April 29, 2016 Alex City Outlook by Tallapoosa Publishers

LOCAL: ARREST MADE IN HACKNEYVILLE FIRE DEPT THEFT. PAGE 3.

FRIDAY

THE

PLAYOFF ROAD SHOW Lady Wildcats to open postseason at Opelika.

See page 8.

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 April 29, 2016 Vol. 124, No. 86 www.alexcityoutlook.com

Mayor-Goss altercation caught on body cam By MITCH SNEED Editor The altercation following a meeting of the Alexander City City Council that resulted in arrests was captured on the body camera of a police officer at the meeting. While there was still some confusion over who will handle the investigation into the incident in advance of the May 24 court date for Mayor Charles Shaw and his wife, Alexander City Police Chief Willie Robinson said he does have the video and all other documents and related evidence and will turn it over to the court or any agency needing it as part of the investigation. The Outlook has filed a request to inspect and view the video from the body camera. The Shaws are facing charges of third-degree assault after

OUR VIEW Now is the time to do whatever it takes to fix the financial issues facing Alexander City.

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a physical altercation with Councilman Tony Goss following Monday’s council meeting. Shaw is accused of rushing around a table and punching Goss following a verbal exchange between the mayor’s wife and Goss. Goss threw punches after being punched by the mayor. Shaw claims that Goss “cussed” his wife and Goss said that any words he had for Mrs. Shaw were after she called him a “thief.”

Robinson said because he and an officer were witnesses to the incident, as were several other city employees, the warrants were filed by Goss with the circuit clerk. Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said that at this time his department is not handling the investigation. “We only served the warrants, not conducting the investigation and we do not have possession of any of the evidence,” Abbett said. “When a case goes to district court our district attorney handles the cases related to the district court warrants.” Fifth Judicial Circuit E. Paul Jones said Thursday that he had been handling other cases, and was unsure who was handling the investigation. “When there is a conflict like in this one, the sheriff’s official can handle it, but I’m not sure at this point,” Jones said. “I will check into it and get some clarity on that.”

City school chief cites long-term facilities need

Area cancer survivors celebrate with dinner By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

Area cancer survivors and patients currently in treatment will be the stars of the show when UAB MedicineCancer Center at Russell Medical Center hosts a cancer survivors dinner on Tuesday, May 3, at the new Alabama Department of Transportation regional headquarters on Highway 280 in Kellyton. Reservations are required and should be made by the end of the day today by calling the Russell Medical Center Community Relations department at 256-329-7145 or via email to jsanford@ russellmedcenter.com The theme for the evening is “Lights. Camera. Cure. An evening on the Red Carpet.” Cancer survivors, cancer patients and their guests will be honored at a red carpet reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. and featuring hors d’oeuvres and complimentary photos in front of the event’s logo display before entering the ballroom for a seated dinner. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and will feature RMC See SURVIVOR • Page 3

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Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL

Today’s

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Cooper updates council on system activities in joint work session Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Crews from Gary Ingram Paving and Grading mill the surface of D Street in Alexander City Thursday as work on the city’s ACRIP paving projects is in full swing.

Paving the way ACRIP road work in full swing By MITCH SNEED Editor

When Alexander City Public Works Director Gerard Brewer told the city council April 18, that paving contractors were ready to start immediately he wasn’t kidding. Shortly after awarding the bid for this year’s Alexander City Road

Improvement Project paving projects to Gary Ingram Paving and Grading, the company was on site prepping roads including C Street, D Street, F Street and N Place Monday morning. As of Thursday, three of the shorter stretches have fresh asphalt with another likely to be done today. Brewer said See PAVING • Page 3

By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

A joint work session of the Alexander City Board of Education and the Alexander City City Council on Thursday night served largely as an opportunity for Alexander City Schools Superintendent Darrell Cooper to update the five members of the City Council in attendance on several items related to the school system. Council members in attendance were Sherry Ellison-Simpson, Tony Goss, Bob Howard, Bobby Tapley and Billy Ray Wall. Cooper, school board president Kelly Waldrop and David Sturdivant were board members present. Cooper said that he foresees the school system’s greatest need over the next 10-20 years to be facilities. He mentioned a recently completed facilities assessment and said 27-year-old Alexander City Middle School was the system’s newest building. “Our facilities are not falling apart, but they’re not in the best shape, either,” said Cooper. “We don’t have any plans yet, but we’ve talked about a lot of things.” See MEETING • Page 3

Alexander City’s live music Strand Sessions set for summer By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

Some rockin’ summer sessions are coming to Alexander City’s Strand Park. Beginning May 5 with an appearance by Opelika’s Dallas Dorsey and continuing through Aug. 4, the Lake Martin Young Professionals will present “Strand Sessions” on Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. “Two hours of live music in a nice setting downtown,” said Jacob Meacham of Lake Martin Young Professionals. “We’ll have some great food. It should be a great time for everyone to come out and enjoy.”

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Dorsey, who learned to play guitar from his grandfather at 8 years old, is a regular at venues in and around the Auburn-Opelika area. His eclectic mix of country, rock and blues is mindful of such classic artists as Gregg Allman, the Allman Brothers Band and Chris Stapleton. “I guess I play a blend of country music and Southern rock,” said Dorsey. “Not necessarily the traditional country that my grandparents listened to, but not the radio country, either. I like Waylon Jennings and Merle Submitted / The Outlook Haggard. Those to and some of the Southern rock groups Opelika’s Dallas Dorsey will be the first performer in the Young Professionals’ Strand Sessions like (Lynyrd) Skynyrd are Concert Series Thursday May 5. Dorsey plays a blend of county rock and blues iwith a sound See SESSIONS • Page 3 reminiscent of the Allman Brothers and Chris Stapleton.

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Admitted hypochondriac seeks cure for her fear of dying

Saturday

85 66 Low

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Partly sunny, then chance of t-storms

Sunday

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Staff

Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Kenneth Boone Publisher, Ext. 218 kenneth.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Accounting Angela Mullins Bookkeeping, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Mary Lyman Boone Bookkeeping marylyman.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Robert Hudson Sports Editor, Ext. 228 robert.hudson@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com

Friday, April 29, 2016

The Outlook

David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210 david.granger@alexcityoutlook.com Mia Osborn Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 mia.osborn@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Kim Morse Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 kim.morse@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Guill Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.guill@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Audra Spears Composing Department, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Alethia Russell Graphic Artist, Ext. 231 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Asst. Circulation Manager, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Lake Martin Living, The Outlook is published five times Kenneth Boone a week, Tuesday through Saturday Photography and mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, a commercial web printing press. Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. © 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. ReproPOSTMASTER: Send address duction of any part of any issue requires changes to Post Office Box 999, written publisher permission. Alexander City, AL 35011.

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Information

DEAR ABBY: I’m a hypochondriac. I am currently waiting on the biopsy results for a mole I had removed. Right now I’m worried and miserable. I feel guilty for what I’m putting my husband through. I want to get therapy, but doing that feels like admitting I’m too weak to handle my problems myself. My husband thinks he’s a bad husband because he can’t help me. This isn’t the first time I have worked myself up over a medical condition I may or may not have, and it won’t be the last. How can I deal with my fear of dying from something horrible without damaging my relationship with my husband? Can hypochondria be cured? It’s starting to take over my life. -- HYPOCHONDRIAC IN THE SOUTH DEAR HYPOCHONDRIAC: It’s a wise person who seeks help for a problem that’s ruining the quality of his or her life. You should definitely discuss your fear of dying with a licensed mental health professional. To do that isn’t “weak” -- it’s the opposite.

Obituaries Robert Benjamin Walker

Funeral service for Mr. Robert Benjamin Walker of Memphis, Tennessee formerly of Cottage Grove, Alabama will be Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Peace & Goodwill Baptist Church at 1:00 p,m. Burial will follow at Peace & Goodwill Baptist Church Cemetery. Wrights Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Many a

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Making a Difference in a Child’s Education The following sponsors have joined with The Alexander City Outlook and The Dadeville Record to promote the use of newspapers as an educational resource by providing Tuesday edition papers to city and county schools in the area. • Russell Medical Center • Russell Lands • Representative Mark Tuggle • Tallapoosa County Sheriff, Jimmy Abbett • Grace’s Flowers & Gifts • Barbara Young • Udora Berry

DEAR ABBY Advice

DEAR ABBY: My son is getting married in the fall and we’re all looking forward to the celebration. There’s just one problem. My daughter will be in the wedding and the bridesmaids’ dresses are strapless. She will look beautiful in the dress, but she adopted a “hippy lifestyle” a year ago and stopped shaving her armpits. The bride-to-be asked me how to approach her to request that she remove her armpit hair on the day of the wedding. Is there a tactful way to approach this without offending my daughter and possibly causing bad feelings between her and the bride? -- UNSURE IN NEW JERSEY DEAR UNSURE: I would discourage you from doing that.

By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

The Lake Martin Area United Way will kick off its 2016-17 fundraising efforts tonight with its Quail Fry and Low Country Boil starting at 6 p.m. at L.D. Benton’s barn located at 4841 Elkahatchee Road. All are invited to come and enjoy food, fun, music and fellowship, rain or shine. The cost of the event is $30 for individuals and $50 for couples. Tickets may be purchased at the United Way office at 17 Main Street in Alexander City today between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or tonight at the event. “This used to be a Red Cross fundraiser,” said Sharon Fuller, executive director of the Lake Martin Area United Way. “They restructured a couple years ago and decided not to do any fundraising locally, so we’ve taken it over. “In the past, it has been very popular with the people in the community. We’re hoping that they will find it just as enjoyable with us doing it.” The menu at the event will consist of fried quail, green beans, rice & gravy, cole slaw and, of course, the traditional low country boil fare of crawfish, shrimp, corn, potatoes and sausage. In addition to the food, there will be music from local favorites The Bankwalkers and a sale and auction of baked goods prepared by some of the culinary best of Alexander City and surrounding area. One baker’s cakes

SCHOOL REGISTRATION: Victory Baptist Academy, a mission of Victory Baptist Church, is now holding registration for the 2016-2017 academic school year for grades K4 12th grade. For more information call 256-234-2089 or 256-7496451. SCHOOL REGISTRATION: Faith Christian Academy, a ministry of Faith Temple Church, is accepting applications for the 2016-2017 academic year for grades K3 and up. Applications may be obtained at the Church office at 425 Franklin Street (256-234-6421). Tours of the school are available upon request. AWANA: Wayside Baptist Church hosts Awana Sunday’s from 4:40 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for ages three to high school. For more information

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Tallapoosa County School System Please contact David Kendrick at 256-234-4281 or david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com 548 Cherokee Rd., Alexander City, AL 35010

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are rumored to have gone for as much as $500 in past auctions. “We have some of the most talented bakers in the city who have already committed to donate baked goods and they’re still calling me,” said Fuller. “We’ve got more than 70 baked goods that have been donated. In addition, we’ll have items donated by Springhouse, Catherine’s Market, Kowaliga, Generals in New Site, JR’s, G’s Kountry Kitchen and Iz Bakery in Vestavia. A lot of the best items, we’ll auction off. But there will also be items there that are priced for purchase.” Fuller said Gene Gwaltney donated 500 quail for frying at the event. “We really appreciate Gene’s donation and all the donations that we’ve received for this event,” Fuller said. “We’ve had a lot of people who have really stepped up.” Fuller said she hopes the quail fry and low country boil would serve as a rousing kickoff to a fundraising year that will exceed what the agency did last year, when it raised more than $565,000. “I hope that this is the beginning of our best fundraising year yet,” Fuller said. “We’re looking forward to getting things off to a great start.” The Lake Martin Area United Way needs your support to help the 26 agencies it supports. For more information on how you can help, call 256-3293600.

Ongoing Events

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DEAR ABBY: My parents built a two-bedroom apartment onto their house for my brother and his wife when they were struggling financially. They decided to move out of state, so my single sister is now in the apartment. It has been a year, and my brother and his wife are now expecting. They have moved back to the area because they want to raise the baby near family, and want the apartment

back. Of course, my sister doesn’t want to give it back. I feel she shouldn’t have to. I agree with my sister that my brother gave it up. But my brother feels my single sister doesn’t need a two-bedroom apartment. On that point I agree with him. My husband, my parents and I are in the middle. What do you think should be done? -SQUABBLING SIBLINGS DEAR “SQUAB”: Get out of the middle by stepping away. The apartment belongs to your parents, and it is up to them to decide who gets to use it. The rule of etiquette in a situation like this is: Mouth shut! (The more you involve yourself, the more one of your siblings is sure to resent you.)

United Way quail fry, low country boil set for tonight at Benton Farm

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Although every bride wants her wedding to be “perfect,” there’s a point at which she must realize there are some things she can’t control. An example of where that boundary should be drawn would be at her bridesmaids’ armpits. During a formal wedding ceremony, bridesmaids usually keep their arms down, so unless your daughter’s “pit hair” is so long she can braid it, it should not distract attention from the bride. P.S. If hairy armpits in the wedding pictures concern her, they can be Photoshopped off.

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contact George Gardin, student minister at 864-5800343. VOLUNTEER: Southern Care Hospice is seeking volunteers. Please call Lizz Gillenwaters at 256-2341134 or 256-749-3717 for more information. WOMAN MEETING: Every first Sunday, Victory Temple Holiness Church hosts a woman’s meeting, at 237 Aster St. in Dadeville. Everyone is invited. The meeting starts at 2 p.m. READY TO WORK: Ready to Work is a FREE jobs skills training program offered at Central Alabama Community College Career Center. Classes meet Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Completion of the program depends on the skill level of the individual. For more information contact Elaine Balint, instructor, at 256-2154496 (leave message) or ebalint@cacc.edu. OFFICE CAREERS: The Office Careers Technology program is funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and was created to help dislocated workers learn new employable skills. To qualify for the programs be a dislocated worker (layoff) or a low income family. Anyone interested in the classes should contact the Alexander City Career Center @ 256-215-4494 and ask about the WIOA program. Most all dislocated workers automatically qualify for financial assistance. The program is 52 weeks and is open entry/ open exit. Students learn at their own pace in a non-traditional classroom setting. Classes begin when students are approved and

they may leave when they receive any or all of the certificates offered. Classes are Monday--Thursday, 8:00 a.m.--3:00 p.m. (with a lunch break). All textbooks and class materials are supplied. Certificates available are receptionist, inventory clerk, data entry clerk, administrative assistant, accounting office clerk, medical office clerk, legal office clerk. CELEBRATE RECOVERY: Celebrate Recovery is a Christcentered ministry designed to help hurting people. It is made up of regular folks who are on a journey toward wholeness; seeking recovery from life’s hurts, habits, and hang-ups. We meet every Monday at Vertical Point Church, 860 Airport Drive, Alex City. We begin with dinner at 5:45, followed by large group at 6:15 & small groups at 7:15. Childcare is provided. Everyone is welcome. For more info, call Mike at 256496-4664. BEYOND TRANSFORMATIONS: Meetings every second Saturday. Have you been wanting to give back, work with youth, or be a part of a group that makes a difference? Please email iamtransforms@gmail. com or Call at 334-4406539. Donations of clothes, food, books, computers, school supplies. A building and donations are needed. AMERICAN LEGION: Post 339 in Cottage Grove is open every Friday night from 8 p.m. until with fried chicken and fish. Music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. SCV MEETING:The Sons of Confederate Veterans meets every third Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at J.R.’s Sports Bar & Grill. Visitors are welcome.

Friday, April 29, 2016

Page 3

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The Outlook

Arrest made in Hackneyville theft case City was taken into custody Wednesday. He was charged with receiving stolen property. Abbett said that on Wednesday investigators received a report from the Hackneyville Volunteer Fire Department that someone entered their new building and reportedly stole ladders, lights, electrical extension cords, an air compressor and other items.

By MITCH SNEED Editor

An Alexander City man has been arrested on allegations that he was involved in the burglary and theft from the Hackneyville Volunteer Fire Department. Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett announced Thursday that 27-year-old Zackery Tucker of Alexander

Special to / The Outlook

Items that were recovered include ladders, lights electrical extension cords and an air compressor.

Paving

Sessions

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are excited about it, too.” “Strand Sessions” sponsors include Anytime Fitness, Bice Motors, Firetruck BBQ, Lee Marketing Group, Lake Martin Area Association of Realtors, Music Depot, Satterfield Outdoor Living and USAmeriBank. Firetruck Barbecue will be on hand selling barbecue sandwiches, barbecue rib sandwiches and barbecue nachos. Other sponsors will be there with booths for attendees to visit. Those attending the concert are encouraged their own blanket or folding chairs in addition to their own beverages.

some of the people that have influenced me.” Dorsey said he is also a fan of altcountry artist Chris Stapleton. “Oh, yeah, man, I love Stapleton,” Dorsey said. “That record (‘Traveler’) hasn’t left my CD player.” Meacham said even without a complete schedule for the summer yet, the “Strand Sessions” concert series has been well received. “People are saying it’s something that needed to be done for a while,” Meacham said. “Strand Park is the perfect place to do it. The City Council approved our special events permit so people can bring their own beer and wine and our sponsors

Meeting Cooper said a lot must be considered when prioritizing new or upgraded facilities. “We’ve looked at some possibilities,” Cooper said. “But we have to decide what are we going to build what school? High school? Middle school? Elementary school? So a lot has to be considered. But we’re going to have to start making some of those decisions.” Cooper also updated the council members on career tech programs at Benjamin Russell High School, upgrades to technology in the school system, the growth in fine arts (funded largely by funds allocated by the council) throughout the system, paving needs and more. Cooper said the career tech program at Benjamin Russell has seen growth and improvements from additional space and equipment, “We got a $503,000 grant for career tech a couple of years ago,” Cooper said. “We used that all for equipment. We’ve added two teacher units and we built an addition to our old shop that was cleared and opened within the last month. In the future, we hope to do something with cosmetology and in

Abbett said that the investigation is still active, but did indicate that some of the stolen property was recovered. He did not speculate on wheth- Tucker er other arrests were pending.

continued from page 1

the public service/public safety field. The legislature passed a law where we can now contract with adjunct instructors to teach those types of things.” Cooper said he also hoped to add an additional teacher for a medical sciences track, which currently exists under Jessica Dean. He said the system continues to try to structure programs to opportunities at Central Alabama Community College and commended vocational career tech teacher Ed Allen for growing Benjamin Russell’s co-op program from 18 participating students to 82 in two years. Cooper talked about $500,000 in federal E-Rate and local-match funding that has allowed expansion of the system’s 1-to-1 technology program systemwide for K-12 students. All students in the system are now provided with either iPads or Chromebooks and students in grades 5-12 may carry those devices home. Cooper thanked the council members for their belief and investment in the fine arts programs throughout the Alexander City Schools. “What the fine arts program provides for kids in

K-12 is something that’s going to pay off for them for the rest of their lives,” Cooper said. “It’s also a great drawing card for people interested in moving to the city, for industries and business interested in coming to the city.” “If any of the council members have and second thoughts about (fine arts), I encourage you to go to one of these programs and see what this is doing,” said council member Billy Ray Wall, who said he had seen programs at both Jim Pearson and Stephens elementary schools. “They do a great job, from what I’ve seen.” David Sturdivant urged the council not to cut the funding it has provided for the fine arts program in the schools and thanked them for their interest and commitment. Cooper said the system is in need of some paving work at all of its schools, but that he was “not asking, just planting the seed.” He said that the need was worst at Radney Elementary and that there was a need of a rerouting of the traffic at Jim Pearson to allow complete circulation of the school and more drop-off points.

Survivor

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treatment for their courage and determination, the event offers a chance to celebrate those persons and their attributes in a brand new and beautiful venue. “We are excited about this event, and hope that cancer survivors living in our area, regardless of where they received their treatment, will come out and enjoy this special evening,” Foy said. “We are thrilled to host this event at the Alabama Department of Transportation as the first big public event in this beautiful facility. Guests will be impressed with the grandeur of this venue, which lends itself well for a red carpet evening. At the reception, guests will enjoy hors douerves while listening to the jazz music of Tom Gassaway, an exceptional saxophonist and cancer survivor himself.” Foy said that guests are requested to wear Sunday attire, although coats are not required. The cancer survivors dinner kicks off the Relay for Life festivities for the week. Relay for Life will be held Friday, May 6, at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex in Alexander City. Opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m.

Chef Brad McFiggan‘s cinematicthemed menu of Casablanca Chicken, Rocky’s Risotto, Thumper’s Green Beans, herb tomatoes and Auntie Em’s homemade rolls, topped off with Pretty Woman’s Red Velvet Cream Cheese Pie. A celebration featuring great moments in movies will serve as the entertainment prior to an Academy Awards-type presentation. “There will be no keynote speaker, as this is designed as a cinematic evening similar to the Academy Awards,” said Susan Foy, director of marketing at Russell Medical Center. “The entertainment for the evening is actually going to be a movie we have produced that is comprised of great moments in famous movies, from Gene Kelly’s “Singin’ in the Rain” to “The Lion King” to “Forrest Gump.” It will be a fun time to sit back and enjoy your inner child. “Then we will honor our Leading Ladies and Leading Men – the cancer survivors – with an Oscar-type keepsake to remind them of the evening, and how special they are to each of us.” Foy said, in addition to a chance to honor cancer survivors and patients in +

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for new pavement. Brewer said the projects listed above should be in the neighborhood of $800,000. Some work along Clay street will also begin soon to prepare for the Broad Street streetscape project, Brewer said, When work is complete in the area where work is happening now, Brewer said they will shift to Glenwood and County Road and from there next on the schedule is Elkahatchee Street and then Dean Road. Brewer also said they will continue to notify residents in areas where work is about to begin so that they can plan ahead and adjust routes. “We can tell people that we are going to be doing some paving, but well before that work ever begins there are a lot of things that have to be done to prepare for that,” Brewer said. “We plan to use door hangers, plus other notifications to let people know well in advance that we will be there and what it is we will be doing. For example, a lot of times before a road can be paved, we have to clip shoulders to clear the way. It could be a shock if people don’t know it’s coming. We feel like we can lessen that blow if people know and can prepare.”

he feels good about the progress. “It really is going well,” Brewer said. “The crew with Ingram that is out there works very well with our inspector and it has been almost seamless so far. So we feel good about where we are.” The work is making a dramatic difference on streets that have not seen major work in a long time. Behind Stephens School, the road was filled with deep potholes and there were more patches than undisturbed asphalt before milling began in the area Thursday. “I know we have a lot of streets that are in pretty bad shape, but that’s the reason we use the MicroPAVER system,” Brewer said. “We put the money where it will do the most good. It factors in safety, traffic levels and all sorts of things, but the big thing is that it tells us where we can get the biggest bang for our buck. Using that system this year, we will be paving 8 to 19 miles of road. That’s pretty good coverage for the money. “As you can see out there, it is making a big difference.” The projects are being funded by the half-cent sales tax for roads that the council enacted in late 2014. The ACRIP fund is expected to generate about $1.15 million this year and this year more than half of that will be used

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The

Stop pointing fingers and fix city’s financial mess

physical altercation between Alexander City elected officials and subsequent arrests has been fodder for newspapers, websites, cartoonists and talk show hosts across the country and beyond. That’s unfortunate, embarrassing and unacceptable in a city with so much potential, spirit and heart. But equally embarrassing is the problem that was the subject of the meeting where the brawl took place. The city’s finances are a mess. We specialize in letters, not numbers, so placing blame isn’t our business. Plus, there has been more than enough finger pointing already. Consider these items: • We have had possible criminal activity where thousands in city money is gone. We paid $24,603 to find out that it appears to have been stolen. • The city is still two years behind on audits, meaning that bond ratings are suffering and many firms wouldn’t even touch a bond until they have more current information. • The city hasn’t completed a budget by the state-mandated deadline for two years. Now we learn from Brian Barksdale of Birminghambased accounting firm Carr, Riggs and Ingram that the city’s financial records are so far behind, that the firm has been unable to make much progress on audits. Then there’s this… • “The city’s cash is out of balance, a long way out of balance,” Barksdale said. “First it was $5.4 million out of balance and then there was an issue found with the utility fund of $6.7 million the other way. Now we’re at $1.5 million and the city doesn’t yet know where that is.” After that bombshell is there any need to list more? It doesn’t take an actuarial genius to figure out that you have to start with a clean slate, books in balance and all questions answered before you can even hope to get things right in the future. Election time is months away, so the leaders that we trusted with our votes need to step up and make sure they do whatever it takes to fix this mess. Hire outside professionals to help reconcile the books if that’s what’s needed. If more employees are needed, get good people and get the job done. Give people the access they need to information so that the process and the books can be brought up to date. The time for excuses, personality conflicts, political posturing and “he said, she saids” is over. A municipality operating on a $47 million budget funded by the taxes of its hard-working residents can’t continue down this road. Do whatever it takes to fix this. While you are at it, keep the public informed and give constant updates and work to restore the trust that most in our city would say is non-existent at this point. After all, this is our money being handled with the care of a drunken sailor. Just a reminder: The petition where Alexander City residents can sign asking to vote on whether a professional city manager is needed is available during regular business hours at the offices of The Outlook.

Friday, April 29, 2016

A harvest comes from planting

Opinion

Outlook

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 4

pring has definitely arrived at my home. It seems my sweet wife looked over the yard, flowerbeds and shrubs and decided we needed to get to work. Now when I say we, it’s a relative term. What this really entails is her buying enough flowers for Callaway Gardens and me planting them. Of course, the planting has to be done under strict supervision so that I won’t just plant, but I will place these flowers in the right order, pattern and areas. I wouldn’t say she is a bossy overseer, but I’ve gotten so use to taking orders that when she comes around I immediately stand up, take off my hat and bow my head. Some people are blessed with the gift of a green thumb when it comes to raising flowers. I, on the other hand, have the curse of a black thumb and fingers. Every time I dig a small hole to insert a bedding plant it looks like a tiny grave. Somewhere in the universe the guardian angel of God’s beautiful flora plays Taps as I plant. I think I gave the willow trees the excuse to weep because of my attempts at gardening. The last time I left the nursery with a car load of plants all the employees stood along the road with their heads bowed as I passed.

GERALD HALLMARK Guest Columnist

I’m sure there are flowers in the Sahara Desert that looks healthier than my plants. I’ve tried to explain this curse to my wife, but she says I’m exaggerating, to put my hat back on and get to work. So, the slaughter of the innocents continues. If you ever visit my home please pay your respects as you pass the flowerbeds because in reality they are really small plant cemeteries. Actually, they are more like mulch beds than flowerbeds, but you get the idea. Next year I think I’ll just plant Kudzu because no one can kill that stuff. In spite of my feeble efforts at gardening the seeds will germinate, sprout and later bloom. God made them to follow this cycle so that the plant’s life would continue, and while it is alive, be enjoyed by others. This is a great analogy of God’s Word in our hearts. The Holy Spirit plants it there, it germinates through love and care, and then it blooms so that it might be shared with others. The sweet fragrance of this flowering life spreads to oth-

ers like pollen and infuses life into them as well. When God created this world He prepared our hearts to receive these seeds in order that we might have a beautiful life and be a blessing to others. The Palmist said as much, “As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.” Psalm 103:15. Unlike our pitiful attempts at human gardening God is the Creator and Sustainer of all life. After I finished planting, my Sweetie wanted me to trim up a couple of the shrubs so she sent me after the clippers so that we, there is that we word again, could carefully shape them. No Siree, that would take too long so I grabbed my 24-inch chain saw and fired that baby up. When I got through trimming it was a masterpiece of flora design. I was so proud of this exceptional work until my bride came around for inspection. I wish I had left my hat on when I stood up because it might have helped cushion the knot on my head. In the future I can only play with my chain saw under adult supervision. Dr. Gerald Hallmark is a retired minister, al Alexander City resident and a regular columnist for The Outlook.

Today’s

Quote

“ In order to obtain the impossible, one must attemp tthe absurd. – Miguel de Cervantes

Today’s

Scripture “After telling everyone goodbye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.” – Mark 6:46

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Letters to the Editor

It’s time for leaders with spiritual conviction

Dear Editor, In NASCAR, it’s called “silly” season, when rumors of drivers leaving one racing team for another, or shop talk escalates about a driver being “let go” swirls around the circuit and eventually makes the news. Some of the “rumors” are true but a rather large percentage of them are not so true. Sometimes the teams “cook up” these stories just to draw a little more attention and support to the driver or their sponsor. It is a fact that the more something gets repeated the more people believe it to be true. It becomes the de facto truth, in other words, not quite the whole story but not really un-true, either. Several years ago, when rumors were rampant in our city about changes to organizations, jobs and people’s lives it became a very stressful time in our community and created a lingering effect on the city’s leaders and its residents. Again, some of the rumors held truth, a truth so devastating it was difficult to understand how anyone could spin such a yarn about downsizing the largest textile employer in the area, no pun intended. However, the truth was revealed and now is even more visible with the removal of the buildings that once were filled with employees making a living for their families. The truth is more telling in the frustration of the city’s residents as they watch a city government devour each other in public meetings and attack each other on a per-

sonal level instead of working together to rebuild a great community. The recent happenings publicized in the media remind us that if our ethics are not born out of our convictions, they may shift and change with the tide of the culture or with what is convenient for us. When ethics are formed out of spiritual convictions, they are unchanging. When the latter is the process we have a standard that is transcendent beyond our personal preference. The strongest ethics come out of us first as generosity. This is when we reach the point that our ethics must revolve around giving ourselves away, such as serving others in our community, in our walk, in our personal and professional life, and so on and so forth. Second is justice, with this our ethics revolve around justice for all, not some self-serving desire that betters us rather than benefiting the multitudes. Third is excellence, this by allowing our ethics to revolve around setting a standard above average. As leaders, in the community, our homes and our places of worship we have to maintain an excellence in our lives that sets a higher standard for others who are watching and learning from us. Think of our children, our future leaders and what message are we sending them? Where do they draw the line when they become our leaders? Get all you can from others or do all you can for others? Fourth is service. As was

just mentioned this is where our ethics must revolve around adding value to other people and making a positive difference in their lives. A positive difference, a positive difference, a positive difference, I say this three times just as Dorothy did in the Wizard of Oz when she said, “There’s no place like home, There’s no place like home, THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!” You get it? This is our home, our people, we have a responsibility to all those who labored and came before us and if we don’t do everything we can to make a positive difference we are doing our community a disservice. Last but not least is convictions. Our ethics must revolve around a firm inward compass. Ethics result from this inward compass. A conviction is a strong belief that so governs our decisions that we are willing to die for it. History is full of leaders who changed the world because of their convictions. I ask you, where are those leaders today? Believe it or not they walk among us, work beside us, they are our neighbors and friends. Encourage them to get involved, if you know them. Support them, pray for them, and be of service to them as we, together, make this community and our country great again. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Have a wonderful day, James Dodwell Alexander City

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Friday, April 29, 2016

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Dr. Douglas Stewart Alexander City, AL

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Today is April 29, 2016 Today’s Events

istering basic health & wellness checks, as well as a fly-in by Life Saver helicopter. For more information, please call 334-618-4616. QUAIL FRY: The Lake Martin Area United Way is hosting a quail fry and low country boil April 29 at 6 p.m. at LD Benton’s Barn on Elkahatchee Road. Cost is $50 per couple or $30 per individual. For more information or to purchase tickets contact the United Way office at 17 Main Street or at 256-329-3600.

Page 7

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Today’s Anniversary

Alan and Brandy Brazzell are celebrating their anniversary today.

Today’s Birthdays

Termaine Childs, Sarah Anne Rogers, Hayden Hartley, James Lashley, Stephen Foster Hayes, Angelique Mazzilli and Shuranda Hutcherson are celebrating birthdays today.

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Small Space Advertising Works.

Faith Christian Academy held their Spring Formal 2016 last Friday night. The students enjoyed a formal sit-down dinner. They had been studying folk dancing this semester and ended this study by performing five folk dances, including one where they taught their parents “Heel-Toe Polka”. They played games and ended the evening with a Daddy/Daughter – Mother/Son Dance. Pictured left to right are: Front row: Brooklyn Berry, Autumn Angell, Allie Reams, Allie Bishop, Adlyne Benton, Avery Benton, Lexi Robinson, Anna Claire Stark. Second row: Autumn Blanks, Brian Thompson, Hayden Haddock, Drew Daughtry, Noah Long, Dani Smith, Teddy Herrmann, Jadon Dark, Riley Jackson and Serenity Smith. Third row: Kylee Stark, Leslie Pitts, Madison Moncrief, Seth Oliver, Reid Daughtry, Chapman Marlow, Bella Arami, Christopher Phillips, John Patrick Stark, Evan Dunning and John Paul Boles.

April 25-29

BASEBALL REGISTRATION: The 2016 Alex City Baseball 13-15 Year Old League registration will be at the Sportplex Baseball Tower Monday, April 25 through Friday, April 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $75.

April 29

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HEALTH FAIR: Lake Martin Community Hospital, a division of Ivy Creek Healthcare, is hosting a Health & Wellness Fair on April 29th, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Stillwaters Welcome Centre (2129 Moonbrook Drive) in Dadeville, Al. Physicians and nurses will be on site administering basic health & wellness checks, as well as a fly-in by Life Saver helicopter. For more information, please call 334618-4616. QUAIL FRY: The Lake Martin Area United Way is hosting a quail fry and low country boil April 29 at 6 p.m. at LD Benton’s Barn on Elkahatchee Road. Cost is $50 per couple or $30 per individual. For more information or to purchase tickets contact the United Way office at 17 Main Street or at 256329-3600.

April 30

DRUG TAKEBACK: Local law enforcement will be on site at Walgreens Pharmacy in Alexander City from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 30 to allow anyone to dispose of unwanted or expired over the counter and prescription medications. No questions will be asked. CEMETERY PRESERVATION WORKSHOP: The Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance is hosting its annual cemetery preservation workshop at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Friendship United Methodist Church Cemetery April 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Contact Scott Martin at bevel67@ aol.com for additional information. CAR WASH: The Pine Ridge Mission Team is having a car wash April 30 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Arby’s. The proceeds will help with VBS and community outreach projects this summer on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

SHELIA’S WARRIORS: The Central Alabama Club of the NANBPWC, Inc. in a one mile walk for Sarcoidosis honoring the memory of Sheila Shelton-Burks April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration is $10 and t-shirts are $12-$15. All proceeds from this gathering will aid in finding a cure for this deadly disease. For additional information contact Shirley A. Shelton, CAC President 1114 Parrish Street Alexander City, AL 35011. MULE DAY: The Weogufka Center will host Mule Day Saturday, April 30. Vendors are welcome. Breakfast will be available from 6:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. Concessions will be available from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Parking is $2 per car. There will be plowing demonstrations, buggy rides and entertainment will be available all day. For more information contact Margaret Thornton at 256-234-2186 or Kattie Hocutt at 256-329-3638. PRAYER WALK: Haven Chapel UMC Prayer Team Ministry will do a prayer walk April 30 at 7 a.m. in the communities connecting the church to the community. The team will leave 185 Royston Street, to Broadnax, Crawford, Herren and South Street (OLD 280.) Upon returning to the church, the team will branch out in the communities seeing the communities through God’s eye, praying for discernment; discovering, interacting, and seeking ways of blessing the communities. CLEARANCE SALE: The Tallapoosa Christian Crisis Center is hosting its second quarter clearance sale Saturday, April 30 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.

May 1

HOMECOMING: New SIte United Methodist Church will celebrate 160 years of ministry in Sunday May 1. Bro. Lewis Archer will deliver the morning message beginning at 10:45 a.m. Lunch will follow. REGENERATION ANNIVERSARY: The Regeneration Community Praisers will present their Moving Forward program May 1 at 3 p.m. at the Cooper Recreational Center. Mistress of Ceremony will be Keke Fuller.

PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY: The Mt. Lovely Baptist Church in Camp Hill will be observing its 22nd pastoral anniversary of Rev. and Sis. Bernard Harris on Sunday, May 1 at 2 p.m. Rev. Douglas Caddell and Canaan Baptist Church of Bessemer will be our guest. Come out and celebrate. FAMILY AND FRIENDS DAY: Oak Grove CME Church will be hosting their family and friends day Sunday, May 1 at 11 a.m. The guest speaker of the morning will be Rev. Harry Gatewood III, from Newman, Ga. The church is located on 17412 Highway 22 East Daviston. Everyone is invited to attend.

Until May 2

PREK REGISTRATION: Pre-K applications are being accepted at Jim Pearson School, Alex City Board of Education and Hippy House until May 2. Be sure to bring completed family information form and most recent utility bill as proof of Alabama residency.

May 3

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Central Elementary School will have registration for kindergarten May 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the Central Elementary School. Registration forms are available at www.ces.coosaschools.k12.al.us Bringing completed forms will make the registration process go much more quickly.

May 4

BIBB GRAVES MONTHLY LUNCHEON: The monthly luncheon for the Bibb Graves School will be May 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring a covered dish.

May 5

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Central Elementary School will have registration for kindergarten May 5 from 3:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Central Elementary School. Registration forms are available at www.ces.coosaschools.k12.al.us Bringing completed forms will make the registration process go much more quickly.

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Friday, April 29, 2016

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PLAYOFF ROAD SHOW Lady Wildcats to open postseason at Opelika

By ROBERT HUDSON Sports Editor

Robert Hudson / Outlook File Photo

Benjamin Russell’s Marley McAlister (12) races up the field during a game earlier this month against Pell City at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex.

Playoff time has arrived for the Benjamin Russell Lady Wildcats. The Lady Wildcats (10-9-1) will hit the road on Saturday to face Opelika at 11 a.m. in round one of the Class 6A State Playoffs. Benjamin Russell Coach Lee Wagoner said a tiebreaker resulted in the Lady Wildcats opening the playoffs on the road. “We had a big victory against Oxford last Saturday, 2-0, which finished us up at 3-1 in section play and tied us for first place in the section. We actually lost out on the No. 1 seed out of the section on the fourth tiebreaker with Pell City, so we have to travel for the first round,” Wagoner said. “But we’ve played pretty well on the road this year, so it’s not a big deal there. It’s just about getting everyone focused and in that playoff mindset right now is the most important thing.” Benjamin Russell defeated Opelika earlier this season on the road, but Wagoner said the message to the Lady Wildcats is to not underestimate their opponent. “We played them earlier in the season and defeated them 2-0. It was not one of our best performances of the year in that 2-0 game,” Wagoner said. “Looking at that this past week of practice we’ve talked about not underestimating our opponent and taking every opponent seriously and showing up for every game. Because at this point in the season, the next game could be your last if you’re not prepared for it.” With a few players missing from the

starting lineup, Benjamin Russell will continue to rely on players who have filled in during the season. Wagoner said he has been proud of the efforts from the various players who have filled in during the year. “We’ve battled some injuries these last couple of weeks, and we’re still not going to be at full strength against Opelika, but there’s no excuses and it has to be a ‘next woman up’ mentality right now,” Wagoner said. “It’s been great and I couldn’t be prouder of the girls who have stepped up into the different roles coming off the bench into starting roles. We’ve actually had some moving to different positions on the field. I couldn’t be prouder of them. The first game where we had several injuries and had to sit a lot of players it was a learning experience and we weren’t sure how to go about it. But I think as time went on and we’ve played more with some of the missing pieces the girls who have stepped up have been phenomenal.” Wagoner said the Lady Wildcats have been working for the start of the playoffs going back to the off-season and are focused on advancing to the second round. “It’s just like we said when we started preparing last summer: work hard every day. We don’t take days off and we work hard every day,” Wagoner said. “We wanted to win the section, which we did. We wanted to host first round but we weren’t able to, but some things are out of your control. So, you just have to work hard every day to prepare for the next game and hopefully we’ll advance to the second round.”

PLAYOFF BASEBALL

Robert Hudson / Outlook File Photo

Longtime Dadeville baseball Coach Randy Nolen leads a practice last season at McKelvey Park in Dadeville.

Dadeville falls, Nolen retires By ROBERT HUDSON Sports Editor

Robert Hudson / Outlook File Photos

Cole Noble, at top, and the Reeltown Rebels will host the rival Horseshoe Bend Generals today in a playoff doubleheader starting at 4 p.m., while Corley Woods, at bottom, and the Benjamin Russell Wildcats will travel to the rival Opelika Bulldogs in a doubleheader starting at 4:30 p.m. today. Both playoff series have a game three scheduled for Saturday in the same locations, if necessary.

Baseball season came to an end for Dadeville in Saturday’s series deciding game three at Bibb County. The Tigers split last Friday’s doubleheader at Bibb County in round one of the Class 4A State Playoffs, as Bibb County won game one, 3-2, but the Tigers won game two, 11-10. Saturday, the Tigers’ season ended with a 17-4 defeat. Dadeville Coach Randy Nolen said Friday’s games were very competitive and the Tigers fought hard in game two. “Friday, it was two pretty good baseball games and really competitive. They threw a left hander in the first game and we didn’t do a really good job of adjusting and staying back,” Nolen said. “Their pitcher did a good job. We kind of got behind the eight ball in game one, but game two we responded, got down but came back and tied it up, got down again and went ahead. They tied it up, but we wound up winning in the eighth.” Nolen said things simply did not go Dadeville’s way on Saturday, as Bibb County hit the ball well all game. “We felt pretty good going into Saturday, but Saturday was one of those games where everything they hit fell in and everything we hit went right to them,” Nolen said. “We changed a lot of pitchers trying to change the karma and change some things, but it was like it didn’t matter who we put out there. Everything they hit was going in gaps.

It wasn’t meant to be, but to finish up the season competing in those first two games the way we did and fighting back in the second game was good. We put ourselves in a position to at least have a chance to win the third game.” The end to the season also marked the end of Nolen’s nearly 30 years at the helm of the Dadeville program, as he said he will retire. Despite the 10-25 finish to the season, Nolen said the Tigers saw consistent improvement near the end of the season and he was proud of the effort in the series against Bibb County. “It just puts a little emphasis on what we’d talked about earlier about how much improvement these guys have made throughout the year and playing with a little more confidence,” Nolen said. “I was really, really proud of the effort. It’s tough any time your season ends. It’s tough for the kids and this being my last one, it was pretty emotional. It’s one of those things as far as finishing out the season, I was very proud of the effort and the improvement the guys made. They kept on fighting. “Even the game on Saturday, we got down and they stayed positive and kept swinging the bats.” Nolen added he is thankful for the time and people he has worked with at Dadeville. “I am retiring,” Nolen said. “Blessed is the best word I can come up with. The kids, the parents, the administration, people I’ve worked with, it’s just been a blast. It’s been fun.”