Eclectic Observer THURSDAY • DECEMBER 31, 2015
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 26, No. 53
More input needed in revitalization plan
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Alan Axford, a planner and analyst for Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, stood before the town council and several Eclectic residents in October to present Eclectic’s comprehensive development plan. In this plan, Axford explained where Eclectic currently stands in the area of community development and where the projected future will take the city. Since that meeting, there has been much talk, but little action taken to move forward with the comprehensive plan. However, there is good reason for the delay. Members of the Industrial Development Board and the
planning commission would like more public input in order to better suit the comprehensive plan. “Last month they (the industrial development board) went through an extensive evaluation of the comprehensive plan,” said Gary Davenport, mayor of Eclectic. “Planning commission did the same thing last month. What we have decided to do is extend out our comprehensive plan for probably another three months to get some public input.” Originally, surveys were placed at various businesses around town for people to fill out and return, he said. The new surveys will be Carmen Rodgers / The Observer available online. Above, a diagram of the comprehensive development plan presented by a “We are in the process of creating another planner and analyst for the Central Alabama Regional Planning and DevelopSee REVITALIZATION • Page 3 ment Commision.
Work continues to address closed roads
County making progress with flood issues By JOHN W. PEELER Managing Editor
Several roads that were closed due to the recent rainfall and flash flooding have reopened around the county. Currently, six roads are either closed until further notice or indefinitely in the county. “Our county highway department has certainly taken the biggest toll on dam- Jones ages to the infrastructure, along with the city of Wetumpka with some of their roads and some of their banks and slopes, ” said Eric Jones, Elmore County Emergency Management Agency director. “We also have some water systems, entral Elmore Water and Sewer Authority and the Holtville water system … those water systems have had impacts to their systems, as well.” Jones said Central Elmore had some lines that were damaged along with where those roads were washed out and both Elmore Water Authority and Holtville water had lightening strikes that caused severe outages and severe damage to their systems and had to replace large sections of their mains. See FLOODS• Page 2
Today’s
Weather
58 45 High
Low
FRIDAY: HIGH 49 LOW 37
By JOHN W. PEELER Managing Editor
Cliff Williams / The Observer
Onlookers survey the damage at Holley Mill Road after the flash floods swept through Elmore County Christmas Eve.
The outlook for opening up more of the roads closed due to the flash floods that swept across Elmore County Christmas Eve is positive, but there are still roads left to be assessed. “I think we are close to opening two of the three sites that are closed,” said Richie Beyer, Elmore County engineer. “County roads … Holley Mill Road will stay closed indefinitely … we’re still doing damage assessments and costs on that.” Holley Mill Road between Landers Swink Road and state Route 63 will remain closed indefinitely due a portion of the road completely gone. Old Rifle Range Road, once some of the water has receded and clean-up work done, will reopen at some point. “The little bit of closure we had over on Old Rifle Range Road was caused by the river swelling and backing up on the dirt road and haven’t really had any problem with that,” See ROADS• Page 2
AEMA director: State may be able to request FEMA assistance By JOHN W. PEELER Managing Editor
If the state is able to meet the Federal Emergency Management Agency threshold, Elmore County could benefit from some disaster relief funds to help in its cleanup and repair efforts due to results of recent weather. Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner met with Elmore County and city officials from across the Faulkner county Wednesday at the Elmore County Emergency Operations Center to present a briefing on the public assistance process
with regards to the recent flash flooding and storms across the county. Faulkner, who lives in Elmore and is a former director of Elmore County E-911, said it has been a long time since people have seen the river as high as it is, referring to the swelling of the river during the April 27, 2011 tornadoes that ripped across the state. “This is not a quick process on flooding like those tornadoes were,” Faulkner said. Faulkner told officials from every agency what they are doing now and next week will go a long way toward determining if the state may be able to request Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance for public infrastructure and governmental entities. He also said the agency is continuing to work on the individual assistance. “We are concerned about some of these roads, bridges and other infrastructure … waste water treatment plants and others that
have been flooded as a result of the torrential rain,” Faulkner said. “ … If you look at the radar today, that (weather) could impact your facilities … what you can do to help is get the information we need to get back to FEMA.” Faulkner said to meet the FEMA threshold, which is set by Congress and the Stafford Act, the state would have to meet about a $6.7 to $7 million threshold. “I try and say about a $7 million threshold to give us a little bit of wiggle room,” he said. “When FEMA comes in they will look at that damage, and that’s what we’ve got to meet for me to recommend to the governor that he request assistance from FEMA from out state. So, that’s going to take a little while.” Faulkner said some of the information that’s needed is still not known until the damage assessments are completed, which See AEMA • Page 3
PAGE 2 • DECEMBER 31, 2015
Community City of Wetumpka New Year’s Eve Celebration When: Dec. 31 Where: Downtown Wetumpka Details: The evening’s activities will open with a POW/MIA observance and torch ceremony at 9 p.m. on the grounds of the Old Elmore County Courthouse. Other activities, ,including a DJ and concessions will begin at 9:30 p.m. in the lower parking lot behind the Wetumpka administrative building. The asteroid fall will be at midnight, followed by a fireworks grand finale. Attendees are welcome to bring tents, tables, chairs, blankets, fire pits, etc. This is a family event. Free. Camp Chandler New Year’s Bash When: Dec. 31-Jan. 1 Where: Camp Chandler Details: Children ages 5-14 are welcome. Activities will include fishing, archery, riflery, broom hockey, field games, pedal boats, canoes, putt putt, and more. Camp Chandler campers will bring in the new year with a party, fireworks and even a ball drop. YMCA members $40, non-members $50. For info, call 334-229-0035. Blood Drive When: Jan. 2, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Walmart of Millbrook Details: Hosted by LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Inc. Blood Drive When: Jan. 3, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Walmart of Millbrook Details: Hosted by LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Inc. Lewis Black -- The Emperor’s New Clothes: The Naked Truth Tour When: Jan. 7, 7:30 p.m. Where: Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Details: Tickets start at $25. Purchase them at ticketmaster.com Self-Defense Class When: Jan. 11 Where: Tallassee Recreation Center Details: Contact the recreation department if you are interested in a self-defense class. The class would consist of situational
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
Area Calendar awareness, prevention, recognition of criminal behavior and some physical defense. Cost would be $55. Call 334-283-4726. Eclectic Girls Club Meeting When: Jan. 13, 10:30 a.m. Where: Kountry Kitchen, Eclectic Details: All are invited. Make friends, meet old acquaintances, enjoy fun, food and fellowship. Lunch is $10. Call Penny Holley at 334-306-0929 for more information. The Black Jacket Symphony Presents “Journey - ESC4P3” When: Jan. 15, 8 p.m. Where: Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Details: Tickets start at $25. Purchase them at ticketmaster.com Tim Tebow “The Journey Continues...” When: Jan. 16, 7 p.m. Where: Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Details: Tickets start at $60. Purchase them at ticketmaster.com. Proceeds benefit the Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama. Taste of Elmore County When: Jan. 25, 6-8 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Tickets are $25 each and will benefit the Elmore County Food Pantry. Purchase tickets at the food pantry. McCraney-Cottle Arts Council presents “Alice in Wonderland” When: Jan. 16, 7 p.m. Where: Tallassee High School Auditorium Details: A Missoula Children’s Theatre production offers attendees on a whimsically madcap, fun-filled fantasy. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Call Mona Mills at 334-201-4892 for more information. MLK Celebration When: Jan. 17, 3 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Various pastors of area churches and other leaders will be on hand to speak during this MLK celebration. 21st Annual MLK March When: Jan. 18, 10:30 a.m. Where: March will start at Rogers Chapel AME Zion Church at 209 W. Bridge St.
Details: The march will continue from the church across the Bibb Graves Bridge. 2016 Candidate Fair When: Jan. 18, 6-8 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Get a chance to meet the area candidates running in the March 1 primary. Live in Concert: Boyz II Men When: Jan. 23, 8 p.m. Where: Wind Creek Entertainment Center, Wetumpka Details: The four-time Grammy Award winning group will perform for the first time in Wetumpka. In addition to four Grammys, the group won nine American Music Awards and nine Sould Train Awards. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.com Prattville Mardi Gras Celebration and Parade When: Jan. 23, 11 a.m. Where: Downtown Prattville Details: The celebration starts at 11 a.m. followed by the parade at 2 p.m.
Sports & Outdoors Wetumpka High School Football Banquet When: Jan. 7, 6:30 p.m. Where: Wetumpka High School Details: Tickets are $10 each. Tickets for the football players are paid for by the Wetumpka Quarterback Club. Slapout Strikeout 5K Walk/Run and Kids 1 mile Home Plate Dash When: Jan. 16 Where: Holtville High School Details: Registration is $25 per person for 5K runners; Registration is 10 and Under Home Plate Dash runners is $15. Proceeds benefit the Holtville High Softball Team.
Taste of Elmore County When: Jan. 25, 6-8 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Tickets are $25 each and will benefit the Elmore County Food Pantry. Purchase tickets at the food pantry. Millbrook Revelers Mardi Gras Festival and Parade When: Jan. 30, 9 a.m. Where: Village Green, downtown Millbrook Details: Festival grounds with various rides for children and vendors will open at 9 a.m. The parade will begin at noon. Kathleen Madigan - The Mermaid Lady Tour When: Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m. Where: Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Details: Tickets start at $17. Purchase them at ticketmaster.com.
Government Elmore County Commission Meeting When: Jan. 11, 5 p.m. Where: Old Elmore County Courthouse Details: A work session will begin at 5 p.m. followed by the regular meeting. Tallassee City Council Meeting When: Jan. 11, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Where: Tallassee City Hall
Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Dinner When: Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Annual meeting and reception Roaring 20s style. Call 334-567-4811 for more information.
Roads
Elmore County Humane Shelter presents: Getting Down with the Dawgs Drawdown When: Feb. 20, 5 p.m. Where: Wind Creek Wetumpka Entertainment Center Details: A $100 ticket gives you a 1 in 300 opportunity to win $10,000. Tickets include buffet dinner, chance to win door prizes. There will also be a cash bar. Tickets are now on sale. Call 334-567-3377 for more information.
Elmore County BOE Meeting When: Jan. 19, 4:30 p.m. Where: Elmore County Board of Education board room, 100 H.H. Robison Drive, Wetumpka Details: Anyone wishing to be placed on the regular board meeting agenda must make an official request to the superintendent’s office before 4 p.m.
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Richie said. “Once the water recedes, we will go in there and blade that to make sure the debris is out of the road.” Most of the damage, Richie said, was the result of flash flooding with the worst of the flash floods coming in the southeast corner of the county. “If you went diagonal across the country from the southeast corner to the northeast corner up toward Lake Martin, everything in the southeast corner of the county we witnessed most of the real flash flooding problems,” he said. “The river is always an issue for us, especially when they start releasing more from (Lake) Martin and the Jordan Dam … it just backs water up.” Richie said the flash flooding and “high velocity water” is what took out the pipe at Holley Mill Road. “There is a large water line there that went over the top of our structure, so I don’t think that helped in any way,” he said. Richie said updates, as they become available, can be found by visiting www.elmorecoema.org.
At press time, the following road closures are in effect: Elmore County – Joiner Road from 200 Block to Loboe Road is closed until further notice. Elmore County – Jug Factory Road from 2721 to 2221 is closed. This area is just south of Owens Road on Jug Factory. It will be closed until further notice. Wetumpka – Company Street between Mansion Street and Green Street is closed until further notice. Wetumpka – 900 Block of Jackson Trace Road is closed until further notice Elmore County – Holley Mill Road between Landers Swink Road and Alabama state Route 63 – closed indefinitely. Elmore County – Old Rifle Range Road (the dirt section) – Closed due to river flooding along the Tallapoosa River.
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Floods
Seniors “Prime Time” activities at the Wetumpka Senior Center, held at the Fain Center, 120 Cotton Street for those 55 and older: Regularly Scheduled Activities Monday-Friday - Lunch, 11:30 a.m. Cost is $1.60 donation if possible. SilverSneakers Classic Exercise Class M, W, F at 9:30 a.m. - total body toning and muscular strength SilverSneakers Circuit Exercise Class Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. - cardio workout SilverSneakers Yoga Class - Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. - deep breathing, stretching, muscle relaxation Bridge Club - Wednesdays, 12 to 3 p.m. Audio Book Club- second and fourth Monday of every month at 1 p.m. - enjoy listening to a book on tape while knitting, crocheting, sewing, etc. New Regularly Scheduled Activities DIY Classes - Every first and third Monday at 1 p.m. Do It Yourself Classes to learn to make things you can use around the house, including soap, lotions, crafts and decorations. Uno Wednesdays - 1 p.m. every Wednesday take part in a rousing game or two of Uno. Sock Sisters - 1 p.m. every Thursday come and make non-slip socks to give to nursing home residents. Volleyball - Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Join us for an intense game of volleyball, using a beach ball! Bridge - Wanted: Bridge players for afternoon Bridge Club. Meets Wednesday afternoons 12 to 3 p.m. Special Activities • Feb. 1-5, 2016: Motorcoach trip to Amelia Island, St. Augustine, and Jacksonville, Florida - Cost is $410 per person for double occupancy. Price includes four nights lodging and eight meals. For more information, or for a trip flyer, please call DeLane at 334-567-1335. NOTE: For info on any Prime Time event, call 334-567-1335. The Eclectic Senior Center is open every weekday until noon. For more info, call Deborah Rowe at 334541-3581.
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“We’ve got the damage assessment in from the highway department, we’ve got the damage assessment in from the Elmore Water Authority and Wetumpka is very close to having theirs in to us,” Jones said. “We anticipate turning in the preliminary damage assessments in for those three entities and possibly Elmore Water and Sewer this afternoon,” he added on Wednesday. Earlier in the week, Jones said the city crews and county crews are still assessing the situation and checking other infrastructure to make sure there aren’t any other problems anywhere. “We are trying to get what we can reopened, but of course with this round of rain and severe weather, it’s slowed us down,” he said. “The thing we have to watch now is flash flooding off of this band of rain as it moves through the county right now.” Jones said the overflow of the river mainly affected Gold Star Park and some of the areas along Bridge Street and Hill Street, although there were no businesses or homes that flooded. Jones said working in the new Emergency Operations Center during Christmas worked well with the coordination of assets. “We worked four or five hours or so and things worked very well,” Jones said. “We had a very limited staffing activation and everything has worked very well. There are a lot of benefits we have realized being co-located with the dispatch office and we’ve noticed some capabilities we haven’t had in the past.” Jones said Christmas Eve night Wetumpka had some extremely dangerous conditions with the flash flooding and the amount of rain in such a short time frame along U.S. Highway 231, Alabama state Route 14 and a lot of the roads downtown on both sides of the bridge. “We were really inundated with very severe flash floods,” he said. Jones said the weather should ease up and should be more sporadic and lighter. “Once this band of rain gets though the county we will be in a position to have some more scattered much lighter rain,” he said. “We will definitely have more rain, but should be out of here through the next week.”
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
DECEMBER 31, 2015 • PAGE 3
Overspending at Christmastime may put 2016 in peril By JOHN W. PEELER Managing Editor
Now that Christmas is over, most shoppers will find their wallets and purses a little lighter, especially if a Christmas budget wasn’t adhered to. “I’ve always found how generous we can be with borrowed money,� said Roger Knauff, a counselor with Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Alabama, Inc. “Most of us wouldn’t want to receive a gift if we knew it would put the giver into debt. Yet we are willing to go out and put things on credit and sometimes over extend ourselves.� Knauff said the first thing consumers should do is learn from our own patterns and start taking steps now to make sure the pattern doesn’t repeat itself. “I think by putting numbers down on paper is a good idea,� he said. “Look and see what your debt levels were in October and compare those to your statements in January and see just how much you did spend, because that will not only include your gift giving, but your other spending during the holidays which can include entertainment and food, which may be a lot more than you thought you were going to originally spend.� Some statistics, which vary by agency, suggests around the Christmas season buyers may spend up to three times their weekly paychecks. “I would probably agree with that estimate from what I’ve seen,� he said. “The unfortunate part most people are just one paycheck away from bankruptcy. Spending two to three times your weekly paycheck can really put you in peril.� Following the Christmas season, Knauff said
there are a couple of signs you are spending too much. “The very first sign is if you are wondering if you spent too much anyway,â€? he said. “If it’s the first or second week in January and we’re worried we might have overdone it, there is your warning sign right there that you’re not in control of your spending and you need to do a better job of that during this coming year.â€? Knauff said another warning sign would be whether or not the monthly mortgage had been made. “Mortgage payments are made on the first, they are late on the second,â€? he said. “So, if you’re not paying your mortgage payment on or before the first of the month, you’re not doing a good job managing your money. ‌ The day you decide not to pay your mortgage payment is the day you decide to move.â€? So, how can you get back on track? Knauff has these suggestions. Layout a plan for spending and keep to it. Keep a track of the money you spend every day and keep a record of it. “Where your dollars are going everyday is very important for you to know, not to guess,â€? he said. “Be realist about your lifestyle and know where you are spending your money. Where you spend your money is important to be able to make better decision to where you are going to spend your money going forward.â€? If getting your spending habits and money under control is a problem you can’t seem to work out, Knauff said “get help,â€? and don’t ignore the problem because “it will only get worse.â€?
AEMA
continued from page 1
could take time due to current conditions. “There is still a lot of these places that are still underwater,â€? he said. “We don’t know the impact to some degree ‌ we have counties where we know we have huge amount of impacts ‌ we are focused on the hardest hit areas and we are gathering that information ‌ I’m hoping that when we get through today and if we can get the water levels to start down by the first of next week ‌ (we can) put the assessment teams
out there with the locals looking at this damage to start compiling and verifying ‌ we can then determine (if we) can get FEMA here.â€? Faulkner told officials he is aware that a lot of government entities are “cash-strappedâ€? and another option if the state is unable to meet the FEMA threshold, is to have the Small Business Administration come in and assist communities by providing low-interest loans not only to business owners, but to individuals that are home own-
ers, and in some cases, renters that may be eligible. He said the Red Cross and other organizations active in disasters will be there to fill in the gap in the interim, which includes donated goods. “We’re making sure we’ve identified those areas of the state that the individuals may need some type of assistance through donated goods,â€? he said. “We know about where we are, and I think hopefully we won’t have anything (flash flooding) today.â€? Place your vehicle in our classiÂżeds until it sells! $ 00
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Revitalization survey for the public,� Davenport said. “It will actually be an online survey that people will be able to go online and fill it out and submit it.� For residents without an Internet connection, hard copy surveys will be available, as well. “If they don’t have Internet access, we’ll have several of them at town hall where they can fill them out manually, write them out,� he said. In order to get the people of Eclectic even more involved in the comprehensive planning process, the Davenport said the town plans on
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hosting an open meeting for all to attend and express their wishes and concerns. “Another thing we’re going to do is probably have a public hearing at the warehouse one night in the next three months,� he said. “Both the Planning Commission and the Industrial Development Board felt like we need
a little more public input before we approve the comprehensive plan. We’ll go over what we anticipate in the town of Eclectic and what we would like to see happen, both good and bad, between now and the next twenty years. That’s what the public hearings are all about. We’ll publicize when those public hearings will be. We
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Kenneth Boone, Publisher John W. Peeler, Managing Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.
PAGE 4 • DECEMBER 31, 2015
OPINION
“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” --Thomas Jefferson THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
The Observer strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and, above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.
Our View
We are here for you now and in the new year
W
hile reports and headlines from news sources outside Elmore County screamed the dire straits our county found itself in, the truth of the matter is it wasn’t as bad as the “outside” reports. For Wetumpka, Tallassee, Eclectic and all areas of Elmore County, those outside the county must seem to believe we are incapable of handling problems and issues that face nearly every county in the U.S. Sure, there are times when everyone needs outside assistance, but media outlets outside the county don’t have a real perspective on what goes on, even in adjacent counties. No, businesses and residents weren’t evacuated during the recent stint of severe weather — Elmore County officials and agencies handled the issues just fine. Although we are a media organization, we are Elmore County’s news organization. We are here every day and are more in tune to what goes on in the county. We are not here to cause panic or sensationalize the news. For us, reporting as quickly and accurately as possible is our goal and we will continue to do so in the New Year. It has been a privilege for us to serve you during 2015 and we look forward to continuing to do so in 2016. From all of us at the Elmore County newspapers, Happy New Year and may 2016 be a brighter, more successful New Year for everyone.
It is worth the extra effort to see the good in things
W
ith the end of each year many take the time to reflect on their lives, the decisions they’ve made and the twists and turns in the road that threw them off course. For many, the reflection is one of goals accomplished and leading a better life, but for some, life was like that of throwing a rock in the middle of a puddle of water and watching the ripples flow from the center to the outer banks only to cross other ripples on its way back to the center — tumultuous. It’s easy to reflect on what has went right during the past year, but it’s a little harder to look in the mirror when life hasn’t been the best it could have been. But, as it’s said, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Everyday I get up and look in the mirror. Sometimes I like what I see, other times, not so much. When I look in the mirror, what I see is a reflection of what I think about myself that day. But, it’s also a reflection of the accumulation of either good times, or bad. It takes effort to sometimes see the good in things, but what I have found is the extra effort is worth the positive reflection I see the next day in the mirror. You see, life isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. Every bad situation brings with it the opportunity to learn something about yourself. Sometimes it’s really hard to see it that way when you’re in
JOHN PEELER Managing Editor
the midst of turmoil, but where else can you find out who you really are? It’s how you handle difficult situations and what you learn from those situations that will ultimately lead you to having a good year in 2016 — as long as you learned something. Reflection is a funny thing — rarely do we reflect on life as we go, rather, we wait until things aren’t going well — or at the end of an old year, or beginning of a new year. I wonder how many lives would be changed, if, when we looked in the mirror every morning, we took a minute to truly reflect on our lives and make the needed changes every day. Letting issues simmer and inaction only leads to more distress — take a few minutes when you’re putting on your makeup or shaving and truly look at your life. Is it what you want it to be? Are you delaying the inevitable by not making a decision on something that bothers you? Is your life what you want it to
be? Is there something you can do to change it, or is your pride or lack of self-confidence standing in the way? So many things to reflect on every day — you owe it to yourself to take the time to look deep down inside and find the happiness you seek in 2016. I’m not much for New Year’s resolutions. I’ve found most times resolutions are forgotten or not met simply because they’re unrealistic. I have one resolution every year — to be a better person than I was the year before. As I reflect on 2015, I see good and bad, but most of all I see memories. New Year’s Day, I will awake in a brand new year and when I look in the bathroom mirror I will take the time to reflect, but mostly to look forward to a year that hasn’t been written yet — and to the memories of 2015. I know it will be up to me to make sure I reflect periodically to keep myself on a path to new undiscovered happiness. I can already say I will be decisive and I will learn lessons and grow. How do I know that? Because I have already decided I will take time to reflect along the way rather than wait for something bad to happen or until this time next year. I will be a better person in 2016 and so should you. When darkness and self doubt creep in, take the time to reflect but most of all, find a way to shine. Happy New Year.
Plenty is happening in Elmore County YOUR VIEW
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he next free Countywide Clean Up Day is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 9. The event, sponsored by the Elmore County Commission, is typically held on the second Saturday of every odd numbered month. Countywide Clean Up Days offer county residents 10 convenient locations across Elmore County at which to drop off household and lawn trash at no charge. Free Countywide Clean Up drop-off locations: • The old highway department in Kent • The old highway department shop in Holtville • Crenshaw Park • Sweeten School • Emerald Mountain Equestrian Center • County Jail/Judicial
The County Line Elmore County Commission Complex parking lot (U.S. Highway 231 N. across from Tutwiler) • Titus Gas & Groceries (Hwy. 231 N. toward Titus on left at intersection of Hwy. 231 and Titus Rd.) • Old Central Transfer Station • Annex Building in the Town of Elmore • Parking lot at CEW&SA Redland Rd. Facility Additional Countywide Clean Up dates, times and locations (including a map with directions and GPS coordinates) are listed on the Elmore County web page Calendar of Events at www.elmoreco.org.
Alabama lost significant players lost in 2015
A 334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 e-mail: News@TheEclecticObserver.com THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER (005-022) is published weekly on Thursday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Eclectic Observer, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099. ISSN # 10500898. 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 for one newspaper (Herald, Weekend, Observer, Tribune). $15 charge for a photograph. •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word for one newspaper. $15 charge for 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word for one newspaper. $15 charge for a photo. SUBSCRIPTION RATES One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County $25 One Year Elsewhere $38 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. ©2015 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. NEWS John Peeler, managing editor John.Peeler@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . .Ext. 302 Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ext. 306 Kevin Taylor, copy editor Kevin.Taylor@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . .Ext. 312 SALES Jayne Carr, marketing consultant Jayne.Carr@TheWetumpkaHerald.com.. . . . . . . . . . . .Ext. 313
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We hope all Elmore County residents will take advantage of this convenient opportunity to drop off household and yard trash free of charge. All tree limbs must be no longer than four feet and no more than six inches in diameter. Items that will not be accepted include appliances, batteries, paints or thinners, oils, gases, and tires. Sorry, no contractors; the Clean Up is for residents only. For more information, call Advanced Disposal at 334-2520458. Please help “Keep the Wave of the Future Clean” by bagging and sealing all household trash for regular pick up. Bagging and closing trash bags prevents “blow out” garbage on the roadside.
s we close the final page on the 2015 book, my yearend tradition is to reminisce about the passing away of significant players on the Alabama political stage. The first obituary is not a person but an entity. The Alabama Education Association is essentially dead as a political organization. The king is dead. When Paul Hubbert died the AEA died. It is as though it rose and fell with his life. He reigned as King of Goat Hill for over 30 years. In 1969, the AEA was nothing more than a professional organization run by the school superintendents. It had no political muscle or organization. There were no political action committees at that time. Then the AEA sought and got Dr. Paul Hubbert. He quickly grasped the understanding of political power. In his first year he defeated Governor George Wallace and quickly earned his spurs. By the mid 1970’s he had built the AEA into a powerful political machine and by 1982 he and Wallace joined forces and AEA and Hubbert became the Kings of Goat Hill. Paul Hubbert reigned from 1982-2012. He died in 2014. Today, the AEA is back where it was in 1969. It is once again a toothless professional organization. The new Republican legislative majority that came to power in 2010 made it their mission to dismantle and destroy the once omnipotent AEA. The GOP legislature, along with our extremely partisan GOP Supreme Court, took away their dues check off, then continued to shovel dirt onto the grave. Over the past few years, they have cut teachers’ pay and this
STEVE FLOWERS Columnist
past year raided the Special Education Trust Fund to keep the General Fund afloat. They will probably raid it again next year because there is nobody to guard the hen house. The AEA was the last democratic based political organization to help elect Democrats. Therefore, with the death of the AEA there is a conjunctive death of the Democratic Party statewide in Alabama. The leadership of the Democratic Party, which is essentially Joe Reed and his allies, are content to control a fiefdom that is comprised of local political Democratic bastions of urban and Black Belt enclaves. They do not even field credible or serious candidates for statewide office. Sid McDonald was not only a player in Alabama politics, he was also an ultra-successful businessman. McDonald hailed from beautiful Marshall County. He represented his home area in both the House and Senate. He was State Finance Director and ran a good race for governor in 1978. He and Fob James both financed their own campaigns. Fob won the race. Bill Baxley finished second. Albert Brewer was third and Sid McDonald ran fourth ahead of Lt. Gov. Jere Beasley. McDonald was one of Alabama’s outstanding businessmen. He was inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame in 2010. Sid McDonald served for
16 years on the Board of Trustees of this alma mater the University of Alabama. The University of Alabama system administrative building located on the university campus on University Boulevard in Tuscaloosa was named for Sid McDonald in 2014. On May 15, 2015, McDonald died on a business trip in Colorado. He was 76. State Representative Lesley Vance of Phenix City died in November at age 76 from colon cancer. He had wrestled with the cancer for over a year. He was a great man and a good friend. Lesley was a true Horatio Alger story. He was one of 15 children who grew up poor in rural Alabama. He became financially successful as a funeral home director and owner. He had the largest funeral home in Phenix City and Columbus, Georgia. He as a civic leader in Russell County before he went to the legislature. He served in the State House of Representatives for over 20 years. Although he was a Tennessean, Fred Thompson was born in northwest Alabama. Fred Thompson was a U.S. Senator from Tennessee for 12 years. Prior to running for the U.S. Senate, he was a television and movie star. Best known for his role in Law and Order, he first became famous as a Watergate prosecutor in the 1970’s. Thompson died of lymphoma at age 73 at his home in Nashville. See you next week. 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.
FAITH
Phone 334-567-7811 kevin.taylor@thewetumpkaherald.com
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
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DECEMBER 31, 2015 • PAGE 5
Obituaries
Now is the only time we have
s a rule I detest holidays dictating a sermon’s focus and content. Certainly, that does not apply to Christmas and Easter but it does to the others. It has always seemed so artificial to focus a sermon on a holiday not directly attached to our Lord. I enjoy holidays, but still have a difficulty letting them dictate Christian worship. Thus, I rarely preach a New Years sermon. New Years Day has probably the least meaning to me of any secular holiday we observe as Americans. I know I may be in a minority here, but so be it. However, this year I have been drawn more to the meaning of time. I have been drawn to meditate on time in our lives and have come up with a few observations. First, the past is not dead. We can’t get away from it and it is part and parcel of our very existence. The things that have happened to us, and the people who have done those things, good or bad, have made us who we are. A man or woman enslaved by substance abuse or a godly man or woman whose face shines bright with God’s grace got there over a period of time and those years are not dead. Yesterday is not dead no matter how many New Years come and go. Time past is not dead time. Second, the future is not ours. We mistakenly tell people, especially the young, “You have the future.” But not really. Certainly, we should
JAMES TROGLEN First Baptist Church
plan for the future so we can make the best use of our time on earth. But the future is not guaranteed to any of us. You cannot count on tomorrow with absolute confidence. We are all mortal and death can arrive at any moment. We live in a sinful world, and can be touched by sinful people who can take our lives, scar our lives and stop all our plans for the future. However, now is the acceptable time. Now is the only time we have. We need to learn to live in the moment. We need to count each moment as precious and live each one. Don’t dwell in a past that cannot be changed. Don’t count on a future that may not occur. But you do have this moment to live, worship and love. Will Rogers was once asked “If you had only forty-eight hours to live how would you spend them?” He responded, “One at a time.” You can only accept time as it comes. Therefore, in a sense, now is the acceptable time. It is the present that you have and how are you spending it? The good news is God can heal that past “now.” The good news is God isn’t against you planning for
a possible future as long as you live the time you have “now.” “Now” is the time to be with your kids or grandkids. “Now” is the time to love your wife. “Now” is the time to love your God. “Now” is the time to be with your friends. Now is the time to know forgiveness and wholeness in God’s service. Don’t live in your past failures, sorrows or victories. Don’t put all your eggs in the basket of the future. Live “now,” enjoy the “now,” and let God be real “now.” At First Baptist we have several souls that if God does not intervene, will not be with us very much longer. I am not saying anything that each of these have not already affirmed themselves. But, they have learned a great secret that seemingly only those close to death have learned. They fully understand how the past is still with them. They realize they have a very, very limited future, an uncertain future. But they see the present clearly. They live in the “now.” It is not a requirement to be near death to learn this life attitude, it just seems to happen that way. A new day dawns on us, so let us learn from our past as we carry it with us. Let us plan for the future to be the most effective we can be, but let us learn to live in the moment which is really the only time we can be certain of. Troglen is Pastor of First Baptist Church of Wetumpka.
Joel Bass
Mr. Joel “Sam” Bass, 80, of Tallassee, passed away December 23, 2015. He was born March 21, 1935. Visitation will be Sunday, December 27, from 1:00-2:00 pm at Linville Memorial Funeral Home, followed by the funeral service at 2:00 pm with Rev. Tim Bass officiating. Burial will follow at Chana Creek Cemetery, Linville Memorial Funeral Home directing. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Verta Bass; sons, Clarke McManus (Kim), David Bass (Kaycee) and Evan Bass (Marisa); grandchildren, Caroline McManus, Kate McManus, Audrey Bass, Laura Bass, Lydia Bass and Austin Bass; brothers, Benny Bass, Henderson Bass (Alice) and Jimmy Bass (Betty); sister, Nellie Ledbetter; sister-in-law, Margaret Bass and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Cordelia Bass; son, Mark Bass; brother, Barney Bass and sister, Sarah Frances Baker. Online condolences at www.linvillememorial.com.
Jan Ward
Ms. Jan Bea Ward, 54, of Eclectic, passed away December 25, 2015. She was born November 5, 1961. A memorial service will be held Thursday, December 31 at 11:00 am at Linville Memorial Funeral Home. She is survived by an aunt, Dorothy R. Burch; uncle, Charles Loyce Rowe; numerous loving cousins and friends, including Joel and Susan Gill and numerous people who cared for her. She is preceded in death by her parents, John Edward Ward and Betty Rowe Ward. Jan was a Master Schedule at Neptune Technology Group, where she has been employed over 30 years. She was a loyal employee and she will be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends at Neptune. Jan loved her animals, Ace, Chance, Murphy, Little Susie and Crimson. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Humane Society of Elmore County, 255 Central Plank Rd, Wetumpka, AL 36092. Online condolences at www.linvillememorial.com.
Religion Calendar • Wellspring Community Church in Millbrook will host The Underground featuring surviving The Fall! Have free food and hang out afterward. Evening filled with rockin music, lights, and a great time with friends. • GriefShare grief recovery seminar and support group will began meeting at Calvary Baptist Church in Wetumpka. The group will meet on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until noon and on Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. There is a $25 registration fee to help cover cost of materials. The church is located at 504
West Osceola Street, Wetumpka. For more information, call the church office at 334-5674729.
at Uncle Bob’s Doghouse in Wetumpka. Everyone is invited. Call the church office at 334-452-1931 for more information.
•Community Fellowshippers meet at Cain’s Chapel United Methodist Church every third Wednesday at 11 a.m. The gathering includes devotion, program, prizes and covered dish luncheon. Local pastors and families encouraged to attend.
•Mulder Memorial United Methodist Church hosts a noon salad luncheon the third Thursday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 334-567-4225 for more information.
• Calvary Baptist Church offers a Bible study “War Room” Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
•First Presbyterian Church of Wetumpka holds a fellowship lunch every third Sunday after worship.
•Celebrate Recovery, which deals with life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups, holds meetings every Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at Santuck Baptist Church. •Christians of all denominations are invited to participate in a cooperative Bible Study held each Tuesday 1-2 p.m. at 103 West Tuskeena St. in Wetumpka The group is self-led and selects a book of the Bible to read through and study together. All are welcome.
Area Church Services Agapé Assembly of God Hwy. 63 North Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday Night Service 7 p.m. Balm of Gilead Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Bethlehem East Baptist Church Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m. Discipleship Training 5 p.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday Evening 7 p.m. Beulah Missionary Baptist Church P.O. Box 130, Eclectic 36024 Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship Services 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday Services 6 p.m. Friday Services 6 p.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Class 1st Tuesday Prayer Meeting 6 p.m. Central Baptist Church Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Adult Choir Practice 5 p.m. Evening Worship Service 6 p.m. Wednesday: Children, Youth and Adult Bible Study/Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m. Central United Methodist Church Sunday Morning 9:30 a.m.
Chaney Creek Primitive Baptist Church Every Sunday except 2nd Sunday 10:30 a.m. Saturday before 2nd Sunday 10:30 a.m. Chapel United Methodist Church Services 2nd and 4th Sunday 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 2nd and 4th 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 1st, 3rd and 5th 10 a.m. Claud Independent Methodist Church 81232 Tallassee Hwy Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday Prayer and Bible Study 7 p.m. Eclectic First Baptist Church Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:45 a.m. Discipleship Training 5 p.m. Wednesday: Meal 5:30 p.m. Youth, Children and Adult Studies and Activities 6:15 p.m. Eclectic United Methodist Church 1035 Main Street Morning Service 10:50 a.m. Evening Service 6 p.m. Wednesday: Meal 5:30 p.m. Service 6:30 p.m.
Georgia Road Church of Christ 4003 Georgia Road Sunday: Morning Bible Study 9 a.m. Morning Worship 10 a.m. Evening Worship 5 p.m. Wednesday: Mid-Week Bible Study 7 p.m. Good Hope Baptist Church 1766 S. Fleahop Road Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Discipleship Training 5 p.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday: Prayer Service 7 p.m. TeamKID and “R.U.S.H” Youth Celebration 6:30 p.m. Healing Waters Church of God 1639 Kowaliga Road Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday: Family Training Hour 7 p.m. Kendrick Memorial Baptist Church Hwy. 9 Nixburg Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Mt. Hebron Church of Christ 4530 Mt. Hebron Road Sunday: Morning Bible Study 10 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday:
Mid-Week Bible Study 7 p.m. Mt. Hebron East Baptist Church Sunday School 10 a.m. Sunday Worship 11 a.m. Wednesday: Children in Action 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m. First Wednesday of Month Potluck supper, Bible study and prayer meeting, 6 p.m. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Sunday: Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Evening Worship 5:30 p.m. Wednesday: Bible Study and Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m. Adult Choir Practice 6:30 p.m. Prospect Baptist Church Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Discipleship Training 6 p.m. Worship Service 7 p.m. Wednesday: Bible Study and Teen Kid 6:30 p.m. Refuge Baptist Church 3098 Red Hill Road Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Rock Springs Baptist Church 375 Rigsby Rd, Tallassee AL 334-283-1156 Rushenville Baptist Church
Submit your church calendar items and events to: kevin.taylor@thewetumpkaherald.com
10098 Georgia Road Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m. Children’s Choir 5 p.m. Bible Study 6 p.m. GA’s, RA’s 6 p.m. Adult Choir Practice 6:45 p.m. Wednesday: Bible Study and Prayer Meeting 6 p.m. Salem Road Baptist Church 12 Old Salem Road Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Sunday Night Services 6 p.m. Wednesday Evening Prayer 7 p.m. Providence Primitive Baptist Church 4850 Chana Creek Road Bible Study 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship 10:45 a.m. Evening Worship 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Prayer and Praise 7 p.m. Union No. 2 Missionary Baptist Church PO Box 240452 Eclectic, AL 36024 Sunday School - 10 a.m. Morning Worship - 11:15 Tuesday Bible Study - 6 p.m. Watson Chapel Congregation 2223 East Cotton Road Sunday School 10 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m.
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HUMANE SOCIETY OF ELMORE COUNTY NEWS REA CORD Executive Director
While the shelter will be closed at noon Dec. 31 and all day Jan. 1 for the New Year, we will be monitoring Facebook and our phones for Lost and Found pets Friday and the rest of the weekend. Why? Because the days after New Year’s Eve are always busy with calls from pet owners looking for their missing pets. A fact is —fireworks and pets are not a good mix and many pets run from them only to end up confused and lost, or worse, injured from running into the paths of autos. So how do you prevent a lost pet
TheWetumpkaHerald.com later this week? Just bring your dogs and cats inside before any fireworks start and keep them in until well after all of the flashes and bangs are finished for the evening. They may still be scared and hide in a quiet spot in the house, but at least they will be safe at home. If your pet cannot come in the house, then consider containing it in your garage or shop or barn but please make sure to put pet hazardous items out of their reach. Once the fireworks are done you should then be able to safely let your pet back outside but since there is a long weekend for many folks, be prepared to contain your pets again both Friday and Saturday nights — maybe even Sunday, as well. Since it gets dark so early this time of year, don’t delay bringing your pets inside as that first volley might cause your pet to panic and take off. And be aware — thinking your pet is OK because it is in a fenced yard does not always work. When dogs are petrified they can scale a fence or go under it in an instant to escape what is scaring them — please, bring them inside. Cats too. Making sure your pet has identification on their collar will go a long
Pet of the week: Hank
As 2015 draws to a close we are posting Hank in hopes he can find his forever home this year. Why? Hank has been with us one-and-a half years now. He came to us suffering from serious neglect and it took us months to get him recovered. He is now healthy as can be and while we understand he isn’t the dog for every family it is just mind-boggling that he is still with us after all this time. Hank is a Jack Russell Terrier mix, 8-9 years old, 19 pounds. He is an active and bouncy boy, housetrained, crate-trained, good with female dogs, so-so with kitties and would be best in an adult only home. He loves to jump up in your arms but also loves to chill outside in the sun. He just wants to bond with an owner and will be a bit protective once he knows he has a home. If you are a stay at home person perhaps only wanting one dog as your buddy, please come meet Hank as he has many years of love to give. Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs (reduced or waived in certain cases) and $50 for cats under 1 year old; cats over one year old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. The adoption fee completely
covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough, 45 days of pet health insurance and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian. To meet all the great pets at our shelter come to 255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL, 36092, 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 this week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. We will be closed New Year’s Day.
way toward getting them back home — current rabies tag, a personalized ID tag (remember, we can make these for you at our shelter) or writing your phone number on their collar in indelible ink can often get your pet back home without the shelter ever getting involved. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to have your pet microchipped, as that truly helps us get pets back home in the event they lose their collar. If your pet does become lost (or you find a pet), please call us at the shelter at 334-567-3377 as soon as possible so we can take a report; if we do not answer, please leave a message and your phone number. If you are a Facebook person, don’t delay posting pics and info (where, when lost, phone numbers to contact you) on any of a number of Lost/Found Pet sites — ours is “Lost & Found Pets in Elmore County” or you can post to our shelter page “Humane Society of Elmore County.” Or you can private message us on either of those pages if you don’t want to make a public post. Our
DECEMBER 31, 2015 • PAGE 7 Facebook admins can then post for you if necessary and will also start cross posting to other pet/community pages you might not even know about to maximize the number of people knowing your pet is lost (or found). You can also report a lost/found pet directly to us via email at hselco@bellsouth.net. Photos of your pets make a HUGE difference as we work to reunite pets and their families, so if you don’t have any, take them this week. Many families also have brand new pets in their families from Christmas, so please realize that these pets are still adjusting to their new surroundings. If new pets escape, they have no idea where they are or where to go for safety. To reemphasize, please, please, please keep your pets inside and make sure they have collars and tags on them. We wish everyone a safe and fun New Year’s Eve. The shelter and Tails End Thrift Store will be back open Jan. 2 to hopefully start 2016 with many adoptions in the shelter and lots of great sales in the thrift store.
Monitoring Non-Compliance Notice Eclectic Water Works and Sewer Board is required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not your drinking water meets health standards. During July – September 2015, we did not monitor for Disinfection ByProducts (DBP) during the required time frame, and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of your drinking water during that time. Because DBPs from these quarters will be used in determining compliance with DBP MCLs in the quarters of October – December 2015, January – March 2016 and April – June 2016, Eclectic Water Works and Sewer Board will incur monitoring violations for those quarters. Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, schools and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. Eclectic Water Works and Sewer Board has monitored for the required contaminants properly since the non-compliance occurred. Should you have any questions concerning this non-compliance or monitoring requirements, please contact the office of Eclectic Water Works and Sewer Board at 507 Main Street, Eclectic, Alabama, 334541-2840.
Cory Diaz Sports Editor Phone 334-567-7811 sports@thewetumpkaherald.com
PAGE 8 • DECEMBER 31, 2015
SPORTS
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
Top Sports Stories of 2015 Lady Panthers secure Area 5 championship, fall in sub-region
ECHS takes 3 to state
Longtime AD, coach Rowe passes away; Nicholas named new AD
February 7 & 14: Tracy Strouse, Nicolas Thames and Chase Thomas qualified for the AHSAA state wrestling tournament, all placing inside the top eight at Super Sectionals. At state, Thomas (160-pound) won two matches, while Thames earned one victory and Strouse lost both of his contests.
February 7-9: Elmore County girls basketball team outlasted Booker T. Washington, 47-46, in overtime to win the Area 5 championship and hosted its Class 4A sub-regional game, where it lost to Munford two nights later.
February 23, April 9: Longtime Elmore County High coach and athletic director Grady Rowe unexpectedly passed away Feb. 23. He was 57. Rowe taught and coached at ECHS for 22 years and served as AD for 10 years. On April 9, the school named current golf coach, Terry Nicholas, the new AD, a move that Rowe wanted, ECHS principal Wes Rogers said.
Elmore County girls soccer wins 1st area championship, playoff match April 17 & 25: Elmore County girls soccer team accomplished multiple program firsts in 2015. The Lady Panthers went 2-2 in Class 4A-5A Area 5 play, sealing the championship. ECHS blanked Holt, 11-0, in its first postseason appearance at home, but fell on the road to Sipsey Valley, 6-2, in the second round.
Cooper brings home gold medal in boys long jump May 2: With a leap of 20 feet, 5.75 inches, Elmore County senior Eddie Cooper won the gold medal in the Class 4A boys long jump event at the AHSAA track and field state meet in Gulf Shores.
Elmore County High opens new gymnasium October 6: Elmore County High School opened a new gymnasium on its campus Oct. 6, hosting a volleyball match. Opening two months after its original projected completion date, the 2,500-square foot, $2.5 million gym held its first athletic event.
Brown signs to play softball at University of Alabama November 13: Elmore County star Elissa Brown signed a national letter-of-intent to play college softball at the University of Alabama. A two-time First-Team AllState player, Brown was ECHS’s first Division-I softball signee.
Burt-Haynie Field to get new visitors bleachers October 20: The Elmore County Board of Education announced that ECHS’s Burt-Haynie Field will get new visitors bleachers. Demolition and construction on the new bleachers, that will cost $250,000, is set to start around the first of the year and projected to be completed by the start of the 2016 football season.
Lady Panthers win 6th straight area championship in volleyball October 20: Elmore County volleyball team continued its dominance in the area slate, winning its sixth straight area title, defeating Dadeville, 3-0. The Lady Panthers went on to win its Class 4A, first round South regional match over Monroe County, before falling to UMS-Wright in the second round.
Pair of Panther wrestlers rank among state high school’s best BY CORY DIAZ Sports Editor Several local wrestlers and two teams rank among the state’s best. Stanhope Elmore and Wetumpka came in 16th and 12th, respectively, in Southeast Wrestling’s first Class 6A poll of the wrestling season released Dec. 15. The Indians had four wrestlers inside their divsion’s top eight, while the Mustangs had three. Wetumpka senior and reigning 6A 126-pound state champion Vershone Graham is favored to claim another title, this year at 138.
After finishing runner-up last season, Stanhope senior Ty Naquin is expected to win state, rating as the top wrestler in the 113-pound class. Indian junior Trent Holley, who placed third at state last year, currently ranks behind two-time state champion Daniel Bland of Benjamin Russell for the top heavyweight spot. SEHS sophomore Jake Andrews landed fifth in the same division. At 195, the Mustangs’ and state qualifier Logan Smith rated fifth, while the Tribe’s John Ellis Rawls has climbed to eighth in the rankings.
Wetumpka junior Cameron Spurlin was sixth in the 126-pound weight division. In the 1A-5A poll, Holtville had three grapplers listed as one of the eight best in their respective class and Elmore County had two. The highest-rated Bulldog, freshman Tristan Watson came in fourth at 113, while Brady Richardson (138-pound) and Peyton Johnson (152-pound) each were listed seventh. For the Panthers, junior Nicolas Thames ranked sixth-best in the 182-pound division, and junior Tracy Strouse landed eighth at 152. Elmore County senior stud running back Kell Floyd, shown here running the ball against rival Tallassee Photo by Cory Diaz this past season, earned an All-State honorable mention at defensive back.
Floyd grabs ASWA All-State honorable mention at DB BY CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
Elmore County junior Tracy Strouse, shown here competing earlier this season, ranked as the eighth-best Photo by Cory Diaz Class 1A-5A,152-pound wrestler in Alabama, per Southeast Wrestling.
For the second straight year, Kell Floyd picked up Elmore County High School’s lone Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State Football nod, receiving an honorable mention at defensive back in Class 4A, announced Saturday night. The 6-foot, 160-pound senior led the Panthers defense in total tackles this season from the free safety position with 61 stops, while intercepting a pass and recovering two fumbles, one of which
he returned for a touchdown. While pacing the defense, Floyd had the biggest impact on the offensive side for Elmore County (5-5), lining up both wide receiver and running back, where he earned First-Team All-Area honors from The Wetumpka Herald. Floyd rushed 145 times for 1,036 yards and 12 touchdowns. At wide out, the senior hauled in 28 passes for 558 yards and six more scores. Floyd passed for another 42 yards, giving him 1,636 total yards, accounting for 50.4 percent of the Panthers’ offense this year.