OPINION: MENTAL HEALTH IS IMPORTANT, IT IS OK TO ASK FOR HELP, PAGE 4.
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Vol. 124, No. 35
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Messy ballots confuse voters Voting directly for presidential choice key By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
When a voter first sees the local version of the March 1 primary ballot – particularly on the Republican side – his or her eyes may begin to glaze over. To say the least, it’s a confusing mess. First, there’s a place to vote directly for your preferred choice for president. Then there are numerous contests between candidates to represent those presidential candidates as their delegates. If the candidate earns delegates. “It seems really confusing, but it’s not if you understand it,” said Denise Bates, chair of the Tallapoosa County Republican Party. “The key is to make sure that you vote directly for your presidential choice and to make sure you turn the page and vote in the See BALLOT • Page 3
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
LifeSaver Flight Nurse Zack Lancaster tells EMS trainees about the best way to get patients in position to be loaded for flight Wednesday morning at Fire Station 2 in Alexander City. The flight team provided classroom training as well as up close instruction in flight medical care.
AIR-BOURNE
Recruits get EMT training in helicopter transport By MITCH SNEED Editor
When it comes to getting a person in distress to the medical professionals needed to help save their lives, time is important. That means that emergency medical technicians, paramedics and other first responders often turn to medical helicopters to transport patients to trauma centers and hospitals for specialized care. That’s why nine recruits were schooled Wednesday in landing zone training by the Life Saver 4 crew of Flight Nurse
Zack Lancaster, Flight Medic Jake Slick and Pilot Cliff McLeod, under the direction of Alexander City Fire Department Capt. Jeff Brewer. “There are a lot of areas in our coverage area where the situation may dictate that you have to transport a patient by air to get them where they need to be in a timely manner,” Brewer said. “These guys have been good enough to come in during our training to help educate on all aspects of the operation. From setting up a landing zone in day-
CACC merger process advances RFP signifies progress toward newly merged institution
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City, Southern Union Community College and Chattahoochee Valley Community College – the three east Alabama schools currently undergoing a merger approved by the Alabama Community College System in December – have released a request for proposal for organization of “listening tours” and a marketing strategy and timeline for the merged institution. The RFP appears indicative of a quickening pace toward the answer of several key questions that still exist about the merger, such as what it will be called and where it will be headquartered. “A big part of the listening tours will be a part of the process of establishing a regional identity and the individual identities of each campus,” said Susan Burrow, currently the president of CACC and already appointed to lead the merged
See HELICOPTER • Page 3
See CACC • Page 3
City manager would have clear responsibilities By MITCH SNEED Editor
Submitted / The Outlook
Under the city manager-council form of government, the mayor would handle ceremonial duties like ribbon cuttings and preside over the council, with the city manager handling the day-to-day operations.
Editor’s note: This is the third in a five-part series on the citymanager form of government. A petition is now active asking for the people to be allowed to vote on a possible change in Alexander City. The petition can be signed each day at the offices of The Outlook. What would a city manager’s duties and powers be if a city manager-council form of government was adopted?
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Lake Martin
Lake Levels
482.98 Reported on 02/17/16 @ 6 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
Cliff Williams / The Outlook 6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
remove employees of the municipality, except members of certain boards; • Exercise administrative supervision and oversight of employees, offices, departments, boards and agencies; • Keep the council advised as to the financial condition of the municipality; • Work with financial director and department heads to prepare and submit an annual budget in a timely manner being mindful of See MANAGER • Page 5
Local students benefit from 1 to 1 technology initiative
Today’s
High
The best answer to this question was stated well in a piece written by Kenneth Smith, a legal counsel with the Alabama League of Municipalities. According to Smith, “the manager is the head of the administrative branch of the municipal government and is responsible to the council for the proper administration of all municipal affairs.” Smith says the powers include: • Enforce all laws and ordinances; • Appoint and, when necessary,
Radney Elementary School math teacher Scarlett McCoy helps students with their new Chromebooks
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One would have believed the students at Radney Elementary School were in a candy store Wednesday. As you walked down the halls and stepped into classrooms, students were bright eyed and grinning as if they had just gotten their favorite treat. But instead – they were working with their newly issued Chromebooks. “The past couple of months we have been working and planning to purchase 2,300 Chromebooks,” Alexander City Schools superintendent Darrell Cooper said. “We are
going to put one in the hands of every single child in the school system.” The effort is part of Cooper’s vision for the system that started when he was hired. “I was asked in the interview process what I would do for the schools if I had the money,” Cooper said. “I said I wanted to have 1-to-1 technology and a comprehensive arts program.” Walking into classrooms at Radney Wednesday, one could see teachers helping their students learn about Google Drive and how it works. “Once you get set up, I can send See CHROMEBOOK • Page 5
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Parents still worry about kids even after they’ve grown up
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Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com
Mia Osborn Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 mia.osborn@alexcityoutlook.com
Management Kenneth Boone Publisher, Ext. 218 kenneth.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com
Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Kim Morse Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 kim.morse@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Guill Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.guill@alexcityoutlook.com Debbie DeWildt Advertising Sales, Ext. 214 debbie.dewildt@alexcityoutlook.com
Accounting Angela Mullins Bookkeeping, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Mary Lyman Boone Bookkeeping marylyman.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom
Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Robert Hudson Sports Editor, Ext. 228 robert.hudson@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210 david.granger@alexcityoutlook.com
Composing Audra Spears Composing Department, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Alethia Russell Graphic Artist, Ext. 231 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Asst. Circulation Manager, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Lake Martin Living, The Outlook is published five times Kenneth Boone a week, Tuesday through Saturday Photography and mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, a commercial web printing press. Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. © 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. ReproPOSTMASTER: Send address duction of any part of any issue requires changes to Post Office Box 999, written publisher permission. Alexander City, AL 35011.
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How to Submit Obituaries
Thursday, February 18, 2016
The Outlook
Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by e-mail at obits@ alexcityoutlook.com. For more information calt (256) 234-4281.
DEAR ABBY: At least “Renee in Oregon” (Sept. 10), who asked her adult daughters for their friends’ phone numbers, cares enough to want someone to call if her adult children don’t respond. I didn’t regard her request as nosy or overbearing, simply so she’d have a “just in case” number. Renee’s daughters sound like ungrateful brats who don’t care anything about worrying their parents. I’m thankful my four adult children will text me in response to my call to let me know they are OK. I have never had a problem getting a contact number from them for a neighbor or friend. Two of them offered the information without my asking. I have only had to call a contact once. Thank goodness it was only a matter of a stolen phone, not a sick or injured child. I’m blessed my kids understand that it’s not to get in their business, but a logical safety issue. -- LUCKY DAD IN KENTUCKY DEAR LUCKY DAD: I’m glad for you. The response from readers about Renee’s letter was varied, and it was informative to read their perspectives: DEAR ABBY: Thanks for your
DEAR ABBY Advice
answer to Renee. It validated my whole life as a daughter of a domineering mother. She is 92. I’m 62 and live 40 miles from her. I have a full-time job, take care of a small farm and still, after my weekly visit, have to call her to let her know I got home OK. She also asks for my friends’ phone numbers. I give her inaccurate ones so she can’t pester them. My office knows to not put her calls through. I have asked her to call my cell, leave a message and I’ll call her back when I am on break. When I was younger, if she couldn’t reach me by phone, she would call the police and the ERs, send my poor father to my house to look for me, or call my veterinarian to have him make a farm call -- just to be sure I hadn’t been ax-murdered. The negative effect this has
Mr. Thomas Guy Knox Mr. Thomas Guy Knox was born on October 5,1934 in Camp Hill Al. To the late parents Lester and Gladys Knox. Thomas Guy Knox Passed away on February 16, 2016 at his residents. Mr. Knox funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday February 19, 2016 at the chapel of Alabama Funeral Homes in Dadeville Al. Family will greet friends from 12 until the time of service at the funeral home on Friday. Graveside service with military honors
following in Sardis United Methodist Church in Dadeville, AL Mr. Knox served in the US Army for 2 years,4 years in the National Guard Reserve, Tallapoosa County Engineering survey department, Co owner of Rentx billboard and owner of Knox building company. Mr. Knox is preceded in death my his parents and step daughter Lisha Pridgen. Mr. Knox is survived by his loving wife Pat Knox of Jacksons Gap Al.; One sister Barbara (Hugh) Jones of Newsite Al.;One son Wayne
Mrs. Shelby Carter Jackson A funeral service for Mrs. Shelby Carter Jackson, 70, of Jacksons Gap Al will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday February 20, 2016 at the chapel of Alabama Funeral Homes in Dadeville with Rev. Jimmy Sims officiating. Graveside service follow in Tallapoosa County Memory Gardens; Visitation will be held Friday February 19, 2016 From 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Mrs. Jackson is preceded in death by husbands Sony Jackson, and Lee Carter; parents Roy and Dera Pitts; two brothers Radney and Earl Pitts; sisters Shirley Hall, Katherine Caldwell, and Connie Peoples. Mrs.Jackson is survived by her four sons Michael (Leigh) Wingard, Joe (Beth) Waldrep, Pete Waldrep, Jason ( Miranda) Wingard; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, neices, and nephews. Alabama Funeral Homes is handling the arrangements. www.alabamafuneralhomes.com
Excluding maintenance and maintenance related problems i.e. stopped up drain, dirty coil, etc.
Free Consultations 217 Madison Street, Alexander City, AL “We are a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 under the Bankruptcy Code. Alabama State Bar requires the following in every attorney advertisement, “ No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”
daughters moved so far away and don’t answer her calls was unnecessarily hurtful. You have no idea why her daughters are so distant. A better option would have been to suggest she approach her kids because she is concerned as their mother and they live so far from her. Rather than a list of their friends, she should ask each of them if there’s someone close to them she might use as an emergency contact. -ANGIE IN MICHIGAN DEAR ABBY: I have two daughters. If I asked them for this information, they wouldn’t hesitate to hand it over. I think that’s because my approach with my girls has always been, the more I stay out of their lives, the more they tell me. I empathize with Renee and sincerely hope she learns to back off. -- NO PROBLEMS HERE Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Obituaries
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had on our relationship is profound. I have tried repeatedly to explain it to her, but she has never “gotten it,” so I have created barriers in order to maintain boundaries. She has a number she can call for her in-home care providers, so if her need is real, she can get help -- and there’s always 911. I refuse to exist just for her to engulf. -- PURPOSELY CHILDLESS IN MISSOURI DEAR ABBY: Sometimes parents do need a contact person for emergencies. At what point should a person have to contact the police? Years ago, parents here in Northern California didn’t hear from their adult son for a week or two. They thought he was with his live-in girlfriend. She thought he had gone to see them. Sadly, his body was found stuffed in an irrigation pipe weeks later. He had been robbed and murdered. Hopefully, Renee’s three daughters are close enough to have regular contact with each other and can call their parents on a regular timetable to check in and assure them all is well. -CALIFORNIA MOM DEAR ABBY: Telling Renee she was the reason her
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(Candy) Knox of Jacksons Gap Al. Two step children Edward Pridgen of Thomasville, NC and Tammy Klein of Waterloo, IA. Two grandsons Brady and Cooper Knox of Jacksons Gap Al; Three step grandchildren Heather, Taylor and Crystal; two step great-grandchildren Alex and Ade. Pallbearers Kenny Knox, Eric Knox, Steve Moore, John Freeman, Ed Pridgen, and David Barber. Alabama Funeral Homes and Cremation Center are handling arrangements.
Mr. Byron Hugh Brock 1940-2016 Memorial service for Mr. Byron Hugh Brock, 75, of Chelsea, will be Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Gregory Champion will officiate. The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 20, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www. radneyfuneralhome.com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Public Meetings Alexander City Board of Education meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the board office at 375 Lee St. or local school at 5 p.m.
fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the Coosa County Courthouse in Rockford at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday and at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday.
Alexander City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in the courtroom at the old city hall at 5:30 p.m.
Dadeville City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. in city hall.
Camp Hill Town Council meets the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6 p.m. Coosa County Board of Education holds called meetings at least once a month. Coosa County Commission meets on the second and
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Daviston City Council meets the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Daviston Fire Department. Goldville Town Council meets the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the town hall. Goodwater City Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held upstairs in the courthouse at 6:30 p.m. Jackson’s Gap Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6:30 p.m., all Jackson’s Gap citizens are encouraged to attend. Kellyton Town Council meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the community center in Kellyton.
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The Outlook
CACC
continued from page 1
colleges. “We just want to listen to the people affected. I’m sure we’ll hear some input about naming and other things but this is largely about our identity and, beyond that, our mission, vision and values and where we go from here.” The Opelika-Auburn News and The Randolph Leader have each published stories that paint the Southern Union community as opposed to any name change and hopeful that the merged institution will maintain its name and be headquartered in Wadley. Burrow says she doesn’t think the merged colleges’ headquarters will play the role of a traditional higher ed base. “With all of the technological advances that allow us to communicate more intricately and better and to telecommute between campuses, I’m not sure that where this system is based will be a large factor,” said Burrow. “Things have changed in the way that colleges and community colleges operate and that’s part of what this is all about – adapting to that change.” According to the RFP posted on the CACC website, the newly formed regional college will serve 11 counties in east Alabama and have a combined
enrollment of 8,000 students who are “interested in academic transfer to four-year colleges, adult education learners and career technical students.” The RFP calls for a scope of work that includes the listening tours and discovery and proposal of a marketing strategy and timeline. The listening tours will identify priorities and concerns in each of the five affected counties – Chambers, Lee, Russell, Talladega and Tallapoosa. In addition, the discovery will include internal and external forums (10 total) on campus for each of the five communities and electronic surveys for public input in the naming process. The RFP calls for a marketing strategy that includes tactics for implementation, priorities, cost estimates, budgets and a realistic timeline branding and marketing the new institution. The branding and marketing will include the new name; academic, athletic and other needed logos; signage; a mascot; marketing and promotional materials; and launch recommendations including advertising, public relations strategy and internal communication. The new name for the institution should be decided by the end of March.
Helicopters
Ballot
FOR SALE continued from page 1
local races. “When you check a box directly beside your candidate, you’re deciding who gets the delegates. When you vote in a delegate contest, you’re deciding who goes to the convention.” In fact, Bates has started a hashtag – #TurnthePage – to help people remember the races that are on the ballot’s second page. But more than turning the page, the ballot actually requires that you flip it over to find the local and state races and cast your vote. On the Republican primary ballot, those races include the races for U.S. Senator (Sen. Richard Shelby incumbent), U.S. House of Representatives, Third Congressional District (Rep. Mike Rogers incumbent), Associate Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court Place 3 (Tom Parker incumbent), President of the Public Service Commission (Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh incumbent) and District Attorney for the 5th Judicial District. The March 1 ballot for the Democratic primary includes only one race other than those for the presidency and presidential delegates – the race for a Democratic challenger for Sen. Shelby’s U.S. Senate seat between Ron Crumpton and Charles Nana. Bates said a vote directly for your presidential choice in either primary is all that is needed to ensure that your presidential preference is recorded. “You can vote in the races among the delegates if you prefer one delegate over another, but it’s not necessary,” Bates said. “If you want candidate X to get your vote for president, you just need to make sure that you mark the box beside candidate X’s name.”
continued from page 1
light hours and at night, things to look for like power lines, sign posts and fences and even things as simple as how to approach the helicopter – they cover all of that.” Lancaster went through the space and size limitations and the best way to have a patient in position to load with few complications. He gave some simple rules to follow. “We tell people all the time, do everything you can for the patient in the ambulance,” Lancaster said. “Out here in the open is not ideal for some of the things that you can do in an ambulance. We tell people all the time to do all you can and then when we get here, it’s get them here quickly and safely, get the patient loaded and secure and we can get moving as quickly as possible. Time is important.” Brewer said that while some of the message shared by the flight crew seems like common sense, they are able to stress the importance of the little things. “You may not think about something
as simple as how the patient is covered up,” Brewer said. “But a lot of times, they leave the helicopter at full power so they can take off quickly. Even say a sheet that is covering a patient, if it is not secured as you approach can be pulled up and into the blades and you have a disaster. They stress all of those kinds of things. You could see that they were taking it all in.” Nine people took part in the training Wednesday, seven ACFD recruits and two from LaFayette. The recruits were in their fourth week of a seven-week EMT training school. Overall, including fire training, the training will last 16 weeks. “This training goes over some of the rules and policies we have,” Brewer said. “They also got to learn about the aircraft close up and we let them get that hands-on experience because a lot of times in an emergency situation we just load patients up and go. This helps fill in the gaps and tells them why we need to do things the way we do.”
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editor@alexcityoutlook.com
EDITORIAL BOARD Kenneth Boone Mitch Sneed
Outlook The
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Page 4
Our
Opinion
Let us know what you think
W
hat do you think about the progress of cleaning up the former Russell property? What are your views on gun control or about gay marriage? Or how about our national politicians and how they perform in national debates or on the campaign trail? Do you have somebody you’d like to thank publically? How do you feel about Lake Martin’s seasonally swinging water levels? Do you have thoughts on how Tallapoosa County can attract more new businesses and industry that will provide jobs for our residents? Have you been on the receiving end of a good deed and would like to give credit where credit is due? Do you have a bone to pick with any of the stories in this newspaper? If you have something to say about any of these questions, then the answer is a letter to the editor or a guest column. This newspaper’s editorial page is an open forum for our community and we encourage you to write us and make your opinion known. It’s free. If you need help writing, our editors will be happy to help you craft a letter. Our rules are simple: no cussin’, no libel, no slander. Basically, if you’d say it around the dinner table with your grandmother, it’s probably acceptable as a letter to the editor. So let’s get the conversation started. What’s on your mind? Write us at editor@ alexcityoutlook.com or Editor, The Alexander City Outlook, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 25011.
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Mental health: It is okay to ask for help
T
he alarm system to my house keeps beeping. I’ve pressed the right buttons to make it stop. It’ll go away momentarily but starts right back up. It’s like pressing buttons on the radio when Taylor Swift or Sam Hunt start singing and talking, respectively. They may go away for a few minutes, but then they start right back up on another station, or, worse yet, the same station. It drives me crazy. I’d just rather not hear any of it, but if I had to choose one, I’d go with the beeping. I can always turn the radio off and can always leave when the beeping won’t stop, which is not the case when you actually feel like you’re going crazy. “Going crazy” is not an appropriate term. That’s like describing Sam Hunt’s music as “country.” I’m not crazy, nor have I ever been crazy, but I have struggled for as long as I can remember. According to my counselor at the Tuskegee VA, I’ve perhaps struggled with mild depression my whole life and just really never knew. I just thought that was the norm. Like many of us, I’ve always kept everything suppressed. “Suck it up and drive on” is something we often say in the army, but I’ve lived by it my whole life. “Jody, wake up. Are you
JODY FULLER Columnist
awake? I have some bad news. Your dad died this morning,” my mother said. “Do I have to go to school today?” I vividly remember asking. That was the first thing I asked. I was only eight. There’s that, things that happened in Iraq, and so much more that brought me to where I am now. We all have a story, so this isn’t about me. I’m certainly not one to wallow in self-pity. That’s not me nor will it ever be me, but the trials and tribulations of this past year brought everything I’d suppressed for so long to the surface. No matter how strong we think we are, we all have a breaking point, and I was at the brink of breaking. But before that happened, I sought help. We come to a point where we either seek help or keep treading water. I decided it was time to talk to a professional, and it’s turned out to be one of the wisest decisions I’ve ever made. I knew there was a stigma about soldiers seeking help for mental illness, but I didn’t realize until recently that the stigma
extends far beyond the realm of the military. Many of us think we are tough enough to handle anything thrown our way, but we can only tread water for so long before we start to sink. We might occasionally be able to come back up for a gasp of air, but that only prolongs the suffering. If we choose not to move forward, only two things can happen: we either get stuck or we sink, and neither one is a viable choice for living life to its fullest. On the other hand, what if someone threw you a life preserver? Would you take it or would you ignore it? I’m betting most of us would swim towards it, against the current if need be, just to grab it. Treading water is no way to live. In fact, it’s not living at all. It’s just getting by. For 23 years, “adapt and overcome” has been my motto, but no one ever said we have had to do it alone. The stigma is stupid. Help is out there. I’m calling you out. Your move.
Today’s
Quote
“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.” – William Arthur Ward
Today’s
Scripture “The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, and the idols will totally disappear.” – Isaiah 2:17-18
alexcityoutlook.com
Daily Poll Wednesday Question: Do you think fishing tournaments are good for the local economy?
Yes - 35 No - 6
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.
Thursday Question: Do you think merging CACC, Southern Union and CVCC is a good idea? To participate in this daily poll, log on each day to www.alexcityoutlook.com and vote. Find out the vote totals in the next edition of The Outlook and see if your vote swayed the results.
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Mission The Outlook 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.
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Know Your
Officials Communication with elected officials is the key to good government. To let your most local representatives know how you feel about state or local matters, contact any of the following. Governor Robert Bentley represents the state of Alabama and its 67 counties. He was elected to office on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334-242-7100. His office is located at the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Robert Bentley Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.
Luther Strange was elected Alabama’s 49th Attorney General first elected in 2010, and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement officer. Luther Strange He can be reached at 334-242-7300, and his office is located at 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery. Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256-3922006 or by email at Mark Tuggle tughd81@gmail.com. His office is located at 110 Calhoun Street, Suite 108, Alexander City.
Letters to the Editor
Dadeville doctor moving to Alexander City Dear Editor, For nearly 12 years I have been honored and blessed to be your doctor here in Dadeville and for the greater Lake Martin Area. As you know, beginning March 1st I will be opening a new office in Alexander City, located in Suite 214 of the Professional Office Building on the campus of Russell Medical Center. This move is driven in part by changes in our national healthcare system. I will function in a solo practice setting in my new location as Russell Medical Center and I work together to meet the challenges arising from the passage of the Affordable Care Act. Russell Medical Center made it possible for me to be your doctor for the past 12 years for which
I am greatly indebted. Because of their trust in me, I, in return, want to do my part in assisting Russell Medical Center in creating a Community Healthcare System that helps focus on wellness and prevention rather than solely treating illness alone. I will still be available for my many loyal patients and trust that you will understand the importance of this transition. Please know that Dadeville and its warm, gracious, and welcoming people will forever hold a special place in my heart. Karen J. Mockler, MD Medical Park Family Care 1034 South Tallassee St Dadeville, AL
Reader: It seems so many are living without God Dear Editor, Oh, goodness, I know I am old and go by the old ways, but try to go by the Bible. Now days it seems there are so many out there that just do not know how the Lord wants it to be. So much immorality in our world. It seems that folks have children (lots out of wedlock) and then don’t have time for them. Then the children are put on grandparents and sometimes even put on great grandparents. Lots of them are too old to take care of children. Not the way it ought to be. So many folks living together, (not just the young but older ones also) tell me why? What do they gather from this? I don’t feel they can ever say anything is ours, it’s still mine and yours. I truly feel if someone loves one enough to live with them, then they should love that person enough to marry them and live their lives according
to God’s will and not how man/woman wants it. Not in sin...1 Cor 7:1-11. When we take the marriage vow, (I feel it is sacred), or it should be. “Till death do we part,” realize, there are at times things that happen contrary to this. It doesn’t happen this way much anymore, married today and gone tomorrow. The poor children are the ones who suffer. They don’t know who they belong to. Children are drug here and there, each weekend and on holidays. Read, Matt. 18:1-6. Marriage is a beautiful thing, shared by two people, who love each other for as long as God sees fit. I had my husband for 51 years 2 months and 11 days to the hour. God so blessed us. May God bless all. Margaret Aldridge Dadeville
We’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with the greater Lake Martin community. It’s free and it only takes a few moments of your time. We have two ways to get your opinion in print: letters to the editor and guest columns. The main difference is length. Letters to the editor are up to 250 words, while guest columns can be up to 500 words. Letters and columns may be sent to P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011, faxed to (256) 2346550 or e-mailed to editor@alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send us your thoughts today!
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state guidelines; • Be responsible for the administration of the budget after adoption by the council; • Recommend actions to the council; and • Prepare and submit to the council such reports as may be required. Another key aspect of the city manager’s job is to insulate employees from political pressure. According to Smith, “the council and its members are prohibited from requesting the manager to appoint or employ any person, or in any manner taking part in the appointment or removal of officers or employees.” The act that allows for the city managercouncil form of government also adds a layer of protection for employees. Elected officials communicate with the city manager and that person in turn communicates with department heads and +
employees. The idea is to make it easier for employees to know who their supervisor is and to shield them from having to serve multiple people. According to Smith, “except for inquiries, councilmembers, including the mayor, shall deal with the administrative side of the municipal government only through the manager. The mayor and councilmembers arc prohibited from giving orders to subordinates of the manager.” So those are the rules, but what does that mean? Auburn City Manager Charlie Duggan summed up the benefit of having a city manager. “It allows for the city to be run without regards to politics, and assures that everyone, employees and residents receive the fair and professional government that they deserve,” Duggan said.
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you messages through Google,” Radney principal Andrew Caves told the students in Michelle Tuggle’s fifth grade classroom. The effort for technology was started two years ago. “We have a 1-to-1 initiative that was put in place by the Alexander City Education Foundation,” Cooper said. “We put iPads in two years ago for all tenth through twelfth graders and added ninth graders that fall.” Those iPads will remain with the high schoolers through the end of the school year. “High school students will continue this year on the iPads,” Cooper said. “Their iPads will come back at the end of the school year and be put to use in Pre-K through second grades. Next fall, every child will have a 1-to-1 device that they will use anytime, all day long in the classroom. Starting today, it begins in grades three through 12.” For most students, the Chromebooks will get to go home with them. “Our plans for now are for students in grades seven through 12, is for them to carry them home every single day,” Cooper said. “The high schoolers have already been doing this with the iPads. Beginning in the fall, grades five through 12 will be able to carry them home.” Parents shouldn’t worry if they don’t have internet at home. “The students can download to their machines much of what is needed to complete their projects at school and then work on it at home,” Caves said. Cooper explained why he thinks technology is the way to go. “There was not much technology when I was in school,” Cooper said. “A slideshow was a big deal. These kids will see changes before they leave school – they have already seen big changes in technology. We hope we are giving students more options through technology.” Parents need not worry that technology will stop the learning process. “Our responsibility as a school system is to allow students to be entrenched in technology in our schools,” Cooper said. “They are still going to learn the same things. They are still going to learn math, science, language and social studies. Technology is a tool that allows them to learn in a different way than their parents did.”
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2016 PRIMARY ELECTION TALLAPOOSA COUNTY POLL WORKER SCHOOL FEBRUARY 25, 2016 10:00 AM – 11:00AM
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 178 SOUTH TALLASSEE ST. DADEVILLE, AL 36853
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Radney Elementary School reading teacher Tabetha Blankenship helps fifth graders with a quick writing assignment Wednesday after the students received their Chromebooks. Alexander City Schools is issuing more than 2300 Chromebooks to complete a 1-to-1 technology initiative.
TALLAPOOSA COUNTY POLL WORKERS MARCH 1, 2016 PRIMARY ELECTION BEAT 1 B0X 1 A/C HOUSING AUTHORITY Y&A SERV SHEMESE DARSHELL BUCKNER ASSISTANT SUSIE MAE DAVIS BALLOT CLERK WILLIE FRANK DAVIS INSPECTOR DANNETTE P MATTOCKS REGISTRATION CLERK CARLISS J POOLE ASSISTANT SIMS NORA SIMS POLL LIST CLERK BEAT 1 BOX 2 COOPER COMMUNITY CENTER ARGUS L BRASELL BALLOT CLERK ALMA JEAN CHAMBLISS ASSISTANT FELIX EDD HOLLEY ASSISTANT SOPHIA YVETTE RUSSELL BALLOT CLERK BETTY M SMITH POLL LIST CLERK WILLIE PEARL TURNER REGISTRATION CLERK MARY LOUISE WYCKOFF INSPECTOR BEAT 1 BOX 3 DUNCAN MEMORIAL COMMUNITY CENTER CARMAN F BLAKE ASSISTANT JOHN C BLAKE REGISTRATION CLERK SEAN R BLAND POLL LIST CLERK LINDA S INGRAM INSPECTOR ABRAHAM SHELTON JR BALLOT CLERK BEAT 2 BOX 1 OUR TOWN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT. FREDDIE L BLANKENSHIP POLL LIST CLERK JOYCE T FULLER BALLOT CLERK JAMES WAYLON SMITH REGISTRATION CLERK BILLY W WATSON INSPECTOR JOYCE M EASTERLING ASSISTANT BEAT 2 BOX 2 ALEX CITY NATL GUARD ARMORY CLODEAN P BOLDIN REGISTRATION CLERK JOYCE M DANIEL POLL LIST CLERK BARBARA B FORBUS BALLOT CLERK GORDON W FORBUS BALLOT CLERK AVERY MCALISTER INSPECTOR SYBIL P MCALISTER POLL LIST CLERK JOYCE L MCDANIEL ASSISTANT REBECCA B NORTHINGTON REGISTRATION CLERK BEAT 2 BOX 3 A C FIRE STATION LAKE HILL NANCY LYNNE STEPHENS POLL LIST CLERK RUBY GASTON BALLOT CLERK JANENE K VOPAL ASSISTANT HARRY L WYCKOFF JR INSPECTOR ROBERTA S WYCKOFF REGISTRATION CLERK BEAT 3 BOX 1 HILLABEE BAPTIST CHURCH JACQUELINE B BENNETT REGISTRATION CLERK FLORENE L MCINTYRE INSPECTOR JESSIE MARIE MONCRIEF POLL LIST CLERK NORMA DALPHINE ONEAL BALLOT CLERK LENA ANTIONETTE SLAY ASSISTANT BEAT 3 BOX 2 MONCRIEF POLLING PLACE LOUISE FULLER POLL LIST CLERK WILLIAM D FULLER REGISTRATION CLERK SANDRA PRICKETT PEAVY BALLOT CLERK SHERRY BENCE PEAVY INSPECTOR BEAT 3 BOX 3 HACKNEYVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER JOHN R BAILEY ASSISTANT KATHERINE B BROWN REGISTRATION CLERK ANNIE P DOWNS POLL LIST CLERK DEBORA W HUNTER INSPECTOR DANNELLE T MATTOX ASSISTANT TENNIE A SANFORD BALLOT CLERK BEAT 4 BOX 1 ROCKY CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH JOAN CARLISLE INSPECTOR BILLY GENE DANIEL BALLOT CLERK ROBERT RUSH JR ASSISTANT CHRISTINE W TODD POLL LIST CLERK MARCIA N WRIGHT REGISTRATION CLERK BEAT 5 BOX 1 NEW SITE TOWN HALL GAIL L JONES HENRY W KNIGHT PATTY B OLIVER LOUISE PETERS BETTY L PRUETT
INSPECTOR BALLOT CLERK REGISTRATION CLERK POLL LIST CLERK BALLOT CLERK
BEAT 6 BOX 1 EAGLE CREEK VOTING HOUSE LEE M LLOYD POLL LIST CLERK MITZI B MORAN INSPECTOR MILDRED B PRICE REGISTRATION CLERK ALAN J SWINDALL BALLOT CLERK BEAT 7 BOX 1 DADEVILLE RECREATION CENTER CATHERINE P COOK INSPECTOR LAURA LEDBETTER DOWLING POLL LIST CLERK SUE GULLEDGE REGISTRATION CLERK MELISSA JEAN HAMBY ASSISTANT ANNA ELIZABETH HUHN BALLOT CLERK FAYE NELL PETTUS POLL LIST CLERK RUBY JEAN TOLBERT REGISTRATION CLERK
BEAT 8 BOX 1 MANOY VOTING HOUSE ANN D CLARK CHARLOTTE R MCBURNEY RAPLEE CREWS MCBURNEY JAMES RILEY ROBINSON JAMES R YERKEY
INSPECTOR POLL LIST CLERK BALLOT CLERK REGISTRATION CLERK ASSISTANT
BEAT 9 BOX 1 NEW PACES POINT GEORGE DAVID CROSSLIN SANDRA ALLEN CROSSLIN E ANN FREEMAN MARTHA K HART LINDA A MCGUIRT DONALD L HERRING
ASSISTANT BALLOT CLERK REGISTRATION CLERK INSPECTOR ASSISTANT POLL LIST CLERK
BEAT 10 BOX 1 UNION COMMUNITY BLDG GAYLE DOUGLAS SAMS POLL LIST CLERK HERBERT E KNOWLES INSPECTOR VIRGINIA KNOWLES REGISTRATION CLERK SHERYL S MASK ASSISTANT GAIL D CARLETON ASSISTANT LATHALIA ARLENE MANNING BALLOT CLERK BEAT 11 BOX 1 SARDIS COMMUNITY BUILDING WILLIE J FALLIN REGISTRATION CLERK EVELYN J JOHNSON BALLOT CLERK MELISSIA C JOHNSON INSPECTOR SARAH A MANN POLL LIST CLERK BEAT 12 BOX 1 REELTOWN FIRE DEPT CYNTHIA L COAN NANCY B BAKER HENRY L MOSS BRIGITTE MERCHANT PACE BILLY DEAN WELCH
POLL LIST CLERK REGISTRATION CLERK INSPECTOR ASSISTANT BALLOT CLERK
BEAT 12 BOX 3 TALLASSEE CITY HALL I DANELLE HICKS MARILYN DURHAM HIGGINBOTHAM BARBARA H CASSADY ANNIE MCGUIRE TILLERY
INSPECTOR ASSISTANT BALLOT CLERK POLL LIST CLERK
BEAT 12 BOX 4 WALL STREET COMMUNITY CENTER ESTELLA W COTTELL INSPECTOR EMMA MOORE FORTE POLL LIST CLERK DOUGLAS A HOOKS BALLOT CLERK WILBUR TERRELL REGISTRATION CLERK BEAT 13 BOX 1 PENTECOST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH DEYL M DILLARD POLL LIST CLERK WINNIE DEAN MANN INSPECTOR BRENDA PINKSTON BALLOT CLERK BEN JAMES STOVALL JR REGISTRATION CLERK BEAT 14 BOX 1 MARY’S CROSS RD VOTING HOUSE NANCY R BAKER INSPECTOR JOHN T CLANTON REGISTRATION CLERK JOHN T BRADSHAW BALLOT CLERK SAMUEL LAROY HARRIS POLL LIST CLERK BEAT 15 BOX 1 & 2 MT LOVELY BAPTIST CHURCH JANNIE L BROOME ASSISTANT JANET M BRUMMITT INSPECTOR LINDA POGUE BURNS POLL LIST CLERK VALERIE R FARROW ASSISTANT JUDY BRUMMITT LANE REGISTRATION CLERK NORA A MILNER BALLOT CLERK SARAH N TANNER INSPECTOR DIANN VINES WARE ASSISTANT BEAT 16 BOX 1 BUTTSTON VOL FIRE DEPT LINDA BAKER BALLOT CLERK PHYLLIS BURTON REGISTRATION CLERK COZIA H HEARD POLL LIST CLERK DEBORAH GREGG WARD INSPECTOR BEAT 17 BOX 1 DAVISTON COMMUNITY CENTER BOBBIE MCDANIEL BLACK BALLOT CLERK KEITH LANCE MEIGS REGISTRATION CLERK NEEDRA P MCDANIEL INSPECTOR PEGGY ANN STORY POLL LIST CLERK BEAT 18 BOX 1 J G VOL FIRE DEPT LORENE M COWHICK PEGGY MORAN GEORGE R MORRIS JOSEPHINE A NINESLING JEANETTE TUCK JAMES R WILBANKS
REGISTRATION CLERK REGISTRATION CLERK BALLOT CLERK INSPECTOR POLL LIST CLERK POLL LIST CLERK
ABSENTEES JOHN E CROFTON PEGGY A HARRELSON JOE EDWARD HILL SHARON L TURNER STEPHEN W TURNER
POLL LIST CLERK INSPECTOR ASSISTANT REGISTRATION CLERK BALLOT CLERK
Page 6
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CommunityCalendar Today is February 18, 2016 SERVING LUNCH IN THE CAFÉ Tuesday - Saturday 11am-1:30pm
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Today’s Event
FREEDMEN’S BUREAU PROJECT: The Adelia M. Russell Memorial Library will be hosting a project on the Freedmen’s Bureau Project Feb. 18 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Call or stop by the
Thursday, February 18, 2016
The Outlook
library for more information and to register. Learn how to index rare Freedmen’s Bureau records from 1865-1868. These records, which include the names of millions of freed slaves, will be available to the public for the first time when the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture opens this fall in Washington DC. The records will be online and free for everyone to learn about their family
Submit calendar items: Participate in your Outlook by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or logging on to http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/. histories.
Today’s Anniversaries
There are no anniversaries today.
Today’s Birthdays
Ellis Jackson, Blake Brewster, Jackson Hardy, Megan Jordan, Rev. Jimmy Sims, Anne Sharon Patterson, Teresa Bishop, Megan Thompson, and Rubye Wright are celebrating birthdays today.
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Recently, Horseshoe Bend High School FCCLA Members Nathan Wilson and Abby Hadaway, both seventh graders, decided they wanted to do research on dyslexia and teach their classmates about the disorder. The duo talked to all three sections of the seventh graders at HBHS. They showed a video about the brain and how it operates for dyslexia and for people without the disorder. They also demonstrated a mild case and a severe case for the students. February 19-20
MINGLING OF SOULS: A simulcast will be shown at the First Baptist Church Chapel called The Mingling of Souls Simulcast with Matt and Laren Chandler. It will be from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 19 and Feb. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $10 per couple and focuses on building healthy relationships in marriage. Contact Bill Stinson at bill @fbc-ac.org for more information.
February 20
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PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Alexander City Kiwanis Club is hosting its annual pancake breakfast Feb. 20 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the BRHS Lunchroom. The breakfast is all you can eat and there will be Conecuh Sausage. Tickets are $6 each. TRADE DAY: The Bibb Graves School will hosts a trade day Feb. 20 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. PANCAKE BREAKFAST: There will be a pancake breakfast at the New Site Town Hall Feb. 20 from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. with proceeds going to the New Site Volunteer Fire and Ambulance.
February 21
ANNUAL FRIENDS AND FAMILY DAY: Great Bethel Missionary Baptist Church is hosting its annual friends and family day Sunday, Feb. 21 at 10:30 a.m. Special guest and church is Rev. Wayne Cowhick, pastor of Alexander City Methodist Church. SPIRITUAL GROWTH SUNDAY: Trinity United Methodist Church is hosting spiritual growth Sunday, Feb. 21 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Guest speaker will be Melinda Blair, author of Treasures of the Heart. Dinner will be served and donations for dinner will be appreciated.
February 22
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HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Julie Williams will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited Feb. 22 at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION MEETING: The Alexander City Ministerial Association will meet Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Gap Fellowship Church next to Big B. Attention will be given to programs which are spnsored by the association each year and about any special city wide Christian event which could be conducted this year. Time is also used for fellowship, sharing of news, and intercessory prayer. All Christian ministers are invited. For more information, contact Bill Middlebrooks at 256-234-3371.
February 27
FAMILY BINGO NIGHT: The Bibb Graves School is hosting a family bingo night Feb. 27 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. POLAR PLUNGE: Wind Creek State Park will host its Polar Bear Leap for Leap Year Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. Participates should meet at the beach. Park entrance fees apply to non-campers. For more information call 256-3290845. PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Faith Christian Academy will host a pancake breakfast on Saturday, February 27 from 6:00 a.m. til 11:00 a.m. in the Faith Temple Gym on the corner of Franklin and Gorgas Streets.
The proceeds will benefit the FCA Robotics Team who will go to New Orleans for Competition. All you can eat (in house) or take out is available. Price is $6. Plates include Pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee. Tickets are available from FCA students or at the door. PRO WRESTLING: The Weogufka Center at 145 Memorial Loop is hosing Saturday Nitro Live Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and kids 5 and under are free. For advanced tickets call 256-223-2021 or 205-5855449 or order via credit card at www.10dollarrasslin.com.
February 29
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Jerry Armor will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited Feb. 29 at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
March 5
BOSTON BUTT SALE: There is a Boston Butt sale to benefit Carley Blankenship and family with pick up March 5 at Alex City Methodist Church from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased by calling or texting Kristi at 256-596-2171 or Celia at 256-496-2745 and at JR’s Sports Bar and Grill or see Ashley Barker at City Hall. Cash or check only. RUMMAGE SALE: The Pine Ridge Mission team of the Alexander City Methodist Church will hold its annual Rummage Sale on Saturday March 5 6 a.m.- 10 a.m. in the church fellowship hall. We will have furniture, household items, clothes, toys and much more. The proceeds will benefit our annual mission trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation this summer.
March 6
PASTOR ANNIVERSARY: Corinth Baptist Church in Kellyton will honor the 24th anniversary of Pastor of Jimmy and Sister Patricia Brooks Sunday, March 6 at 11 a.m. Guest Minister will be Pastor Billy Simmons of Freewill Worship Center.
March 7
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Susan Webb will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited March 7 at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
March 12
CLASS MEETING: The Laurel High School Class of 1969 is meeting Sat. March 12 at 10 a.m. at Cooper Recreation Center. PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Comer United Methodist Church is hosting a pancake breakfast March 12 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Plates include pancakes, bacon and or sausage for $6. It is all you can eat dine only with to go plates available.
March 15
MEETING: The Artist Association of East Alabama will meet March 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the United Way Conference Room.
March 17
WINE TASTING: Emporium Wines in Alexander City welcomes Patrick Sizemore from Grassroots Wines. Sizemore will host a tasting comparing Old World wines to New World wine
from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 256-212-9463.
• • • • •
Alexander City Outlook Dadeville Record Wetumpka Herald Eclectic Observer Tallassee Tribune
Season Speaks
March 18-20
WIZARD OF OZ: The Dadeville High School Drama program is presenting the Wizard of Oz March 18 at 7 p.m., March 19 at 7 p.m. and March 20 at 2 p.m. at the Dadeville High School Auditorium.
March 19
EGG HUNT: Wind Creek State Park will host an Easter Egg Hunt March 19 at 10 a.m. in the North Picnic area. There will be prize eggs. For ages under 2, 2 to 4 5 to 8 and 9 to 12. For more information call 256-3290845. PATH TRASH WALK: The March PATH Trash Walk is scheduled for Saturday March 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will be hosted by New Water Ministries which is located on Lake Martin at 460 Civitan Road (newwater.com).Volunteers can register on line or on site at New Water campus the day of the event. Volunteers will also be able to meet and register at Siggers grocery crossroads on Young Ferry Road where they will receive supplies and road assignments. At noon, all volunteers will be treated to lunch at New Water contact John Thompson at jthompson@lmra. info for more information
April 16
THREE ON A STRING: The Dadeville First United Methodist Church presents Three on a String, Saturday, April 16 at White Acres in Camp Hill. Dinner of beef filet or chicken will start at 6 p.m. and Three on a Sting will play immediately after. Tickets are $50 per person and $100 a couple. For tickets call 256-825-7408 or 256-825-3985 and all proceeds will go towards local missions and support organizations such as Camp ASCCA and the Girls Ranch.
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April 19
MEETING: The Artist Association of East Alabama will meet April 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the United Way Conference Room.
May 12 - May 28
WETUMPKA DEPOT PLAYERS: I Hate Hamlet will be presented by the Wetumpka Depot Players May 12 - May 28. For ticket information call 334-868-1140 or go to wetumpkadepot.com.
May 17
MEETING: The Artist Association of East Alabama will meet May 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the United Way Conference Room.
Call 256-234-4281 or stop by our ofĂšce at 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL
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June 21
MEETING: The Artist Association of East Alabama will meet June 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the United Way Conference Room.
July 14 - July 30
WETUMPKA DEPOT PLAYERS: Calendar Girls will be presented by the Wetumpka Depot Players July 14 - July 30. For ticket information call 334-868-1140 or go to wetumpkadepot.com.
Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com
Thursday, February 18, 2016
The Outlook
Medicare: General enrollment and information
N
eed Medicare Part B? If you’re eligible, now is the time to sign up. The general enrollment period for Medicare Part B runs from Jan. 1 through March 31. Before you make a decision about general enrollment, let us fill you in on some general information. Medicare is a medical insurance program for retired and disabled people. Some people are covered only by one type of Medicare; others opt to pay extra for more coverage. Understanding Medicare can save you money; here are the facts. There are four parts to Medicare: Parts A, B, C and D. Part A helps pay for inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing care, hospice care, and other services. Part B helps pay for doctors’ fees, outpatient hospital visits, and other medical services and supplies not covered by Part A. Part C allows you to choose to receive all of your health care services through a provider organization. These plans, known as Medicare Advantage Plans, may help lower your costs of receiving medical services, or you may get extra benefits for an additional monthly fee. You must have both Parts
KYLLE’ D. MCKINNEY Alabama Social Security
A and B to enroll in Part C. And Part D is the Medicare Prescription Drug Program. Most people first become eligible for Medicare at age 65, and there is a monthly premium for Medicare Part B. In 2016, the standard premium is $121.80. Some high-income individuals pay more than the standard premium. Your Part B premium also can be higher if you do not enroll during your initial enrollment period, or when you first become eligible. There are exceptions to this rule. For example, you can delay your Medicare Part B enrollment without having to pay higher premiums if you are covered under a group health plan based on your own current employment or the current employment of any family member. If this situation applies to you, you can sign up for Medicare Part B without paying higher premiums: ·Any month you are under a group health plan based on your own current
employment or the current employment of any family member; or ·Within eight months after your employment or group health plan coverage ends, whichever comes first. If you are disabled and working (or you have coverage from a working family member), the same rules apply. Remember: Most people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B when they become eligible. If you don’t enroll in Medicare Part B when you first become eligible to apply and you don’t fit into one of the above categories, you’ll have to wait until the general enrollment period, which is Jan. 1 through March 31 of each year. At that time, you may have to pay a higher Medicare Part B premium. For more information about Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website at www.medicare.gov. Or read our publication on Medicare at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10043.html.
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PART-TIME MAILROOM SUPERVISOR Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. seeks a Part-time Mailroom Supervisor for the TPI Of¿ce in Alexander City. Must be able to work 6pm - Until.
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The Wetumpka Herald
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Thursday, February 18, 2016
The Outlook
Ongoing Events
Making a Difference in a Child’s Education The following sponsors have joined with The Alexander City Outlook and The Dadeville Record to promote the use of newspapers as an educational resource by providing Tuesday edition papers to city and county schools in the area. • Russell Medical Center • Russell Lands • Representative Mark Tuggle • Tallapoosa County Sheriff, Jimmy Abbett • Grace’s Flowers & Gifts • Barbara Young • Udora Berry
To become a sponsor in The Alexander City or Tallapoosa County School System Please contact David Kendrick at 256-234-4281 or david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com 548 Cherokee Rd., Alexander City, AL 35010
TAX FILING ASSISTANCE: Starting Jan. 25 there will be free tax and electronic tax filing assistance at Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama. IRS certified volunteers will provide free assistance to seniors over 60 with no income limit and those under age 60 with incomes less than $54,000. Taxpayers will be assisted in the order they are registered. You need to bring last year’s tax return, photo ID Social Security Cards, W-2’s, 1099’s and SSA. If you have insurance through the government marketplace, bring your 1095-A. All employed taxpayers should bring a copy of their year end pay stub. Dates for VCCA are Jan. and Feb. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., March on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and April 1 to April 18 Mondays Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. DISNEY WORLD TRIP: The Learning Community Outreach Initiative is sponsoring a trip to Disney World March 20-24. All who are interested should contact Rico Kelly at 256-794-0397 or Wanda Zachery at 256794-3365. WOMAN MEETING: Every first Sunday, Victory Temple Holiness Church hosts a woman’s meeting, at 237 Aster St. in Dadeville. Everyone is invited. The meeting starts at 2 p.m. READY TO WORK:
Ready to Work is a FREE jobs skills training program offered at Central Alabama Community College Career Center. Classes meet Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Completion of the program depends on the skill level of the individual. For more information contact Elaine Balint, instructor, at 256-215-4496 (leave message) or ebalint@cacc. edu. OFFICE CAREERS: The Office Careers Technology program is funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and was created to help dislocated workers learn new employable skills. To qualify for the programs be a dislocated worker (layoff) or a low income family. Anyone interested in the classes should contact the Alexander City Career Center @ 256-2154494 and ask about the WIOA program. Most all dislocated workers automatically qualify for financial assistance. The program is 52 weeks and is open entry/open exit. Students learn at their own pace in a non-traditional classroom setting. Classes begin when students are approved and they may leave when they receive any or all of the certificates offered. Classes are Monday--Thursday, 8:00 a.m.--3:00 p.m. (with a lunch break). All textbooks and class materials are supplied. Certificates available are receptionist, inventory clerk, data entry clerk, administrative assistant, accounting office clerk, medical office clerk, legal office clerk.
Coming March 2016
Thursday, February 18, 2016
The Outlook
Page 11
www.alexcityoutlook.com
BIG IDEAS. Small Towns,
THE BEST OF WHO WE ARE
A high-quality, coffee table magazine focused on Growing Beyond the Ordinary, Taking Care of Business and Improving Community life! Small Towns, Big Ideas will include:
1
Innovative plans to further economic development.
COLLABORATION Partnerships marked for extended growth.
3
2
Leadership across all generations
Don’t miss this great opportunity to advertise your business to more than 10,000 readers for 12+ Months. To become a part of this publication, call your TPI Sales Representative at 256-234-4281 DISTRIBUTION: All Alexander City Outlook and Dadeville Record subscribers, with additional copies available all year to area Chambers, Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance, city and state governments, and other industries and organizations in the area to aid in their individual recruitment packages.
ROBERT HUDSON SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228
sports@alexcityoutlook.com
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Thursday, February 18, 2016
www.alexcityoutlook.com
HOME COURT SHOWCASE
Wildcats to host annual tennis tourney Friday, Saturday
Robert Hudson / The Outlook
Dadeville’s Landon Wilson prepares to pitch during Tuesday afternoon’s game against Tallassee.
Tigers split season opener against rival Tallassee By ROBERT HUDSON Sports Editor
The Dadeville Tigers opened the 2016 high school baseball season by splitting a doubleheader at home against the rival Tallassee Tigers on Tuesday afternoon at McKelvey Park’s Nolen-Jones Field. In game one, it was the Dadeville Tigers who came out on top with a 2-1 victory over their cross-county rival. In game one, Dadeville’s Ethan Towne was 1-for-3 with a RBI, while Carson McClendon and Cal Jones also went 1-for-3 from the plate. Dadeville’s Kyle Harkins was 1-for-2 and scored a run. Dadeville’s Landon Wilson also scored a run in the game one victory. Tallassee was led in hitting by Dylan Hathcock as he went 2-for-3 with a RBI. Hathcock also pitched five innings for Tallassee, striking out 11 batters and giving up two hits and two runs. Jones picked up the win in game one, pitching three innings, while Kyle Atkins picked up the save, striking out two batters. The Tallassee Tigers took game two by an 8-2 margin. William Peters went 2-for-4 with two runs for Tallassee, while Hathcock went 1-for-3 with a home run. Dadeville’s Jones was 2-for-4 in game two with a home run, while McClendon went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Towne went 2-for-2 for the Dadeville Tigers in game two. Peters pitched five innings for Tallassee, striking out seven and giving up five hits. Dadeville’s Ab Abernathy pitched three innings, giving up two hits, two runs and striking out four batters. Dadeville will take the field again Saturday at Headland starting at 11 a.m.
Robert Hudson / The Outlook
Benjamin Russell’s Dylan Jackson goes through drills as teammates look on during Wednesday afternoon’s practice at Central Alabama Community College’s Cal Alison Tennis Complex. By ROBERT HUDSON Sports Editor
The Benjamin Russell Wildcats boys tennis team will continue an annual tradition on the court starting Friday. The Wildcats boys will host their annual tennis tournament starting Friday at 1 p.m. at Central Alabama Community College’s Cal Alison Tennis Complex. The tournament will then continue on Saturday at 8 a.m. Benjamin Russell boys tennis Coach Lewis Daniel said the tournament will include Auburn, Sylacauga, Chelsea, West Point (Georgia), Wetumpka and Cullman. Daniel, who served as a tennis coach for the BRHS girls in 2002-2003, is in his first year coaching the Benjamin Russell boys team. “I did tennis a while back, but it’s kind of a new experience because I had coached the girls team before, but now I’m coaching the boys this
Robert Hudson / The Outlook
Benjamin Russell’s Joseph Schouten serves during practice on Wednesday afternoon.
time around,” Daniel said. “I’ve just been getting the opportunity to be around the kids and get an assess-
ment of where they’re at and kind of motivate them a bit to work on their game. It’s been relatively easy.
We’ve played a few matches, lost to Chelsea, had a rainout at Auburn and had to cancel the Phenix City match.” Going into the tournament, Daniel said he wants to see steady progression from the Wildcats that will hopefully lead to them peaking near the end of the season. “I want to see daily progression. Also, if they can improve from one match or one game to the next, that’s a positive sign,” Daniel said. “I want them to be competitive, which they are. I think the biggest challenge for them is to improve, like I said, from one match to the next, and to learn something and improve in an area they might not have done well in before. By the end of the season, hopefully we’ll be peaking near our sectionals and heading toward the state championship if we develop like I project we will. That’s our ultimate goal is to do well in the season, do well in the sectional and make it to the state tournament.”
WILDCATS OPEN 2016 SEASON
Submitted Photo / The Outlook Robert Hudson / The Outlook
Benjamin Russell High School third baseman Austin Elliott hauls in an infield hit during Wednesday afternoon’s home opener against Park Crossing High School of Montgomery at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex. The Wildcats will travel to Beauregard High School for a doubleheader today starting a 4 p.m. For a full roundup of the Wildcats’ first week of action in the 2016 high school baseball season, see the Friday edition of The Outlook.
Dadeville native and Lee-Scott Academy senior shortstop Shelby Rice, front center, signs a scholarship to Central Alabama Community College on Tuesday, January 26, at LSA. Pictured are, back row from left, CACC Softball Coach Greg Shivers, Head of School Dr. Don Roberts, LSA Head Softball Coach Brook Barrow, LSA Athletic Director Jim Miksis, and LSA Assistant Softball Coach Corye Ivatt. Front row, from left, are mother, Whitney Rice, Shelby, and father Jeff Rice.