THE
TUESDAY
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
SPORTS, PAGE 10
April 2, 2019 Vol. 127, No. 65 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Reeltown take two walk off victories from Dadeville
Judge warns jurors about publicity By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
A jury is used to settle cases in court when a resolution cannot be reached before trial but are juries your neighbors and peers? In Tallapoosa County this week, Fifth Judicial Circuit Judge Ray Martin is overseeing the spring jury criminal
term. Nearly 100 people answered jury summons Monday, which was the first day of the 2019 spring criminal jury term. One of Martin’s duties as judge is to find a qualified and impartial jury for each case called. “The first day of a term is the longest and hardest,” Martin told an Alexander City courtroom full of potential jurors. “It requires patience on everyone.
There is Eastern time, Eastern Daylight Savings time, Central time and Central Daylight Savings time. Courthouse time is different from those. Time is relative in the courthouse.” Martin went on to explain voter lists are now used to create jury pools as the addresses are more up to date than lists used from driver’s license lists. “The long and short of it is we were
Cooper ‘finished the race,’ relied on God in life
not getting sufficient numbers,” Martin said. “We have a lot of jurors today – that is a good thing.” Martin offered the capacity-filled courtroom some humor to lighten the day. “You will hear the term striking a jury a lot, but no one will be assaulted,” he said. See JURY • Page 3
Council approves transfer; loan closes today
Funeral of beloved leader attended by 300 By RON COLQUITT For The Outlook
By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor
ev. Alfred Cooper was eulogized Saturday during his funeral service as a man who walked with God throughout life’s struggles and triumphs. Cooper, 90, a highly regarded community leader, educator and coach, died March 25. The former Laurel School assistant principal and football coach was involved in the peaceful desegregation of city schools while serving as a member of the Alexander City Board of Education. Those who knew him well said Cooper’s Christian demeanor in dealing with desegregation helped prevent demonstrations during that period in the city’s history. Quoting from the second book of Timothy chapter 4, Rev. Percy Nolan told a crowd of 300 at the First United Methodist Church in Alexander City, “The time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness.” Nolan said when Cooper was in college, he kept company with God. Cooper attended Emory University and Candler School of Theology, both in Atlanta, and was an active preacher for 40 years. “He would find a solitary place,” Nolan said. “Isn’t that wonderful? He knew where he was headed.” Then directing his attention to those in attendance, Nolan asked, “Do you know where you are headed?” Nolan said the Old Testament’s King David got help from God. “It is my prayer for you, my hope for See COOPER • Page 3
The City of Alexander City moved forward with its plans for a new municipal complex Monday when it voted to transfer $2.55 million from its electric fund to purchase the former Russell Sales Office and 56 acres of property. The city council voted 5-1 — councilmember Buffy Colvin dissented — to transfer the money to the general fund so property owner Gary Nelson can be paid today when the city closes on a $9 million loan for the project. The city has estimated it will cost $6.45 million to renovate the sales office. The city will reimburse the electric fund within 60 days once it receives the loan proceeds, according to the resolution passed at Monday’s council meeting. “It’s a matter of moving forward and not waiting another 60 days,” Mayor Jim Nabors told the council. The council voted 6-0 to amend the budget but Colvin voted against the transfer of money. She also voted against the purchase of the property in January along with councilmember Bobby Tapley, who on Monday was assured the money transferred from the electric fund would be repaid within 60 days. “I’m comfortable with the guaranteed payback,” Tapley said. A formal resolution to transfer money from the electric fund was See COUNCIL • Page 9
R
Today’s
Weather Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
488.98 Reported on 4/1/19 @ 7 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
6
54708 90050
For The Outlook
A crowd of 300 people attended the funeral service for Rev. Alfred Cooper Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Alexander City. The highly respected coach, teacher and administrator died last week at 90.
County school resource officers enjoy working with students By GABRIELLE JANSEN Staff Writer
65 42 High
Ron Colquitt /
Horseshoe Bend school resource officer Beverly East’s truck is student-approved with its superhero detailed wrap. East’s truck has Marvel’s Avengers on the sides and Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman on the hood. “(The Tallapoosa Sheriff’s Department) wanted to get me into (a D.A.R.E. vehicle) and they had that truck which was actually seized in a drug bust several years ago,” East said. “They asked us come up with some ideas for a wrap on the truck and that’s what we came up with. The kids really love it.” That connection helps East and other school resource officers in the Tallapoosa County Schools do a better job of heading off trouble. She was added in 2016 and works for the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department. Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department deputy Jason Cowart was the first SRO hired for the school system. He started in 2010 and worked at all the county schools before the school board added more SRO
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See RESOURCE • Page 3
USPS Permit # 013-080
Gabrielle Jansen / The Outlook
Dadeville Elementary student Jadyen Burns, left, and Dadeville school resource officer Peter Golden shake hands in the school’s front lobby.
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