The Southern Torch, Vol. 4, Issue 10

Bobby Ledbetter’s

1411 Glenn Blvd SW, Fort Payne, AL 35967

WWW.BOBBYLEDBETTER.COM • (256) 844-2210

Don't forget to spring forward this Sunday!

THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2018 / VOL. 4, NO. 10 / $1.00

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TOO MUCH BLUE

Council seeks to reduce speed limit on Highway 35

By Marla Jones Reporter RAINSVILLE, Ala. — (Full Video on our Website) The Rainsville City Council held their regularly scheduled meeting on March 5, 2018.

The Council formally adopted an ordinance to sell a piece of property formerly used as an alleyway to Mark Mitchell in order for Black’s Tire to expand their business. The ordinance called for a sale price of $3,000. The vote had one dissenter in Councilman Marshall Stiefel. Stiefel said, “I just think we need to be transparent and let all businesses know of the

Plainview's Last Second Finish

>> COUNCIL, P2 In the last second of overtime play, the Plainview Bears pulled off a state championship victory defeating the Hillcrest-Evergreen Jaguars, 78-75. (Kristy Gallagher | Southern Torch)

By Marla Jones Sports Editor BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In a game that will go down in Alabama High School Athletic Association (ASHAA) history, the Plainview Bears defeated the Hillcrest-Evergreen Jaguars 78-75, in overtime play to win the Class 3A State Championship.

Junior, Caden Millican, who earned the Most Valuable Player honors for the tournament, took a feed from senior point guard, Jeffery Armstrong, as time was running out, and sank a perfect 3-pointer as the final

buzzer sounded. Millican finished the game with 37 points, sinking 6-of 10 3-pointers and going 9-of-10 at the foul line. In overtime, he added two free throws to tie the game.

Armstrong shot 6-for-13 and finished with 18 points, five assists, five steals and eight rebounds.

“I want to give my Savior, Jesus Christ praise for everything he’s done for us.” said Caden Millican. “I practice that shot all the time” (as he was getting choked up).

When asked about his team's accomplishments, Coach Robi Coker had only high praise regarding his team. “This is a resilient

group that always believe in themselves. These guys are so dedicated, unbelievable to see their commitment to each other.

It’s a special bond,” said Coach Coker. “We trust all these guys to shoot threes...when Caden misses it, we think its a shocker."

>> THIS WEEK IN POLITICS

The Plainview Varsity Boys basketball team shattered the State AHSAA record and the National record for 3-point shots attempted and made this season. The team also set a state record for the number

Citizens urge public vote for Sunday alcohol sales

>> STATE CHAMPS, P7 •INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE: Steve Flowers sheds light on another AL politics power player • Matt Sharp to seek re-election to DeKalb School Board - District 4

Former Fort Payne Councilman Walter Watson addresses the meeting regarding the decision to move forward with Sunday Sales with a council vote. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)

By Tyler Pruett Managing Editor

the first reading of Ordinance 2018-02, amending Ordinance 2004-14, the Alcohol Ordinance, to allow for sales of alcoholic

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — (Check out our Website for Video) At yesterday’s meeting of the Fort Payne City Council, the city held

>> SUNDAY SALES, P2

Baker announces platform for Sheriff's Campaign

By Staff Reports

FRIDAY 3/2

53 • 34

SATURDAY 3/3

56 • 35

SUNDAY 3/4

59 • 39

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — According to a release from John Baker’s campaign for DeKalb County Sheriff: Former State Representative and State Senator John Baker announced that he was qualified as a candidate for Sheriff of DeKalb County.

He stated that his candidacy will be based upon three basic principles: Baker is the most Qualified: “I have spent hundreds of hours in court trying criminal cases. That required knowledge of constitutional law, searches, and seizures, and other elements of criminal

Former Democratic State Representative and State Senator John Baker issued a statement formally announcing his platform for DeKalb County Sheriff in 2018.

Baker will face the winner of the Republican Primary in the General Election in November. (Contributed Photo)

law. I know a good investigation and a poor investigation when I see one. I also have a long history of administration and personnel management in my law office and in my role as

Assistant Vice President – Government Relations while an officer with Norfolk Southern Railroad.”

Smooth Transition in the Sheriff’s Office: “The citizens of DeKalb County

deserve a smooth transition transition to new leadership in the Sheriff’s Office. If elected, I will retain every HONEST and HARD WORKING deputy, investigator, and staff person in the Sheriff’s Office. It does not matter who they vote for or even work for in the election. I do not hold grudges. I am only interested in honesty and ethical work for the citizens of DeKalb County.”

Baker will not accept a salary: “I will be totally dedicated to public service as your Sheriff. I will accept only expense allocations and will not accept a salary

>> BAKER, P5

>> THIS WEEK IN SPORTS

• Make plans to attend a special evening recognizing the accomplisments of our own hometown boy, Jeremy Pruitt, as he receives a Key to the City on March 10 at the Tom Bevill Enrichment Center at 6pm!

Visit our website at www.southerntorch.com for daily news updates and pick up your weekly print edition at news stands every Friday.

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–MARCH 9, 2018

SUNDAY SALES from Page 1

beverages during certain hours on Sunday.

Yesterday was the first reading of the ordinance; the vote will take place at the next regular meeting of the Fort Payne City Council on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Approval of the ordinance will legalize sale of alcohol in the city limits on Sunday.

In a 3-2 vote right before Christmas, the Fort Payne City Council approved a resolution to send the Sunday Alcohol Sales issue to Montgomery for approval, and then hold a final vote of the council on the issue.

In earlier meetings, the issue was to be sent to the public for a vote. City Attorney Rocky Watson explained in the December meeting that, “when we presented this act to our legislative delegation they suggested some changes based on what they had seen everywhere else, and it puts the ultimate action on the city council. That’s the change they recommended to us.”

At the end of the meeting, former Fort Payne City Councilman Walter Watson and several others, urged a vote on the issue: “I really appreciate all of you guys, and the positions that you hold,” said Walter Watson. “You have a difficult task in front of you. It’s something that’s important to me as a citizen, as I sat on the council chambers in 2004, I remember us having a discussion with the city, and the members here about the sale of alcohol in our city. It may have caused some families to have a discussion that may have been a little heated. But we still held the tradition of

allowing the people to have a conversation concerning whether we wanted it here or not.”

“I was on the side that opposed it,” he continued.

“I was also on the council that had to come behind after the vote was levied and determined that we wanted to sell it. So, my job was to be sure that we controlled it. Before we did that, I remember, and I think Andy was there to, we had to draft and ordinance, and that ordinance explained how we would govern the sale of alcohol. And in that, we wanted to protect a day that some thought to be sacred, and that was Sunday. So, because of that, those leaders decided to draft that, give it to the people, and see if that will help move it forward. That point in time, we did do that, and I think it was a factor in helping it to go, because we said we would protect something that’s sacred.”

“I don’t want this conversation, for you guys to think I’m against the sale of alcohol; we have it here, and we do an excellent job of making sure that Fort Payne remains Fort Payne. But it’s about something that I’m concerned about deep in our nation, and that’s removing things that are sacred. I think God has blessed Fort Payne, I think God has blessed America, but I think if we continue on a path that can probably restrict him from blessing us: by not following him and not obeying some things that he has told us to do, we can put ourselves in a dangerous spot,” said Watson.

“I think about the

story about the frog that was in the kettle, we all know that, they put him in the kettle and he didn’t know his intent was to eat him. So he turned the temperature up really slowly, and after the frog found out that it wasn’t in his best interest for him to be in the pot, it was too late. Because he couldn’t jump out. I just don’t want to see our city turn into that type of environment; I like for people to have a say,” explained Watson.

“I would like to thank you guys for not having a decision today, where you suspend the rules,” Watson said. “I know you guys can vote on it. I have to say I was at a forum, and I remember the question was asked, ‘What do you think about the sale of alcohol on Sundays?’ I think Johnny (Eberhart) said, ‘Not at this time.’ So everybody was honest, and tried to be forthright in how they felt. It’s a difficult question to answer when you are trying to be elected. But I can remember the majority… I think Wade’s statement stood out the most, ‘If you can’t get it done in six, you can’t get it done in seven,’ so it was a little bit surprising to me when I came to a council meeting and found out it was going to be back on the docket again.”

“But after I heard it would be sent to the legislators and allow the people to have a say in it, I kind of rested a little bit.

But then I found that it was sent to the legislators, and perhaps with the theme, if you really want to get it pushed through it’s better to let us re-draft it so you guys have the authority to move this thing forward.

Then the wait came on to see if you would actually do it or if you allow it to go forward, perhaps there is going to be some (debate) that goes on. Please let the (debate) go on, because that’s part of my (debate).

Because I really think it is important; because I think it is a sacred day,” he continued.

“And I want Fort Payne to always be blessed and it’s those little subtle things that I hear about, there is somebody that there is trying to take ‘In God We Trust’ off the dollar, there is somebody that is trying to take ‘one nation under God’ out of the Pledge of Allegiance….

These people are just raising up out of everywhere and trying to turn our nation in to

something that it wasn’t founded on. It’s those little bitty, subtle things that chips away at our patriotism and our morals of this country, and I don’t want us to be a part of it.”

“I’m just one citizen; but I wanted to come before you guys and say, I definitely appreciation the job that you do, and thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak to you today, and my prayers are that God will continue to lead you and guide you along the path to keeps his presence alive in Fort Payne. And if somebody comes to Fort Payne and says, ‘We don’t like it, because you don’t have this, or you don’t have that.’

We can say, ‘Yes, but we do have the blessings of God on our city; it’s more important than anything,” He stated.

Thank you very much for your time,” concluded Watson.

After Watson spoke, Walter Turner also addressed the council: “Honorable Mayor and Council, so glad to have this opportunity to speak to you. I’m in an agreement with brother Walter; It’s one of those situations to where as a bible believer, then I feel it necessary to sourish the issue, and really stand before God and give an account. To stand before him, and we had the opportunity to stand for what is right. And I believe observing Sunday, and worship, and acknowledging God; giving Him time. Because in our society, it’s so busy, and it seems like people forget about God. But you know, I know this is just a small thing, when it comes to the sale of alcohol, but I believe that we are still acknowledging the fact that we reverence the day, as unto the Lord. I just think that is something that we would appreciate very much if you bare that in mind.”

Councilman Gerald Taylor then commented, “I’d like to make a comment on what they had to say. I recall during the forum, being asked if I was for the sale of alcohol on Sundays, and I said, ‘no,’ and I still believe that way and I still remember what I said and I still don’t intend to support. When it passed in (2004), prior to me being on the council, that went to a vote of the people and I agree with what’s been said. I really think to change this, in this matter, it still should be a vote of the people.”

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COUNCIL from Page 1

The Rainsville City Council proposed to send a letter to the State asking permission to lower the current speed limit on AL Highway 35. (Marla Jones | Southern Torch)

land sale. I am all for business in town...but...a few weeks ago we spent thousands of dollars giving citizens equal rights for (vacated) easements and alleyways. We had two or three meetings and I think we should have done that for this.”

The Council also approved the submission of paperwork to the Alabama Department of Transportation seeking a reduction of the speed limit on the stretch of Alabama Highway 35 that runs from the Rainsville city limits to the intersection of Highway 35 with Marshall Road. The request asks for the state department of transportation to reduce the speed limit from 65 mph to 55 mph.

Councilman Bejan Taheri discussed the need of reducing the speed of traffic, “ Since we installed the flashing caution sign at intersection of Alabama Hwy 35 and Love Road, we still have wrecks at this location. In February, we had two only a few days apart. We monitored speeds for three weeks and we had excessive speeds of 82, 79 and 78” said Taheri.

“So we think if we reduce it to 55 MPH, it may solve it because when you give a

motorist 55 they automatically will drive up to 10 mph over speed limit.”

Other items approved during the meeting were as follows: •Hired Anthony Westbrooks as a full-time worker with the street department’s mowing crew •Approved the purchase of a new lawn mower from Boykin Tractor for $12,600.00 •Approved for Chief Willimac Wright and Justin Harper for training at cost of $440.

•Approved the purchase of a camper shell for $2,913.00 for the fire department.

•Approved Resolution 03-05-2018 to surplus gear from fire department.

•Announced the presentation of a Key to the City to Jeremy Pruitt on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the Tom Bevill Center.

•Congratulated the Plainview Varsity Boys Basketball Team for winning the Class 3A AHSAA State Championship.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be March 19, 2018. Workshop begins at 4:15 and Council meeting at 5 p.m.

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–MARCH 9, 2018

Community

3

Submit your community events to: zach@southerntorch.com

Fyffe Fishing Team off to a successful start

By Marla Jones Sports Editor

Pictured Above (Front Row L-R): Cade Underwood, Evan Chandler, Hunter Machen, Jesse Matthews, Hunter Willingham, Carson Walston. (Back Row L-R): Eli Hilley, Evan Woodall, Lee Ayers, Toby Bowen, William Hill, Hank Woodall.

FYFFE, Ala.—The Fyffe High School Fishing Team, coached by Amanda Woodall, had a successful start on Saturday, February 24, 2018.

The first bass tournament of the season was held at Neeley Henry in Gadsden. Of the forty-three participating schools, the young Fyffe team finished in ninth place.

The team of Eli Hilley and Evan Woodall placed

13th out of 198 teams that fished.

The team will participate in two more tournaments before the season is over. On March 31, 2018 they will participate in the Lake Wheeler Tournament and again on April 21, 2018 for the Pickwick Tournament.

The fishing team members would like to thank all of their sponsors!

Without them, the team would not be possible. We wish the best of luck to the Fyffe Fishing team in the future tournaments!

The team of Eli Hilley and Evan Woodall, placed 13th out of 198 that fished.

(Submitted Photo)

UPCOMING EVENTS DeSoto Seafood & Brews Every Tuesday, Parents of Addicted Loved Ones - A new support group for Parents of Addicted Loved ones is starting in Fort Payne at Word of Life Ministry located at 3610 Gault Ave North. The meeting will be held every Tuesday from 6pm to 7:30pm. Any adult family member over 18 is welcome to attend these PAL meetings, however, for insurance reasons, no one under the age of 18 may attend and child care will not be provided. For more information, visit palgroup.org.

Every Wednesday, Breakthrough Church free meal - Come and enjoy a free meal and hear the Word of God on Wednesday nights starting January 3 at 5:30pm. If you need a ride, please contact: Lynn Haas at 256-6057854 or Connie Holdem at 256-605-1776.

March 5-10, Old Timers Allstar Basketball Games - The Long Ranch 4 Boys Old Timers Allstar Basketball Games will be held on March 5-10 at the DeKalb Schools Coliseum in Rainsville. There will be divisions for both men and women. Entries are $100 per player and players must provide their own jerseys. Sponsorship cards are available.

March 9, Little River Canyon Center Star Party

- NASA Educator John Weis is back for a star party night! We will be discussing common local constellations seen at this time of year and then heading outside with the telescopes to see what is on the big screen. Join us for this family friendly FREE event at JSU’s Little River Canyon Center on March 9 from 6pm to 8pm.

March 11, Dr. Ted Traylor at Rainsville FBC - Dr. Ted Traylor of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola will be preaching at Rainsville First Baptist Church on Sunday, March 11 in both the 10:15am and 6pm services. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, visit www. rainsvillefirst.com.

March 11, Salem United Methodist Church Singing - A singing will be held at Salem United Methodist Church in Geraldine on Sunday, March 11 at 6pm with the featured group, Exodus. All are welcome to attend!

March 13, DeKalb Democrats Club - The DeKalb County Democrats will hold their monthly meeting at Chow King on March 13 at 5:30pm with the executive committee meeting at 5pm.

March 17, Spring Fling - Pine Ridge Baptist Church will host a Spring Fling, a craft and vendor event

from 8am to 4pm on Saturday, March 17.

March 24, Heil Easter Egg Hunt - Join us for Heil’s annual Easter Egg Hunt!

The hunt will take place at the Wills Valley Recreation Center. Free photos with the Easter Bunny, inflatables, face painting and more will be included!

Egg hunt will be divided up into different age divisions.

The event will be from 11am to 2pm with gates opening at 10am. Bring your own basket!

April 5, Southern Torch Judicial Candidate Forum - Be sure to tune in on April 5 for our Judicial Candidate Forum featuring the Republican candidates for Circuit Judge (9th Circuit): Andrew Hairston, Scott Lloyd, and Jeff McCurdy! It will be held at the JSU Canyon Center.

Doors will open at 5:30pm and the forum will begin at 6pm. Times are subject to change. There will be limited seating, so feel encouraged to join the conversation on our live on Facebook!

April 7, Send Me 5K - Fyffe First Baptist Church will host the fourth annual “Send Me” 5K run/walk on Saturday, April 7, at 8am.

Chip timing will be used.

Early registration fee is $20, and participants will be guaranteed a t-shirt.

After March 17, the registration fee will be raised to $25. Race day registration begins at 7am.

Chip timing provided by Pinpoint Timing Services.

Door prizes will be given before the awards ceremony. All proceeds will go to help fund mission projects. For an entry form or additional information, please contact Debra Pitts at (256) 996-5872 or Kim Pitts at (256) 996-7415. You may also email your questions or ask for a registration form by emailing fyffefirstbaptist5k@gmail.com.

Staff: Eloise Smith, Business Manager

Southern Torch (USPS Periodicals #19790) is published each Friday by Southern Torch, Inc. 203 Main Street E, Rainsville AL, 35986. POSTMASTER:

Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor Marla Jones, Sports Editor Zach Hester, Graphic Design Artist Amy Thrash, Advertising Representative

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Membership rates:

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announces Grand Opening

By Marla Jones Reporter FORT PAYNE, Ala. — DeSoto Seafood and Brews located on 607 Gault Avenue North, Suite A offers plenty of choices for any seafood lover in our area.

Dine in and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this brand new eatery located right here at home. From delicious crawfish boils and brews to an amazing plate of shrimp nachos, enjoy fresh from the gulf seafood!

Pre-order your seafood meals starting today!

They're willing to accomodate any beer and seafood choice you may want!

While they are closed on Sunday and Monday, the restaurant is open on Tuesday and Wednesday

from 11am-6pm and offer extended hours from 11am until 8pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday!

Join us in welcoming this great new local eatery to the area!

Know your

neighbor?

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1827 Gault Ave. North Fort Payne, AL 35967 Bus 256 845-4934 chris.kuykendall.b17y@statefarm.com

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–MARCH 9, 2018

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DEATH NOTICES CORNER STONE James “Jim” Black Sr. - 87 of Trenton, Ga., passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia. Funeral services were held on Sunday, March 4 at 3pm ET at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Bro. Charles Smith officiating. Burial will military honors followed on Tuesday, March 6 at 2:30pm ET in Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Rosie Jernigan Brewer - 84, passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2018.

The family will receive friends from 4pm to 8pm on Friday, March 9 and 11am until service time on Saturday, March 10. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, March 10 at 2pm CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Rev. Tommy Turner officiating.

Interment will follow in Biddle Cemetery.

Betty Elliott Faist - 88 of Henagar, passed away on Friday, March 2, 2018 at her residence. Funeral services were held on Monday, March 5 at 3pm CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Pastor Ricky Smith officiating.

Imogene Phillips Posey - 87 of Pisgah, passed away on Sunday, March 4, 2018 at her residence. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 6 at 1pm CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Bro. Charles Underwood officiating.

Burial followed in New Hope Cemetery.

CROSSVILLE Faye Dalrymple - 83 of Crossville, passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at Crossville Health Care.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 3 at Crossville Memorial Chapel with Rev. Wayne Roden officiating. Interment followed in Lathamville Cemetery.

GERALDINE Joann Sherrell - 86 of Gallant, Ala., passed away on March 3, 2018 at Gadsden Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held on Monday, March 5 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Revs.

George Lankford and John Quinn officiating. Burial followed in Bristow Cemetery.

KERBY Roger Jenkins - 62 of Fort Payne, passed away on Sunday, March 4, 2018 at DeKalb Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 7 at 2pm at Kerby Funeral Home Chapel with Revs. Kent Wilborn and Larry Haynes officiating.

Burial followed in Walnut Grove Cemetery.

RAINSVILLE Martha Hilley - 75 of Pisgah, passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at her residence.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 3 at noon at Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Earnest Corbitt officiating.

Burial followed in Green Haven Memorial Gardens.

Judy McGee Bethune - 69 of Rainsville, passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at Shepherd’s Cove.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, March 4 at 2pm at Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor George Hughes, Rev. David Harriston, and Rev. Waylon Smalley officiating. Burial followed in Kirk Memorial Gardens.

Rodger Smith - 72 of Owens Cross Roads, passed away on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at Huntsville Hospital. A graveside service was held on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 11am at Glenwood Cemetery with Bros. Chris Bell and Gary Haymon officiating. Burial followed in Glenwood Cemetery.

Neta Reno - 64 of Henagar, passed away on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at her residence. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 6 at 2pm at Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel with Bros. Tony Myrick and Earnest Corbitt officiating. Burial followed in Trinity Cemetery.

KERBY Patsy Dooley - 83 of Portersville, passed away on Friday, March 2, 2018 at her residence. Funeral

services were held on Tuesday, March 6 at 11am at Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Wayne Wills officiating.

Kenneth Windom - 77 of Valley Head, passed away on Sunday, March 4, 2018. A graveside service was held on Tuesday, March 6 at 2pm at White Hall Cemetery with Revs.

Richard Ellis and Shaunathan Bell officiating.

KERBY Jerry Centers - 72 of Boaz, passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2018.

Funeral services were held at 2pm on Sunday, March 4 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bro. Mark

Hastings officiating. Burial followed in New Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery.

Billy Joe Maddox - 84 of Fyffe, passed away on Friday, March 2, 2018.

Funeral services were held at 4pm on Sunday, March 4, 2018 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel with Rev. J. Hugh Maddox officiating. Burial B followed with military honors at Highway Church A of God Cemetery.

Bobby Ridgeway - 58 of Fyffe, passed away on Saturday, March 3, 2018.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 3 at 3pm at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bros. Johnny Whitten and Jeremy Guinn officiating. Burial followed in Corinth Cemetery with Masonic Graveside Rights.

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–MARCH 9, 2018

Politics

Submit your political news to: tyler@southerntorch.com

District 4 Board member Matt Sharp announces re-election bid

By Staff Reports SYLVANIA, Ala. ­— Matt Sharp has announced his candidacy for re-election to the District 4 seat on the DeKalb County Board of Education. Mr. Sharp has served one term on the School Board and was elected in 2012. He is a 1986 graduate of Sylvania High School. After high school, he attended Northeast State Junior College and later earned his degree in Accounting and Mathematics from Jacksonville State University in 1990.

Matt Sharp promised to be a “hands on” board member when he was elected and he has made every effort to do that. “I try to return every voicemail, text message and email that I receive”, Sharp said. “We have added transparency to the board meetings by stating every name that comes before the Board instead of passing a list of unnamed hires that visitors to Board meetings had to search to

find after the meetings.

And we have started the process of rotating the Chairman of the Board to each Board Member every two years”.

Rotating the Chairman of the Board spreads the workload out to each Board Member and prevents any one district from controlling the Board’s agenda. Mr. Sharp served as Board Chairman for 2 years from 2014-2016, being the only Chairman of the Board from District 4 in recent history.

Mr. Sharp’s number one priority at this time is school safety. An incident happened at Sylvania High School after hours last month that caused great concern in the community and especially amongst the teachers and students that were on campus.

“In 2000, Superintendent Richard Land approached then Commission President Charles O. Bell with a grant proposal for a full-time SRO at every school”, Sharp said.

“However, this was a

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By Steve Flowers AL Political Columnist As the June primaries for our statewide races get closer, there is a lot of media attention and stories written about the power being wielded by special interests, PACs and big money. They focus on the large amount of cash and influence being bet on the horses for governor and the legislature.

The Business Council of Alabama and ALFA are getting prepared to protect their friends and allies and punish their enemies.

These two powerful and money laden special interests will be players in the 2018 horse races.

Surprisingly, these two pro-business organizations are not riding the same horses in a good many races, especially statewide.

Quietly behind the scenes is another power in Alabama politics, Milton McGregor. You can bet he

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(Submitted Photo)

one-time 3-year grant that expired in 2003 and although a plan was adopted by the governing bodies of both school systems, the County Commission and Sheriff Cecil Reed to ask the legislature for a referendum to provide a revenue measure for school safety, the legislature would not allow for a vote on a tax referendum, so the SRO Program was abolished. A few years later efforts were made to bring SROs back to the system.

Without any additional funding, Mr. Sharp (as County Administrator) along with the Sheriff, County Superintendent and County Commission found ways to bring back a few part-time SROs. Now, there

BAKER from Page 1

as Sheriff. DeKalb County already pays one former Sheriff supernumerary pay and in January will have a second sheriff on state

are some full-time and some part-time SROs at every community with a school in the County. Mr. Sharp still believes more needs to be done and he will do everything he can to provide safety to the schools, regardless if he is re-elected to the school board.

“We need to harden access to school facilities and provide additional cameras to the system,” Sharp said. He is also supportive of efforts to allow certain teachers authority to arm themselves on school property on a conditional basis.

“I can support authorizing teachers to be armed on their school campus with the condition that they pass an initial mental evaluation and they undergo a stringent training program, much like law enforcement officers, prior to being authorized to carry any firearm onto a school campus. I also believe periodic training and

mental evaluations should be required. Under the right circumstances and with the proper amount of training, an educator carrying a concealed weapon would act much like an air marshal would on a commercial air flight.

No one would have to know which educator is carrying a weapon; however, if it is generally known that educators carry weapons, it could be a significant deterrent to someone seeking to do harm to the children of our communities.”

Matt Sharp’s roots run deep in DeKalb County. His family has lived in DeKalb County for as long as DeKalb has been a part of the State of Alabama. He loves his community, his County, his State and his Country and he strives to make the lives of those around him better each day.

Sharp asks for your support for his re-election bid during the Republican Primary Election on June 5, 2018.

retirement.”

John Baker finished high school at Crossville and completed undergraduate and law school at the University of Alabama. He practiced law in Rainsville and Fort Payne before accepting a position with Norfolk Southern Railroad from which he retired. He and his wife, Regena Holdbrooks Baker have three daughters, Gina Hantel of Nashville, Ginger Gary of Auburn, Julie Baker McCollister of Blairsville, Georgia, and seven grandchildren. They live between Collinsville and Crossville on a cattle farm in the valley North of Alabama Highway 68.

John expressed his appreciation to the people of DeKalb Couty for

electing him to represent DeKalb County in the State House of Representatives and for electing him twice to represent DeKalb County in the Alabama State Senate. He stated, “It is my desire to serve DeKalb County once again as Sheriff.”

LEGAL IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. CS-2018-63 NOTICE OF GUARDIANSHIP PROCEEDINGS NOTICE TO: ANDRES FELIPE, FATHER RE: Petition for Guardianship Order for PABLO FELIPE PASCUAL

Please take notice that a Petition for Guardianship has been filed in said Court by Alicia Felipe Miguel and that on the 28th day of March, 2018, at 10:00am has been set for a hearing on the same in the Probate Court of DeKalb County. Please be advised that if you intend to contest said Petition for Adoption you must file a written response with the attorney for the Petitioner named below and with the Clerk of the Probate Court, 300 Grand Avenue SW, Suite 100, Fort Payne, AL 35967 as soon as possible but no later than thirty (30) days from the day this notice is received. /s/ Gabriela Watson, Esq WATSON & WATSON P.O. Box 1068 Albertville, Alabama 35950 Publish: March 2, March 9, March 16

PROUDLY SERVING ALL OF NORTHEAST ALABAMA RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL • TERMITE & PEST CONTROL WOOD INFESTATION REPORTS FOR REAL ESTATE PURCHASES • FREE INSPECTIONS

OWNER RUSSELL SATTERFIELD

878-5472

Inside the Statehouse is playing ball. McGregor’s influence is felt in decision making races in the state from governor to every legislative race. McGregor is the E.F. Hutton of Alabama politics. When he speaks people listen, and more importantly when he speaks politicians listen.

He also transcends party.

He supports people who are his friends regardless of political party.

He epitomizes the golden rule of politics. He is loyal to his friends. In a day when some people’s word is no good, McGregor’s is solid as a rock. In politics and business your word is your bond, and that is why McGregor is revered and respected by the majority of Alabama’s political folks.

If McGregor tells someone he is their friend and will support them, they know they can take it to the bank. There is a political maxim used by longtime political veterans who have been in the Legislature for

years and have fought major battles over controversial issues – the type of battles where you have to get a good toehold and stakeout your position and stay put. Thus, the saying is analogous to being in a monumental battle where you get into a foxhole to survive.

Therefore, if a politician says about another that he is someone I would want in my foxhole in a war they are talking about someone they would trust with their life. That saying has been used to describe McGregor on more than one occasion.

Most people assume that Milton McGregor’s only interest is gaming.

However, he is invested in the Nursing Home industry, the real estate business and farming. He has been successful in each of these endeavors.

McGregor grew up in the Wiregrass. His family was very politically connected, so he got his

love for politics honestly.

McGregor idolized his older brother, Tom, who was a political icon in the Wiregrass. Tom McGregor was instrumental in electing the legendary George Andrews to Congress. In fact, Tom McGregor got Andrews elected to Congress while he was still overseas in the Navy. Andrews was elected to Congress in the 1940’s and served in Congress more than 20 years, became a power and is the reason Fort Rucker is located in Ozark/ Enterprise. The elder McGregor was Andrews’ right-hand man for more than 20 years.

Milton McGregor loves politics, but he loves his wife of over 50 years, Pat, more than life. He is considered one of the most loyal family men in the state. Unlike many of his so-called religious and pious detractors, there has never been a hint of personal scandal around

Milton McGregor.

His generosity is unlimited. There are stories about his allowing politicians to ride in his luxury airplanes, and they have. The truth is he is doing it more out of friendship rather than for personal gain or favoritism.

There are ten times more occasions where he has given free use of his planes with his pilots to shuttle an indigent cancer patient to a hospital to save their life.

Milton reached the point financially, long ago, where he does not need any more money. He plays

politics for the love of it. He has given more than $300 million to charities over the years. That is 300 million dollars more than the Indian casinos have given Alabamians.

My mama always said that you can tell who a real gentleman is by the way he treats the person less fortunate. Milton McGregor epitomizes this quality. He treats the lowest janitor in his racetracks with the same sincerity, warmness and dignity that he does to the wealthiest people in America whom he rubs shoulders with every day.

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–MARCH 9, 2018

!

S R A Congratulations to the E B !

GO S R A E B !

Plainview Bears on their O S G R !

A S E B !

O S G !

R A RS E State Championship win!

B !

S O R G !

A S E B AR O G !

S R BEA Pd. Pol. Adv. by Matt Sharp

Vote for Lester Black Congratulations plainview on your state win!

DeKalb County Commission District 4 PD. POL. ADV. BY LESTER BLACK • 2559 RAINBOW AVE. RAINSVILLE, AL 35986

Congratulations To The

Plainview Bears On Being The 2018 State Champions!

us! h t i w g n i k n a b You’ll like

Boaz • Scottsboro • Hokes Bluff Douglas • Steele • Gurley • Fyffe Powell • Sylvania www.pibonline.com

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–MARCH 9, 2018

7

STATE CHAMPS from Page 1

of players with 3’s in a game.

Plainview went 34-2 for the season and was a perfect 6-0 in area play. During the season, Plainview defeated the Class 1A State Champion, Sacred Heart and the Class 4A State Champions, Cordova. The team won the Sand Mountain Tournament and the DeKalb County Tournament. The Bears have made back-to-back appearances in the Championship game and won the first basketball championship in Plainview school history. Before last year's appearance in the

State Championship, it had been almost forty years since Plainview had made it to a State Championship. Coach Robi Coker has recently been named coach for the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game alongside point guard Jeffery Armstrong who has been named one of the eight players to be on the team.

Many have reflected that the score of the State Championship win 78-75, which was an honor made to the Plainview Basketball team of 1978.

Photos courtesy of Kristy Gallagher

VICKI’S Flowers & Gifts

5436 AL Hwy 35 Section, AL 35771 256-228-3103

CONGRATULATIONS

PLAINVIEW!

Ole

475 AL Hwy 75N Rainsville, AL 35986 256-638-8558

Jeffery Armstrong, Cade Willingham, and Caden Millican were chosen for the Class 3A All-Tournament Team.

The Battle for the Ball

Tournament MVP Caden Millican

CONGRATULATIONS PLAINVIEW BEARS!

CONGRATULATIONS BEARS!

CONGRATULATIONS PLAINVIEW!

Heritage

(256) 997-0008

Realty, Inc.

(256) 845-9814 • info@mychimpro.com 1297 Co. Rd. 835, Fort Payne, AL 35968

CONGRATULATIONS Bobby Ledbetter’s

Congratulations to the Plainview Bears!

TOO MUCH BLUE!!!

PLAINVIEW!

CONGRATULATIONS

PLAINVIEW!

TOO MUCH BLUE!

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–MARCH 9, 2018

SYLVANIA PHARMACY

CONGRATS plainview bears

(256) 638-6070 • Rodney Williams RPH

NICK WELDEN for

DeKalb County Sheriff

congratulations! go bears!

Pd. Pol. Adv. by Nick Welden for Sheriff •11684 US Hwy 11, Collinsville, AL 35961

CONGRATULATIONS PLAINVIEW!

Felicia Mitchell, Agent 380 Main Street E ∙ PO Box 1398 Rainsville, AL 35986 Bus: (256) 638-2178

felicia.mitchell.gau1@statefarm.com Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

Jeff McCurdy way FOR CIRCUIT JUDGE 9TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - PLACE 2 Pd. Pol. Adv. by Jeff McCurdy for Circuit Judge

to go bears

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–MARCH 9, 2018

9

We would like to congratulate the Plainview Bears on their State Championship Victory last week! Join us and these great advertisers in honoring these fine young men for their great accomplishment and season!

98 MARSHALL RD, RAINSVILLE, AL

WAY TO GO PLAINVIEW! 256-601-9236

todd greeson FOR CIRCUIT CLERK PD. POL. ADV. BY TODD GREESON • P.O. BOX 159, IDER, AL 35981

CONGRATULATIONS PLAINVIEW!

Congratulations plainview!

Paid. Pol. Adv. by Andrew Hairston, PO Box 1341, Rainsville, AL 35986

DeWitt Jackson DeKalb County Commission Pd. Pol. Adv. by DeWitt Jackson

Pam Bailey

Congrats Bears!

SIMPSON The People’s Clerk

Congratulations to the Plainview Bears!!!

Pd. Pol. Adv. by Pam Bailey Simpson 600 County Rd. 544 Grove Oak, AL

CAROL HIETT

Pd. Pol. Adv. by Carol Hiett • PO Box 1661, Rainsville, AL 35986

for DeKalb County Board of Education - District 3 CONGRATULATIONS Plainview!

Kevin Burt

Associate Broker, CNE, CRS, GRI (256) 996-0003 kevin@southern-agency.com 311 Gault Avenue North Fort Payne, Alabama 35967

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–MARCH 9, 2018

DURING THIS EVENT WE WILL (2X) DOUBLE YOUR TAX REFUND OR DOWN PAYMENT!

GET UP TO $7,500 FOR YOUR TRADE-IN ONLY AT TWIN CITY USED CARS

NO

PAYMENTS FOR UP TO 90 DAYS!

$200,000 IN CASH & PRIZES TO BE CLAIMED!

N O R E A S O NA B L E O F F E R R E F U S E D • M A K E U S A N O F F E R • E V E RY T H I N G M U S T G O ! | N O R E A S O NA B L E O F F E R R E F U S E D • M A K E U S A N O F F E R • E V E RY T H I N G M U S T G O !

N O R E A S O NA B L E O F F E R R E F U S E D • M A K E U S A N O F F E R • E V E RY T H I N G M U S T G O ! | N O R E A S O NA B L E O F F E R R E F U S E D • M A K E U S A N O F F E R • E V E RY T H I N G M U S T G O !

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