April 24, 2019 Tallassee Tribune

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April 24, 2019

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VOL. 120, NO. 17

Ex-Tallassee officer pleads guilty to assault STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Former Tallassee police investigator Michael Brandon Smirnoff pleaded guilty Friday to assaulting a handcuffed man, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Louis V. Franklin Sr. Smirnoff, 27, faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His sentencing hearing is July 18. According to the guilty plea, Smirnoff,

Smirnoff repeated the assault, who was on duty as an investigator the U.S. Attorney’s office said. with the Tallassee Police Moments later, before Smirnoff Department, used his patrol car placed the victim into his patrol to pursue a 24-year-old man who car, Smirnoff slammed the victim’s was on a four-wheeler. After the head into the side of the vehicle. pursuit, the man stepped off his For each assault, the victim was four-wheeler, laid face down on handcuffed, compliant and did not the ground and allowed several pose a threat, according to the U.S. Tallassee police officers to Smirnoff Attorney’s office. handcuff him. “It is especially important in a climate While the man was handcuffed and of distrust between law enforcement and compliant, Smirnoff lifted him into the the public that officers act ethically and air and then slammed him to the ground.

within the bounds of the law,” Franklin said. “This police officer’s brutal behavior was unacceptable and criminal. He violated this young man’s constitutional rights and the trust placed in law enforcement officers to faithfully, ethically and morally enforce the law. You can be sure that any time an officer steps over the line and into criminal behavior, as this one did, my office will hold that individual accountable.” This case was investigated by the FBI’s Montgomery Division.

ANSWERED PRAYERS:

Elmore County has state’s lowest unemployment rate

City granted $2.4 million for sewer system overhaul

County’s 3.3-percent rate lower than state’s STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

The City of Tallassee has been awarded a $2.4 million federal grant to overhaul its sewer system and Mayor Johnny Hammock said the money is an answer to prayers. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the Economic Development Administration awarded the grant to upgrade Tallassee’s sewer collection system and construct a new treatment plant. “This will pay for half of our $4.8 million sewer upgrades,” Hammock said. “I want to thank God for answering my prayers. This is a great day for the city of Tallassee.” According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 10 jobs, See SEWER • Page A2

Today’s

Weather

83 59 High

File / The Tribune

The City of Tallassee has been awarded a $2.4 million federal grant to overhaul its sewer system. ‘This will pay for half of our $4.8 million sewer upgrades,’ Mayor Johnny Hammock said. According to city estimates, the project is expected to create 10 jobs, retain 2,059 jobs and spur $455,000 in private investment.

Unemployment levels remained basically unchanged statewide and Elmore County’s unemployment rate is the lowest in the state, according to the Alabama Department of Labor. Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate remained at a record-low 3.7 percent from February to March is and well below March 2018’s rate of 4 percent. Elmore County’s unemployment rate tied for the lowest in the state with a quartet of other counties at 3.3 percent. “We’re seeing great growth See UNEMPLOYMENT • Page A2

Tallassee losing money on garbage pickup

Low

By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer THURS: HIGH 80 LOW 61

CONTACT US 334-567-7811 Fax: 334-567-3284 USPS 681-260

The City of Tallassee is losing nearly $100,000 yearly on trash pickup and Mayor Johnny Hammock said monthly fees would have to increase to break even. “City hall works very hard to find places where we are running at a loss,” Hammock said at the April 9 city council meeting. The city billed $317,744 to

customers for garbage pickup services last year and paid Advanced Disposal $308,952 for those services, leaving a surplus of $8,792. But when operating costs are factored in, the city lost $91,656 last year. The city paid $20,660 for repairs to limb trucks, $12,371 to fuel the vehicles, $56,617 to pay two CDL drivers to operate the vehicles and $10,800, at a minimum, See GARBAGE • Page A2

File / The Tribune

The City of Tallassee lost more than $90,000 last year on garbage pickup costs.

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