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Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 July 2, 2015 Vol. 123, No. 131 www.alexcityoutlook.com
JULY 2015
Lake Magazine, Dining Guide and Sun Festival preview for all Outlook subscribers.
LAKE 1
School drug tests draw positive feedback By David Granger
pus.” The policy covers students who have Outlook Staff Writer permits to park on the Benjamin Russell Alexander City Schools High School campus and those in grades Superintendent Darrell Cooper hasn’t 7-12 who participate in extracurricular heard any negative backlash from the activities (predominantly sports) ranging drug policy for certain students that the from the dance team to football. Alex City school board unanimously Cooper said – and some board memadopted June 16. bers have suggested – that other extra“The only comments that I’ve heard curricular groups may be added in comsince the board passed the policy are ing years. those from people who are in favor of The policy states that “all students it,” Cooper said. “We’re trying to crereport to school, extracurricular meetate a healthy learning environment for ings/practices and extracurricular events our kids and make sure that they’re not without prohibited substances in their doing anything to cause harm to them or system. No student shall use or be under anyone else when they are participating the influence of prohibited substances in these programs or driving on cam-
while driving/parking on campus or participating in any extracurricular practices, events or otherwise while under the care and supervision of the school system.” The policy also states that students may be screened as a condition for participation in the affected programs and that students on medications should inform a coach, assistant coach, sponsor or director if they possess and are taking medications which may affect their ability to practice or compete. Cooper said the Alexander City Schools policy was developed after reviewing policies from systems in which he and Benjamin Russell prin-
cipal Anthony Wilkinson had worked as well as those from other systems throughout the state. “Every school system I’ve worked at in the last 20 years has had a similar policy,” Cooper said. “When I was a high-school administrator, we drug-tested basically the same group of kids that we’re talking about here. When I was a middle-school administrator, we did the same thing. “I had some conversations with the board some time ago about doing something like this. Then when Dr. Wilkinson came aboard, the school systems where he’d worked, they had drug tested and See TESTING, Page 7
County GOP seeks redo on sales tax vote Resolution adopted asking commissioners to reconsider By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Holiday offers a wealth of events By Cliff Williams Outlook Staff Writer
Are you still finalizing your holiday weekend plans? If a trip to the beach or an extended vacation is not in the cards for you, relax. There are plenty of events scheduled right here close to home for you along with your family and friends to take in to help celebrate Independence Day. From parades, music, great food and plenty of
The leadership of the Tallapoosa County Republican Party hope that they can get the county commissioners who voted to increase the sales tax by 1 percent to reconsider. Monday night the Tallapoosa County Republican Executive Committee adopted a resolution asking “the Tallapoosa County Commissioners, especially the Republican Members of the Commission, to reconsider and revoke the Sales Tax increase that was passed in early May,” according to a press release. The Tallapoosa County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 on May 11 to increase the tax, mainly due to pleas by the Tallapoosa County Board of Education’s need to build a state-mandated reserve fund. The added sales tax will go exclusively to schools. Commissioners T.C, Coley, Emma Jean Thweatt and George Carleton Jr. all voted in favor of the tax, while commissioners John McKelvey and Steve Robinson voted no to the proposal. The resolution approved by the commissioners included a three-year provision where the Tallapoosa County Schools must work towards a property tax referendum to add a more stable source of funds. Carleton, who represents District 5 on the Tallapoosa County Commission, was the only Republican to vote for higher See TAX, Page 7
Jacob’s Ladder Creative Learning Center held its annual patriotic Independence Day Parade Wednesday and above, from left, Macy Jackson, Gunnar Walker, Savanna Oliver, Sam Worthy, James Adams, and Adley Bryant cross the road in their patriotic regalia during the parade. Left, Anaya Todd waves her flag as she makes her way on the parade route.
fireworks check out the events planned in the Lake Martin region.
July 3
Celebrate Alex City Freedom with good music, food and fireworks. Artists include the Nelons, Jeff Stice, and Michael English. Fireworks are at 9:30 p.m. Celebrate Freedom will be at Benjamin Russell High School July 3 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs. No See EVENTS, Page 7
Lake Martin
Dream of owning home coming true for local woman 489.50
Lake Levels
By Mitch Sneed
Rev. Adonis Thomas leads future Habitat for Humanity homeowner Jevonica Moon, Kimora Harrell, Cedric Moon and Habitat President Jan Landers and those gathered at a Wednesday groundbreaking in prayer.
Outlook Editor
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
The dream of owning a home is coming true for Jervonica Moon and her daughter Kimora. Moon was joined by family, friends, builders, future neighbors and officials with Alexander City Area Habitat for Humanity chapter Wednesday as ground was broken for what will be her new home. “It was really a dream come true for us,” Moon said. “It is such a blessing. IT still doesn’t seem real. I’m sure it will hit me as we start working on it, but I’m just so thankful and excited to see this day come.”
Moon filled out the application in 2013 and didn’t expect that she would be the person selected. When she got the call late last year, she said that shock is the only way to describe how she felt. “It was one of those things that you always dreamed of happening and I had prayed so hard about over the years,” said Moon. “I was so shocked. I don’t even think I could talk. I was just speechless. I think all I got out was thank you at first.” The 1,100 square foot home will be built at 433 12th Avenue in Alexander City and will be the See HOME, Page 7 +
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