SPORTS, 11: PHILLIPS NAMED HBS FOOTBALL COACH, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
THE
TUESDAY
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 April 9, 2019 Vol. 127, No. 70 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Annexation of Miner’s Cove: By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Alexander City stands to benefit from property taxes through the annexation of lakefront property near Sturdivant Creek and the new Miner’s Cove development but at what cost? The city would not annex Sturdivant Road, which services the area, nor pay for its upkeep. Tallapoosa County is currently responsible for maintaining the road, which is in rough shape. “We’re only taking the parts we’re annex-
Only portions of Sturdivant Road will be annexed into Alexander City under the current proposal.
ing,” Alexander City public works director Gerard Brewer said. “That would be a little part of the south side of the bridge and then the bridge and everything from there back (to the railroad).” But many feeder roads in the area lead homeowners out to U.S. Highway 280 by way of Sturdivant Road, much of which is currently out of the city limits and would remain in the county if the annexation is approved by the legislature. See ANNEXATION • Page 10
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
County sends Willow Point private road district to legislature
‘A PLACE TO GROW’
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Great Bethel’s new pastor shares vision for church By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
R
ev. Frederick Young stood nervously at the pulpit at Great Bethel Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday as he delivered his first sermon as pastor of the church. “I am trying to compose myself,” Young told the more than 100 gathered under the grand ceiling of the Great Bethel sanctuary. “I’m trying to believe this is real. I find myself surrounded in a reality far beyond my dreams.” Church members were happy to see Young delivering See BETHEL • Page 10
Today’s
Weather
76 54 High
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
489.61 Reported on 04/08/19 @ 3 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
6
54708 90050
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Rev. Frederick Young, above right, meets members of Great Bethel Baptist Church on Sunday after his first sermon, top, as pastor of the church. Young preached Great Bethel ‘is not going to be a place for show’ but ‘a place to grow.’
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USPS Permit # 013-080
Willow Point roads could be the subject of an amendment to the Alabama Constitution after the Tallapoosa County Commission approved Monday a request to create a private road maintenance district. “I was contacted by Russell Lands and received documentation (about a constitutional amendment),” commissioner Steve Robinson said. “Basically it is a constitutional amendment to authorize Willow Point to assess a road maintenance charge on their residents.” The amendment, if ultimately approved by the legislature and a statewide referendum, would create a private corporation to collect maintenance fees from residents in the district and perform maintenance, repair and construction of roads and bridges in Willow Point Estates. County attorney Thomas Radney said he sees no liability to the county in the proposed amendment. “These will remain private roads,” Radney said. “At the request of Russell Lands, these roads will be their responsibility to maintain. I don’t see any downside to the county.” Longtime Tallapoosa County Revenue Commission employee Paula Burton, who has retired, was honored by the commission at Monday’s meeting. “She actually retired Friday a week ago,” revenue commissioner Eva Middlebrooks said. “She is See COMMISSION • Page 9
Gas prices continue rising in state Prices in Alex City up 5 cents in the last week STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Low
City would benefit, county would lose
Alabama gas prices have risen 4.4 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.42 per gallon as of Monday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 3,348 stations. Gas prices in Alabama are 18.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago but are unchanged compared to a year ago. “For the seventh straight week the national average has continued to rise, unabated, due to seasonal impacts,” said Patrick DeHaan, the head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. “The run-up this spring has felt worse than prior years and thus far the national average is up nearly 50 cents per gallon from our
2019 low. Unfortunately, this a rut we’ll be stuck in yet for at least a few more weeks.” DeHaan said President Donald Trump has not been able to convince OPEC to increase production and EPA regulations are contributing to higher prices. “While oil prices have been a minor piece of the pie of rising gas prices, the bulk remains EPA mandates during the summer months that coincide with refineries doing work ahead of the intense demand during the summer in which most run near capacity,” DeHaan said. According to GasBuddy price reports, gas prices in Alabama range from $2.28 to $2.79. Nationwide, the price ranges from See GAS • Page 9 Alex City
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Jimmy Wigfield / The Outlook
Gas prices in Alexander City have risen 5 cents per gallon in the last week. Prices for regular unleaded ranged from $2.40 to $2.43 per gallon Monday; it was $2.43 per gallon at the Murphy station at Walmart on U.S. Highway 280.
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