COMMUNITY COLUMNISTS INSIDE
WEDNESDAY
THE
ALEX CITY ALL STARS
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 July 1, 2015 Vol. 123, No. 130 www.alexcityoutlook.com
9U team finishes second in tournament, page B1.
City pay hikes ‘not ALEA AIMING FOR SAFE HOLIDAY handled right’ “The most hectic time on the lake will be after the fireworks show on the Fourth. But by being courteous and patient should make for a safe trip home.”
— Marine Patrol Sgt. Mark Fuller
Work session becomes contentious as handling called ‘good ol’ boy system’ By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Marine and Highway Patrols to be on water and roads By Cliff Williams Outlook Staff Writer
With the Fourth of July holiday weekend coming up, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency wants the public to know that law enforcement will be out on the roads and water to help make things safe for everyone. Tuesday, officers with ALEA’s Marine and Highway Patrol division were at Wind Creek State Park to highlight what they will be doing over the holiday weekend that begins Thursday night at midnight and goes through midnight Sunday to make See HOLIDAY, Page A6
ALEA Marine Patrol Sgt. Mark Fuller operates one of the department’s boats near Wind Creek State Park Tuesday, above. Left, Highway Patrol Sgt. Steve Jarrett and Marine Patrol Sgt. Mark Fuller speak while aboard Fuller’s boat Tuesday.
Dadeville loses Laeman Butcher
Reported on 6/30/15 @ 4 p.m.
Outlook Editor
See BUTCHER, Page A6
See MEETING, Page A7
Martin Strange to LakeLakeLevels appeal ruling 489.55 on VictoryLand
By Mitch Sneed
Dadeville has lost a longtime community and business leader as Laeman Butcher passed away Monday night at East Alabama Medical Center. Butcher, 81, owned and operated the Piggly Wiggly grocery store in Dadeville for decades before turning over the day-to-day operation of the store to his children in recent years. Those who knew him well said that in addition to being a hardworking businessman, his dedication to the community also became his legacy. Dadeville’s Cal Johnson said
Pay increases for some Alexander City city employees were not handled according to proper procedure and the city council will take steps to either legitimize the increases or reject them next week. Those revelations came out of an informative – and at times contentious – city council work session Tuesday evening where Council President Bob Howard said it’s in the best interest of the city “to fix this problem and move on.” City Engineer and Public Works Director Gerard Brewer and John Meadows of the water department explained the increases in their departments, and while there were some questions remaining as to how the increases were calculated, the council seemed to agree that if documentation was sufficient then the raises had merit. The conversation became heated when discussion turned to the $16,561 increase over and above the 3 percent across-the-board increase given to the mayor’s executive assistant Fran Harvey. Council member Tony Goss read a job description that was submitted by the mayor that said Harvey’s increase came because the mayor placed her in an “overlap position.” The job description indicated that Harvey was being trained to take over in community relations if and when Randy Thomas
By Griffin Pritchard Outlook Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Laeman Butcher covers steaks he just cooked at a Republican gathering in October in Camp Hill.
The celebration in Shorter was short-lived after Montgomery Circuit Judge William Shashy, as Attorney General Luther Strange announced on Friday his intent to appeal the ruling that dismissed the State of Alabama’s civil forfeiture case against the casino and dog track. Shashy ruled that the seizure of $263,000 cash and 1,615 gaming machines that were confiscated by the state four years ago caused “great concern” and that it was apparent the State See APPEAL, Page A7
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
Today’s
Weather
87 70 High
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Low
54708 90050
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USPS Permit # 013-080
Donna B’s Barber Shop
NEW Starting in July
Ì
Open Saturdays 8am - 12pm Cathy & Donna B
1238 Cherokee Rd • Alexander City, AL
256.234.3304
%
25ALL
Off
E* MERCHANDIS
LaKay’s
*Excludes Fresh Flowers & Silk Arrangements
See LIBRARY, Page 3
JULY 3RD AND 4TH
Flowers & Gifts
360 E. South Street • Dadeville, AL • (256) 825-2890
Bill’s Electric ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
P.O. Box 673 1814 Airpor t Blvd • Alexander Cit y, AL
(256) 234-4555 “PROVIDING QUAALITYY ELEECTRRICALL CONSSTRUUCTIION SINCE 196 61”