggling financially due to COVID-19 losses sends a terrible message about being a public servant. He will work to rescind the mayor and council pay raises and pledges to return his $1,200 raise back to the city’s general fund until he succeeds. “There is an old saying that people
FINCHER who are elected to federal office go to Washington, D.C., to do good but often end up doing well instead. I do not want that ever to be the case in Opelika,” Fincher said. Fincher also supports instituting a three-term limit for council members and the mayor. He believes incumbents usually have a tremendous advantage in knowing how to run elections, which discourages less-experienced candidates from running against them and getting new ideas introduced in local government. This will be the fourth election for the Ward 5 incumbent. The lack of natural recreational spaces in Opelika is another area Fincher believes the city should be addressing. Creekline Trails of Opelika has been able to raise over $25,000 combined from the last two Opelika Giving Days showing there is a tremendous demand for these kinds of outdoor areas. “Hats off to the folks running Creekline Trails for recognizing Opelika citizens are clamoring for outdoor recreational opportunities in Opelika’s beautiful natural spaces,” Fincher said. “This is certainly an area the city should be providing more resources toward rather than forcing its citizens to raise money and manpower to get anything done.” See FINCHER, page B15
B9 July 15, 2020
VA Video Connect more than 1000% more frequent during pandemic Special to the Opelika Observer
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced that the frequency of video telehealth appointments to veterans’ homes has gone up more than 1000% as veterans increasingly chose virtual care through VA Video Connect during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Central Alabama
Veterans Health Care system has conducted more than 6,478 telehealth appointments between March and June. VA Video Connect allows Veterans and their caregivers to meet virtually with their VA care teams on any computer, tablet or mobile device with an internet connection. As in-person interactions decreased in response to the COVID-19
pandemic, VA Video Connect supported veterans’ abilities to continue care and remain safely at home. The usage of video to home services has been increasing since midMarch with peak usage reaching more than 29,000 appointments per day. According to a satisfied CAVHCS veteran who used VA Video Connect: “The telehealth VA physical
Hopeful mayoral candidate hosts community meeting for Ward 2 By Wil Crews Opelika Observer
Last Thursday, Opelika Ward 2 City Council member Tiffany Gibson-Pitts led an online community meeting to discuss COVID-19 and the expectations for the 2020-21 school year. Pitts, who announced her campaign for Opelika mayor in late June, was joined by the Chief of Staff at East Alabama Medical Center, Dr. Michael Roberts, the Emergency Services Coordinator for the Alabama Council on Human Relations, Tabitha Perry, and Opelika City Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Neighbors. The meeting was “bittersweet” for Pitts, as it was her last meeting as a representative of Ward 2 on the city council. First and foremost, the meeting began with Pitts stressing the importance of wearing masks and social distancing as cases of COVID-19 are increasing across the country. Dr. Roberts was then the first to speak extensively. Roberts explained the reasoning behind health measures such as masks and the particulars of how COVID-19 spreads –– namely through droplets dispersed when coughing or sneezing. Roberts also stated that if someone contracts the virus, there is no guarantee that they cannot receive it again. Next, Perry discussed the status of the emergency services that have been deployed in response to coronavirus. Perry explained that ACHR was able to secure rent and utility assistance and used the left-over disaster funding received for the tornados that cut Lee county last March to aid those in need. According to Perry, those funds are dwindling; but she directed the community to make an appointment on the
ACHR website, achr. com, where the various services can be applied for. ACHR can only accept a certain amount of appointments each week and new appointments can be made the last week of each of month. Perry went on to say that funding specifically for COVID-19 has not come yet, but will be available soon for those whose income was affected by the virus. Perry emphasized that those who qualify for assistance, must have been directly affected monetarily by COVID-19. Updates on funding and services can be found on ACHR’s website or Facebook. Dr. Neighbors spoke at length and addressed the community’s concerns about coronavirus’s effect on the impending school year. Neighbors ref lected on the focused effort the education system made to assist with students’ mental health and to maintain virtual learning at the end of this past school year. “But we realized that students’ lost some things and we don’t want them losing more,” Neighbors said. To combat that, Neighbors added that he has two main goals going forward. He stressed the importance of one, face-toface instruction and two, safe instruction. Again, Neighbors stressed the importance of face masks, hand washing and social distancing. This comes on the heels of the recent announcement that all students who attend Opelika schools will be required to wear face masks for the upcoming 2020-21 school year. According to Neighbors, schools will not punish students for not donning masks and will provide cloth coverings as long as supplies last. Neighbors stated his goal of having $1 million worth of Chromebooks dispersed to the Opelika community by July 22. He also explained the technological options
for virtual learning as Opelikians can register for either full-time in-person or distanced instruction for the upcoming school year. Neighbors realizes the challenge of requiring students to wear masks and social distance when in a classroom, in particular for elementary learning. “I think that’s going to be very similar to washing a cat, that’s going to be a tough job,” Neighbors said. While the chances of young students contracting the virus is low, Neighbors shared concerns for keeping staff safe as well –– another importance reason behind the masks requirement. The school system will employ sanitizing sprays and hand sanitizer from the minute student’s step off the bus until they leave for home. Furthermore, Neighbors said that in the event that health and safety standards are being jeopardized, everything but core academics will be limited first. Things such as PE, lunch, elective courses and extracurriculars are being altered to promote a safe learning experience. Neighbors brief ly touched on fall athletics, in particular football season, and said he is waiting on more information from the state before making any official decisions. Lastly, Neighbors emphasized the desire to avoid turning school into a daycare and implored parents to respond to the surveys sent out regarding in-person or virtual preferences for learning this year. “Our next step is finding out that balance,” Neighbors said. “Getting back to our goal of the safest, best instructional environment, is what we’re trying to do.” Pitts concluded the meeting by commending Roberts, Perry and Neighbors for their efforts and thanking the Opelika community for their patience and cooperation during these uncertain times.
therapy appointment and the phone consult I had with the podiatrist was excellent.” The increase at CAVHCS represents a 2391.54 % increase from March 2020 to June 2020. VA is also taking strides to bridge the digital divide for veterans who lack the technology or broadband internet connectivity required to participate in VA tele-health services. At
PENN >> FROM B8 has kept me from taking us to the levels we deserve... ,” Penn said. “I’m asking for your vote and support because I’m fighting every day. My life is totally consumed with making a difference [for people] whether
GRADY >> FROM B7 amount of $263.34 - Williamson Avenue for the amount of $213.24 - 3307 Arnold Ave. for the amount of $202.86 - 509 1st Ave. for the amount of $263.80 • held a public hearing for the rezoning of 25.7 acres at the corner of Waverly and Veterans Parkways • approved a bid for a contract with South Dade Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Inc. for 2020 city-wide ADA improvement project • approved the purchase of school safety signals for an amount not to exceed $103,945 • approved the purchase of a Fortinet security device maintenance agreement for a total amount of $16,369.26 • approved the purchase of a Cisco camera system for the Sportsplex for the total amount of $145,082.23 • approved and accepted a proposal from Ai-Media for real-time closed captioning and post transcript services to be utilized with the city’s video recording of public meetings of the City Council, Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment for an amount of $7,960 • approved and accepted a proposal from Tyler Technologies for a cyber security assessment and plan for the amount of $56,340 • approved a contract with Seely & Long Associates, Inc. for grant administration services • approved a motion to retain Riley & Jackson, P.C. for
the national level, VA is working with strategic partners, through the VA Secretary’s Center of Strategic Partnerships, to increase access to the technology that veterans need to connect with their VA health care team virtually. “As we near the third anniversary of the launch of VA Video Connect, VA has and continues to maintain access to high-quality
health care for veterans, even during these challenging times,” said CAVHCS Interim Director Amir Farooqi. “As the service becomes more popular, VA remains committed to providing a seamless user experience to ensure veterans have access to care where and when they need it.” For information about VA’s telehealth services, visit connectedcare. va.gov.
it’s getting one’s lights turned on or whatever the case may be, I answer the call. “Let not my work be in vain. Many of you know my desire to serve with unconditional love. I’m all in for this community. I have been and always will be. I’m no respecter
of person, everyone matters to me. I’m the only candidate that works in season and out of season. I don’t wait till election year to show my love [for the community]. I’m the only candidate that has worked with every current elected official in Lee County.”
litigation against manufacturers and distributors of opioids • approved a resolution pertaining to street lights that are placed within the service areas for Alabama Power Company and Tallapoosa River Electric Cooperative but are within the city limits of Opelika • approved a change order for the Geneva Street Project for an additional $223,613.75 • approved a resolution to vacate a sanitary sewer easement • approved Ordinance No. 011-20 to amend the Towne Lake Planned Unit Development (PUD) Master Plan • approved Ordinance No. 01220 to amend the Cannon Gate PUD Master Plan • approved Ordinance No. 013-20 to amend the zoning ordinance and map to rezone 6.6 acres of land located near Dale Avenue • approved Ordinance No. 014-20 to amend the zoning ordinance and map to rezone 2.87 acres of land located at 1402 Fitzpatrick Ave. • approved Ordinance No. 015-20
to amend the zoning ordinance and map to rezone 0.07 acres of land located at 1813 Old Columbus Road • introduced for first reading an ordinance to amend the zoning ordinance and map to rezone 25.7 acres of land located at the corner of Waverly and Veterans Parkways • introduced for first reading an ordinance requesting annexation of one lot located at 4002 Marvyn Parkway. Opelika City Council meetings are held the first and third Tuesday nights of every month starting at 7 p.m. Work sessions are held prior to the council meetings with the time of the work sessions varying. Council meetings can be viewed live via the city’s YouTube channel, called Opelika City Gov. The public can attend the meetings in person, but social distancing is required so space may be limited. Agendas for both the work sessions and meetings can be found on the city’s website www.opelika-al.gov. The next meeting will be held on July 21.
B10 July 15, 2020
Delving into political slogans: ‘Yes, We Can’ to ‘Keep America Great’
House in the 2008 election cycle. His small resume, compared to previous presidential contenders, required that he emphasize the uniqueness of his campaign, personality and opportunity to transform the government. So, his two main slogans were dynamic and appropriate for his campaign. The best-known slogan was “Yes, We Can.” Frequently shown on posters, “Yes, We Can” was presented with the Obama “Hope” poster. This is an image of Obama two years before the election, designed by street artist Shepard Fairey. It became an iconic portrait in pencil depicting the candidate in solid red, beige, light and dark blue. Another slogan was “Change We Can
Believe In.” I consider this weak because it wants it both ways—it doesn’t support change completely, so is not as hopeful as it might otherwise be. It just seems qualified, where “Yes, We Can” is like a high school sports cheer when your team is a bit behind yet victory is well within reach. John McCain, with a large military and political resume, took the slogan “Country First” to remind people of his accomplishments and what motivated him. The second slogan was “Reform, Prosperity and Peace.” What a mouthful! All three topics are great goals, but slogans that really move people are best with simpler words. In 2012, President Obama used the slogan “Forward.” It’s good on a poster, very progressive. But a crowd yelling just “Forward” is unappealing. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney used a harsh “Obama Isn’t Working” slogan. The danger is racial implications: i.e. “Obama isn’t working for whites” or “He is not working because he’s inept.” I doubt
Mitt thought about how “…Isn’t Working” could be interpreted. Four years later, Donald Trump emerged on the political scene. His slogan was “Make America Great Again” and as a skilled showman Trump developed red and white MAGA baseball caps. Hillary Clinton had four slogans: the workable “Hillary for America,” the acceptable but not stirring “Forward Together,” the better “Stronger Together,” and the popular but gender-focused “I’m with Her.” Now, to this year, with the presidential and congressional election set for November 3. President Trump ‘s slogan has morphed to “Keep America Great” or the alternative “Transition to Greatness.” On that, “Transition” seems to be about gradualism and is uninspiring. One thing you do not see as much is the aging “Build the Wall and Crime Will Fall.” Former Vice President Joe Biden’s slogan is: “Our Best Days Still Lie Ahead.” That is optimistic and departs from
the gloominess of usual political talk. Bernie Sanders’ famous slogan from 2016 was “Feel the Bern.” That one is great—clever and references the “heat” spread by Sanders’ enthusiastic progressives. In 2020, he sometimes used “Not Me. Us.” It is an oblique reference to politicians who put their personal interests before the common good. It’s a short, sweet line that I believe is derived from a television commercial, perhaps a public service announcement. Andrew Yang had the effective “Not Left. Not Right. Forward.” But most Democrats wanted the Left to be emphasized, not anything else. Incidentally, it’s worth noting how Donald Trump got the idea for his catchy slogan. He first thought of “Make America Great Again” after the Republican loss in 2012. Republicans figured that Mitt Romney was a shoo-in, giving the poor economy, so Trump was thinking what his own route might be to win in 2016. On January 17, 2017, three days before assuming the presidency,
he remarked: “I said, ‘We’ll make America great.’ I started off ‘We Will Make America Great.’ That was my first idea, but I didn’t like it. And all of a sudden it was going to be ‘Make America Great.’ But that didn’t work because it slighted America because that means it was never great before. And America has been great before.” He settled on ‘Make America Great Again’ and never looked back. Trump was so pleased that he approached his lawyers saying, “See if you can have this registered and trademarked.” Just days after Romney’s loss, Trump signed an application to trademark the phrase. Then he may have said, like Arnold Schwarzenegger: “Hasta la vista baby” to people who doubted he would actually seek the presidency. Greg Markley has lived in Lee County for 20 of the past 24 years. An award-winning journalist, he has master’s degrees in education and history. He taught political science as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama.
spend precious time and energy getting involved in a U.S. Senate GOP Primary in Alabama, other than for spiteful vengeance towards a man who simply would not do his bidding and bend the law, his principles and integrity? Trump is in a very difficult uphill battle to win a second term as president. He should be focused on campaigning for his own re-election in the five pivotal battleground states. Under the Electoral College System of selecting our
president, these are really the only five to ten states that matter. We in the Heart of Dixie are irrelevant in the election, as is California. As I have often said, if Mickey Mouse were the Republican nominee, Mickey would carry Alabama. Conversely, if Donald Duck were the Democratic nominee, Donald would carry California. Folks, the election for president in November will be decided in the states of Florida, Ohio,
Minnesota, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Under the Electoral College numbers, Trump must carry all five of these states. Currently, polling has him losing all five of these states. He is behind by double digits in Michigan and Pennsylvania. On election night, as his advisors are lamenting a landslide massacre, they may pose this question to the egocentric, brash, New Yorker, “Why on God’s green earth were
you campaigning in a Republican U.S. Senate race in Ruby Red Alabama rather than for yourself in the swing state of Florida?” The media is one of the primary reasons the nation has become so deeply divided along partisan lines. Today, people vote for a party rather than for the individual candidate. You are either in the conservative Republican column or the liberal Democratic corner. CNN and MSNBC, and to a
large degree CBS and NBC, are unabashedly the Democratic channels. Whereas FOX News may as well be broadcast from the Republican National Committee headquarters. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
• approved the minutes of the June 29, 2020, commission meeting • voted to ratify and approve claims and
procurement card transactions from June • introduced and held the first reading of three vacancies on East Alabama Health
Care Authority Board - Citizen interest forms from Bob Dumas, Dozier Smith T and Chris Nunn, have been received for possible reappointment for these vacancies. • announced the upcoming vacancies on the following boards: - four positions on the Lee County Cemetery Preservation Commission Board - two positions on the Lee County Recreation Board and - one position on the Horseshoe Bend Regional Library Board • voted to approve polling place changes for the November 3 General Election; the changes are as follows: - the Beat 5 polling place will be moved from the Town Hall to the Family Life Enrichment Center at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist church. The previous voting location in the community center building in District 5 was condemned earlier this year. The town hall that was used for Tuesday’s primary runoff is in District 1, while
the Enrichment Center is in District 5. - the Beat 8 polling place in Salem will be moved from Wacoochee Elementary School to the Board of Education’s ‘LC2’ building on Lee Road 145 across US Highway 280 from the road that the school is on. The LC2 building is next door to the old Salem school building. • voted to approve County Attorney Stan Martin to serve as a defense attorney for Probate Judge and County Commission Chairman Bill English as needed. English announced that he has been added as a defendant to the federal election lawsuit previously discussed. • voted to approve personnel policies revisions as proposed and presented by Rendleman • nominated and voted to approve Commissioner Johnny Lawrence to attend the ACCA’s ONE Voice Session in Prattville on Aug. 20. • nominated and
voted to approve Commissioner Robert Ham to serve on the 2020-2021 ACCA Legislative Committee • voted to approve a digital information cooperative agreement with ALDOT - The agreement is a grant from ALDOT that supports the periodic orthographic photography project that the county conducts jointly with the cities of Auburn and Opelika. The most recent f lyover of the county was conducted in January of the current year. In exchange for the funds provided in the grant, the county provides ALDOT access to the completed project and associated information. The Lee County Commission meets at 5 p.m. on the second and last Monday nights of every month. The next meeting will be held on July 27. Meetings are held in the commission chamber, which is located on the second floor of the Lee County Courthouse Annex.
By Greg Markley For the Opelika Observer
In 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger announced on late-night TV that he was a candidate in a special recall election for California governor. He had no trouble winning as his supporters would chant “I’ll be back,” from his Terminator movies. When he ran for a second term in 2006, people again shouted that phrase as he beat his closest opponent by 16 points. “I’ll be back” was his signature phrase as an actor. But it became sort of a political slogan. Message: Arnold would “be back” after tussling with the problems in the Golden State. His popularity as a Republican was due to his social liberalism and his star power. On July 1, 2020, I wrote about slogans from Alabama’s elections of 2018 and 2020. Today we look at presidential candidates’ slogans from 2008-2020. Barack Obama was able to move from his short time in the U.S. Senate to the White
FLOWERS >> FROM B7 Tuberville or Sessions is the one that takes Jones out in November, either one will vote conservatively and straight down the line with the GOP Senate leadership. Either would be an older freshman senator and have very little power. The seniority system prevails in the U.S. Senate and House, which brings me to this point. Why in the world would Donald Trump
LCC >> FROM B7 of service with the department
B11 July 15, 2020
PUBLIC NOTICES CITY OF OPELIKA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Blvd., Opelika, Lee County, Alabama. PURPOSE The purpose of said Public Hearing will be to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend Ordinance Number 124-91 (entitled “Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika”) adopted on September 17, 1991. At said Public Hearing all who desire to be heard shall have the opportunity to speak for or in opposition to the adoption of the following ordinance: ORDINANCE NO. _______ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA BY AMENDING SECTION 2.2 “DEFENITIONS” TO ADD DEFINITIONS FOR “CONSUMER SHOPPING GOODS”, “GROCERY STORE”, AND “SMALL BOX DISCOUNT STORE” AND; TO AMEND SECTION 7.3C “USE CATEGORIES” TO PROVIDE FOR ZONING DISTRICTS WHERE“CONSUMER SHOPPING GOODS”, “GROCERY STORES”, AND “SMALL BOX DISCOUNT STORES” ARE ALLOWED OR ALLOWED BY CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT;
TO ADD SUBSECTION 8.28.1 “SMALL BOX DISCOUNT STORE” TO PROVIDE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR SMALL BOX DISCOUNT STORES, PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE, PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE WHEREAS, the City of Opelika (the “City”) currently has nine small box discount stores; and WHEREAS, Small box discount stores typically offer mostly inexpensive, energy-dense, low-nutritive foods and beverages rather than fresh, nutritious foods, and; WHEREAS, Opelika residents face increasing threats to sufficient access to fresh and nutritious food, and residents typically have more access to small box discount stores and convenience stores than to nutritious food; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to promote access to healthy food options in underserved neighborhoods by regulating small box discount stores; and WHEREAS, a good mix of food retail has the potential to revitalize neighborhoods and improve access to a healthy diet, particularly for populations in underserved areas; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. Adoption of recitals: That the foregoing
recitals and findings in the preambles and each of them, are hereby adopted and are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full. Section 2. Amendment of Section 2.2 of the Zoning Ordinance: That section 2.2 “DEFINITIONS” of Ordinance Number 124-91 (entitled “Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika”) adopted on September 17, 1991, as amended (hereinafter referred to as “Zoning Ordinance” or “Zoning Code”) is further amended to add the following definitions of “Consumer Shopping Goods”, “Grocery Store” and “Small Box Discount Store” : Section 2.2 Definitions Consumer Shopping Goods: Retail sales uses that sell or otherwise provide wearing apparel, fashion accessories, furniture, household appliances and similar consumer goods, large and small, functional and decorative, for use, entertainment, comfort or aesthetics. Typical uses include clothing stores, department stores, appliance stores, TV and electronics stores, bike shops, book stores, costume rental stores, stationery stores, art galleries, hobby shops, furniture stores, pet stores and pet supply stores, shoe stores, antique shops, record stores, toy stores, sporting goods stores, video stores, musical instrument stores, , office supplies and office furnishing stores and wig shops. Does not include small box discount stores or grocery stores Grocery Store: A retail store
where a minimum of 50 percent of the floor area or more than 25,000 square feet of floor area is devoted to food items including, but not limited to, fresh produce, fresh meats, fresh dairy products and prepackaged foods. A principal use grocery store may include an accessory use pharmacy, restaurant or dining area for on-premise consumption of food and beverage items. Small Box Discount Store: Retail sales uses with floor area less than 14,000 square feet that offer for sale a combination and wide variety of small and inexpensive convenience shopping goods and consumer shopping goods. Small box discount stores do not include retail stores that: (1) dedicate at least 15% of shelf space to fresh or fresh frozen food; (2) dedicate less than 2% of shelf space to food of any kind; (3) contain a prescription pharmacy, or (4) offer for sale gasoline or diesel fuel Section 3. Amendment of Section 7.3C of the Zoning Ordinance. That section 7.3C “Use Categories” of the Zoning Ordinance is hereby further amended to provide for “Consumer Shopping Goods”, “Grocery Stores” and “Small Box Discount Stores” in the matrix table and the pertinent portion of the table be and the same is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 4. Amendment to Section VIII of Zoning Ordinance. That Section VIII, “GENERAL REGULATIONS”, of the Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended by adding a new subsection to be numbered 8.28.1, which said subsection shall read as follows: “Section 8.28.1 Small Box Discount Stores A. Purpose and Intent The purpose and intent of this section is to regulate the continued growth and development of small box discount stores, promotes greater diversity of retail options and convenient access to fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy foods. The number of small box discount stores have increased over the last decade. Many of these stores are in close proximity to each other. While it is recognized that small box discount stores may be the only convenient source of some food items for people in areas underserved by traditional grocery stores, it is also recognized that small box variety stores offer limited healthy fresh food options, especially when it comes to fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh or frozen meats. A good mix of food retail has the potential to revitalize neighborhoods and commercial centers and improve access to a healthy diet, particularly for populations in underserved areas. Most of these stores are located in areas classified by the United States Department of Agriculture as food deserts. The City of Opelika desires to continue to allow the presence of small box discount stores, but it is also necessary to regulate them and to encourage stores to offer more healthy fresh food options. These regulations will promote the efficient use of land and resources in the City of Opelika, AL, and are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens
of Opelika. The City of Opelika will accomplish this by assessing the food retail environment based upon an evaluation of the subject retail landscape at the time of a zoning application B. Use Standards and Dispersal Requirements 1) Small box discount stores are prohibited unless the proposed use is located more than 5,280 feet from another small box discount store, within or outside the City of Opelika corporate boundaries. The separation distances shall be measured in a straight line from property line of the small box variety store to the property line of the other use. 2) Small box discount stores are prohibited unless the proposed use is located more than 200 feet from any property used primarily for a single-family residence. The separation distances shall be measured in a straight line from property line of the small box discount store to the property line of the residential use. 3) Incidental outdoor display is prohibited at all small box discount stores. 4) All refuse, recycling or other waste shall be located behind the front plane of building and shall be completely screened from view by a solid opaque fence or structure. This requirement shall apply to both the front and side of building located adjacent to a street. 5) If located at least 5,280 feet from another Small box discount store, this use is permitted by conditional use permit (“CUP”) only. In addition to the criteria for a CUP set forth in Section 8.17, when reviewing a request for CUP for a small box discount store use, the Planning Commission shall consider: a. Whether the proposed small box discount store will likely have a detrimental impact on the development
of grocery stores and other businesses that sell fresh and healthy food items in the area to be served by the proposed use. b. The availability of healthy food options in the area of the proposed use including the proximity of full-service grocery stores within onehalf mile of the proposed use and effect of the use on the retail food environment index as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. c. Whether the proposed use is within a food desert, as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture at the time of application. 6) A CUP approved under this section must stipulate that a minimum of 15 percent of the floor area of the Small box discount store must be dedicated to fresh produce, meat and dairy products. 7) A nonconforming small box discount store in existence prior to approval of this amendment, may relocate on the same parcel or within the same shopping center that it currently exists without obtaining a CUP provided the nonconforming small box discount store has not been terminated as provided in Section 8-20, Non-conforming Uses and Non-conforming Structures of the zoning ordinance and the use complies with all other applicable regulations. Section 5. Severability. If any section, clause, provision or portion of this Ordinance shall be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, said holding shall not affect any other section, clause, provision or portion of this Ordinance, which is not in or of itself invalid or unconstitutional. Section 6. Repeal of Conflicting Ordinances. Any ordinance or parts thereof in conflict with the provisions
of this ordinance are hereby repealed. Section 7. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect and be enforced immediately upon its adoption and publication as required by law. Section 8. Publication. The City Clerk is directed to publish a synopsis of this ordinance in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama pursuant to Section 11-45-8(b)(2), Code of Alabama, (1975) as amended. Section 9. Codification. Codification of this Ordinance in the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika, Alabama, is hereby authorized and directed. END. The City Council reserves the right to amend or alter any of the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing and he heard. Written comments concerning the above matter may be mailed to the City Clerk at City Hall, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama 36803, at any time prior to the public hearing and may be further submitted to the City Council at the meting and public hearing. Please contact Kevin Rice, the City’s ADA compliance officer, at (334) 705-2083 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability. THIS NOTICE is given under my hand, this the 8th day of July, 2020. /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OPELIKA, ALABAMA Legal Run 07/15/2020
NOTICE OF PUBLIC Section 6. EFFECTIVE HEARING DATE. This Ordinance NOTICE IS HEREBY shall become effective GIVEN that the City upon its adoption, apCouncil of the City of proval and publication as Opelika will hold a required by law. Public Hearing on TuesSection 7. PUBLICAday, August 18, 2020, at TION. This Ordinance 7:00 p.m. in the Courtshall be published one room of the Municipal (1) time in a newspaper Court Building, 300 Marof general circulation in tin Luther King, Blvd., the City of Opelika, Lee Opelika, Lee County, County, Alabama. Alabama. END. PURPOSE The City Council reserves The purpose of said Public the right to amend or Hearing will be to considalter any of the proposed er the adoption of an ordinance to amend Ordinance amendments to the zoning ordinance. Number 124-91 (entitled All interested parties are “Zoning Ordinance of the invited to attend the public City of Opelika”) adopted hearing and be heard. The on September 17, 1991. public hearing and be At said Public Hearing heard. Written comments all who desire to be heard concerning the above matshall have the opportunity ter may be mailed to the to speak for or in opposiCity Clerk at City Hall, tion to the adoption of the P.O. Box 390, Opelika, following ordinance: Alabama 36803 at any ORDINANCE NO.__________ time prior to the public ORDINANCE TO hearing and may be furAMEND THE ZONING ther submitted to the City ORDINANCE AND Council at the meeting and ZONING MAP OF THE public hearing. CITY OF OPELIKA Please contact Kevin Rice, (The Villages of Opelika the City’s ADA comPUD) pliance officer, at (334) BE IT ORDAINED by the 705-2083 at least City Council (the “City two (2) working days Council”) of the City of prior to the meeting if you Opelika, Alabama (the require special accommo“City”) as follows: dations due to a disability. Section 1. FINDINGS. WITNESS my hand this The City Council has the 8th day of July, 2020. determined and hereby /s/ Russell A. Jones finds and declares that the CITY CLERK OF THE following facts are true CITY OF OPELIKA, and correct: ALABAMA (a) QOZB1, LLC heretoLegal Run 07/15/2020 fore submitted to the City –––––––––––––––––––– a Development Plan for a planned unit development PROBATE COURT OF (“PUD”) entitled “VilLEE COUNTY, AL lages of Opelika PUD” consisting of approximate- IN THE MATTER OF: THOMAS E. POLLARD, ly 21.92 acres. an incapacitated person (b) The proposed develNOTICE OF FILING OF opment is located in a R-5 PARTIAL SETTLEDistrict (High Density Residential District) and MENT is located at 3001 Hi Pack INTERESTED PERSONS Drive between Hi Pack TAKE NOTICE that Drive and King Street. BIRDIE P. PETER(c) The development Plan SON, as Conservator of provides for 94 single THOMAS E. POLLARD, family homes, 34 twin an incapacitated person, homes/town homes, and has filed her accounting 20 small bungalows. The requesting approval of a overall density for the partial settlement of said development is 6.75 units Estate. 30 day of July, per acre. An amenity area 2020, at 10:00 a.m. has will include a dog park, been set the time to review recreational facilities, and said accounting. approximately 3.2 acres of Done this the 23 open space. (d) The Planning Commis- day of June, 2020. BILL ENGLISH, sion heretofore conducted PROBATE JUDGE a public hearing on the proposed development and Legal Run 07/01/20, 07/08/20 & 07/15/20 referred to the City Coun--------------cil its recommendation NOTICE OF COURT to approve the proposed PROCEEDING IN THE development. PROBATE COURT OF (e) It is advisable and in interest of the City and the LEE COUNTY ALABAMA public interest that the Notice of the filing of property described in Petition for Summary Section 3 below should be developed as a mixed use Distribution residential development. In the Estate of DOROSection 2. APPROVAL THY JEAN KINSER, OF DEVELOPMENT deceased PLAN. The Development Notice is hereby given that Plan as submitted for a Petition for Summary review is hereby approved Distribution has been filed and confirmed as required in the LEE COUNTY by Section 8.18(N) of the Probate Office by Daniel Zoning Ordinance of the E. Kinser on June 22, City. 2020 Section 3. DESIGNApursuant to Section 43-2TION OF PLANNED 690, Code of Alabama and UNIT DEVELOPMENT. that 30 days after the noThe Official Zoning Map tice of publication hereof of the City is hereby and pursuant to law the amended and the zonCourt shall be requested ing classification for the to enter an Order directing following parcel of land Summary Distribution of shall be changed from a R-5 District (High Density the estate of said decedent.. Residential District) to BILL ENGLISH, a Planned Unit DevelPROBATE JUDGE opment (“PUD”) on the LEGAL RUN 07/01/20, Official Zoning Map: 07/08/20 & 07/15/20 Parcel – B and Parcel – C, --------------HIPACK PARK, accordIN THE PROBATE ing to and as shown by COURT OF LEE that certain map or COUNTY, ALABAMA plat thereof of record in Town Plat Book 10, at IN THE MATTER OF Page 134, in the Office of THE ESTATE OF DAthe Judge of Probate of VID SCOTT DARNELL, Lee County, Alabama. DECEASED The above described CASE NO.: 2020-2 property containing 21.92 1.BUDGE OF PROBATE acres is located at 3001 NOTICE TO CREDIHi-Pack Drive between TORS Hi Park Drive and King LETTERS OF Street. ADMINISTRATION Section 4. RETENhave been granted to Jill TION OF COPIES OF R. Darnell on the 24th THE DEVELOPMENT day of June, 2020 by the PLAN. Copies of the Honorable Bill English. Development Plan shall be maintained in the office NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons of the City Clerk, City having claims against said Planner, City Engineer, Estate are hereby required and Building Official and to present the same within shall be open for public the time allowed by law or inspection. the same will be barred. Section 5. REPEALER. JILL R. DARNELL That any ordinance or part Legal Run 07/08/20, thereof in conflict with the 07/15/20 & 07/22/2020 provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B11 hereby repealed.
B12 July 15, 2020
PUBLIC NOTICES >> FROM B12 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA JUVENILE DIVISION J.D.R. a minor child (DOB: 11/23/2005), Case No. JU 15-175.03 NOTICE OF PETITION & SERVICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE TO: Christopher Darez Washington, father of J. D. R, a minor child, born at The Medical Center in Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia on 11/23/2005 to Dominic Rudd.. The legal Custody of J. D. R. was vested in the Lee County Department of Human Resources on December 23, 2018. Christopher Darez Washington must answer the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of Christopher Darez Washington filed in the Juvenile Court of Lee County, Alabama within fourteen (14) days from the last date of Publication of this notice with the Clerk of Court located at the Lee County Justice Center, 2311 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801, or thereafter, a final judgment may be entered in Case JU 15-175.03 terminating his parental rights and placing the child for adoption. Mary Roberson, CIRCUIT CLERK Hon. Harold S. Patrick Attorney for Lee County DHR 2108-D Gateway Drive Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 741-0809 MARY B. ROBERSON CIRCUIT CLERK Legal Run 07/01/20, 07/08/20, 07/15/20 & 07/22/20 --------------FORM OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR COMPLETION LEGAL NOTICE In accordance with Chapter I, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Whatley Construction LLC, Contractor, has completed the Contract for T.K. Davis Justice Center Courtroom Finish-Out, located at 2311 Gateway Drive Opelika, AL 36801 for the Lee County Commission, owner, and have made request for final settlement of said
Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify John Randall Wilson, 900 Janet Drive Auburn, AL 36801. Whatley Construction LLC Post Office Box 137 Opelika, Alabama 368030137 Legal Run 06/24/20, 07/01/20, 07/08/20 & 07/15/20 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE:THE ESTATE OF HELEN BAILEY MURPHY,DECEASED. TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Raymond Lamar Murphy, Sr., as Executor of the Estate of Helen Bailey Murphy, deceased, on the 25th day ofJune, 2020, by the Honorable Bill English. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same be barred. Raymond Lamar Murphy, Sr., Executor Of the Estate of Helen Bailey Murphy, Deceased Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033 Legal 07/08/20, 07/15/20, 07/22/2020 --------------CITY OF OPELIKA NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS TO: RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED CITIZENS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Opelika, Alabama will hold a regular meeting and will be conducting public hearings on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. in the Meeting Chamber at Opelika Municipal Court located at 300 MLK Boulevard, Opelika, Alabama. A Planning Commission work session begins at 2:45 PM. The purpose of the public hearings is to receive public comment on the following: • A public hearing on a request by the City of Opelika for preliminary and final plat approval of the
City of Opelika Proposed Library Site subdivsion plat consisting of one lot (combining lots together) accessed at 1100 Glenn Street. • A public hearing on a request by Mike Maher, authorized representative for Moore’s Construction, LLC, property owner, for preliminary and final plat approval of the Dickson, Redivision of Lot 3, Phase 1 subdivision, 4 lots, accessed at 2010 Andrews Road. • A public hearing on a request by Mike Maher, authorized representative for Moore’s Construction, LLC, property owner, for preliminary plat approval of the Dickson Redivision of Lot 3 subdivision, 51 lots, accessed at 2010 Andrews Road. • A public hearing on a request by Mike Maher, authorized representative for Cannon Timber & Land, LLC, property owners, for preliminary plat approval of the Arrowhead, Redivision of Parcel B, Phase 2 subdivsion, 39 lots, accessed at the Western terminus of Arrowhead Road. • A request by Blake Rice, authorized representative of SMB Land, LLC, property owners, for final plat approval of the Trillium Phase 2-D subdivision consisting of 38 lots accessed at Honeycomb Drive from India Road. • A request by David Fichtner, property owner, 6 lots, for final plat approval of the Willie Bryant subdivision accessed from 3800 block Hamilton Road. • A public hearing on a request by Thomas Johnson, authorized representative for Metro Properties , Inc., property owner, for conditional use approval for a duplex development (six duplexes, Colonial Arms Duplexes) consisting of 12 dwelling units accessed at 802 North Long Street. • A public hearing on a request by David Slocum, Pinnacle Design Group, Inc., authorized representative for DiBenedetto Enterprises, property owner, for a minor revision to the Waverly Parkway PUD (Planning Unit Development) Master Plan accessed at the corner of Waverly Parkway and Veterans Parkway. Due to topography difficulties, the front setback for townhouse units would be reduced from 25 feet to 15 feet. • An agenda item to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request by David Fichtner, property owner, to annex 11.3 acres into the City limits located at the 3800 block Hamilton Road; an R-1 zone is requested. • A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on proposed text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance:
Amend Section 2.2 Definitions: add Alternative Financial Service Providers; Amend Section 7.3, C. Use Categories (matrix table) adding Alternative Financial Service Providers; Add a new section, Section 8.28 ‘Standards for Specific Land Uses’ and add sub-section 8.28.2 ‘Alternative Financial Service Providers’ • The following other agenda item is included for review as “Other Business” at the July 28th Planning Commission meeting: Statutory Review, City of Opelika, 1100 Glenn Street, C-2 and C-3, GC-S, New Municipal Library All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting/public hearings and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Planning Director at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama 36801 at any time prior to the meeting/ public hearings and may be further submitted to the Planning Commission at the meeting/public hearings. The Planning Commission reserves the right to modify or alter any of the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and to make its recommendations accordingly to the City Council. Please contact Kevin Rice, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334705-5132 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability. ______________________ PLANNING DIRECTOR TO: PUBLISHER OPELIKA OBSERVER 225 South 8th Street Opelika, AL 36801 Please publish the foregoing Notice one (1) time in the July 15th issue of your paper. ______________________ PLANNING DIRECTOR Legal Run 07/15/2020 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA In the Matter of the Estate of JESSIE MURIEL WILLIAMS, Deceased Case No. 2020-187 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR AND NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS Letters of Administration on the Estate of JESSIE MURIEL WILLIAMS, deceased, having been granted to the undersigned, ASAILA NAKEMA THOMAS on the 29th day of June, 2020 by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate of said County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate, are hereby
required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred. Asaila Nakema Thomas, Administrator, Estate of Jessie Muriel Williams, deceased Legal Run 07/15/20, 07/22/20 & 07/29/20 --------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF JOHN T. CRUMP, JR. Deceased PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2020-232 NOTICE TO CREDITOR Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of JOHN T. CRUMP, JR., deceased having been granted to Katherine Crump, on the 29th day of June, 2020, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Katherine Crump Legal Run 07/15/20, 07/22/20 & 07/29/20 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: The Estate of Kristi Elizabeth Tidwell, Deceased Case No: 2020-238 NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters of Administration were granted to Mellanie C. Vinyard, as Administrator of the Estate of Kristi Elizabeth Tidwell, deceased, on the 2nd of July, 2020, by the Hon. Bill English. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Mellanie C. Vinyard Legal Run 07/15/20, 07/22/20, & 07/29/20 --------------Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1242 North Dean Road, Auburn, AL 36830, August 6 2020 @ 10:00 am Yandchia Ridley Higdon Unit 274 p.o. box 3283 Auburn , AL 36831 Furniture and clothing household
items The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property. Legal Run 07/15/20 & 07/22/2020 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA In the Matter of: Kenneth Day, an alleged incapacitated person TO: Any interested party: Lee County DHR has filed a Petition to appoint a Legal Guardian for the person of Kenneth Day. It is ordered that the 25th day of August, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. be appointed a day on which to hear such petition, at the Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th St. Opelika, AL at which time all persons interested can appear and contest the said petition if they deem it proper. Done this the 7th day of July, 2020. Bill English Probate Judge Margaret A. Mayfield Attorney for Lee County DHR Post Office Box 809 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-0333 Legal Run 07/15/20, 07/22/20, 07/29/20 & 08/05/20 --------------Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1412 Opelika Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 10:00AM Danielle Jolly Unit E78 701 Baker Blvd Tuscumbia , AL 35674 3 bedroom home Patricia Felton Unit S335 932 Pleasant Ave. Auburn, AL 36830 household items Cameron Farr Unit W385 408 Green Street Auburn, AL 36830 Furniture, boxes The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures. com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property. Legal Run 07/15/20 & 07/22/2020
B13 July 15, 2020
Michael Carter to campaign for Ward 3 “Let’s Serve Opelika Together”
Special to the Opelika Observer
Michael D. Carter proudly announced his candidacy for the 2020 elections for Ward 3 of the Opelika City Council. Michael’s dedication is guiding new and experienced leaders to serve those around them. He is a leading professional facilitator for leadership and diversity and inclusion programs for an international S&P 500 organization. This experience has given him the ability to listen and effectively provide feedback to move individuals and teams in the right direction. Michael believes that the City Council position is not about today, but about everyone working together to serve to create a better Opelika for our kids and future. Serving has been at the forefront of Michael’s mission. He leads the Opelika Cub Scout Pack 858 as their Cubmaster, teaches a financial literacy course, cleans his adopted mile through Keep
CARTER
children, Zachary (9) Opelika Beautiful and _________________________________________________ and Nolan (5), and serves on the Property
Maintenance Board of Appeals. Michael also serves his local church, Cornerstone Church. Learning is a fundamental characteristic as Michael has continued to learn himself by participating in the 20 Under Forty Leadership program and the Opelika Citizens Police Academy. Michael has been married to his wife Natalie (Yoe) for 11 years. He has two
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one German Shepherd named Shelby. They have called Opelika home for the past seven years and look forward to continuing to serve the community. He asks that if anyone has any questions or concerns, they text or call him directly at 334-300-8035. Learn more about Michael D. Carter and his campaign by visiting Michael CarterForOpelika.com.
has an appointment on :
Gynecology & Wellness Center
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(334) 502-9888
A.M. _____________________________________ at _________________________________ P.M.
Bone Density
HELP WANTED: Resident Services Coordinator Opelika Housing Development, Inc. is currently seeking highly motivated, experienced, and trustworthy candidates to fill the Fulltime position of Resident Services Coordinator. Duties will include, but not be limited to: Oversee and coordinate programs offered by Resident Services. Develop a variety of educational and economic empowerment support services, activities, and programs for residents. Coordinate activities and provide case management for Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. Develop partnerships with community service providers in order to efficiently deliver services to residents. Contact residents who may be sick or in need of assistance to determine services needed, and make appropriate referrals. Maintain records and prepare reports.
Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in social work, social sciences, or closely related field plus 3 years of progressively responsible work in human services or social work, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Prefer experience in public housing. Other: Valid Driving License Ability to be insured under the Authority’s vehicle policy To apply please visit our office, located at 1706 Toomer Street, Opelika, AL 36801 or complete an application on-line at http://www.opelikaha. org/Default.asp?ID= 123&pg=Employment +Opportunities ------------HELP WANTED: Opelika Housing Development, Inc. is currently seeking highly motivated, experienced, and trustworthy candidates to fill the Full-time position of Accounting Assistant. Duties will include, but not be limited to:
LOCAL CLASSIFIED ADS Laser
•Maintain fiscal records, generate payments, prepare periodic/special reports, operating statements, etc. 1. Process invoices for payment in accordance with established procedures, i.e. code, verify that needed documentation is present, enter data into system 2.Verify that purchases are properly documented and approved in accordance with established procedures 3.Review and process contractor payment requests on a weekly basis 4 Resolve discrepancies in invoices, charges, and payments by contacting vendors, employees, or other appropriate means 5.Process credit rent utility reimbursements in accordance with established procedures 6. Prepare Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) landlord payments and utility payments for participants in accordance with established procedures 7. Assist Senior Accountant with daily accounts receivable
reports, including miscellaneous deposits, and take appropriate action to resolve any underlying problems or issues 8. Coordinate with bank officers to correct any errors resulting from direct deposits, charges, etc. in order to ensure the integrity of the bank account balance 9. Prepare and assist in preparing a variety of periodic and special reports 10. Post tenant rent charges for the beginning of each month. 11. Generate 1099’s annually, in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as needed Education: High school or equivalent (Required) License or certification: • Driver’s License • Ability to be insured under the Authority’s automobile insurance policy • Ability to be covered under the Authority’s fidelity bond To apply please visit our office, located at 1706
Dr. Sharma
Toomer Street, Opelika, AL 36801 or complete an application on-line at http://www.opelikaha.org/ Default.asp?ID=123&pg= Employment+ Opportunities ------------HELP WANTED: Maintenance Mechanic Opelika Housing Development, Inc. is currently seeking highly motivated, experienced, and trustworthy candidates to fill the Full-time position of Maintenance Technician for properties in the Opelika, AL. . area. Duties will include, but not be limited to: · Promptly handle unit and facility work orders · Complete repairs in a consistent and correct manner · Provide excellent customer service · Work well with other team members · Willing to clean grounds as needed · Be well organized to coordinate and perform unit and site inspections · Able to complete makeready of units proficiently Ideal candidates should
have at least 3 years of experience in apartment maintenance (or similar skills). Candidates should have an understanding of and repair capabilities in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, painting, appliance repair, and/ or other tasks related to maintaining the communities in excellent condition. HVAC Certification not required, but preferred. This position will offer competitive pay and benefit package. Education: · High school or equivalent (Required) License or certification: · Driver’s License (Required) · HVAC Certification (Not required, but preferred) To apply please visit our office, located at 1706 Toomer Street, Opelika, AL 36801 or complete an application on-line at http://www.opelikaha.org/ Default.asp?ID=123&pg= Employment +Opportunities
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B14 July 15, 2020
Like crossword puzzles? Sudoku? Play online at www.opelikaobserver.com/puzzles/
B15 July 15, 2020
FINCHER >> FROM B8 In addition, Fincher would like to create a local board to address police and community relations. He will not support any kind of defund-the-police movement and has a great deal of respect for our law enforcement officers, but the events of the last few months have amplified the need across the nation for a level of trust to be built back up between communities and law enforcement. “I would like to establish a board made up of community members, government leaders and police administrators to meet quarterly and discuss what our officers and our citizens are seeing
out in the community and what can be done to prevent small problems from becoming big problems down the road. I believe discussion leads to understanding and positive action from all sides involved,” Fincher said. Both Fincher and his wife come from families who dedicated their careers to public education. He will do whatever is possible to support classroom teachers and allow them to do their jobs effectively while also providing a safe and innovative environment for Opelika City Schools and Southern Union students. Finally, Fincher supports keeping Opelika’s tax rates at a reasonable level as it is successfully attracting new businesses and people. He
believes fairness in taxation is essential for the people to maintain trust in their government. Fincher is originally from Woodland, Alabama, and is married to the former Lara Edgar, an Opelika native and Opelika High School graduate. They have one daughter named Kayla. Fincher is in the process of completing his dissertation to receive a PhD in public administration and public policy from Auburn University. He can be reached by email at fincher4opelika@gmail.com, telephone at 334-329-0742 or through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. His campaign website can be found at www.electfincher.wordpress.com.
Rebecca Rice Cell: 334-703-0801 rebecca@johnrice.info
Located in Historic Downtown Opelika
334-745-4618
B16 July 15, 2020
Winners of the ‘Patriotic Porch Contest’ announced Photos submitted to the Opelika Observer
Keep Opelika Beautiful and the City of Opelika were proud to join together for the first ‘Patriotic Porch’ contest this year. Residents from each ward had the opportunity to submit photographs of their porches and the entries were shared on Facebook. The winners were determined by the photographs that received the most “likes.” The winners for each ward and winners for creativity and the
Ward 3
mayor’s choice award are as follows: • Ward 1- Mr. and Mrs. Bud Conci, • Ward 2- Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Perkins, • Ward 3- Mr. and Mrs.. Tommy Carter, • Ward 4- Mr. and Mrs. Dave Hagan, • Ward 5- Mr. and Mrs. Chris Duncan, • Creativity Award- Mr. and Mrs. Joe Seals and • Mayor’s Choice Award - Mr. and Mrs. Leikvold.
Ward 1
Ward 4
Ward 5
Elliott & Associates Insurance Agency Opelika - (334)745-0888 elliottinsuranceagents.com
Mayor’s Choice Award
Creativity Award
This week’s puzzle answers:
Ward 2