INSIDE, PAGE B7: LOCAL COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898
Wetumpka, AL 36092
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WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 9, 2017
THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM
VOL. 119, NO. 32
Mayor: Work on Hampton Inn could resume ‘any time’
By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor
What had all the appearances of a brief, uneventful Wetumpka City Council meeting ended up providing those in attendance with a positive
update on the long-dormant Hampton Inn construction on South Main Street. Other than the routine approval of minutes from its previous meeting, the council’s agenda consisted of a single item – “Approve dumpster location agreement” – which, at first glance,
seemed without import. However, the dumpster in question was being placed by the new general contractor for the Hampton Inn project, which Mayor Jerry Willis said he could not and would not name, for the dumping of debris from renewed work
on the hotel. As a result, in the work session prior to the meeting, Councilman Percy Gill asked about any progress at the hotel. Mayor Jerry Willis responded, saying continuation of the construction See COUNCIL • Page A2
Elmore County engineer joins national board, talks perks
Edwards attorney pleads ‘not guilty’ on client’s five charges By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Elmore County recently landed a high profile official on a national association of county governments, a move touted for its strategic placement of the county at the forefront of both national and state policies relating to county government. The National Association of Counties represents roughly 3,069 counties on the federal level across the nation and in late July Elmore County Engineer Richie Beyer was appointed to its board. According to a county press release, “Richie is the first Alabama County Engineer to serve in this role in recent history and is a past president of NACE (National Association of County See ENGINEER • Page A2
David Granger / The Herald
Elmore County Superintendent Richard Dennis, school board member Joey Holley and county bus drivers pose for photographs in front of one of 59 new buses the school system will put on the road on Tuesday’s first day of school.
County school bus fleet gets 59 new buses By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor
Residents of Elmore County will see a lot of new buses on the road this school year as Elmore County Schools unveiled 59 new 2018 buses today that will serve to replace 47 percent (59 of 126) of the buses used last school year. “It’s going to put us in a position to put our fleet where it needs to be do that we can better serve our communities, ” said Elmore County Schools Superintendent Richard Dennis, who
attended the unveiling directly after the system’s annual Institute Day, a giant pep really that helps kick off the system’s new school year. “With 59 new buses, we’re going to really be in a great position to make sure that our students are safe and that we have adequate transportation. “It’s a big part of what we do is getting them to and from school. It’s a classroom on wheels. Obviously, the safety factor becomes a See BUSES • Page A3
The attorney for Marcus Edwards plead not guilty to five counts of charges that came from his recent grand jury indictment, including one capital murder charge, three subsequent murder charges and a first-degree assault from the March 2016 Wetumpka driveby shootings. Edwards, 33, stood alongside his attorney T. Robin McIntyre who spoke on his behalf to Elmore County Circuit Judge Bill Lewis Tuesday. Lewis had just finished reading through the July grand jury indictments that accused Edwards of capital murder in the shooting death of Deosha Jackson, 19, of Wetumpka’s Level community, Jacoreian Jennings also of Wetumpka and Daryl Hunt, 48, of Elmore. Lewis said he was also indicted on the three deaths individually making up the See ARRAIGNMENT • Page A3
Elmore County schools accepting free, reduced-price meal applications By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor
Edgewood seniors celebrate last first day Submitted / The Herald
Edgewood Academy’s Class of 2018 started their last first day of school with a senior parade. Cheers and tears mixed as the seniors paraded past family and friends. The seniors enjoyed breakfast and fellowship with their classmates after the parade. shown here are, front row, Chapel Courson, Hunter Merritt, Cooper James, Addison Hunt, Cade James, Brandon Boone, Gabe Maynard, Matt Williams and, back row, Hannah Allen, Ashley O’Brien, Alyssa Brown, Sara Grace Ellis, Peyton Rodie, Madison Maddox, Erika Guthrie, Kallie Johnson, Jordyn Burleson, Kaitlyn Sampson, Brooke Carr, Gracie Thornton and Elizabeth Crosby.
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Elmore County Public Schools announced recently its policy for free and reduced-price meals for children served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program. Depending on the student’s household size and household income, he or she may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Households earning as little as $302 a week (for a single-person household) to
as much as $1,471 per week (for a household with eight people) or more (depending on if there are more than eight – and, if so, how many? – in the household) may be eligible for free or reduced price breakfasts and/or lunches with milk. “Once the application is submitted, we have 10 days to process it and, understand, at the beginning of the school year, we’re processing thousands of applications and we do them as quickly as we can possibly See MEALS • Page A3
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TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Obituaries Mrs. Cynthia Gail “Cindy” Adair Adair, Mrs. Cynthia Gail “Cindy” age 63 a resident of Deatsville, AL passed away at a local hospital on August 2, 2017. Graveside services will be held on Sunday, August 6, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Brookside Memorial Gardens with Rev. James Cleckler officiating. Cindy was retired from Haynes Ambulance Service. She is survived by her husband Larry Adair of Deatsville, AL, daughters Julia Blackwell (Michael) of Tallassee, AL, Paula Adair of Prattville, AL, son Tim Adair (Kim) of Daytona Beach, FL, sisters Brenda Garner
(Walt) of Alabaster, AL, Peggy Eaton of Pike Road, AL, brother Jeff Rudolph (Carol) of Knoxville, TN, grandchildren Avary “Champ” Lumpkin, Audrey Flinn, Jasen Flinn, Alex Adair, Corey Adair and Braxton Adair. Pallbearers will be Trey Thompson, Michael “Tiny” Kreauter, Randall Donaldson, Craig Peterson, Michael Blackwell and Tim Lumpkin. The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 6, 2017 one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Please remember Cindy with a smile and a story. Brookside Funeral Home of Millbrook, AL directing.
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THE WETUMPKA HERALD
Council could come “at any time” and he was told completion of the project would take “about three months” after construction resumed. “I think everything, from what I know, from what I’ve been told is that there’s an architectural firm out of Montgomery that’s taking over the project,” Willis said. “They have evaluated everything that’s there, everything’s been done. All of the environmentals have been done to make sure there was no problem. I think I talked with them on Friday about possible cleaning up on the property and they talked like at just any time they would be back under construction inside and outside and felt like it would be about a threemonth project to complete. “It’s my understanding that everything that goes in the hotel to finish it up is already in
continued from page 1
Wetumpka” in storage containers, Willis said. “So it’s just a matter of them getting all their details worked out and getting (the construction) started back. We’d very much like to see it because it’s way, way behind schedule. So we’d love to see it up and going and the gentleman that’s heading it up assures me that they’re ready to go.” Willis said there was an incentive for the owners of the hotel in that there is a substantial cost to the incomplete project just sitting on the property. “I think they’re eager. It’s costing them about $20,000 a month for it to sit there. So they’re eager to get it started, but it’s their project. Hopefully, in the next few days we’re going to see some movement out there. I heard that two weeks ago that they hoped to have the lights on, the air up and run-
ning and be in there two weeks ago. So hopefully they’re even closer now.” Later in its meeting, the council unanimously proposed the plan to locate the hotel contractor’s dumpster adjacent to Boundary Street “This is where the hotel has requested permission from the city to put its pad, to put it dumpster on the very back side of its property that’s going to slightly encroach onto Boundary Street,” said Regina Edwards, city attorney, of the dumpster location agreement. “It’s beyond the Dairy Queen … but back on the left-hand side where the hotel property is. … But it would be a slight encroachment onto the right-of-way, so they’re asking the city for permission to put (the dumpster) in that location.” Tex Grier, director of Public Works for
Engineer Engineers).” He was appointed to the National Association of Counties Board of Directors as the NACE representative. NACo is the parent organization of NACE. “My peers selected me from the county engineers across the country to represent (them) on the NACo board,” said Beyer. He said affecting federal policy was one of the more significant outcomes of his appointment. In March of this year Beyer testified before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee from his role as vice chair of the National Association of County Engineers’ Transportation Steering Committee. He said the “fruits” of the March hearing, during which he was empaneled on “Examining Environmental Barriers to Infrastructure
the city, asked that the agreement include a single stipulation since large trucks would be servicing the dumpster. “I don’t know if it’s reached the point yet or not, but one stipulation I’d like to see included is that the people that are responsible with the hotel to do the asphalt for that area be required to use either concrete or heavier asphalt because it’s going to be a service vehicle coming in there dumping that dumpster,” Grier said. “And I don’t know the required length right of my head, but we need to be sure that we include that stipulation in the plans.” Edwards responded that the agreement included language requiring Grier’s approval. After Councilman Steve Gantt moved for the agreement’s approval and Councilman Kevin Robbins’ second, the council voted unanimously to approve it.
continued from page 1
Development,” was the overturning of the “Waters of the U.S.” rule proposed in 2014. Loosely the EPA rule was developed to elaborate on the Clean Waters Act and clarify the bodies of water that fell within environmental protection laws, such as streams and tributaries as opposed to only the larger bodies of navigable waters used for commercial purposes. In a late July press release NACo praised the withdrawal of the rule. Beyer said that was one of the perks of his new appointment, being nearer to the federal legislative and policy making process. “I think affecting federal policy… the ‘Waters of the U.S.’, the overreach of the EPA and the Corps (Army Corps of Engineers), (its) drastic impact on not only government, but citizens,” said Beyer. “We were able to get the president in a position to overrule the
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rule.” He claims it would have increased construction costs, and that there was “no real science” behind it. Beyer’s presentation to the panel was titled, “Impediments to the Effective Delivery of Federal Aid Projects.” Loosely his arguments revolved around federal regulations impeding on local governments abilities to complete construction projects and the length of time it took to receive federal aid by way of grants. “Not that anybody’s against the environment, but there’s got to be common sense in what you do,” said Beyer. “There were a lot of comments that the Corps and EPA couldn’t explain,” he said of his time on the panel in March. However, while the industry lobbyists and conservative policy shapers he sat on the three-man panel with were pushing for further deregulation and gutting of EPA staff and budget, some representatives posed the opposite in their query, proposing the agency needed to be more fully funded and staffed in order to handle the high case loads said to be a cause of inefficiency. But Beyer said, “That’s just one exam-
ple,” of the benefit the county would have with an official on the NACo board. Others include a federal partnership and additional ways to seek grant money and federal tax for economic development and infrastructure. “This position with NACo will allow us to have a lot more influence in making things like that happen,” Beyer said. His term is two years. Beyer said there were a number of firsts that came with his appointment. “I’m the only county engineer that will serve in the capacity amongst a group of all states that are represented,” Beyer said. “To the best of my knowledge I’m the only non-elected Alabama official that serves on that board.” And he said, “I’m the only county engineer that serves on that board.” At 44, Beyer entered county government as a student intern at Florida State University in 1993. Afterward, he returned home to work with Coffee County and encountered his first major project – the flooding of Elba in 1994. He has been Elmore County engineer since 2003.
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Meals
AUGUST 9, 2017 • Page A3
Arraignment
continued from page 1
do it, but it does take us a couple of weeks to get caught up, so as soon as they can complete it, the better,” said Cacyce Davis, director of the Child Nutrition Program for Elmore County Schools. “We do have an online application that can be used and they can actually go ahead and start applying through the online application now.” The online application is available at myschoolapps. com. Paper copies of the application were received either at school open houses or sent home on the first day of school, Davis said. Households earning as little as $302 a week (for a single-person household) to as much as $1,471 per week (for a household with eight people) or more (depending on if there are more than eight – and, if so, how many? – in the household) may be eligible for free or reduced-price breakfasts and lunches with milk. Those who received free or reduced-price meals through the county schools last year must reapply to continue receiving those benefits, Davis said. “There is a 30-day grace period,” Davis said. “They will receive the free or reduced-price benefits they received last school year for up to 30 days until their new application is received. “The reduced price lunches are 40 cents and the breakfasts are 30 cents,” Davis said. Additional copies of the application forms are avail-
able at the principal’s office in each school. The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility. The information on the application may be verified at any time during the program year. Applications may be submitted any time during the school year. In accordance with program regulations school officials will be verifying the income of some households at some time during the school year. Selected households will be requested to provide income documentation in order to continue receiving free and reduced-price meals. The last four digits of the social security number must be provided for the primary wage earner or household member who signs the application. Aliens ineligible for social security numbers should indicate their status on the application. In certain cases, foster children are also eligible for these benefits. If a family has such children living with them and wishes to apply for such meals for them, they should contact the school. In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age or disability. Under the provision of the free and reduced-price meal policy, Cacyce Davis, Child Nutrition Program specialist, will review the applications
and determine eligibility. If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling or the official, he or she may wish to discuss it in more detail with that official. If a parent wishes to review the ruling further after discussing it with the school, he or she has a right to a fair hearing. Hearing requests must be made either orally or in writing to Susanne Goodin, Human Resources Director, 100 H.H. Robison Drive, Wetumpka, AL 36092, 334567-1210. Hearing procedures are outlined in the free and reduced-price meal policy. If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes, the household should contact the school to file a new application. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for free or reducedprice meals if the household income falls at or below the level shown above. A complete copy of the policy is on file in each school and in the office of the Superintendent of Elmore County Public Schools where it may be reviewed by any interested party. All questions on the free and reduced-price application must be completed. Failure to include information on household members, income or SNAP (Food Stamp) case number, information on Social Security and the signature of an adult household member will result in the denial of benefits.
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and was indicted on a murder charge also from the last grand jury. The murder charge comes from allegations that he supplied Edwards with the .9mm handgun, which was used in the shooting Edwards’ is accused of. He was initially arrested and held for some time in Elmore County Jail, however at the arraignment he sat in the audience in a black suit. The lead prosecutor as read aloud by Lewis was Chief Deputy District Attorney C.J. Robinson of the 19th District DA’s Office. After the not-guilty plea was made, District Attorney Randall Houston spoke about what came next. “He was advised of his charges today. Since it’s a capital case they did it on the record. The next step will be a plea day,” said Houston. “I don’t anticipate plea anytime soon but, you know, you never know what’s going to happen … We’re looking at probably a trial. When? It will be up to the court.” He said throughout his 30 years in the district his office had handled “hundreds” of capital cases. Robinson said, “It was the first capital in Elmore County since 2012.” Also scheduled to be arraigned today was former Wetumpka police officer Andrew Bass, who was indicted for manslaughter in the death of Elaine Merritt in an October 2016 car crash in his city police cruiser on U.S. 231. Bass, however, waived his arraignment.
three subsequent murder charges, and a first-degree assault charge in the shooting of Rodericka Jones, 20, of Wetumpka. After reading the indictment results, Lewis asked for his plea. McIntyre answered, “Not guilty your honor … on all counts your honor.” Edwards said little to nothing throughout the few minutes he was at the bench. He stood still with a pensive countenance, hands clasped together, in a faded, striped Elmore County Jail jumpsuit with his ankles bound wearing orange foam sandals and white socks. His demeanor had remained largely the same throughout the nearly four hours spent sitting in the courtroom before seeing the judge. Initially, the arraignment was scheduled to go before Circuit Judge Ben Fuller. Edwards’ hair was longer than his early 2016 initial court appearance, worn the same and this time he wore what appeared to be prescription glasses. Since his arrest last year he has been held in Elmore County Jail. Dozens of incarcerated men and a few women, plus several of youthful offender status were signing attorney’s papers, affidavits and entering pleas prior to Lewis’ arrival. The courtroom was filled with people also signing paperwork and talking with attorneys. Among them was Martin Aaron King, 35, who was reported to be Edwards’ uncle
Buses huge issue and we’re just excited to have the 59 new buses in our fleet to help us transport the children more effectively.” Dennis went on to talk about the importance of the bus drivers and the transportation maintenance and central staff with the school system. “The transportation group is an integral part of our system,” Dennis said. “You have to have the children get to school and most of our children ride buses to school, specifically in the elementary and middle schools. It’s just a part of our school community. The need is there for that transportation, so they play a huge part in our system.” Other than the children, who got their first glimpses of the new buses when school started on Tuesday, perhaps it was the drivers of the new buses who were proudest of all. “We’re excited,” said Ronnie Baker, who has driven a bus for Elmore County in Wetumpka for five years. “We realize this is the most precious cargo in the state. So it means the world to us to be able to have the new buses that we’re getting today. The bus contact is the child’s first contact with school in the morning and the last in the afternoon, so it means even more.” Baker also spoke about the camaraderie among those who transport the county’s children to and from school. “It’s a family,” Baker said. “Not only among the drivers, but the support staff, the mechanics that keep the buses going, it’s all one big family.” This is the first year that Elmore County has purchased buses on a lease –purchase agreement, said Jason Mann, chief financial officer for Elmore County Schools. The total cost of the buses, he said, was $5.1 million, which includes payment for 55 conventional buses, purchased from Busworx (Bluebird) of Birmingham, and four special needs
continued from page 1
buses, purchased from Transportation South of Pelham. The arrangement is through Regions Bank and, Mann said, the collateral is that, “as fleet renewal funds ($6,344 per bus or $640,701 total for Elmore County Schools this year) come
in, they are used directly to make the payment.” “This will save us hundreds of thousands of dollars each year that we were using to buy buses with,” Mann said. Mann also said, once the buses were paid for in 10 years, there would be
six to schools in Holtville and three to Redland Schools. When the year begins, all students in Elmore County will be transported by buses built in 2010 or later.
on those buses and ride brand new buses and be safe,” Mann said. Of the new buses, 22 will carry students to Wetumpka schools, 19 to schools in Millbrook, nine to Eclectic schools,
$1.3 million in reserve, which could be used to pay the loan off earlier or to buy additional buses. “It’s a good deal all the way around for Elmore County, especially for the students to be able to get
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OPINION
Page A4 • AUGUST 9, 2017
“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” --Thomas Jefferson
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Everybody needs a hug now and then
I
f you know me, chances are we have hugged. I don’t discriminate. I even hug people wearing Bama attire. I’m a hugger. It’s who I am. There are many types of hugs. There is what I call a normal hug, which can vary in length. Then there is the side hug, which is often accompanied by a pat on the back. Rounding out the hugs are the bear hug, the bro hug, and the awkward hug. When I was in high school, there were several girls who I hugged daily. Our relationships were completely platonic, but I sure did like hugging those pretty young ladies. These were normal. The length of the embrace varied depending on what they were going through. They smelled good, too. When I was a kid, we attended a small country church in Tallapoosa County. Most members of the church were either kin, branch kin, or kin to someone they were kin to by marriage. That’s a lot of kin. When the preaching was over, we’d gather outside and fellowship before going our separate ways for that inevitable Sunday feast. Before doing so, a lot of hugging and hand-shaking took place. These were mostly side hugs. I’ve never been a fan of the bear hug. I just don’t need someone wrapping their arms around me, shaking me around like they’re about to sink their canines into my skull. If you see me, don’t do it. I’ll defend myself by any means
JODY FULLER Columnist
necessary. I seldom leave home without bear spray. You just never know. Then there is the bro hug, which is described as a manly hug between two dudes who are cool with each other. Normal hugs between guys are acceptable, depending on the length and the circumstances. If it’s at a funeral, length is irrelevant. If it’s at the Piggly Wiggly, you have to make it quick. I often turn my bro hug into a normal hug once the initial embrace is complete. I don’t think side hugs are ever acceptable among men. It’s one thing to stand at a guy’s side with your arm around him for a second while you catch up, but it’s another thing to embrace and have your hips rub. Dudes, don’t side hug me. I have bear spray. Don’t forget about the awkward hug. It can sneak up on you. Sometimes the hugger goes in for the normal hug but the huggee shifts their body into a side hug position mid-hug. If you’re not prepared, it can turn awkward in a hurry. The normal hug can also go awry when the heads of each party aren’t on the same sheet of music. Normally, each head goes towards the right shoulder. It’s just natural. But sometimes, the
huggee haphazardly hugs toward the wrong shoulder, and the two heads converge upon each other as if they’re about to lock lips. It’s disturbingly embarrassing and awkward. Always aim your head toward the right shoulder. Trust me. Speaking of hugs that go awry, last week, I went in for a bro hug and that’s when things got weird. The initial part of the hug went off as planned, but then something happened. We both rotated our heads in such a way that our cheeks were touching. We were cheek to cheek for what seemed like an eternity. It’s like we had magnets in our faces and couldn’t escape the magnetic force. I felt helpless. A friend of mine who is a subject matter expert on the bro hug says you’ve got to get in and out with shoulder contact only. He suggests keeping the head lateral or there is going to be unfortunate cheek contact. A little head rotation away from contact provides for extra protection. Hugging is wonderful and can go a long way in this chaotic world, but there is a right way and wrong way to do it. Now that you know, go out and hug someone today. We all can use one. Everybody needs a hug. Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller. com. For more information, please visit www.jodyfuller.com
334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE WETUMPKA HERALD (681-260) is published weekly on Wednesday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099 ISSN # 1536-688X.
We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $.25 per word per paper. Additional $15 charge for a photo per paper. (Herald, Observer, Tribune). •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a photo. SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes Wednesday) One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $50 One Year Elsewhere: $75 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. ADMINISTRATION Steve Baker publisher@thewetumpkaherald.com David Granger, managing editor david.granger@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com SALES Marilyn Hawkins, marketing consultant marilyn.hawkins@TheWetumpkaHerald.com Ext. 305
Trump’s vacation: Is it a reversal or is he being kind?
I
t looks like I won’t be the only one on vacation over the next few days. President Donald Trump is also taking a break. He’s worked so hard, you know. With all those early morning Tweetstorms, I’m sure his thumbs are rubbed raw and need time to heal. Of course, my vacation is only three days. Trump’s? Seventeen days! That said, I do think that I chose a better vacation destination. After all, had you rather go to Orange Beach or New Jersey? There won’t be a world-class golf course where I’m headed, but there will be a world-class sand trap. And I plan to get stuck in it. Furthermore, I won’t have anyone back home investigating me and/or my staff. There is no special counsel looking into The Wetumpka Herald’s dealings with Russians or anyone else. Oh, there may be a few folks who are, for whatever reason, angry with us. There’s evidence of that on our Facebook page. But we can sleep at night knowing that we’ve done things on the up and up. No fake news here. And no grand jury issuing subpoenas to anyone connected with us for any meeting we’ve been a part of. Which brings me to a question: Is Trump truly taking, as his spokesperson says, a “working” vacation? And, if so,
DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor
just exactly what is he working on? Is he revamping his TrumpCare legislation so that it might at least be voted on by both houses of Congress? Is he working on his much balleyhooed tax reform legislation? Is he working with new chief of staff John Kelley to plug the leaks in his sinking presidential ship? Or is he – most likely is my guess – working with his personal attorneys to fend off whatever attack related to Russia is thrown at him next, to protect revelation of his true net worth and to ensure he has an empire to return to once he’s, by impeachment or ballot, removed from the Oval Office? The reason for Trump’s vacation is something that is no doubt remarkable. In his 2004 book, “Trump: Think Like a Billionaire,” the Donald wrote, “Don’t take vacations. What’s the point? If you’re not enjoying your work, you’re in the wrong job.” He told Larry King of CNN (ironically among Trump’s most-hated networks now that he’s gone sour on
the medium that, as much as anything else, created him with his show “The Apprentice”) “most of the people I know that are successful really don’t take vacations. Their business is their vacation. I rarely leave. You know that. You and I are friends. How often do you see me going away?” Aw, Trump, the master of approaching things from all sides. He was a Democrat, now he’s a Republican. He was prochoice, now he’s pro-life. He was anti-vacation, now he’s spending 17 August days in beautiful New Jersey. Actually, let’s give the president the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it’s not that he needs a vacation. Maybe it’s that he knows that we do. Who among us doesn’t need a break from the Tweetstorms? Who among us doesn’t need an intermission from the free-forall that has become the Trump White House? Who among us doesn’t need a hiatus from the hot-aired stump speeches that have continued seven months into the Trump presidency? So, thanks for the vacation, Mr. President. Now, is there anyway you could possibly stay in New Jersey? We wouldn’t even care what exit. David Granger is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers’ Elmore County newspapers.
THE WETUMPKA HERALD
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
AUGUST 9, 2017 • Page A5
Why won’t God protect me?
A
number of years ago when we were playing on the church playground, my then nine-year-old daughter, Molly, was walking on top of a large plastic barrel. She jumped for the monkey bars, missed, fell and broke her arm. While we were waiting for the doctor at the emergency room, she asked, “Daddy, why didn’t God protect Me?” That’s not a childish question. It’s has troubled thoughtful people for thousands of years and can almost never be answered satisfactorily. It is based on the dichotomy between our concept of God’s love and our suffering: if our God is such a loving God, why doesn’t that loving God protect us? That was the prophet Habakkuk’s question as he saw wickedness prevailing over righteousness in all parts of his society and asked, “How long O Lord, how long shall I cry for help and thou shall not hear? . . . For the wicked surround the righteous, so justice goes forth perverted.” (Habakkuk 1:2, 4b). The loving, all powerful God should protect his people from such lawlessness and wickedness and bring justice. Why hasn’t that happened? Early on, seminarians are forced to consider God’s love and God’s protection. For me, it happened in Clinical Pastoral Education. For nine weeks, I worked as a chaplain in a 10-county trauma center that
saw over 70,000 people a year. There, I learned that clichés don’t work in real life and that pain is real. To stay sane, I had to begin seeking answers to questions about life as it is lived, including the question of pain, suffering and why a loving God doesn’t protect us. Many people offered answers to that question. One of the first was: “It’s God’s will.” I heard that from the father of a 15-year old who had been riding her 10-speed across a parking lot, hit a car backing out of a parking space, flew over the trunk, smashed her head and her brain on the asphalt. “It’s just God’s will!” her father said. And, even though I knew he was only trying to cope with the tragedy, I wanted to cry out, “No, no, no. It’s not God’s will. It is not God’s will that beautiful 15-year-olds ride their bikes without helmets, fall on asphalt, and enter that state we call ‘brain dead,’ with no hope of recovering.” If this tragedy is God’s will, what does that make God? It makes God a monster that wills pain, suffering, and tragedy on us. It says that a God of love, a God who knew us before we were born, who counted the hairs on our heads, who danced the day we were born, wants us to suffer and die. I won’t believe it. Another is that God’s tests us to make us stronger and more dependent on him – that through
AME ZION Mt. Zion Chapel AME Zion 2340 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-4413 Rogers Chapel AME Zion 709 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8144 Jackson Chapel AME Zion
4885 Coosada Rd., Coosada Jones Chapel AME Zion 2414 Ingram Rd. (Co. Rd. 3), Elmore
F rst © UNITED METHODIST
REV. BOB HENDERSON Trinity Episcopal
tragedy, we learn about or realize our need for God. This came from a 30-year-old carpenter. He had fallen from a second-floor scaffolding. The neurosurgeon told him that he would be a paraplegic for the rest of his life. “God knew that this was the only way he could get my attention,” he told me. Well, I think that’s a pretty drastic way for God to get our attention. It’s also not “in character” for a God who loves and entices us into relationship. And, if it is true that God sends tragedy upon us to help us love him, how do we account for all those who couldn’t bear the tragedy and end up in mental institutions, or committing suicide, much less those absolutely innocent people who are affected by the tragedy? No, I don’t think God sends tragedy and suffering to draw us to him. Another explanation is punishment – that when we do something bad, God punishes us, we get what we deserve. That was Joan’s explanation. She was the mother of a five-yearold, and six months pregnant when her husband passed out at
a family reunion never to regain consciousness. “I told him,” she said shaking her head, “I told him that if he kept living like he was living, all that drinking and stuff, that God would have the last word.” But, isn’t that what Jesus came for, to make sure we don’t get what we deserve, but instead, get more than we desire or deserve – forgiveness, grace, and love? I have a hard time believing any of those explanations. And, while I’m not sure I have a complete answer for the problem of suffering, pain and God’s protection, I think there’s a possibility the answer is connected to freedom. God could have created a world where everyone was protected; where no one ever hurt or suffered; where everything always came out all right in the end. There are times when I wish the world was more like that – that we were protected. But my experience is that it isn’t, and we aren’t. All of us suffer. All of us get hurt. And, in the midst of it, most of us, at one time or another, wonder why God doesn’t protect us. I believe God made the world like it is because God loves us enough to give us the gift of freedom – freedom to choose, freedom to risk, freedom to love, freedom to be hurt. God’s freedom is a radical, scary kind of freedom that gives a 15-year-old freedom to ride her 10-speed too fast across a parking lot; that gives the cells of our
bodies freedom to run rampant as cancer, and kill us. It’s a freedom that means evil does exist, and must exist, so people can be free to chose to do evil or good, to accept or reject God, to live in faith, or not. That’s what I think God’s freedom means. Of course, it also means that the world sometimes seems harsh, cruel, and not what we want it to be. And, even though there is never any truly adequate or satisfactory answer to the problem of pain and suffering and God’s protection, especially when we’re the one who is hurting, the possibility that God’s freedom is a more precious and loving gift than protection is something I find comforting. Without freedom, we can never be or become who God is calling us to be; we can never be surprised, never change, never grow. God’s answer to Habakkuk’s cry was: I know it’s hard to live like this, but you and all the righteous shall live by Faith. Faith that I know what I’m doing: faith that I am doing things you can’t imagine in ways you can’t understand: faith that in everything, I will protect you, and all will be well even if it seems otherwise.
11117 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-5754 Crossroads Assembly of God 2534 AL Hwy 14., Millbrook 285-5545 First Assembly of God 3511 Shirley Ln., Millbrook New Home Assembly of God
5620 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 5692825
Area Churches
ABUNDANT LIFE Abundant Life Church
9301 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-9143 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Agape Tabernacle Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic 541-2006 Bethel Worship Center
“Faith is the answer,” says God, and how can we have faith, how can we choose to live by faith, unless we’re free to choose?
BAPTIST Abraham Baptist Church Millbrook
First United Methodist Church of Wetumpka
WETUMPKA
306 W. Tuskeena Street • 334-567-7865 www.firstwetumpka.com
Worship: 8:15 AM Chapel • 10:30 AM Sanctuary Wednesday Bible Study • 6:15 PM Summer Schedule: Please Call the Church Office for Children and Youth Activities
ARMONY H United Methodist Church
Wallsboro United Methodist Church 11066 U.S. 231 • Wallsboro Rev. Ryan Johnson, Pastor
8000 Titus Road Titus, AL
Rickey Luster, R Music Director M
Sunday Services at 11a.m. ___
Sunday School.........10:45 a.m. Morning Worship........9:30 a.m. Children’s Church......9:30 a.m. Thurs. Night Service...6:00 p.m.
Minister Dr. John Brannon
There is Harmony at Harmony United Methodist Church!
You Will Receive a Warm Welcome at This Friendly, Christ-centered Church. NURSERY PROVIDED FOR ALL SERVICES
*Please Join Us*
205 W. Bridge Street • Wetumpka, AL (334) 567-5191 SUNDAY WEDNESDAY Sunday School...................9:00 am Fellowship Meal...............5:00 pm Kids’ Activities.................6:00 pm Worship Service..............10:00 am Youth Worship..................6:00 pm Evening Worship..............5:00 pm Prayer & Bible Study.......6:15 pm Visit us at fbcwetumpka.com
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Many a small thing
has been made
large..
408 West Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092
...with the right kind of advertising.
Jason Chesser Minister Sunday Prayer & Fellowship...............8:30 a.m. Bible Study..............9:00 a.m. Worship Service....10:00 a.m.
• Alexander City Outlook • Dadeville Record • Wetumpka Herald • Eclectic Observer • Tallassee Tribune
Wednesday Bible Study..............7:00 p.m. Visitors Welcome At All Services
256.234.4281
1025 RiÀe Range Road • Wetumpka 334.567.4458
504 West Osceola Street 334-567-4729
www.mvbaptistchurch.info
••••
Dr. Tim Thompson - Pastor Angie Gallups - Worship Leader
Rev. Anthony Rhodes, Senior Pastor Sarah Swedenburg, Worship Ministries
Sunday Morning Worship............10:30 Sunday School..................9:15 Evening Worship..............6:00 AWANA (Aug.-May).......5:25
Derek Blankenship, Student Ministries
SUNDAY SERVICES Sunday School...........9:30 a.m. Morning Worship.....10:30 a.m. Small Group...............5:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY SERVICES Prayer Meeting...........6:00 p.m. Student Worship........6:00 p.m. Calvary Kids...............6:00 p.m.
Wednesday Activities 6:00 Adults......Prayer and Message Youth/College......Bible Study Children’s..........GA’s & RA’s
www.centeringlives.com
Cedarwood Community Church 10286 U.S. Hwy. 231 Wallsboro, AL (334) 567-0476 www.worshipcedarwood.org
Sunday Bible Study...9:00 AM Sunday Worship......10:00 AM
SANTUCK BAPTIST CHURCH 7250 Central Plank Road “A Family of Families” B.R. Johnson, Senior Pastor Larry Gore, Adm. & Counseling Randy Godfrey, Education Chad Middlebrooks, Students Matt Fallin, Worship Amy Pugh, Children & Preschool
We are a Congregational Christian Church which, in the name of Jesus, invites all to worship with us.
SUNDAY Sunday School........9 & 10:30 a.m. Worship...................9 & 10:30 a.m. Evening Celebration...........5 p.m.
Nursery ____
WEDNESDAY/FAMILY NIGHT Programs for every age 6:15 - 7:30 p.m.
Check out our Facebook page
Spring & Fall Soccer Seasons K4-6th Grade
Send your church news and happenings to: news@TheWetumpkaHerald.com ____________
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PAGE A6 • AUGUST 9, 2017
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
THE WETUMPKA HERALD
Let’s Set Sail! All About Boats Word Search
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Rev. Anthony Rhodes • Senior Pastor Sarah Swedenburg • Worship Ministries Derek Blankenship • Student Ministries
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AUGUST 9, 2017 • PAGE A7
Chambers to hold BBQ and business summer luncheon By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its summer quarterly luncheon Thursday and both members and nonmembers can attend to eat barbecue and glean business smarts from local business owners. Four business owners representing three area businesses are slated to speak at the Wetumpka Civic Center at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in what
WACC Director Gerry Purcell said would be a panel-format event. “This one is going to be a panel, I’m going to give everybody an opportunity to talk and then ask them about the difficulties about being in business,” said Purcell. The scheduled speakers are Bo Worthy, owner of Worthy Promotional Products, Pam Martin and Katie Russell of downtown Wetumpka’s Market Shoppes and Jim Martin, president of Medi-Rides.
“Our panel will discuss vision, branding, overcoming challenges - practical advice for being successful in today’s economy,” reads a WACC release. It calls the panel of four, “several of Elmore County’s most dynamic entrepreneurs.” Purcell said to begin the event they would speak about their unique experiences in the world of local business. He said they drew from a wide array of experience as well.
One, he said, was “very established” while he described Market Shoppes’ owners as “the dynamic mom and daughter duo.” “Jim is new but has gone through tremendeous hurdles,” Purcell said. Out of the four luncheons the chamber holds, he said the summer is usually lower in attendance. However, this year he said there has been high interest in the event. “Summer’s usually our
low,” Purcell said. “But we’ve already got 120 ... we may be cracking 150.” Tickets for members are $15, while non-member tickets are $25. Purcell also mentioned a drawing for a Biscuits game the chamber was performing. “We are also giving away 40 tickets to the Biscuits game on the Aug. 27,” Purcell said. For more information on the drawing he said to call Jamie Young at the Chamber at (334) 567-4811.
WHS junior renovates roadside park for Eagle Scout project By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
A local Boy Scout has his name on a piece of Wetumpka history after he completed a renovation project of a highly visible yet often-overlooked roadside stop, the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Roadside Park on U.S. Highway 231. In late spring, around March, Kendall Buelman. along with his father Senior Master Sgt. and Elmore County Constable Jeff Buelman, set out on Kendall’s Eagle Scout project for Wetumpka Boy Scout Troop 50. The father-son team quickly dismantled the aging wood pavilions and corresponding combined wood and concrete picnic tables. Roughly three months later they had built entirely new pavilions with corrugated steel roofing and concrete tables. “Starting up for me at least it was a little bit complicated because I’ve never done this kind of work before,” said Kendall. “But I kind of learned on my way.” Kendall, 15, is a Wetumpka High School junior and his father, a 32-year veteran in the Air National Guard, is a project manager at Dannelly Field in Montgomery. The renovation has been a longsought project of local scout masters, having been unsuccessfully attempted by previous scouts. Kendall said it was both rewarding and challenging and his father described it as a highly involved, multifaceted project with a proposal, planning, budgetary and execution stages. One of the most rewarding aspects Kendall said was that it was a relatively high-profile project in terms of the numbers of people who pass it each day and night. “That’s one of the aspects of the project that’s I guess the most rewarding part because this project is really meant to give back to the city more than I guess our personal gain,” said Buelman. And now his name for the foreseeable future will be attached both figuratively and literally through the new sign
placed at the park when it was finished. He said the carpentry learning curve was on the list of challenges he encountered. “Probably the most challenging was learning … carpentry overall, because it really did have a big role in this project,” Buelman said. “But the most rewarding would probably just be leading the project overall.” Jeff Buelman said that skill set, leadership and management, was really what the Eagle Scout project, as a sort of culmination of a scout’s training, helped instill. He drew from his own occupation. “As far as what I do for Dannelly Field, I work project management and this (Eagle Scout project) teaches project management. He managed the project, I was the engineer per se as far as the structure,” said Jeff Buelman. “Eagle projects can teach you project management, money management, people management.” He said they had to present a project proposal, set out a budget, raise funds, stay on target both with time and money and then complete the construction. Kendall said for the most part they stayed on budget and schedule. “We kind of started in phases to where we save up money and then we buy the materials and have a work day for it ... but it was about on budget,” Kendall said. “I’ve never had really anything like that besides this project so I can’t really compare it to anything but I would say it’s pretty complicated.” Donations of materials and services by local businesses and government were key, Jeff Buelman said, such as the concrete tables, which he said were donated from Ft. Toulouse Park. He said very few boy scouts actually complete their Eagle Scout projects, and said it was due to the leadership of the troop that so many of its members were on track to reach that goal. “His particular squad ‘The Biohazards’ just about all of them are at this point. It kind of reflects the leadership they had which is the current scout master Keith Wolmack, he’s done a real good job,” Buelman said.
Submitted / The Outlook
Above: Eagle Scout candidate Kendall Buelman stands next to a sign that describes his project which is attached to the sign declaring the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Roadside Park. Below: Before (left) and after photos of the South Pavilion at Kelly Fitzgerald Memorial Roadside Park, removed by 15-year-old Eagle Scout candidate Kendall Buelman.
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on your earnings record. On average, we process about 236 million W-2 wage reports from employers, representing more than $5 trillion in earnings. More than 98 percent of these wages are successfully posted with little problem. But it’s ultimately the responsibility of your employers — past and present — to provide accurate earnings information to Social Security so you get credit for the contributions you’ve made through payroll taxes. We rely on you to inform us of any errors or omissions. You’re the only person who can look at your lifetime earnings record and verify that it’s complete and correct. So, what’s the easiest and most efficient way to validate your
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earnings record? • Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ myaccount to set up or sign in to your own my Social Security account; • Under the “My Home” tab, click on “Earnings Record” to view your online Social Security Statement and taxed Social Security earnings; • Carefully review each year of listed earnings and use your own
records, such as W-2s and tax returns, to confirm them; and • Keep in mind that earnings from this year and last year may not be listed yet. If you notice that you need to correct your earnings record, check out our one-page fact sheet at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/ EN-05-10081.pdf. Sooner is definitely better when it comes to identifying and reporting problems with your earnings record. As time passes, you may no longer have past tax documents and some employers may no longer be in business or able to provide past payroll information. If it turns out everything in your earnings record is correct,
you can use the information and our online calculators at www. socialsecurity.gov/planners/ benefitcalculators.html to plan for your retirement and prepare for the unexpected, such as becoming disabled or leaving behind survivors. We use your top 35 years of earnings when we calculate your benefit amounts. You can learn more about how your benefit amount is calculated at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/10070.pdf. We’re with you throughout life’s journey, from starting your first job to receiving your wellearned first retirement payment. Learn more about the services we provide online at www. socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices.
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PAGE A8 • AUGUST 9, 2017
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
THE WETUMPKA HERALD
Time is running out for county nonprofits By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Elmore County nonprofits have a short window of time left to apply for grants from a local foundation with a stated purpose as a permanent funding source for charities, a service it says it has provided for three decades. The Central Alabama Community Foundation and its affiliate Elmore County Community Foundation will be accepting applications for the current grant cycle until this Friday. The CACF President Burton Ward said the Cultural and Community Enhancement Grant drew from a pool of funds roughly around $45,000$75,000. Nonprofit organizations that qualify to receive grants in that category, according to a CACF press release, serve in the following areas: community build-
ing, shelter, social services and the arts. There are several nonprofits in Elmore County. However those are also competing with Autauga, Lowndes, Macon and Montgomery counties. Communications Director Megan Stevens sent a list of both Elmore County charities that had received grants in the past two years and organizations active in the county. Among those groups were the Wetumpka Depot Players, which received roughly $4,500 in 2015 for both accessibility and aesthetic upgrades by way of technological installments for the hard of hearing and facility renovations. In 2016, the Elmore County Extension Office, Elmore County Board of Education’s HIPPY (Home Instruction for Preschool Youngsters) Program, Holtville High School, Bridge Builders Alabama, Hospice of Montgomery, the Montgomery
Area Family Violence Program and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival all received grants for projects in the county. Previously Community Hospital’s ‘Meals on Wheels’ program was funded at $2,500 in ECCF grants and Eclectic Public Library has also been a beneficiary, according to the CACF records. Ward said there were four different grant cycles every year, each cycle for a different category of nonprofit group. She explained the process CACF uses to source the funding it distributes to charities within each of its regions. “We are an organization that works with individuals and nonprofits. We kind of have the best of both worlds,” said Ward. “We work with individuals who may want to help the community, but don’ t know where to go.” She said they act as a kind of distributor so those who wish
really going to serve the less fortunate in the area,” Ward said. She described the selective process her organization undertakes when sourcing nonprofits to fund. “We read all the applications, talk to the nonprofits, do a site visit, see what they ask for,” Ward said. “We have a committee which then decides which organizations we want to fund.” According to the CACF, the application process can be found online at http://cacfinfo. org/CACF-Grants-Information. html or for further inquiries contact Vice President of Community Services Jackie Johnson at (334) 264-6223. The organization also recently announced in another release it would award $41,700 for nonprofits working in education in those five counties Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery.
to donate to a local charity can specify their desire, and they, with their extensive knowledge of the local nonprofit landscape, can help direct those funds to the appropriate charity. “Individuals donate to us any amount they want to,” Ward said, whether small or large. “Usually people that want to better their community but maybe don’t know exactly what the needs are ... want us for our expertise so that we can then direct the money to those nonprofits.” The grant cycle ending Friday, Ward said, pertains to nonprofits like homeless shelters or those like Habitat for Humanity, and Rebuilding Together, any arts-related organization. She said one draw for their donors is the assurance that their money goes to the services it is designated for. “People can have the peace of mind that they’re money’s
Area gas prices rise for third straight week Early election likely STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Average retail gasoline prices in the Montgomery area, including Elmore County, have risen 6.4 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.09 per gallon Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 205 gas outlets in the area. This compares with the national average that has increased 2.1 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.33 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com. Including the change in gas prices in the Montgomery area during the past week, prices yesterday were 28.7 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 15.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago.
The national average has increased 7.3 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 21.6 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago. According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on Aug. 7 in Montgomery have ranged widely over the last five years, from a low of $1.81 per gallon in 2016 to a high of $3.39 per gallon in 2012. Areas near Montgomery and their current gas price climate include Birmingham, with an average price per gallon of $2.08, up 8 cents from last week’s $2, and Pensacola at $2.29 cents per gallon, up 7.3 cents from last week’s $2.22. The average gas price in Alabama on Sunday was $2.09, up 5.7 cents from last week’s $2.03.
“For the third straight week, gasoline prices have accelerated with the national average at its highest level in over eight weeks, driven by rising oil prices as inventories continue to tighten and concern over Venezuela lingers,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. “Looking behind us however, gas prices have remained in a relatively tight range for the last year, staying within a 30-centwide range. “While we’re likely to see gas prices continuing to move higher in the week ahead as they catch up to oil, we’re unlikely to break out of the well-established rut in the national average which has kept prices between $2.12 and $2.42 for the last 15 months.”
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F
olks we are getting down to the proverbial lick log in the muchanticipated vote for the open U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions. After 20 years in the U.S. Senate as our junior U.S. Senator, Sessions left to become Donald Trump’s Attorney General. He probably regrets this decision. When the race began it looked like a Roy Moore vs. Luther Strange race. However, the third outside horse emerged about a month ago. Tennessee Valley Congressman Mo Brooks got a $2 million bump from the shooting he endured while a member of the Republican baseball team. He seized the moment and Mo’s momentum gave him the “Big Mo.” About three weeks ago it looked like a three man race between Moore, Strange and Brooks. However, the Washington beltway consultants, pollsters, and media experts supporting Strange poured a ton of money into stopping Mo’s momentum with negative ads designed to thwart his catching Luther and ousting him from the runoff. Recent polls indicate that it has worked. The latest polls indicate a one-two finish between Moore and Strange. Strange’s Washington pollsters tout that he may finish in first place ahead of Moore. Money talks and it is the mother’s milk of politics. State Senator Trip Pittman will do better than some experts expect. Watch for him to get a good hometown vote in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. Moore’s support has never diminished.
STEVE FLOWERS Columnist
It consistently hovers around 30 percent, even with his inability to raise or spend much money. On the other hand, Luther Strange’s supporters have spent $3-5 million. The Bentley appointment has been a tremendous albatross for Luther. Turnout is critical. Luther Strange would benefit from a large turnout among upscale Jefferson/Shelby metro voters. Mo Brooks hopes may ride on a large turnout in the Tennessee Valley. Strange’s and Moore’s odds are enhanced by the short window that the race was run. Strange’s chances have been boosted by the endorsement of Alfa. This conservative group’s endorsement carries a lot of weight. When Luther took the tainted nomination from Robert Bentley six months ago, he was told that he would have two years before he would run. Under that scenario, his bet that a ton of money would be all he would need to keep the seat was a good bet. However, when Gov. Kay Ivey changed that election to this year the scenario changed dramatically. If Luther were running in 2018 there would be 60 races on the ballot with a record 300 names to choose from. The average voter, who could not care less who the junior U.S. Senator is anyway, will also be voting for state senator, state representative, sheriff, probate judge, circuit judge, district judge, five seats on the state Supreme Court,
along with a spirited chief justice contest, state auditor, state treasurer, agriculture commissioner, an open contested attorney general race, an open contested Lt. governor’s race, and one of the most crowded governor’s races in state history that may well attract 10 viable candidates. The millions spent to elect Luther Strange would have been overwhelming. Folks would have walked into the booth and voted for the only name they knew. However, this is the only race in town. The people who show up to vote will know the score. With the election being Aug. 15 and it being the only race, there will be a low turnout. Also, any money spent for negative attacks will generally drive down the voter turnout. All indications point to a low voter turnout, which helps Moore. He began with 30 percent and they have not gone anywhere. His 30 percent will vote and the lower the turnout, the higher percentage that 30 percent becomes. Moore’s folks will not be at the lake or beach or deterred by the August heat. They are ardent and they will vote. Remember a poll is a picture of the total electorate. The final poll and the one that counts is the count of votes of those who actually show up to vote next Tuesday. We will see. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www. steveflowers.us.
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AUGUST 9, 2017 • PAGE B1
AND SO, IT BEGINS...
County players open fall practice
EVAN DUDLEY Sports Editor
To Kap or To Cut
I
suppose it’s time to talk about it. The Miami Dolphins took a desperate stab at complacency and mediocrity when they signed Jay Cutler, the former Vanderbilt Commodore, Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears quarterback, to a single-year $10 million contract this week as insurance for a possible season-ending injury to starter Ryan Tannenhill. And Colin Kaepernick – almost a year to the date when he took his nation-dividing knee – still does not have spot on any of the 32 NFL rosters. I started to write a column about Kap last year when I was working in Texas – but the thought of a Dairy Queen in every town and gun store on every corner begged me to wait until I was home and could hide in some holler unknown to the general public – and I correctly decided against it as it was not the right time to share my opinion on such a divisive athlete. But now I must speak, and there might be a number of you who disagree, but that’s okay. This is America and we can do that. And it also means someone with a platform – in order to spark positive dialogue on an important issue in our country – has an obligation to do so in a respectful manner. And Kaepernick did just that. He didn’t post to social media and he didn’t take an aggressive stance in the face of opposition. He took a knee during the national anthem. Lord have mercy on our souls. Hide the women and children. A black man, respectfully, took a knee during the anthem. Regardless of your opinion surrounding the issue Kap was protesting, his action was respectful, legal and not violent. I’ve seen more anarchy and disrespect for our country from a redneck flying his confederate flag above the American flag on a make-shift flag pole located in front of his trailer. Whether you agree with Kap’s protest or not, you must respect it as it is the foundation of our great nation. America doesn’t need to be great again, it needs to stop being conned by a man who tweets without any understanding of the English language and goes through press secretaries like Larry King goes through wives. But that’s not the issue of this column. It’s about the Dolphins taking a chance on someone who does not care about playing the game and has shown his disdain time and time again. If it was my decision, I would have signed Kap. He’s more athletic and still has something to prove. However, his baseline talent is not worth a starter’s contract and since his multi-game stretch that led San Francisco reaching the Super Bowl, Kap has performed at or below, a Jeff George-like level. Cutler is just cashing a check. However, the problem is that this is the Miami Dolphins. They’re located in Miami, you know? Well, I have visited Miami, not more than four months ago. I was staying in Doral – a suburb with an excellent skyline view of the city – and immersed myself in the prevalent Cuban culture. It is a part of Miami through and through – and it’s a rich culture worth exploring. That being said, Kap would not have gone over well in South Beach. It goes without saying that the day he wore a “Castro” shirt in a press conference doomed any chance of Kap being signed by the Dolphins. Castro is to Cuban-immigrants like Hitler is to, well, everyone. I digress. The reason Kap has yet to be signed is that he just isn’t that good. And his protest did not help his chances. Because of his inability to produce on the field, owners and GMs alike are not willing to take a chance on such a divisive force. Had Cam Newton – a generational player, who has proven success in the NFL, and a positive role model for children in his community – taken a knee, the country might have been willing to listen. Evan Dudley is the sports editor of The Herald.
By EVAN DUDLEY Sports Editor
Evan Dudley / The Herald
Top: Senior Travarris Bozeman attacks a blocking dummy during Wetumpka’s opening practice. Above: First-year head coach Brian Bradford scans the field during his first fall practice leading the Mustangs.
The summer has come and gone and most students in the state of Alabama head back to class this week. But high school football teams began their school year Monday as fall practice for the 2017 season opened across the state. Elmore County boasts four public high schools with Elmore County, Holtville, Stanhope Elmore and Wetumpka and all four are looking to improve upon last year’s successes and disappointments. Elmore County High School returns an experienced crop of players that were starting when they were freshman and sophomores. The experience-laden group will polish the things they do well and commit to improve their weaknesses as they try to seize an opportunity to return to the forefront of Class 4A. Head Coach Howard Dean was in pleasant spirits Monday and was thrilled with the attitude of his team. “We got a lot of young players back that have fought and battled the past two years and their experience is going to be a tremendous asset this season,” Dean said. “The kids are excited and ready to put in the work.” Holtville has the tallest hill to climb after parting ways with their former coach Hunter Adams and bringing in Jason Franklin to lead the Bulldogs after amassing a single win the past three seasons. See PRACTICE • Page B2
Byrd promoted to Panther head baseball coach By EVAN DUDLEY Sports Editor
ECHS has its third baseball coach in as many months, naming Michael Byrd to the head coaching position at the school. Byrd was promoted to the position after having served as an instructor and assistant coach during the 20162017 academic year. He has coached for more than 20 years at the prep and collegiate levels and is ready to take on the challenge of his first head coaching job. “We’re going to work hard and be consistent,” he said. “The students in our program will understand accountability by playing for each other rather than themselves.” The first-year head coach started his journey in 1991 when he graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery. Byrd spent his first two years playing at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Andalusia before transferring to Warner Southern College – now Warner University – where he graduated and began his coaching career immediately as an assistant head See BYRD • Page B2
Submitted / The Herald
Shown above is new ECHS head baseball coach Michael Byrd with his wife, Michelle.
Children ‘reeled in fun’ at the AWF Youth Fishing Rodeo STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Close to 375 guests were on hand for a fun-filled morning of fishing at Lanark, the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s (AWF) headquarters in Millbrook Saturday. The day was packed with excitement as children honed their angling skills while catching close to 800 pounds of catfish in one of Lanark’s ponds. Each child got to take up to five fish home with them at the end of the day, and all participants received free tee shirts, and complimentary snacks and drinks. Many of the participants won door prizes as well. This is the 15th year for this event and AWF looks forward to hosting many
more youth events like this one at Lanark. “We can’t wait to do it again”, explained Matt Vines, Alabama Nature Center camps nd community program coordinator. “Our goal is to get kids outside to appreciate the natural resources that we have, and one way we do that is by getting a fishing pole in their hands.” The event was sponsored by City of Millbrook, Allen and Pat Foster, Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce, First Community Bank of Central Alabama, Millbrook Men’s Club, Montgomery Expressway, Emerald Mountain Expressway, Riverside Chevrolet, Jerry Weidler, Bart Mercer, Elmore County Commission, Sam’s Club, Panera Bread, Courtesy EZ-go Golf Carts,
Reddy Ice, Alabama Dumpster, Starbucks, Front Porch Grill, Bass Pro Shops, Academy Sports & Outdoors and Jack’s. The Alabama Nature Center, a handson outdoor education facility located at Lanark in Millbrook is a joint project of the Alabama Wildlife Federation and benefactors Isabel and Wiley Hill. The Lanark property, state headquarters for the Alabama Wildlife Federation, contains 350 acres of striking forests, fields, streams, wetlands and ponds that are traversed by five miles of trails and boardwalks including a tree top viewing platform. In addition to the trails, boardwalks, and pavilion, the Alabama Nature See FISHING • Page B2
PAGE B2 • AUGUST 9, 2017
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
THE WETUMPKA HERALD
AWSA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL (First-place votes and 2016 record in parentheses)
Class 7A
1. Hoover (29) (12-2) 366 2. Cent.-Phenix City (1) (10-2) 261 3. Thompson (5-5) 229 4. Hewitt-Trussville (1) (11-1) 191 5. James Clemens (8-4) 179 6. McGill-Toolen (13-1) 171 7. Spain Park (8-3) 114 8. Bob Jones (7-4) 83 9. Auburn (8-4) 64 10. Enterprise (10-2) 56 Others receiving votes: Gadsden City (7-6) 22, Mountain Brook (8-3) 10, Vestavia Hills (5-5) 8, Lee-Montgomery (0-9) 5, Murphy (6-5) 5, Sparkman (4-6) 3.
Class 6A
1. Ramsay (18) (13-2) 297 2. Hillcrest-Tusca. (4) (11-1) 233 3. Blount (1) (10-3) 201 4. Austin (2) (10-4) 194 5. Opelika (13-2) 184 6. Pinson Valley (5) (8-4) 180 7. Oxford (10-1) 155 8. Daphne (1) (9-3) 108 9. Muscle Shoals (7-6) 76 10. Park Crossing (13-1) 44
Others receiving votes: Spanish Fort (10-3) 43, Gardendale (8-4) 12, Hazel Green (6-4) 8, Jackson-Olin (8-3) 8, Clay-Chalkville (6-5) 5, Sidney Lanier (8-3) 5, Wetumpka (8-3) 5, Decatur (10-2) 4, Saraland (6-5) 3, McAdory (8-4) 1, Pell City (6-5) 1.
Class 5A
1. Beauregard (26) (13-1) 350 2. Briarwood Chr. (3) (12-2) 270 3. St. Paul’s (2) (9-4) 260 4. Vigor (8-4) 183 T5. Alexandria (5-4) 127 T5. Carroll (12-1) 127 7. Central-Clay Co. (9-3) 97 8. Wenonah (11-3) 90 9. Eufaula (8-3) 87 10. Brooks (9-3)56 Others receiving votes: Demopolis (7-4) 25, Russellville (8-4) 19, Jackson (9-4) 15, Charles Henderson (7-4) 11, Mortimer Jordan (10-3) 10, Scottsboro (12-1) 10, Etowah (9-3) 9, Calera (8-4) 7, Guntersville (6-5) 6, Fairfield (7-5) 5, Pleasant Grove (4-7) 2, Moody (4-6) 1.
Class 4A
1. Handley (29) (13-2) 365 2. Andalusia (12-2) 257 3. Madison Acad. (11-4) 188 4. UMS-Wright (1) (9-3) 172 5. Rogers (12-1) 162 6. Leeds (1) (8-4) 142 7. St. James (10-2) 101 8. Hokes Bluff (9-5) 80 9. Cordova (9-3) 74 10. Fayette Co. (5-7) 61 Others receiving votes: Tallassee (9-4) 54, Cherokee Co. (10-3) 26, Wilson (8-3) 25, Madison Co. (6-5) 19, Thomasville (9-3) 12, Bibb Co. (8-4) 7, Dale Co. (7-4) 7, North Jackson (6-5) 6, Munford (6-5) 4, West Blocton (6-5) 3, Haleyville (9-2) 2.
Class 3A
1. Piedmont (27) (15-0) 351 2. Mobile Chr. (3) (13-2) 271 3. Gordo (1) (13-1) 268 4. Ohatchee (12-2) 165 5. Montevallo (10-2) 162 6. Opp (9-2) 110 7. Oakman (8-5) 109 8. Pike Co. (9-3) 85 9. Weaver (9-4) 72 10. Randolph Co. (10-3) 59 Others receiving votes: Clarke Co. (4-6) 43, HillcrestEvergreen (5-7) 24, Lauderdale Co. (7-5) 12, T.R. Miller (8-3)
WHS football’s ‘Driving for Byrd Your School’ set for Saturday STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Wetumpka High School and Collier Ford are giving you the opportunity this Saturday to test drive a new Ford and donate to the Wetumpka High School Indians football program. “We hope that everyone takes advantage of this opportunity to test drive one of the new Fords and, in doing so, donate to our
program,” said Wetumpka head football Coach Tim Perry. The Wetumpka varsity football team is hosting its annual “Driving for Your School” event this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wetumpka High School. Collier Ford will donate funds to the Wetumpka football program for every person who attends the event and test drives a Ford car or truck.
coach and recruiting coordinator. Byrd coached at LBWCC from 1996-2000 before accepting an assistant job at Auburn University in Montgomery. He coached from 2001-2003 and worked with hitters, infielders and pitchers during his time with the Warhawks. It was at this time that Byrd decided to return to school and earn his master’s degree. But it did not take him long to return to baseball. Byrd accepted a position at Brewbaker Tech before taking a job at his alma mater, Robert E. Lee, and then
12, Fultondale (8-3) 9, Bayside Acad. (8-5) 5, Plainview (6-5) 4, Wicksburg (8-4) 4, Lexington (8-4) 1, Straughn (4-6) 1.
Class 2A
1. Fyffe (28) (15-0) 354 2. Aliceville (1) (13-2) 272 3. Lanett (1) (11-3) 230 4. Elba (10-3) 225 5. G.W. Long (1) (12-1) 154 6. Tanner (9-4) 128 7. LaFayette (12-1) 125 8. Leroy (8-4) 110 9. New Brockton (7-5) 52 10. Sand Rock (9-3) 43 Others receiving votes: Reeltown (6-5) 17, Sheffield (9-3) 13, Goshen (8-4) 12, Southern Choctaw (10-2) 12, Cleveland (8-4) 5, Washington Co. (6-4) 5, Horseshoe Bend (6-5) 4, Cold Springs (5-6) 2, Westbrook Chr. (3-7) 2, Luverne (7-4) 1, Red Bay (8-3) 1.
Class 1A
1. Maplesville (29) (14-0) 365 2. Sweet Water (9-3) 261 3. Linden (2) (13-1) 246 4. Pickens Co. (11-4) 210 5. Brantley (7-5) 166 6. Addison (13-1) 110 7. Cedar Bluff (8-4) 107
AISA
1. Autauga Acad. (28) (13-0) 353 2. Bessemer Acad. (2) (13-1) 283 3. Escambia Acad. (8-5) 247 4. Monroe Acad. (1) (11-2) 215 5. Glenwood (8-4) 185 6. South Choctaw Acad. (8-3) 139 7. Chambers Acad. (12-1) 127 8. Abbeville Chr. (7-6) 77 9. Pike Liberal (6-5) 49 10. Lee-Scott (7-5) 41 Others receiving votes: Clarke Prep (4-8) 21, Patrician (5-6) 14, Cornerstone Chr. (8-3) 5, Marengo Acad. (11-1) 5, Southern Acad. (4-7) 4, Lakeside (5-6) 1, Lowndes Acad. (8-3) 1.
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returned to Brewbaker Tech. He would also serve stints at Hoover Academy and then Wetumpka for a single season before heading down Highway 14 to Eclectic as an assistant before being named the head coach at the end of July. Elmore County High School principal Wes Rogers knew that Byrd was a hot commodity and his experience and knowledge of the community presented an opportunity that the school could not pass on. “Coach Byrd had a wealth of experience in baseball,” Rogers said. “He has played
Fishing Center includes the NaturePlex, a 23,000-square-foot structural facility that serves as the Welcome and Education Center. The facility includes a 120-seat theater equipped with up-to-date technology; hands-on Discovery Hall with wildlife and nature-based displays; educational classrooms; community room available for meeting use and rental; and a gift shop. The NaturePlex can be reserved for school field trips, teacher training workshops, seminars, and other educational programs by contacting the Alabama Wildlife Federation. Interested groups can choose from programs designed by AWF’s staff, or programs can be customized to meet your needs. The grounds at Lanark contain five destinations: AWF Headquarters, Historic Lanark, Lanark Pavilion, ANC and the new NaturePlex. The Alabama Wildlife Federation, established by sportsmen in 1935, is the state’s oldest and largest citizens’ conservation organization.
8. Spring Garden (10-2) 79 9. Marengo (6-5) 50 10. Notasulga (7-5) 49 Others receiving votes: Hackleburg (9-3) 30, Houston Co. (6-5) 22, Loachapoka (3-8) 13, Georgiana (12-1) 12, Wadley (10-1) 12, Decatur Heritage (10-3) 10, Isabella (10-2) 10, Ragland (7-4) 5, Sumiton Chr. (9-3) 3, Hubbertville (10-2) 2 South Lamar (6-5) 2, Millry (4-7) 1, Talladega Co. Central (4-6) 1, Woodville (5-6) 1.
and coached in college, is an extremely hard worker and was present all summer long before he was even named head coach. He knows our students and our community.” And through that familiarity, Byrd knows what the program is capable of achieving. “I believe we can compete immediately,” Byrd said. “We have a lot of returning players, including our entire pitching staff, and we play in a tough region that’ll prepare us if we’re fortunate enough to earn a playoff spot.”
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Submitted / The Herald
Kids and parents alike seemed to enjoy bonding at Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Youth Fishing Rodeo on Saturday at Lanark Park.
Practice
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Evan Dudley / The Herald
Sophomore Alex Wallace steps hard into a block during practice Monday at Wetumpka High School.
Stanhope Elmore also began fall practice with a new head man in Brian Bradford, who is not a stranger to the program, having coached for the Mustangs as an assistant for many years. The Mustangs always have talent – including this year Purdue commit KJ Stokes and Troy commit Jake Andrews – and can compete once acclimated to Bradford’s system. The Wetumpka Indians are poised for a return to the playoffs. The Indians improved throughout the summer during 7-on-7 workouts and events but can now turn their attention to their bread and butter, the running game – which features highly-recruited athlete Kavosiey Smoke. Wetumpka Head Coach Tim Perry said the goal for the first couple of days was to move away from their 7-on-7 experience and back into their full offensive system, as well as special teams. “We were pleased with the enthusiasm our players showed on the first day,” Perry said. “We anticipated that reaction from the kids and we accomplished what we wanted to do the first day. These guys showed a lot of excitement for the beginning of the 2017 football season.”
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CommunityCalendar NOW-Sept. 11
The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery Presents “A Heritage of Art and Design” featuring the Troy University Department of Art and Design. The exhibition is open daily Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. A reception will be held Tuesday, June 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 12
Holtville Riverside Baptist Church will have a gospel singing at 6 p.m. The singers will be Holy Destiny and Justified. For more information please call (334) 2962183. Refreshments will follow. • Join us for our first ever More for Moms Expo! We are planning a fun and informative day for River Region moms that will feature WSFA 12 News personalities, guest speakers, vendors, fashion show, goody bags and more. For more information visit our Facebook page, More for Moms Expo. • Come “Drive Your Schools” at Wetumpka High School from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The school will earn money for each car driven.
Aug. 14
The Elmore County Auburn Club will hold its annual meeting at the Wetumpka Civic Center. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and a meal catered by Smokin’ S BarB-Que served at 6:30 Alumni, students and friends are invited to attend this football kick-off meeting that will feature Auburn Head Baseball Coach Butch Thompson and Aubie, Auburn’s award winning mascot. Coach Thompson will speak on the AU
baseball program and Dudley Perry, club president, will update the members on club activities for the coming year. Tickets for adults are $30, if purchased by Aug. 8th. Children 5 and under are free and 6 to 12 will cost $15. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Collier Ford or by mailing a check or money order to Elmore County Auburn Club c/o J. Martin, 328 Jordan Beach Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092. On Aug. 9, the adult ticket price will increase to $35. There will be some tickets available at the door at the higher cost. Participants will enjoy a silent auction to benefit the Club’s Scholarship Fund and door prizes. Since the late 70s the Elmore County Auburn Club has been providing at least one scholarship to a deserving Elmore County student. Last year two students were provided with $1,000 tuition checks.
Aug. 26
En Fuego is a free Christian music festival, which takes place every year in a beautiful natural amphitheater in central Alabama located at 2701 County Road 23 in Verbena from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. You will hear some of the best bands in the industry for free. Did you catch that? For free! If you have any questions, please call us at (205) 516-0467.
Aug. 27
Ridge Church is moving! We will begin meeting at Wetumpka High School to expand and better accommodate our community. Services begin at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Pet of the Week — Sandy
covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination (if old enough) and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian. To meet all the great pets at our shelter come to 255 Central Plank Road. Go to our website at www.elmorehumane.org for more information, email us at hselco@ bellsouth.net or give us a call at 334-567-3377. We are open for adoptions Monday–Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
ONGOING EVENTS
Oct. 5
Adullam House will host its 3rd annual Charity Golf Tournament at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Prattville. Registration begins at 8 a.m., tee-off will be at 9 a.m., followed by lunch. Proceeds from this tournament will fund the much needed expansion at Adullam House Christian Academy. There are a variety of sponsorship levels, or you may simply put together and team and play. Fees are $150 per player and $600 for a foursome. This will include golf, contests, lunch, and a chance and many great door prizes. For more information please visit our website at www. adullamhouse.org/golf. Join the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Alabama chapter for the annual “Out of the Darkness” walk at the Buddy Watson Baseball Park in Montgomery. Participation allows you to join the effort with hundreds of thousands across the nation to raise awareness and funds for new research, educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss. Check-in and registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. the walk begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 11:30 a.m. For more
• The Elmore County Branch #5026 of the NAACP meets at 6:30 p.m. every third Tuesday (the executive committee) and every fourth Tuesday (full membership) at the Martin Luther King Center located at 200 N. Lancaster Street in Wetumpka. • The DAC Foundation exhibit located at 219 Hill Street in downtown Wetumpka will be open each Monday and Wednesday from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm. Our first exhibit at this location, features work by Dixie Art Colony artists Arthur Stewart, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Shiney Moon, Lousie Everton, Karl Wolfe, Billy Wilson and Genevieve Sutherland. Some of the work has never been publicly shown. For information visit DixieArtColony.org or follow us on Facebook. • Celebrate Recovery meets at Grace Point Community Church, located at 78223 Tallassee Highway, every Tuesday night at 6:15 p.m. All are welcome! These meetings are a safe and loving environment for individuals seeking to conquer their hurts, habits, and hang-ups! For more information visit gracepoint.info. • Celebrate Recovery meets at Journey Church, located at 2960 East Cobbs Ford Road every Monday at 5:30 p.m. There is a meal and childcare provided. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered 12-step for
anyone struggling with addiction or life-challenging issues. Call Larry at (334) 832-5714 or visit myjourneychurch.com for more information. • Celebrate Recovery meets each Thursday evening at 6:15 p.m. at Santuck Baptist Church, located at 7250 Central Plank Road. This is a Christ centered 12 step program for anyone struggling with hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Call (334) 567-2364 for more information. • Fresh Start Recovery meets every Thursday from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Wetumpka located at 306 W Tuskeena Street. Fresh Start Motorcycle Ministry began when God laid it on the heart of a lifetime biker to minister to those with his background. All are welcome, not a requirement to own/ ride a motorcycle. Format used is the Holy Bible. For information contact ministry leader Paul Henderson at (334) 201-5428. • Gamblers Anonymous meets Saturdays at 6 p.m. at Cedarwood Community Church, located at 10286 U.S. Highway 231 in the Wallsboro/ Wetumpka community. Call (334) 567-0476 for more information. • Griefshare Ministry meets on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. This ministry helps assist those who have lost loved ones and struggling how to deal with their grief. Contact the church office for more information 334-567-4729 or visit www.calvarybaptistwetumpka.org.
Predators present HSEC with $8,500 from ‘Cruisin’ fer Critters’ By REA CORD ECHS Executive Director
Sandy is a super sweet, three-year-old little terrier/ dachshund mix gal, 21 pounds, good with dogs, cats, older children and just completed her treatment for heartworms. She is playful but not hyper, crate-trained, loves tummy rubs and loves carrying her toys around. Sandy is in a foster home so contact us for an adoption application and to coordinate a meeting. Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under one-year-old; cats over one-year-old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee completely
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Participate in your Herald and Observer by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-2346550, sending your event to the.editor@thewetumpkaherald.com or logging on to http://www.thewetumpkaherald.com/. information please call FeLishia Franklin at (334) 435- 5802 or email felishiafranklin@gmail.com.
Sept. 30
The Titus Bluegrass Festival will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Titus Community Center. There will be live bluegrass music, arts & crafts vendors, food, inflatables for kids, and more.
Oct. 7
AUGUST 9, 2017 • Page B7
Back in May the Predators Riding Club held the 15th annual Cruisin’ fer Critters to raise money for our shelter and on July 30 they brought us a check for $8,500! We are so lucky to have this super group on our side and we thank each and every PRC member and supporter for working so hard on behalf of our ‘critters!’ Cruisin’ takes year-round planning for that one successful day and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who makes it such a super event. Thank you to the Predators, their families, friends, supporters, sponsors and all who came out. It appears that June will be our peak intake month as we took in 563 in June (18.5 coming in every open day in June) and then 426 in July (17 coming in every open day in July). For the year through July 31, we took in 2,537 animals: 1692 strays/abandoned brought by either Animal Control Officers or citizens; 821 surrendered directly by their owner; and ten wild animals that we then got to the appropriate licensed rehabilitators. These numbers are why support
from groups like the Predators, everyone who donates and our own fund-raising activities (like the recent Wags ‘n Whiskers Auction) are so important as it takes a lot of resources to care for and help the 300+ animals in our shelter this time of year. Of the 2,537 animals we have taken in thus far this year it is important to note that 73 percent of the cats and 53 percent of the dogs were under six months old, which is why those of us in shelters preach spay and neuter constantly. Preventing unwanted litters is the key to reducing pet overpopulation and euthanasia in shelters. So if you perhaps got a kitten or puppy this spring/summer from out in the community, please call your veterinarian or the Alabama Animal Alliance in Montgomery and schedule its spay or neuter (it takes two to tango) appointment before your pet is six months old so you are not dealing with yet another litter of unwanted puppies or kittens in the very near future. Please do your part to reduce pet overpopulation and intake to our shelter! Looking ahead, Sunday, Sept. 17, is our last big event for the
year and we certainly hope you will join us at Bark in the Park 2017 at Fort Toulouse in Wetumpka. This pet-oriented event is so much fun every year with vendors, demonstrations, contests, a parade and so much more! We will also have a microchip clinic and ‘Ask the Vet’ at Bark in the Park, thanks to Tuskegee University Veterinary School. From 2-3:30 pm, and for a cost of $25, you can get your pet microchipped and that will also include the registration with 24 PetWatch. Remember, though, all dogs coming to Bark in the Park must be good in public, meaning good around children, adults and other dogs in a very busy situation. And they must have a current rabies tag/proof of rabies vaccination to come to the park. We do still have vendor spots available at Bark in the Park for $35. This is a great way to get the word out about your business/club/ group in a relaxed and fun atmosphere while also supporting our shelter. Bring your own table/popup. It is a park, so there is no electricity. To get a vendor application please email hselco@bellsouth.net or give us a call at 334-567-3377.
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Chambliss honored by AWF for conservation efforts STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
State Sen. Clyde Chambliss of Prattville was awarded the Legislative Conservationist of the Year Award at the 2017 Alabama Wildlife Federation Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards banquet. AWF held the banquet, co-sponsored by Alabama Power Company and PowerSouth Energy, on Friday, Aug. 4, at The Marriott Legends at Capitol Hill in Prattville. Governor Kay Ivey provided opening remarks and assisted with presentation of the awards. The AWF Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards (GCAA) are the most respected conservation honors in the state of Alabama. Over the past 40 years, AWF has presented these awards to individuals and organizations that make great contributions to the conservation of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources. Sen. Chambliss represents District 30, which includes Autauga, Chilton, Coosa, Elmore, and Tallapoosa counties. Sen. Chambliss is an outdoorsman and conservationist, and serves on the Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee. Since his election in 2014, he has become known in the Senate for his thorough review and study of issues, open lines of communication, and practical approach. Sen. Chambliss evaluates and takes action each year on dozens of conservation, forest and wildlife management, hunting, angling, and outdoor related legislation. AWF’s mission is to promote
the wise-use and responsible stewardship of our wildlife, forests, fish, water and soils by striking the balance between use, management and protection of those resources. According to AWF, that same fundamental approach is shared by Sen. Chambliss and is evident through his open lines of communication, willingness to receive and study information about the positive and negative aspects associated with individual legislation and his thoughtful evaluation and action as a result. Most importantly, AWF said, Sen. Chambliss understands that we all have a role in perpetuating the natural resources and outdoor pursuits we are blessed with in Alabama and is willing to make and foster decisions in their best, long-term interest. Additional sponsors of the banquet included Ralph and Catherine Martin, Stifel, Lee Thuston, Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, Talladega Superspeedway, Josh & Mary Virginia Mandell, First South Farm Credit, CDG Engineers & Associates, Manufacture Alabama, Lake Martin Resource Association, Russell Lands, Consolidated Construction Co., Canfor Southern Pine and David & Kelly Thomas. The Westervelt Co. and Hammer Construction sponsored the social event prior to the banquet. Alabama Gulf Seafood was sponsored by the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission. The GCAA was created to promote leadership by example and in turn increase conservation of the natural
Submitted / The Observer
State Sen. Clyde Chambliss of District 30, center, was named the Legislative Conservationist of the Year at the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Governor’s Conservation Achievement Award banquet Friday night at The Marriott Legends at Capitol Hill in Prattville. Pictured with Chamblis are, left to right, Horace Horm of PowerSouth Energy, AWF president Angus Cooper III, Gov. Kay Ivey and Susan Comensky of Alabama Power Co.
resources in the state of Alabama including its wildlife, forests, soils, water and air. The program is designed to bring about a greater knowledge and awareness of conservation practices and projects and to give proper recognition to those persons and organizations that make outstanding contributions to the natural resource welfare of their community and state. AWF, established by sportsmen in 1935, is the state’s oldest and largest
citizens’ conservation organization. The mission of the Alabama Wildlife Federation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit group supported by membership dues and donations, is to promote conservation and wise use of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources as a basis for economic and social prosperity. To learn more about AWF, including membership details, programs and projects, contact AWF at 1-800-822-WILD or visit www. alabamawildlife.org.
County schools reach out to special needs students through Child Find By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor
The Elmore County Public Schools are searching for children and parents of children with disabilities who may require special educational services. The program, Child Find, is a mandate of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) o2004 and requires all school districts to identify, locate and evaluate all children with disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disabilities. This obligation to identify all children who may need special education services exists even if the school is not providing special education services to the child. “Parents of special ed children who might not know that we offer services for children ages three to 21 can contact the school system and we can have their children evaluated and, if they qualify, we’ll provide services to their children,” said Joyce Woodall of Elmore County Schools special education department. “We’ll go out to the daycare that they’re in or they can bring them to one of our local schools. Child Find’s goal is to assist children and
their families in working together with providers to plan services that are appropriate for the child and to link them to services for children needing services who suffer from disabilities including: • Hearing impairment • Deafness and/or blindness • Intellectual disability • Multiple disabilities • Orthopedic impairment • Emotional disability • Speech and language impairment • Visual impairment • Autism • Traumatic brain injury • Developmental delay “The testing involved is performed by our psychologist and psychometrist,” said Woodall. “We provide services through our teachers, our speech therapists, our phyical therapists and others.” Parents with children who have not been identified as having the conditions listed above or other physical or emotional education needs should call the Elmore County Public Schools at 334-5671224. For children from birth to age 2, parents may call the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services toll free at 1-800-5433098.