July 27, 2016 Wetumpka Herald by Tallapoosa Publishers

INSIDE TODAY

Wags ‘N Whiskers

Inside, Page 2

Band issue shows need for appointed superintendents

EMCS to field varsity football for the first time Sports, Page 12

Opinion, Page 4

THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898

Wetumpka, AL 36092

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WEDNESDAY • JULY 27, 2016

THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM

VOL. 118, NO.27

Crusade to keep hymn in football met with criticism By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

In a recent switch decision and with a newly aggressive tone The ECBOE superintendent put “Amazing Grace” back on the HHS band’s lineup and has vouched, in a recent statement, to defy “adversaries,” even at the risk of future legal actions to keep the 18th century hymn playing at football games. Asked whether HHS students could possibly fall into the category of “adversary” Andre Harrison, would

only say he stood firmly with his decision, and when asked whether it was worth it the risk of costly legal actions he said it was, “worth it to fight.” He said his decision was confidently swayed by learning more about the law through the school board’s attorneys, regarding the issue of playing one of the most seminal Christian hymns at a school sponsored public sporting event. Harrison had originally decided that the song should not be played before changing his mind. When asked if this was a political move in relation to

upcoming elections for Elmore County School Board superintendent, Harrison exclaimed, “Heavens no … I would do this anyway, regardless.” He prepared a statement regarding his latest decision, which was delivered by Jill Corbin, a media representative and spokesperson with Elmore County Schools, who was responding on his behalf Monday. His full statement read, “I fully support religious liberty secured by our first amendment rights. That is why

Enslen’s account of events verified

Commission approves courthouse annex bid By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

The Elmore County Commission sprinted through its regularly scheduled meeting Monday completing the work and business sessions of the agenda in about eight minutes, however they did take time to award a bid for the annex to the Elmore County Courthouse to the tune of $2,749,089. Five bids were submitted to perform work on completion of an annex to the Elmore County Courthouse. The bids were Bear Brothers, with a base bid of $2,474,000; Construction One, with a base bid of $2,377,096; Central Contracting, with a base bid of $2,530,000; Holley Henley See COMMISSION • Page 5

Today’s

Weather

92 73 High

Low

THURSDAY: HIGH 94 LOW 73

USPS 681-260

See HYMN • Page 3

Probate judge’s testimony confirmed by attorney Bob Morris Corey Arwood / The Herald

It was nearly standing-room-only at the first Wetumpka Unity Forum, where Elmore County residents met on Tuesday to field questions to law enforcement oﬀicials regarding policing policies, and procedures, as well as to discuss universal issues with local agencies.

UNITY MEETING

Mututal respect despite brief exchange between PD chief , NAACP By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

A community forum convened Tuesday in which Elmore County residents and citizens of Wetumpka stood before representatives from nearly every agency of local law enforcement to ask questions, and voice their concerns regarding policing policies at home and across the nation. A number of people took to the microphone before the panel and directed their comments and questions to the officials throughout the nearly three-hour event. There seemed to be an overall atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding between the audience members themselves, who, at times, seemed to go out of their way to make themselves understood, both to other audience members as well as the panel of officials. Despite the sensitive nature of the subjects discussed, there were even minimal outbursts between audience members. A local man spoke who said his brother was killed by local law enforcement in 1966, and talked about the fears of “driving while black.”

By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

An area attorney has confirmed the version of events told to the Wetumpka Herald last week, further bolstering the testimony of Elmore County Probate Judge John Enslen. Attorney Bob Morris, who represents Elmore County School Superintendent candidate Richard Dennis, said that the version of facts presented by Enslen and former Chief Clerk of the Probate Office Brent Helms to the Wetumpka Herald last week was accurate, further calling into question the veracity of a recent television news story See ENSLEN • Page 7

Wright denied parole in infant burn case By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

While the local family of Gil Collar, who was shot and killed by police in 2012 at the University of South Alabama, asked that lethal force be a last resort, while at the same time expressing their gratitude to local police in a tearful exchange. The event began around 10 a.m. and was largely directed by Wetumpka Police Chief Danny Billingsley. Early on, Elmore County School Board Superintendent Andre Harrison made a brief announcement, and spoke about the importance of education, mentioning what he called his own recent “fights,” saying it

Melissa Wright will not be getting parole on her 25 year sentence for placing her infant child in an oven she set to broil in 2002. The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles rejected her parole during a hearing set Tuesday morning in Montgomery. Wright had originally been sentenced to 25 years in prison for placing her infant daughter Ashley in an over, which Wright had turned to broil. According to 19th Circuit District Attorney Randall Houston,

See MEETING • Page 7

See PAROLE • Page 5

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THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Area Calendar July 30

BENEFIT SINGING: An evening of music a benefit concert for the Old Red Hill School Saturday, July 30, 2016 in the Red Hill School Auditorium on Alabama Highway 229 in Red Hill. Acts include Cecil Malone & Montgomery Junction at 3 p.m., Cowboy Bill and Company at 5 p.m., and The Kevin Adair Band at 7 p.m. Donations will be welcomed at the door to help replace the roof the old school building. Food, soft drinks, coffee and a family atmosphere will be offered.

July 31

BACK TO SCHOOL: Calvary Baptist Wetumpka will be hosting our Annual “Back -2- School Bash on July 31 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on this event, please contact the church office 334-567-4729 or visit our website www.calvarybaptistwetumpka.org CATHMAGBY BAPTIST CHURCH: The Cathmagby Baptist Church will be honoring the life of Pastor John W. Smoke, husband of Commissioner Stephanie Daniels Smoke at 10:00 am.

August 1-4

iPad Distribution Days 5:30 p.m. at Southside Middle School Aug 1st- 5th grade Aug 2nd- 6th grade

Aug 3rd- 7th grade Aug 4th- 8th grade $50 technology fee per student/yr.

August 4-7

SUMMER REVIVAL: Summer revival at 7 p.m. nightly August 7 11 a.m. only at First Missionary Baptist Church located at 5021 Airport Road Millbrook. Guest speaker will be Bro. Cliff Stever pastor from Yarbrough Street Baptist Church in Montgomery. Special singing nightly: Thursday – Christopher Gregory, Friday – The Dennis Family, Saturday – Calvary’s Call. Congregational music will be led nightly by Micky Conway and also on Sunday morning. Everyone is welcome. For more info, contact: Rex Weldon 5586349.

August 7

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: The Wall Street AME Zion Church, 71 Zion Street of Tallassee, Alabama, will celebrate 136 years of ministry August 7. A homecoming program is being prepared to commemorate this joyous occasion. Members, former members, family, and friends are cordially invited to attend. The program will begin at 2:30 p.m. The speaker for the occasion will be LaBrian Stewart, the

son of Dr. and Mrs. Keith Stewart. LaBrian is one of our own. He is an accomplished student athlete and professional educator and currently serves as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Northview High School, Dothan, Alabama. CONCERT: Lebanon Baptist Church in Titus will host Heartline in concert at 6 p.m.

August 8

Southside Middle School Open House

August 8

Tallassee Elementary will hold open house for Kindergarten beginning at 11 a.m. and 11:20 a.m. First grade Open House will be at 12:20 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. Second grade open house begins at 1:40 p.m. and 2:20 p.m.. Third grade open house begins at 3 p.m. Fourth grade open house begins at 4:20 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

August 8

Open house for the 2016-2017 school year from 12:00 -7:00 p.m.

August 8

Freshman Orientation 6:00 p.m. at Tallassee High School.

August 13

TEACHER’S LUNCHEON: Beulah Baptist Church will hold the Annual Teachers Luncheon on August 13 at 1 p.m. In order to honor the Reeltown School Teachers and Aides and some other teachers from surrounding school systems.

August 16

TUESDAYS WITH KELLY: What You See, Is What You Get at the next Tuesdays with Kelly meeting when Jason Powell of Petals from the Past will give a Container Gardening Demonstration. Come to this “lunch and learn” event at noon on the third Tuesday of each month at The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery 408 South Main Street in Wetumpka, Alabama Bring a sack lunch, drinks and desserts provided. Free, Open to the Public, Fun, Music and Door Prizes.

August 26-27

RODNEY GRIFFITH Lake Martin Properties Serving Lake Martin, Tallassee and the Surrounding Area

The Tallassee High School Class of 1981 is planning its class reunion, to be held August 26 and 27 in Tallassee. If you are a member of the class and have not been contacted by a classmate, please call Suzy Solomon Wilson at 334-283- 8172.

ONGOING EVENTS

POOL SEASON: The Tallassee Pool season for 2016 will end Saturday, July 30. Hours of operation will be Monday-Saturday from 1pm-5pm. Daily pass is $3 per day and individual pass is $45, family pass for up to 4 in same household is $60 and 5 or more $75 for season. First session of swim lessons for ages 4 and up (must be 4 by time of lesson) will begin June 13-June 24, Second session will be June 27 –July 8 (closed July 4) Third session will be July 11-22. Registration fee for Tiny Tots is $55 and Levels 1-6 will be $65. You may register at Recreation Department until Thursday, May 26 and after May 26 please register at pool. WATER AEROBICS: Water Aerobics classes will go thru July 28th. Classes will be each Tuesday and Thursday night at 7:00 pm at the City Pool. No need to register...just pay $3 each day you exercise. Lap swimming will also be available during that time if you do not want to participate in the aerobic class. SWIM LESSONS: First session of swim lessons for ages 4 and up (must be 4 by time of lesson) will run through June 24. Second session will be June 27 –July 8 (closed July 4) Third session will be July 11-22. Registration fee for Tiny Tots is $55 and Levels 1-6 will be $65. You may register at Recreation Department until Thursday, May 26 and after May 26 please register at pool. CHILD FIND: The Tallassee City School System is launching its annual campaign to assist children—birth to age 21— who have disabilities and may need special services. The campaign urges parents, service providers, and concerned citizens to contact Child Find, a program to locate, identify and evaluate children with disabilities or children who are believed to have disabilities. The Tallassee City School System wishes to notify you of the availability of special education services in our public schools. If you have questions regarding our programs, or if you wish to refer a student, please contact Lynell Carr at (334) 283-5675 or Child Find (Alabama Department of Education) at 1-800-548-2547.” ART EXHIBITION: There is a free exhibit of sixty-five works of art by the late Priscilla Crommelin featuring vibrant still life and floral paintings, portraits and landscapes at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery.

RODNEY GRIFFITH BROKER CELL: 334-207-0666 WEB: www.rodneygrif¿th.com EMAIL: rodneygrif¿th@windstream.net BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC HOME on Little Rd., Tallassee – 1.5 acres, completely remodeled. Very nice, 5 bd/5.5 baths, $239,000. 78 ACRES off Lower Tuskegee Hwy., on Cleghorn Road, great hunting only, $135,000. RIVER HILLS SUBDIVISION – 19 lots, great views of Lake Tallassee, underground utilities, sewage. Prices start at only $20,000. 4 SOLD – 19 remaining. ECLECTIC – 5 acre lot on lake point road in Eclectic, off highway 80 close to Lake Martin, modular home SOLDor double wides are OK if newer. Only $29,000. BEAUTIFUL BRICK HOUSE in Plantation Pines, 4 bd/3.5 baths, 1.6 acre lot very modern and pretty, REDUCED TO $310,000. 3189 LITTLE ROAD – 4 bd/2ba., large lot, very modern, & pretty, only $215,000. 8 ACRES – KENT ROAD – UNRESTRICTED, REDUCED TO $45,000. TALLASSEE GILMER AVE. – 3bd/2 ba next to DQ, zoned commercial, REDUCED TO $99,000. TALLASSEE BRICK HOME – on 1 acre with a 2 acre ﬁsh pond, 3 bd, 2 ba , large den and kitchen, garage, G screened porch, heat pump, ENDINlarge REDUCED FROM $159,000PTO $149,000. 8 more acres also adjacent to it. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY – 8 ACRES G close to Walmart on Hwy. 14, REDUCED $189,000. PENDIN 548 PROSPECT ROAD, ECLECTIC – Beautiful home on 4 ACRES, 3 bd/ 2.5 baths, very modern and private, very close to Lake Martin. Reduced to $259,000. TALLASSEE 854 E. PATTON – 3 bedrooms, 2 baths with 3 acres of land, $125,000.

Wags ‘N Whiskers auction set for Friday By REA CORD Executive Director

his is the week! We hope to have a huge crowd this Friday night, July 29, starting at 6 p.m. for our 11th annual Wags ‘N Whiskers Auction at the Wetumpka Civic Center, 212 S. Main Street, Wetumpka. If you have not joined in our fun in previous years, our best advice is to check out our special auction website (www.elmorehumane.auction) where you can see all of the items (less any “too late to classify”) that will be available and read all about how our auction works. So that our volunteers and staff can get ready, our Tails End Thrift Store will close at 1 p.m. on July 29 and the shelter will close at 4 p.m. (normally 5 p.m.). Both will be back open normal hours on Saturday, July 30. Our auction promises to have something for everyone – art, collectibles, jewelry, gift baskets, pet items, weekend getaways, outdoor items and so much more! Besides all the great auction items, be sure to also get your $1 ticket(s) for a chance to win either a huge Alabama or Auburn football basket chock full of items. This is both a silent and live auction so be prepared to keep an eye out on all those treasures you want to take home. Wind Creek Wetumpka will get everything started at 6 p.m. with a bounteous and yummy hors d’oerves layout. DJ Ziggy from PowerSounds USA will be our master of ceremonies and from 7:15 p.m. – 8 pm, Scott and Michelle Williams and the crew from High as the Sky Auction Company will liven everything up during the fast paced live auction. This is a fun evening that could well last until 9 p.m. bidding wise. Once bidding is over our many auction volunteers will then help everyone collect their items and complete final payment processing. You can pre-purchase tickets ($25 couple/$15 single) at our shelter (255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka) or at the door. We have one unsold table seating eight for $300 – come to the shelter or call us at 334-567-3377 to pay for this last available table. What makes this evening fun is a packed house and spirited bidding. Our silent auction has become a definite ‘go-to’ annual event and all of the proceeds raised help us care for the 300+ pets with us during this very busy time of year. More attendees will keep the bidding fun and you are also bound to run into many friends and fellow animal lovers. Please share our Facebook Event if you are a Facebook friend and, if not, please tell and invite your friends to join all of us this Friday!

Pet of the Week- Airedale mix puppies We have the most awesome litter of Airedale/Hound mix puppies – all seven of them! There are six boys and one girl, about 14 weeks old and they should be in the 50-60 pound range when fully grown. The only trouble with these pups will be deciding who to take home. They are ADORABLE! Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs & $50 for cats under 1 year old; cats over one year old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This 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 http://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 Mon–Thu 10-5, Fri from 10-4 and Sat 9-3.

Joe Bennett, Robin Ellison, Vicki Mullino, Sherry Thorne, Keith Nobles

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Hymn I consulted the attorney again as I pushed to protect this important freedom of our students. A fight over this issue is exactly what the adversaries want. I refuse to give that to them and will take every step necessary to stop them from winning.” Religious rights advocates have spoken for the move, while constitutional rights groups have spoken against it. Corbin stressed that the decision had “weighed on his (Harrison’s) heart,” and along with his own research and a vocal public outcry spurred the reversal. She said they had worked with their legal representation, the firm of Hill, Hill, Carter of Montgomery, over the weekend on the issue. Efforts were made to reach an attorney from the firm, who was thought to have worked with ECBOE on the decision, however by the time of publication no calls had been returned. A religious rights group has spoken for the move, while a constitutional rights group, regarding separations of church and state, spoke against. The latter has said it is currently drafting a letter to the school on the issue to encourage the song’s removal, while the former welcomed its reinstatement. Headquartered in Montgomery and founded by Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, a senior counsel member, John Eidsmoe, from The Foundation for Moral Law spoke in favor of the song’s inclusion. In an interview, Eidsmoe, said a school board member had talked with the FML, however, “informally,” and not in the capacity of a board member, he said. Harrison’s latest statement, which had formerly been one of reluctantly bowing to legal caution, seemed largely in line with the FML’s response to comments on the matter. Eidsmoe said they saw it as a positive development, and were “very glad” Harrison had decided to include the song again, after initially resolving to have it removed. He said it was a First Amendment issue which did not require the prohibition of all displays of religion material, such as a hymn at a football game. It was a matter of a minority respecting the wishes of the majority, Eidsmoe said. However, Annie Lauri

continued from page 1

Gaylor cofounder of the Freedom From Religion Foundation strongly disagreed. “That’s the opposite of our Bill of Rights, our Bill of Rights is not set up for a majority it’s set up to protect the minority, majorities don’t need protection,” said Gaylor. Corbin gave a brief background on the issue, and said that a woman had called the central office of the school board and raised concerns about the constitutionality of playing the song. She would not indicate who the person was, or whether she was a parent, but said as a result the ECBOE had a duty to look into the matter. Gaylor said she had been told that the FFRF, which is headquartered in Wisconsin, had received calls from the area. She said it was an instance where a parent had complained, “a parent in the minority,” and said a Christian song of salvation was inappropriate for a high school marching band, and was an instance where a public school official based a decision upon what a “majority” wanted. “And then the superintendent gives in to them, well so this is why we have a Bill of Rights the superintendent should have not backed down,” Gaylor said. “This isn’t protecting the students because at least one of them was offended by having to play this song and this is what happens.” Eidsmoe said not only the student who objected, but those who wanted to hear or play the song should be considered. “If he wants to be excused I would defend his right to be excused,” Eidsmoe said. He said the performance of one hymn in a generally secular program was not an issue, and mentioned the playing of popularized Christmas songs as a example of legality. However, Gaylor said what was of more concern was the song itself, and it’s language and message within it’s religious context. “So you are subjecting somebody who doesn’t believe in something to a devotional song and

you are subjecting the entire audience to it, so that’s what you would expect at a Christian school,” Gaylor said. “Anybody who wants to sing Amazing Grace can do so in their own home to themselves or they can go to church, they don’t go to a public school to sing Amazing Grace or hear it sung, it’s one of the more proselytizing hymns, Christian hymns out there, it’s like a signature Christian hymn.” The legal director with the Alabama branch of the American Civil Liberties Union, Randall Marshall said context is key. He said the use of the song would be more “permissible” if there was a secular reason for including the song such as, he said, if it contained chords which helped develop, or display, the bands abilities. “It does feel to me if you look at a spectrum between at the one end, we chose this song because it had an A capella chorus, or we chose it to inculcate religion into 3rd grade classes, (it) falls more along the permissible rather than the prohibited (side),” said Marshall. However, after hearing of Harrison’s latest response regarding, and the language he used, “adversaries” Marshall said the question was a matter of whose religious liberty was really at stake in this issue. If it were a matter of one or more parents, which were concerned about the song then, Marshall said, it was their religious liberties which were. He reiterated Gaylor’s statement about it being a matter of a majority influencing it’s will on a minority. And regarding Harrison’s statement Marshall said, “If he’s saying there’s some religious freedom of the school I think he’s dead wrong.” Even Eidmsoe seemed to have reservations about Harrison’s use of words and said that “adversary” does not mean enemy, and said he thought those people are wrong who think so. He called for civil discourse, and asked for

the opposing sides to sit down and read the Constitution to see what it says regarding religious clauses. Regarding that idea, Gaylor said, “It’s a godless and secular document there’s no god in it. The only reference to religion are exclusionary, that there should be no religious test for public office the oath of office for the president is given and there’s no put your hand on the Bible say so help me God the preamble says sovereignty is invested in “We the people” not a divinity and we were first among nations, and it was a revolutionary act to put the power to the people not to a god and not to claim to have a pipeline to a divinity.” Being secular was one of the reasons the Constitution has existed for this long, she said. Gaylor asked that the song be once again removed, and offered as a patriotic substitute, “The Star Spangled Banner.” She said playing the hymn before the “captive audience” is not only unconstitutional, but offensive to non Christians, and non fundamentalists, due to its message of original sin, and “wretches” in need of salvation through Jesus. “The Bill of Rights protects the minority and freedom of conscience from the ‘tyranny of the majority’ we don’t decide what government should do about religion based on majority will but on the Constitution,” Gaylor said.

JULY 27, 2016 • PAGE 3

Gospel Meeting August 14-19, 2016

Georgia Road Church of Christ Located on Hwy. 170 • Wetumpka, Alabama

Alan Watkins, Preacher Time of Services:

Sunday: 9AM, 10 AM & 1PM Noon Meal in the Annex: 11AM -1PM Monday - Friday: 7PM Ed Smith, Song Leader Georgia Road Church of Christ

Wetumpka

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334-567-2666 5266 U.S. Hwy. 231 Wetumpka, AL

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Great day, my name is Emmitt Johnson, Jr. and I am your candidate for Mayor in the great City of Wetumpka. Since July 5th I have tried to be as visible and as vocal as possible in all ¿ve districts. Unfortunately, no matter how many “meet and greets” I do, or the number of people I get the opportunity to correspond with via social media, I certainly can’t reach every voter in the City. I believe if there is one person that feels they cannot support me because they don’t know me it’s my responsibility to do everything I can to meet that person. So, thank you to the Wetumpka Herald for another venue to tell my story and share my life. Thank you to my campaign committee and the supporters of Emmitt Johnson for Mayor that believes in the future of our City. Lastly, thanks to my greatest fan, my wife of 37 years and friend for more than 40 years, Deborah. Again, my goal is to give you weekly insights about me and answers to the numerous questions I’ve been asked as I have encounter residents of the City. To begin, I have lived in district four for twelve years. For the past two years my wife and I have worked tirelessly as the new owners of Wetumpka Preschool & Periscope Child Development Center, with our daughter Cecelia Hatcher and director Deborah Davis, to provide premier childcare and education for families in our surrounding area. Currently, I am the Education Director for SafetyNet Behavior Treatment Center in Montgomery and Dallas County where I coordinate the education and logistics services for neglected or delinquent children received from Alabama’s 67 counties. Prior to this, I worked in the Shelby & Elmore County Education Systems as a JROTC Instructor for seven years. I Pastor, Gateway Ministries, Millbrook, AL and chair several local, national, and overseas ministries that provide assistance and support to families and children in poverty, or that lack educational resources. I am a graduate student with a focus in Early Childhood Education, at Ashford University with a projected graduation date of April 2017. Finally, I am a retired US Army Sergeants Major (E-9). I served my country honorably for 27 years before retiring as the US Army Liaison and Operations Division Chief at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base Senior Non-Commissioned Of¿cer Enlisted Academy. My professional background gives you an overview of my leadership ability and versatility. My campaign motto, “Work together – Grow together” echoes my efforts to bring community residents to the forefront, while simultaneously working with City of¿cials and Councilpersons in the progressive growth of our City. Question: What do you have against the Mayor? I don’t have anything against Mayor Willis. In fact, I voted for him both terms, because I believed he could do what he said. My issues are solely centered on the equitable distribution of resources and visible signs of growth in Districts 1-5. My campaign isn’t about personality, but progress. Question: What are you going to do that our current Mayor isn’t already doing with economic growth? I will consider the growth of the City from a holistic and inclusive perspective. I will encourage councilpersons to establish a list of priorities for their districts that require City support for improvement or establishment. These lists will be consolidated and discussed with city of¿cials to prioritize for completion. Furthermore, I will work feverishly with each district councilperson to establish community associations and leaders that represent their neighborhoods as advocates to and for councilpersons. Question: Have you attended City Council meetings? I have not attended City Council meetings during this term. There is no reason other than the disappointment I witness during the ¿rst term of our Mayor from a then aggressive council. To this end, I have competent representatives from our Homeowners Association and in our District Councilman that represents my community needs and desires. Question: Will you continue to work if you are elected? When I am elected to Mayor I will be resigning from my position as Education Director with SafetyNet BTC to dedicate my efforts to the City of Wetumpka. Please note that I have promised my CEO that I will assist him in hiring my replacement. Question: What will you do about the drainage problems behind homes? I have heard the problems of incomplete drainage areas in the City and will look at those areas with the Councilperson responsible for that district and formulate a plan with city managers to rectify the problem. Question: What will you do about the cost of water for City residents? I don’t know that there is an answer to this problem without the introduction of new industry in the City. Thus, economic growth is the number one priority to decrease utility cost. Question: Do you believe that there is a problem with cultural diversity in key positions in the City? I believe that people are hired to do a job based on ability and not because of color or personal preference. State and Federal laws govern fair hiring practices and dismissals. I will ensure every employee meets the quali¿cations outline in their job description and are evaluated based on established guidance. Question: Why should I vote for you? I have a track record of being fair, equitable and visible. I have no hidden agenda and understand that bridge building is necessary for any platform to be successful. Question: What are your major concerns? My platform for Mayor introduces my concerns for the City. Economic development is the core of growth. Industry that complements our diverse population, coupled with mainstream business, distinctive restaurants, and cultural events and festivals that bring tourism to our unique City. Growth frightens people, which is why law enforcement and safety are paramount. Con¿dence is gained by residents and business owners when there are adequate patrols and community partnerships with our police department. I want people understand the essentiality of law enforcers and the necessity of ¿rst responders. Education and the systems that foster the programs are vital to the growth of a City. Residence want to know their children are a part of a competitive education system and programs that support young adults need for development and to compete in a global economy. Simultaneously, adult and senior programs that introduce them to money management, technology, personal and family growth, parenting, literacy, and available support programs are absolutely necessary. Finally, I’d like to see community stability for every residence. The stability of a community depends on those physical, economic or social features of a neighborhood that are associated with the preservation and potential increase in the value of a property-owner’s investment in a neighborhood. When our communities are stable, so is our City. I believe these four tenets are the bedrock for focused and sustained growth. I’d like to have your vote on August 23rd to become the new Mayor of Wetumpka. If we “Work together” we can “Grow together.” For contact & speaking arrangements: Kenya Dillard (334) 954-8469, Susan Ezelle (334) 451-5058 or email us at: emmittjohnsonformayor@gmail.com Follow us on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/EJohnsonforMayor/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel To donate online at: http://ejohnsonformayor.weebly.com/

Steve Baker, Publisher William Carroll, 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.

OPINION

Page 4 • JULY 27, 2016

“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” --Thomas Jefferson

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The Herald 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.

Honest, blunt, but sound advice Band issue shows need for appointed superintendents

received this message from a fellow stutterer last week. Hey Jody! I was wondering if you’d be willing to chat with someone here at the American Institute for Stuttering (AIS) about stuttering life in the military. She’s interested in pursuing officer training school with the Marines but has had some notso-great experiences related to stuttering so far and is interested in speaking with someone who has been through it. Any tips/advice would be appreciated. When I first started my military journey 24 years ago, I had no idea I’d be able to influence others with issues relating to stuttering and the military. It is such a privilege to be in this position. I sent her the following message: My name is Jody Fuller. Sara from AIS asked if I’d reach out to you. While I’m not affiliated with AIS, I do appreciate their commitment to the stuttering community, so I’d be happy to help you in any way. Just a little background on me. After four years as an Army medic, I returned home, went to school, and graduated one month before 9/11. Shortly after, I applied for Army Officer Candidate School (OCS.) One of the recruiters overheard me talking and made an insensitive comment saying I’d never be more than a staff officer because of my stutter. Before OCS, I had an officer mock me to my face. In OCS, I had an officer tell me I couldn’t be an officer because I stuttered. After all that nonsense, as a second lieutenant, I was assigned as the platoon leader of the third largest platoon in the United States Army and deployed them to Iraq—not bad for a stuttering guy who’d never be more than a staff officer. I tell you all of that for a reason. Those three incidents occurred within a year of each other, and in 24 years of service are the only three negative incidents I ever experienced regarding my stutter. All my

evaluations have been stellar. Ultimately, it’s about what you do, not what you say or how you say it. I deployed to Iraq two more times with the National Guard. In 2014, I transferred to the Army Reserves Jody Fuller and was promoted to major, which again, not trying to sound arrogant, is not bad for a poor, stuttering kid from Alabama who started out as a private. If you want to serve, then I encourage you to serve, but here is the blunt truth. Whether they will accept you or not depends on the severity of your stutter. Some might think that’s wrong, but it does indeed matter. The severity of a “disability” directly impacts a unit. Imagine being on guard duty and the enemy is breaching the compound. You have to be able to effectively communicate, as it can literally become a life or death situation. The same thing can be said of those with poor vision, hearing, etc. I know people who weren’t allowed to serve in uniform for a variety of reasons, but those who wanted to serve found other ways to serve. In many cases, they are doing and giving back far more than they likely ever would have done in uniform. I’m not sure if this is any of the stuff you wanted to hear or not. If you have any specific questions, please let me know and I’ll be happy to help. If someone asks you for advice, I encourage you to give it but to also be honest and blunt, if necessary. We should consider it an honor and privilege when others seek our counsel. After all, they could’ve asked anybody. Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller.com.

tarting last week and continuing into this week is the ongoing issue relating to the playing of the song “Amazing Grace” by the Holtville High School Band. Initially, Elmore County Schools Superintendent Dr. Andre Harrison made the decision to remove the song from the halftime show based upon advice of counsel. However, after a public backlash against the decision, some of which was directed at the superintendent’s door, he made an aboutface and changed the decision. As the story appears on the front page of our paper today, I will not spend the time here to rehash all of the facts, nor will I get into what is actually a complex legal discussion about whether Harrison made the right or wrong decision. What concerns me is the political aspect of these types of decisions. Currently, only Alabama and Florida have elected superintendents, and not in every county. There are significant areas of the state that actually have appointed superintendents. At one point, many other states also had elected superintendents, but the common decision has been to eliminate such positions as overly political and fraught with a number of issues. Last year for instance, Mississippi became the 48th state to abolish elected superintendents and move to a full appointment-only system. As a Mississippi native myself, knowing that my home state normally finishes last in every-



THE WETUMPKA HERALD (681-260) is published twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099. ISSN # 1536-688X. We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $.25 per word per paper. Additional $15 charge for a photo per paper. (Herald, Weekend, Observer, Tribune). •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a photo. SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes Wednesday & Saturday) One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $50 One Year Elsewhere: $75 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. ADMINISTRATION Steve Baker publisher@thewetumpkaherald.com William Carroll, managing editor william.carroll@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 306 SALES Jayne Carr, marketing consultant Jayne.Carr@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . .. .. Ext. 313 Molly Brethauer, marketing consultant molly.brethaur@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . Ext. 305

Managing Editor

thing, it makes me feel good to know we’ll at least beat Alabama in something. The reality is the CEO of a school district should be held to a performance-based standard dictated by law and the decisions of an elected school board. The problem with elections for such an important position is that a candidate effectively gets four years even though they maybe doing a poor job managing the school from the outset (oh don’t we wish we could remove other elected officials so easily). In many districts that have appointed superintendents the superintendent often faces an annual review, similar to all other staff, where decisions can be made as to his or her competency and whether such a superintendent shall retain their position. Board members, elected by the people, can act as the buffer between the superintendent and the system and ensure that the supers perform their job up to the standards set by the board. More than that though is eliminating politics from the decision process. While politics will never completely be eliminated, it at least reduces the possibility of politics playing a

William Carroll is the managing editor of the Wetumpka Herald.

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Election's effect on Supreme Court could be crucial

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WILLIAM CARROLL

major role. Take the current situation. It seems odd that the superintendent would make a decision to not allow the song, then when a large number of people (i.e. voters) voice their concern the decision changes. Superintendents should be making decisions based upon what is best for the students and district overall and not concerned about winning favor with a contingent of the voters. This is not specifically a knock on Harrison, but a knock on the system. Interestingly, the Alabama legislature took up the issue of appointed superintendents but it eventually ended without the law being changed. At least one of the reasons was that it would require changes in a number of districts that already have elected superintendents. Basically the oh-well-this-will-take-toomuch-work-so-never-mind defense. Here is the problem. Every other state practically has already changed this provision to appointed superintendents. They have done so because the overwhelming weight of evidence supports moving to such an arrangement and yet here is Alabama, in a fight with Florida to see who can be last. Lets not be last. Our legislature needs to change this situation during next year’s session. Lets urge them to eliminate this now outdated practice.

s we have watched and participated in the presidential foray this entire year, an equally important event occurred. The death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in February is an important event in American government. Scalia’s unexpected death at 79 could affect the ideological tilt of the Supreme Court and could essentially have a profound impact on our nation’s public policy. Our founding fathers created a three-pronged government triumvirate. The three branches – executive, legislative and judicial – are designed to balance each other and work congruently to give us a functioning democracy. In the past eight years we have experienced a dichotomy of acrimony and thus gridlock between our extremely liberal president and very conservative U.S. House and U.S. Senate. The liberal Democratic president and conservative Republican legislative branch have been at polar extremes, which has created havoc and stalemate between the two branches. President Obama has attempted to circumvent constitutional restraints to get around the congressional roadblocks to his agenda. In the meantime, Congress has evolved into a partisan quagmire that leaves it without decisiveness, which leads to nothing being accomplished. This partisan divide has rendered the Congress and presidency powerless. Therefore, the U.S. Supreme Court has become the benchmark and pivotal decision-making and public policy setting entity in the nation. Scalia was the Court’s most reliably arch conservative. His death leaves the Supreme Court tilted to the left. The

STEVE FLOWERS Guest Columnist

Constitution provides that the president is to appoint vacancies to the Supreme Court with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. The Republican majority Senate, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), has vowed to block President Obama’s appointment to replace Scalia for the remainder of the year. This is unprecedented. However, they can and will thwart Obama’s nominee. The Republicans are hopeful that a Republican will win the White House and that they will retain their control of the U.S. Senate. Both of these occurrences may be wishful thinking. Scalia’s death is a major loss for the nation’s conservatives. The Court is now evenly divided four to four between liberals and conservatives. However, Justice Anthony Kennedy, who has been considered the one moderate middle swing vote on the Court, has swung more to the left in recent years. Thus, for the remainder of the year the Court has a liberal tilt and there are numerous major decisions set to be made this year. On course to be decided are landmark issues regarding abortion rights, affirmative action, voting rights and immigration. Under ObamaCare religious and non-profit schools and hospitals are mandated to pay for contraceptives. These groups are essentially pro-life and want to be exempted from the Obama mandate. With Scalia on the Court they would have probably won. However, the likely outcome is a

4-4 tie. The long standing University of Texas affirmative action case was decided a few weeks ago. Scalia had already shown his hand against affirmative action in oral arguments. He suggested from the bench that African Americans may do better at “less advanced” or “slower track” schools. With Scalia gone the Court ruled against Texas and in favor of affirmative action. In a case regarding voting rights, Alabama is front and center. The Court will consider changing the way state districts are drawn based on the number of eligible voters rather than total population. A favorable decision would be a major victory for Republicans. It would enhance the power of more rural and mostly white districts. In oral arguments in December with Scalia leading the charge it appeared the conservative justices may have had the edge. It is uncertain now. President Obama’s immigration plan would prevent deportation for four million undocumented immigrants. An appellate court had ruled this unconstitutional. With Scalia on the Court the appellate court ruling would have been upheld. Now it is totally up in the air. The bottom line is this election is extremely important when it comes to where the country is heading philosophically because the presidential race as well as senatorial races around the country will significantly affect the makeup of the Supreme Court. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

JULY 27, 2016 • Page 5

Camp Hope graduates foster youth from Commission leadership camp in Wetumpka STAFF REPORT TPI Staff A leadership experience for local youth living in foster care will culminate Friday evening with a graduation ceremony. Camp Hope Alabama, based in Wetumpka, hosted 21 foster youth this week for a day camp in which they learned leadership and teamwork skills in a fun environment. “Foster children often feel isolated and alone as they are separated from their family,” says Kids to Love Founder and CEO Lee Marshall. “This camp allowed our team a chance to reassure them they are not alone while teaching skills that will last their lifetime.”

The graduation ceremony will begin at 5:00 this evening at Camp Hope, located at 3117 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka. Participants will receive a certificate & coin to mark their achievement. Camp Hope Alabama is an outreach of the Kids to Love Foundation. One weekend a month Camp Hope reunites siblings who are living apart in foster care. Camp Hope is one of 16 programs Kids to Love operates. Incorporated in 2004, Kids to Love has impacted the lives of more than 200,000 foster children. For more information about Camp Hope Alabama and Kids to Love log onto www.kidstolove. org.

Parole

continued from page 1

Construction, with a base bid of $2,655,000 and Upchurch Construction, with a base bid of $2,464,500. It was recommended that the commission accept the bid of Construction One, specifically what is known as the “limestone option,” which also includes electrical work in the existing courthouse, limestone base and limestone in lieu of stucco in the annex and an elevator cab for the new building. This brings the total construction cost to $2,749,089 for the project. Commission chair David Bowen asked Elmore County Administrator Grace McDuffie to confirm that funds existed to pay for the project. McDuffie assured the commission that the money would not be coming from general fund dollars, but would be coming out of a capital improvement fund. “That is a fund we have been saving up for quite a number of years to do a project like this,” McDuffie said. McDuffie added that funds would also be available from the public building fund and Bowen made a point to tell the commission that the Poarch Band of Creek Indians had also contributed $300,000 to the project. The commission ultimately voted 3-1 in favor of the bid with no discussion. Bowen and commissioners Trey Taylor and Stephanie Daniels Smoke voted in favor of the measure, commissioner Mark Hragyil voted against.

continued from page 1

Ashley Smith suffered third degree burns over 30 percent of her body and has undergone 28 surgeries in the past 10 years at Children’s Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham. Houston showed members of the parole board photos of the original injuries suffered by Smith, depicting the severity of her burns during his presentation Tuesday morning. Houston said that during her numerous corrective surgeries balloons were placed under her skin to help he skin to grow properly. He also noted that while the case occurred well over a decade ago he kept the victim in his mind. “Over the years I would think back and wonder ‘what ever happened to that baby’” he said noting that when he had a chance to meet with Smith again earlier this year he saw that Smith was much better off than she might have been had she still been around Wright. Houston said that the motivation behind the original 25 year sentence was to ensure that Smith could be an adult prior to Wright getting out of prison. He noted that Wright’s parental rights had never been terminated and that he wanted to give Ashley the opportunity to grow up and make her own decision about whether she wanted Wright in her life. Wright’s oldest daughter, Courtney Branson, spoke on behalf of Wright. Branson said that she has seen Wright while her mother has been incarcerated and that she feels she has changed. Branson noted that Wright has been

through a number of classes on mental health related issues and is now on the right medications for her mental illness related issues. “I feel like she has changed,” Branson said. “When I go visit her, I can tell the difference in her.” Branson, who was 8 years old at the time of the incident, said that she felt Wright had learned her lesson. Wright’s brother Danny Jones said he also though Wright had changed and noted she had taken a lot of classes and was on medicines for her mental health issues. A representative from Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange’s office said that they were also protesting the release of Wright noting that she has served only 13 years and nine months of her 25 year sentence. Janette Grantham with the group Victims of Crime and Leniency also spoke against Wright’s release stating, “Time, meds and classes are not going to correct the problem this lady has.” The victim also spoke during the hearing. Smith said that she thought that Wright should stay in prison for a few more years because Smith’s niece and nephew are close to the same age she and Branson were when the incident occurred. “I forgave Melissa, but I still do not want her around any other children to give her another chance to hurt anymore innocent children or families,” Smith said.

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JULY 27, 2016 • Page 7

Meeting

continued from page 1

was important to have a strong leader in place. Shortly after, Billingsley talked about some of the programs the WPD sponsored, looking for ways to do more and said the WPD was open to talk at all times. He then passed the microphone to Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin, who admitted he had not necessarily come prepared to speak, but then launched into what he said made the ECSO successful in its efforts to reach out to those in its jurisdiction. He said his method was to have an “open door policy,” in which he directly handled communications. “Well I felt like that’s what I had signed up for, and I can tell you this, there’s going to be problems there’s going to be headaches. You can run from those, you can try to let one of your people like the chief or one of our deputies handle those situations, but that’s not who the people want to talk to,” said Franklin. “That’s part of what you signed up, you’ve got to be accessible to people, accessibility is the key, I really believe, in trying to build a relationship if you don’t have that accessibility I guarantee you that sooner or later you’re going to suffer for it.” After the introductions from local police, sheriff’s, District Attorneys office, and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, along with Wetumpka Fire Department, the forum began in earnest. The most contentious discussion erupted from Billingsley in response to the first public statement to the panel made by Elmore County NAACP President Bobby Mays. Mays made comments concerning his group’s recent efforts to set up a discussion with Billingsley. “Speaking of the forum I must say in all candor that I’m disappointed that the city chose to have this forum, which I requested over two weeks ago,” Mays began his statement. He talked about trust, which he said was required for community relations versus how it looked regarding the circumstances surrounding the forum and its being set up by the city. However, he transitioned into the issues almost immediately after the comments, and said, “The Elmore County NAACP, we strongly condemn the senseless killings that have gone on throughout this country against law enforcement … but by the same token and at the same level of condemnation we condemn the killings of African Americans at the hands of police,” Mays said.

Enslen

And he directed to Billingsley a line of questioning about lessons, and procedures from recent events, which the WPD had implemented recently. Billingsley replied and spoke only about recent circumstances with the NAACP, and the contents of an earlier article by The Herald. The conversation devolved into an almost personal attack on the group. “Yes sir, I think you pretty well directed it to me, I set up a meeting a couple of weeks ago to meet with you and one other individual and the next email I got was you wanted the media present and the next thing I heard was in the newspaper the next day that you had set up a meeting with all city officials. I’m not in the political arena, I’m taking care of the citizens of Wetumpka,” said Billingsley. He said he felt it was “out of line,” and said he would

meet with Mays but without a media member present. However, he then proceeded to publicly question Mays about the NAACP. “As far as anything else, can you tell me anything, anything in the last 18, 19 months that I’ve been here that the NAACP has done for the citizens of Wetumpka, can you answer that for me?” Billingsley said. Mays mentioned food drive efforts, and then talked about the timeline of events regarding their planned meeting, and said he was trying to prevent the very appearance of a media ambush. Lastly, he said Billingsley was wrong about the details, and “chronology” of the discussions, which were largely recorded in a recent article by The Herald. Afterwards, a local pastor spoke, along with numerous residents, some of which mentioning their desire to how more events like the forum.

continued from page 1

on the matter. Morris said that he provided information regarding paperwork filed by current Elmore County Schools Superintendent Dr. Andre Harrison to Brent Helms on December 9. Morris said that he had only discovered the issues in Harrison’s filing a few days earlier himself. “I actually just discovered it a few days before,” he said. “I was doing the normal due diligence one does when working for a candidate and it struck me when I was looking at the paperwork that something was missing there.” Morris said he noticed that a document which his client had to complete from the Department of Education was missing and so he conducted research on the matter and then presented his findings to Helms. “I brought the information in and gave it to Brent,” Morris said. “In fact I never even talked to the judge about it. The only time I talked with him at all was day of the hearing (December 16) and then only to say hi.” Morris said there was absolutely nothing insidious about the process and that he did not in any way attempt to influence the probate judge in his decision making process. Enslen has previously stated that he became aware of the issue with Harrison’s filing on December 10, when the issue was brought to his attention by Helms. Helms stated that he had received the information from Morris on December 9 and that he provided the information to Enslen the next day. The television story challenged the judge’s recollection of facts based upon a contract between Enslen and Helms dated November 13. Helms said he mistakenly backdated the contract to the November date, but was unsure of why he made the mistake.

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What really happened to Andy Griffith

reetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge! It is hot in central Alabama. I am not sure if the heat is normal, a byproduct of global warming, or runoff from our nation’s political process. In any case, it is hot, so do whatever you can to stay cool! There is a persistent rhetoric in our nation. It is not new. It has been around for quite some time, but it is enjoying resurgence as of late. I am sure you have heard it. The rhetoric reflects a desire to return to better times in our nation’s history. This return would help us emerge from our current state of divisiveness. Regardless of the actual time period being presented, the desire is the same. If only we could go to back to a simpler

time. The television show I hear touted as the gold standard in terms of the relationship between law enforcement and the community is The Andy Griffith Show. I love that show. The simple, small town way of life is very alluring, especially when the lawman in charge doesn’t even carry a gun and no one gets shot. As it turns out, I am actually completely in favor of returning to Mayberry in regards to the relationship between law enforcement and the community. Of course, I know this is impossible, because real life and television life are two different worlds. Still, I think the idea is worth exploring. It isn’t enough to simply lift up the virtue of the Mayberry way, however. Taking a snapshot of the past

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and trying to recreate it is a lesson in futility. If any of us want to return to what we value from the past, we must understand what caused it to disappear in the first place. Even though The Andy Griffith Show is not real, there was a time when the relationship between law enforcement and the community resembled what was on the screen; at least in most parts of our nation. What happened? What caused the relationship to deteriorate to the place it is now on a national level? There is more than enough blame to go around, as it

turns out. I do not have the time or space to try and mention all the contributing factors. I have come to one conclusion that is present in every explanation, and it applies to every member of every community. Mutual respect and the lack thereof is behind the divisiveness and violence we find in our national and global community. I maintain the lack of it has yet to reach majority status, but it is on its way. In other words, I truly believe most members of our national community hold mutual respect as a vital value for society, but it seems more and more people are opting out. I was blown away recently when a colleague of mine was asked how he felt about the relationship between law enforcement and the community these days. His simple

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response was, “I abhor police brutality. I abhor violence against police. That is all there is to say.” I was blown away because his response is what every member of our national community should be saying. While it is certainly true that respect is something that must be earned and can easily be lost, there is more to it. Each citizen, regardless of title or situation, has to be willing to respect the lives of others if there is any chance of it becoming reality. Do unto others as you would have done unto you. This command results in unifying respect each and every time it is embodied.

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County to participate in annual back to school tax holiday STAFF REPORT Elmore County Commission

The Elmore County Commission is pleased to announce participation in the Annual Back to School Sales Tax Holiday August 5th through August 7th. In 2013, the Commission approved a Resolution authorizing participation in the Sales Tax Holiday, authorized by Act No. 2006-574, every year during the first full weekend of August. This year, the Sales Tax Holiday begins at Beginning at 12:01 a.m. (CST) on Friday Aug. 5, and ending at twelve midnight on Sunday Aug. 7. Generally, the sales tax holiday offers shoppers

Police Reports

the opportunity to purchase certain items priced at $ 100 or less per item free of state and county sales tax. School supplies, tower computer systems, and clothing are some common items included. During the tax holiday, protective equipment and sports or recreational equipment may also qualify for the tax exemption. For the duration of the sales tax holiday, school supplies, school art supplies, school instructional material and books are also included as non-taxable items. For more specifics regarding approved items, log on to http://revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/salestaxhol.cfm. Happy shopping!

July 21

A report of criminal mischief was recorded by an S.R. Reynolds at the 2300 block of Chapel Lakes Loop. The victim was described as a 41-year-old black female, and the time of the incident was listed as somewhere between 3 p.m. on July 20 to 7 a.m. July 21. The victim’s vehicle, a silver 2006 4-door Chevrolet Impala was listed as damaged at a value of $500. The time of the report was indicated to be 7:30 a.m.

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All of the information was taken directly from details of police reports from Wetumpka Police Department. No verification of the materials has been made, but the information is reprinted as it was entered and sent to The Herald, and reprinted according to the details of the report. As reported, with no information changed or verified.

JULY 27, 2016 • Page 11

Occasionally our agreements with cable channels and television stations come up for renewal. While we do not anticipate any loss or disruption of service, regulations require us to notify you of the possibility of losing programming. Therefore, please be advised that our agreements with GOLTV, HSN, Music Choice, Outdoor Channel, and RFD-TV remain in effect on a month-to-month basis, but we may have to cease carriage in all formats if our authority to continue is withheld. Our agreement with The Weather Channel expires on August 31, 2016 and we may have to cease carriage in all formats if our authority to continue is withheld. Our agreements with Cartoon Network, CNN, CNN International, HLN, NBA League Pass, NBA TV, NHL Center Ice, NHL Network, TBS, TCM, TNT and truTV expire on September 30, 2016 and we may have to cease carriage in all formats if our authority to continue is withheld. We are working diligently at this time to come to acceptable and fair terms with these channels.

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A report of a theft of property was by an S.R. Reynolds at the 400 Block of McDonald Drive. The victim was described as a 35-year-old black female, and the property stolen was listed as a 6 solar lights at a value of $12. The time of the event was said to be between 9:30 p.m., July 20 and 2:30 p.m. July 21, with the time of the report written as 4:30 p.m.

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JULY 27, 2016 • Page 12

EMCS to field varsity football team By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

“It’s something that we’ve built.” When Emerald Mountain Christian School started its football program just five short years ago, school administration had an end goal, but wasn’t sure when they would arrive at it. After three years of junior high and one in junior varsity, the Patriots will take the field for its seasonopening game on Aug. 19 as a high school varsity team for the first time in school history. “It’s not just one person; (headmaster) David Ames, the parents who provided resources and a lot of their time, physical work time, and it’s the way it should be,” EMCS athletic director Mark Bowers said Monday. “Now, everybody has a stake in the success of the program. Excitement is off the charts. Everybody’s ready to kind of see what that first game holds.” Chris Waid took over the football program as head coach from the start, and along with Ames, Bowers and many families from the Emerald Mountain community, the school began the process of putting the pieces in place. The first two seasons, the team only played road games. Over the course of two months during the summer leading up to the 2014 season, EMCS laid the grass for its own field on campus and hosted its first home game at Patriot Field. Before last year, a parent donated two field goal posts and a scoreboard. The next project, Bowers said, is to get lights installed.

“You build from one year to the next. It’s almost a pride thing; now you get to defend your own field.” Bowers said. “Last year, through the help of a parent who actually donated goal posts and scoreboard. Now all of a sudden, you’ve got the look of a football field, which makes a huge difference. Hopefully, a year from now, we’ll have lights out there. Once we get the lights on the field, we’ll be pretty much set for the football team.” Initially, the administration and Waid planned to make the jump to varsity in time for the 2015 season, but with the collective age of their players, decided to hold off for one more year. Bowers said patience was the right move. “This year, we now match up age-wise and physically. This is the time,” Bowers said. “A lot of the ACEA coaches worked with us last year. We could make it to where it was competitive. We went 5-2 in JV last year and played well.” With two seniors and three juniors bolstering the Patriots’ roster heading into 2016 with a new head coach, Bowers said the team’s expectations are high for its first varsity season. “First thing we’re going to do is win some ballgames, as many as we can. I do want to win ballgames, but beyond that, I want the boys to improve from day one to the end of the year, I want the boys to have a good experience, to have fun as they play,” he said. EMCS will take the field as a varsity team this fall and fulfill a longtime vision of hard work, dedication and sacrifice from everyone involved in the program.

Cory Diaz / The Herald

The Emerald Mountain Christian School Patriots will take Patriot Field as a varsity football team this season for the first time in school history.

“It’s been a step-by-step process. Once we get the lights up, we’ll have a complete football field,” Bowers said. “We put a lot of work and a lot of time into it, but it’s all been for the kids, not for me. We do it for the kids; they’re the ones that reap the benefits of this. “I know for me and I think for a lot of the parents, it’s something that we’ve built. We built it. It’s more of a prideful thing, something you feel like you’ve accomplished yourself for your school, for your kids.”

Stanhope Elmore goes 4-4 in NSFC 7-on-7 tourney at UA By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

In their first 7-on-7 competition together, new Stanhope Elmore head football coach Mike Dean got the answers he knew he would from his players Saturday. The Mustangs, after a slow start, ended up going 4-4 during the NSFC 7-on-7 Team Tournament at the University of Alabama practice facility, with them being eliminated by Carver-Montgomery on a failed two-point conversion in bracket play. “It was a lot of good, bad and ugly, but it was kind of what we expected,” Dean, who took over at Stanhope June 30, said. “I’ve only been here three weeks. We matured with each game, so that’s how you got to see it. This is the first competition we’ve seen, so we’ll go from there. “You have to realize, it’s a new defense and somewhat of a new offense – a lot of them are new starters, especially on defense. They’re athletic, but the defense takes a lot more talking and communicating.” Stanhope dropped its tournament opening game versus 2015 Class 6A runner-up Clay-

Chalkville. The team won a couple of pool play games, and in another game against Florence, the Mustangs led by eight late in the contest, but fell on an interception and a touchdown allowed by busted coverage. Dean lauded the performance of rising senior quarterback Tripper Warlick and 6-foot-6, 240pound four-star tight end Zech Byrd on offense, and said that twins and senior cornerback pair Quincy and Quinaz Turner had a good day. “Warlick threw the ball well. Byrd, when he was on, nobody could cover him,” Dean said. “Defensively, both Turners did well at corner, got picks for us. We moved a lot of people around. By the end of it, (sophomore) Marlon Hunt played better at safety. “The level of competition we’re playing, you have to understand that everybody else has been going at it all summer and have had systems in place. We’ve got out three weeks, so I was proud of them. But at the same time, we’ve got a long way to go. Right now, our biggest opponent is Stanhope Elmore. If we don’t improve ourselves, worry about us and don’t do the little things right every single day, we’re not going to become that championship program. So, I got exactly what I wanted answered.”

Becoming Outdoors Women registration opens in August STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Registration opens Aug. 1 for the next Alabama Becoming an OutdoorsWoman (BOW) workshop. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) sponsored event takes place at the 4-H Center near Columbiana, Ala., on Oct. 7-9, 2016. BOW is a three-day workshop designed for women ages 18 years or older who would like to learn new outdoor skills. The workshop offers hands-on instruction in a fun and nonthreatening learning environment. Participants choose from courses such as rifle, pistol, archery, fishing, camping, hiking, canoeing, mountain biking and many more. BOW coordinator Hope Grier said the classes offer basic outdoor skills training. “There are many ladies who have not been exposed to these outdoor

activities and are apprehensive about trying them,” she said. “BOW is ideal for those women because everything is taught at a beginner level.” The registration fee of $225 covers meals, dormitory-style lodging, program materials and instruction. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Enrollment is limited to 130 applicants and classes fill up fast. For more information on the BOW workshop, visit www.outdooralabama. com/becoming-outdoors-womanbow, or call 334-242-3620. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www. outdooralabama.com.

Cory Diaz / The Herald

Forever Wild Land Trust board to meet in Millbrook Aug. 11 STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

The Board of Trustees of the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust will hold its third quarterly meeting on Aug. 11 at the Alabama Wildlife Federation NaturePlex in Millbrook. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. At this meeting, updates on Forever Wild program activities and tract assessments will be presented. This meeting will also provide an opportunity for any individual who would like to make comments concerning the program to address the board. The public is invited to attend this meeting and is urged to submit nominations of tracts of land for possible Forever Wild Program purchase. Written nominations may be made by letter addressed to the State Lands Division, Room 464, 64 N. Union St., Montgomery, Alabama 36130.

Nominations can also be emailed to fwlandtrust@gmail.com. Quarterly meetings of the Forever Wild Board are held to maximize public input into the program. Only through active public participation can the best places in Alabama be identified and protected in order to remain forever wild. If Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations are needed, please contact Jo Lewis at (334) 242-3051 or Jo.Lewis@dcnr.alabama.gov. Requests should be made as soon as possible, but at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www. outdooralabama.com.

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Stanhope Elmore rising senior quarterback Tripper Warlick throws a ball during spring drills.

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