THE
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June 12, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 116 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Youngsters learn from the best at football camp
Murder or self defense ? Opening statements in McDaniel murder trial paint vastly different pictures By MITCH SNEED and CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writers
A cold-blooded killing and an attempt to destroy evidence and cover up a crime or a man who feared for his life after being threatened by a “coked up” individual with a gun defending himself? If what prosecutors and the defense had to say in opening statements in the murder trial of Clate
McDaniel, that’s what the jury will have to decide. McDaniel is accused of murder in the Jan. 17, 2016 shooting death of Norman Dean Crayton after hunters had found Crayton’s body in a wooded area off Barron’s Bridge Road south of Dadeville. Judge Tom Young led the prosecution that included District Attorney Jeremy Duerr, Michael Weldon and Robbie Treese and defense attorney Davis Whittelsey See MCDANIEL • Page 3
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Family and friends talk with Clate McDaniel’s defense attorney Davis Whittelsey, top left, as spectators and others leave the Tallapoosa County Courthouse after opening statements in a murder trial that began Monday.
Commissioners approve bid for Dadeville track
28 YEARS DOWN
By MITCH SNEED Editor
A bid was awarded to get the track at Dadeville High School paved and the county will not participate in the annual “Back to School Tax Holiday” after votes by the Tallapoosa County Commissioners Monday morning. The commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the award of a bid for paving of the Dadeville track to Gary Ingram Paving and Grading. Ingram came in with the lowest bid of about $177,000. See COMMISSIONERS • Page 3
Jim Pearson opens registration for new students
Collari, Gunn report ‘tremendous’ turnout for Sun Festival, Jazz Fest
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Summer vacation has just begun, but the faculty and staff at Jim Pearson Elementary School are already gearing up for the 2018-2019 school year. Registration is now open for new students to enroll and be assigned a classroom for next year. The parents of students who have not attended Jim Pearson before will be required to fill out a new student registration
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Saturday night marked the culmination of the 28th annual Jazz Fest celebration in Alexander City, along with the 6th annual Sun Festival. With this year’s Sun Festival providing a week full of events leading into Jazz Fest, there was plenty of excitement in the air around town as locals got a thrill out of their favorite activities. “This past week was a tremendous success,” Alexander City Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ed Collari said. “Mother Nature gave us a great week of weather and the support we got from the community, it was huge.” The weeklong series of events began June 1 with Friday on the Green at Russell Crossroads. Between Friday on the Green and Taylor Hicks at Jazz Fest, there were activities spread throughout town, offering up a little something for everyone. There were those scouring See FESTIVAL • Page 11
See REGISTRATION • Page 3 Roman Street, above, and Taylor Hicks, left, perform at Saturday night’s Jazz Fest. Organizers called the 28th annual event a success with massive crowds and no complaints from area residents or guests. For more photos from the two-day festival, see Page 11 inside. Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Jazz Fest special for local couple By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
E
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Marty and Derra Sims pose for a picture while celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary at Jazz Fest Friday night. The couple was married at the same local event in 1993.
Today’s
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87 68 High
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490.56
Reported on 06/11/18 @ 2 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443 6
54708 90050
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laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
veryone thinks of music and good times when Jazz Fest is brought up, but not for Marty and Derra Sims. Jazz Fest serves as a reminder of a milestone for the couple as they were married at one of the tables of Jazz Fest in 1993. Friday, the Sims celebrated their 25th anniversary, though it was a little early and a surprise for Derra.
“We just moved back,” she said. “We said let’s go. I didn’t realize they were doing this. I thought we were just going to bring chairs and sit around.” Derra was surprised her husband had planned a wedding anniversary celebration of Strand Park. The couple was featured in the Outlook in 1993 getting married at the third annual Jazz Fest in front of hundreds of unsuspecting witnesses and the framed article and picture serve See ANNIVERSARY • Page 3
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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Area children get lesson on reptiles with show at Mamie’s Place
UNITED WAY | PAGE 10
DAY OF ACTION United Way preparing for annual event
Page 2
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Dad’s rocky relationship makes life a bumpy ride
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High T-storms likely
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Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@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 Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
The Outlook
Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Katie Wesson Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tkatie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Digital Marketing Coordinator, Ext. 231 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Jessica Ware Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 jessica.ware@alexcityoutlook.com
DEAR ABBY: I’m turning 17 and live with my dad and his girlfriend. They have broken up four times, causing my dad and me to retreat to the basement where we live the peaceful, happy life we did before he met her. When they first started dating, she was very nice, and I liked her. However, because my mom is gone, she decided to assume the role of “mother” after they moved in together. I don’t think she has the right to make decisions about me just because I no longer have a mother. Dad has told me repeatedly that he doesn’t want to continue a relationship with her, but she always manipulates him into getting back together. She treats him terribly, and it breaks my heart. I know he deserves better. His personality changes when he’s with her. He gets mean and blames their problems on me because that’s what she does. I know I’m not responsible for this situation, but she makes me feel that way. I
DEAR ABBY Advice
need stability, and I just want my dad back. What should I do? -- TEEN IN TURMOIL DEAR TEEN: What’s going on is not your fault. You should not assume responsibility for their problems because you can’t fix them. Talk with your father about how you are being made to feel. That he and this woman have broken up four times should have given him a clue that his relationship with her isn’t a healthy one -- for him or for you. Your father is the adult in the family, and it is up to him to deal with this -- not you. Hiding in the basement isn’t the answer. DEAR ABBY: I have been having boundary issues with my neighbors and their children. We have different
parenting styles. They are hands-off, free-range parents. I keep an eye on my daughter. They’re all around the age of 5. Problem is, every time I take my daughter outside their two children immediately run over to play with her. I’m seven months pregnant, and I do not want to be the neighborhood baby sitter! If any of those kids runs toward the road, I can’t chase them down. I don’t want to send my daughter to their yard to play because they have a pool, my daughter doesn’t know how to swim and no one watches these kids. I feel like a prisoner in my own home. I’d like to enjoy the nice weather alone with my daughter once in a while. She loves playing with them, but they just want to play with her toys -- not her -- and it almost always ends up with her in tears. What can I do? -TEARS IN CONNECTICUT DEAR TEARS: Talk to the parents! Explain that you would like to spend time out-
doors with your little girl, and you are not prepared to watch their children. You should also mention that when their children run over to play, it’s not with your daughter but with her toys, which hurts her feelings. P.S. If your neighbors’ pool is not fenced and any of the neighborhood children should fall in, the legal liability would be theirs. There is something known as an “attractive nuisance.” An unsecured swimming pool would be an example. READER ALERT! If you know a student who would like to enter the $5,000 Dear Abby College Columnist Scholarship contest, see the information on DearAbby.com/scholarship and learn more. The deadline is fast approaching. 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.
Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 219 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 219 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com Erin Burton Office Assistant, Ext. 204 erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publish- printing press. ers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011.
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Wells Fargo Foundation provides grant funding for local program The Boys & Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area’s SMART Girls program is providing young girls ages 8 to 17 with health, fitness, prevention education and self-esteem enhancement. The group received grant funding for this program from the Wells Fargo Foundation and went to the 280 Branch of Wells Fargo to pose for a photo. Pictured are, from left, back row, Jesse Turner, Jean Loftin, Unit Director Bridgett Harrell-Searcy, BraDajah Pulliam, Zimmmiyah Withers, ZaNiya Edwards, and Boys & Girls Club Lake Martin Area Board President Raheem Ruffin; front row, Boys & Girls Club Lake Martin Area Executive Assistant Courtnie Perry.
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Obituaries Patricia (Pat) Ballow Patricia (Pat) Ballow, 74 of Talladega passed away June 8, 2018. Funeral services where held 11:00 a.m. Monday June 11, 2018 at Usrey Funeral Home Chapel, with burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Sylacauga Al. The Rev. Renee Rodgers officiated the service. She was member of Outlookers Outreach Center She is survived by her husband Joe C. Ballow Sr., son Joe C. Ballow Jr. (Donna), grandchildren Colby Anson Ballow, Tyler Leeman Hayes, Mallori Hudgins and Nicolas Hudgins, four
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Mr. John Edward Smith Mr. John Edward Smith of Prattville, Alabama passed Sunday, June 10, 2018 at Harper Center, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Funeral arrangement will be announced later by Wright’s Funeral Home.
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sisters Gail McDaniel (Stick), Brenda Marshall, Rita Payne (Tracey), Anita Henderson, brother Sidney Yates, half-brother Billy Ray Wall (Rita), half-sister Nancy Phillips, brother-in law Dennis Ballow (Helena) and a host of nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her daughter Vicki Lynn Webber, parents Alex and Christina Wall, step father Artis Yates, Brother in-law Jeff Ballow and sister in-law Rebecca Ballow. Memorials can be made to Outlookers Outreach Center. Usrey Funeral Home Talladega will direct service. Online condolences can be made to www.usreyfuneralhome. com
Ms. Charlene Westbrooks Funeral service for Ms. Charlene Westbrooks 76 of Alexander City, AL; 11 a.m. Friday, June 15, 2018, Early Rose Baptist Church, Alexander City, AL. Burial, Alexander City Cemetery, Alexander City, Alabama. Visitation: Thursday, June 14 at funeral home, 1-7 p.m. Armour’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Christopher Kelly Mr. Christopher Kelly of Sylacauga, Alabama passed away Friday, June 8, 2018 at Grandview Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama. Funeral arrangement will be announced later by Wright’s Funeral Home.
HOW TO SUBMIT OBITUARIES Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by email at obits@ alexcityoutlook.com For more information, call (256) 234-4281.
Derek Simmons Funeral service for Derek Simmons 49 of Virginia Beach, VA; 2 p.m.; Wednesday, June 13, 2018; Hatchett Springs Baptist Church, Goodwater, AL. Burial in church cemetery. Visitation at funeral home Tuesday, June 12, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. Armour’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Robert Samuel Russell Funeral service for Mr. Robert Samuel Russell 88 of Alexander city, AL; Thursday, June 14, 2018; 11AM, Haven United Methodist Church, Alexander City, AL. burial, Armour’s Memorial Garden, Alexander City, AL. Visitation at funeral home: Wednesday, June 14, public viewing 1-7pm; family gathering 6-7pm Armour’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Registration form using the Registration Gateway at https://registration.alex.k12.al.us. Along with this registration, parents will be required to come by the school during the special summer office hours to drop off documentation needed to complete the enrollment process. These documents include the photo ID of the parent or
Anniversary
continued from page 1
guardian, the student’s Social Security card, the student’s birth certificate, proof of residency within the limits of the Alexander City school system (a utility bill, cable bill or a rental/lease agreement will suffice for this) and the most up-todate Blue Immunization record. If a student is not old enough to have been
immunized at the time of registration, parents are required to bring the record in once the inoculations have been received. The special summer office hours at Jim Pearson are 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, though the office will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to noon for lunch.
For students who have attended Jim Pearson in previous school years, parents will need to fill out the forms at https:// update.alex.k12.al.us. Unless a student’s residence has changed, or if there other papers to add to the file, such as custody documents, parents will not be required to come to the school.
Commissioners
continued from page 1
as a reminder of the event. “That is why I have got that picture, to remind me of the date,” Marty said. “It has been hanging in a closet or somewhere where I can get to it every year. “I am just as guilty about remembering the date as he is,” Derra said. “The actual date is the 18th. The couple chose Jazz Fest for an unusual wedding. “We wanted something different,” Marty said. “We wanted something a little weird,” Derra added. Rev. Kenneth Neely performed the ceremony that drew more and more eyes as the service went on. Today, the couple cannot recall who was on the stage. The couple explained they had only been to one other Jazz Fest since they married in 1993. “We were going to try come back every year but by then, we were both living in Wetumpka,” Derra said. “We came back and we hadn’t been there 10 minutes before it started pouring down rain. We left and went to a Mexican restaurant and O.J. Simpson was on T.V. being chased around in his Bronco.” As if holding their wedding at Jazz Fest was not weird enough, the Alexander City Sims’ story of how they got to be a couple, may be even better. “I was living in Wetumpka and he was
continued from page 1
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Twenty five years later, Marty and Derra Sims came back to Jazz Fest to celebrate their anniversary. The two were married at Jazz Fest in 1993 in Alexander City and had an article published in The Outlook, shown above, titled ‘Jazz wedding bells mingle.’
living in Alexander City,” Derra said. “We had known each other for years. I was married to someone else and divorced. He was married and divorced as well. And we were all friends.” “She was supposed to invite my ex-wife to a Halloween party,” Marty said. “That I was hosting in Wetumpka, but she didn’t answer her phone,” Derra continued. “I knew they had gotten a divorce. I was having a huge Halloween party and thought
McDaniel through jury selection Monday morning. The jury was selected in the early afternoon and the final 14-person panel included eight females and six males. Nine of the jurors are white and five are black. McDaniel appeared in court and sat at a table beside his defense team. He was clean shaven, wearing a light colored button-down shirt, khaki pants and had a newspaper tucked into the back of his waistband when he returned after a break. He took notes throughout the opening statements writing with his left hand using a red pen on a yellow legal pad. The first witnesses are expected to take the stand today at 9 a.m., but attorneys painted a picture of the case in opening statements. Chief Assistant District Attorney Michael Weldon laid out a road map for the jury, telling them what he thought the evidence and testimony would show. Weldon said he believed that evidence would show that Crayton and McDaniel were friends who had worked together, ate a meal together and went out drinking the same day of the shooting. He said autopsy results would show that Crayton was highly intoxicated and found cocaine in his system and that Crayton had been thrown out of a Highway 34 club that was known as Col. Tom’s Tavern at the time of the incident two times that same night. “But the last person other than Mr. McDaniel to see Norman Crayton alive is expected to testify that Mr. McDaniel had control of the truck that he was driving,” Weldon said. “His dog was between them and McDaniel had control of the .45 caliber pistol when they drove off.” Weldon told the jury about six spent shell casings that were found near a large pool of blood and that Crayton’s body had been dragged 88 feet away. Crayon was found with his pants around his ankles and it appeared that an attempt was made to set the body on fire, according to Weldon.
I would call her up and see if she wanted to meet some new guys. I had a date that night. I didn’t have anything planned.” That party invitation has created story after story for their 26 plus years together, 25 of which they have been married. “I was trying to get his ex-wife to meet some new blood and here I get the old blood,” Derra said. “It worked though. We have done good. It is amazing. We have all laughed about it since then.”
continued from page 1
“This is not a who-done-it,” Weldon said. “I submit to you that at the conclusion of the evidence that you will find that Clate McDaniel murdered Norman Crayton the dark, cold morning of Jan. 17, 2016. I would ask that you give Norman Crayton justice.” Whittelsey said that they don’t deny that McDaniel shot and killed Crayton, but said what Clate did that morning was justified. Whittelsey said McDaniel wrestled a gun Crayton had been pointing at him away and fled the truck. But Crayton came at him. “There’s not a whole lot more dangerous than a 6-2, 280-pound man on cocaine, with a .28 blood alcohol level, with a .45 caliber handgun that he had loaded and had already threatened people with,” Whittelsey said. “That’s what Clate was faced with. Clate did what he could do to stop him, but he was no match for Norman. He tried to get Norman calmed down, to try to save one’s self so to speak. But Norman got out and charged Clate.” Whittelsey told jurors that McDaniel fired one shot in the ground to warn Crayton. When that didn’t stop him he fired five more shots, two hitting Crayon in the left shoulder and arm and one hitting above the lip. Whittelsey said what happened after the shooting was hard to explain. “Clate’s behavior after the fact, I guess it was from a state of panic – I don’t know,” Whittelsey said. Despite what you just heard or what you may have read, there was no burned body. There was a burned shirt. There is no evidence that the body was burned. It’s a strange deal, I grant you. But it wasn’t burning the body.” Whittelsey told the jury that when they heard the whole story, they would feel that what happened in this case was not murder at all. “When all is said and done, I think you will see that Clate acted reasonably and in a manner consistent with the law as the judge is going to charge you,” Whittelsey said.
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“Then it will be your obligation to find Clate McDaniel not guilty.” The defense had requested a change of venue based on pre-trial publicity, so before opening statements, the jury selection involved a series of pointed questions to make sure a panel that didn’t have a lot of pre-conceived ideas about the case could be seated. “It is not going to be denied Clate shot Norman Crayton,” Whittelsey told the jury pool Monday morning. “It is going to be denied that he murdered or intentionally shot Crayton.” Whittelsey also asked the jury pool, “Does anyone believe it is not ever justified to fire a weapon at someone?” No one responded. There were about 80 in the jury pool. Nine said they were NRA members, two said they would favor the testimony of law enforcement of a lay witness, 14 acknowledged having known, doing business or accepting payments from McDaniel or his family, 50 acknowledge having read or heard about the case from gossip, Facebook, shop talk at work, friends and news reports. Two acknowledged having formed an opinion based on pretrial publicity from news, social media and such. Only 27 of the 80 acknowledged not owning a gun, rifle or long gun and 11 acknowledged knowing the Crayton, the deceased, or his family. Four said they displayed a weapon to get someone to leave their property. One acknowledged subscribing to the Outlook while two others had access to a subscription at work. One acknowledged reading about it Monday morning and someone else acknowledged seeing the headline but not reading the story Monday morning. No one responded to the question if pretrial publicity affected their opinion of the case. Three responded they would like to hear from the defendant if selected for the jury.
“I know this is something we have been working on for a long time and with the grant and now this, it looks like it is about to get done pretty quickly,” County Administrator Blake Beck said. “We have what I thought was a very good price and we are excited to see it moving forward.” The county traditionally has not participated in the Back To School Salkes Tax Holiday after consulting the Tallapoosa County School Board. The commissioners voted 5-0 to again pass on the special weekend that would give residents a tax break on items like clothes, books, school supplies and computers. The commissioners also approved a proclamation recognizing June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. “We are thankful to the commissioners for the proclamation,” said Brenda Floyd of the Department of Human Resources. “We feel like it helps bring awareness to the issue of abuse and neglect of the elderly.” Resident Lloyd Bryant also addressed the commissioners on an issue with rate changes for trash pickup. She said it appeared Advance Disposal had raised the rates without giving the proper notice that is required in its contract with the county. She asked the commissioners to check on it because it was an issue that could impact people of fixed incomes. The commissioners also: • Approved minutes of May 14 meeting. • Approved warrants and purchase orders. • Approved a special retail liquor license for Creekside Lodge more than 30 days alcohol license. • Approved insolvents, errors and litigations to clear up all residual issues following the property tax auction and sale. • Approved appointment of Ann Freeman to the Horseshoe Bend Regional Library Board. • Approved appointment of Blake Beck and Al Jones to the Lake Martin Industrial Development Authority. • Approved the appointment of Wayne Reaves to fill the vacated position on the Jacksons Gap Water Authority Board. • Approved a resolution authorizing beginning procurement process for professional services related to a CDBG application that will be used to get water service to residents in a part of the Barron’s Bridge Road community. • Approved posting of 15 mph speed limit on Ice Plant Road. County Engineer David Moore said the road had several bad curves and limited sight lines.
Opinion
MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213 editor@alexcityoutlook.com
EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed
Page 4
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“W Community
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hen you read the opinion page of this newspaper, we hope there is something here that makes you think. We know you won’t always agree with what is written and there are probably times you think the commentary here is out of step with the way most in our community feels. While we strive to be representative of the community we serve, we here at Tallapoosa Publishers sometimes think we have our fingers on the pulse of the area we serve, only to find we have been hearing the bass thump of the loudest voice rather than the silent majority. That’s where you can help. We are looking for people who have an opinion. We are seeking people who are connected, residents with a cause and a perspective on what is happening here in our community. We are looking for people who can put their opinions into words and help us make this community think. The Outlook is seeking community columnists to help add a local feel and flavor to the content here on our editorial page. We are hoping to find people who can submit guest columns of 600 words or less. We want columns that will touch on a topic or issue in an effort to inform the community. We are also seeking people who would be willing to write a weekly piece from area communities like Jacksons Gap, New Site, Daviston and Dadeville. We have a handful of great folks who write for us, but we want more. We need your voices in the paper. We are not seeking to push any one agenda or bang the drum of a political campaign. Instead, we hope some of the insightful residents who call our area home will share their knowledge and wisdom in an effort to make us all smarter. If you are interested in being a community columnist or submitting a column for consideration, please contact our editor Mitch Sneed at 256-234-4281 ext. 213 or by email at editor@alexcityoutlook.com. Our goal is to further this page’s role as a public forum for local ideas and perspectives and we feel you can help us with that mission.
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.
Kay Ivey
Steve Marshall was appointed Alabama’s 50th Attorney General. He was appointed in 2017 and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement officer. He can be reached at 334242-7300, and his office is located at 501 Steve Marshall Washington Avenue, Montgomery. Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256392-2006 or by email at tughd81@ gmail.com. His office is located at 110 Calhoun Street, Suite 108, Alexander City. Tom Whatley represents the 27th District covering Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa County. He was elected to the Alabama Senate on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334-242-t7865. His office is located
at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.
Mark Tuggle
Tom Whatley
ho am I?” We are all, at some point, faced with this question. Some, more than others, have a considerably difficult time determining an answer (see Hugh Jackman’s character struggle with this question in “Les Misérables”). Although typically reserved for personal wrestling, this is a question Alabamians should be asking regularly, albeit in a different form, about ourselves as a state. So, who are we, Alabama? There are many ways to tackle this question. We could look at how Alabamians spend their time and their money. We might watch what Alabamians get most excited about and analyze who we honor with monuments. We could also look towards the people we elect, those we choose to represent us, as a response to our collective “Who are we, Alabama?” As Alabamians, we love to define ourselves by our football, our faith and our white-sand beaches. Finding someone who defines Alabama by our elected officials is a tall task. Perhaps, however, it is these elected officials, not our sports, faith or vacation spots, that most accurately reflect who we truly are as a state. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who guided the U.S. through much of World War II, reminded an Ohio crowd in 1938 “that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us.” His words are true in Alabama today. We don’t want to admit that, though. Our government is ourselves? Perhaps we might agree on a philosophical level we are “the ultimate rulers of our democracy” as FDR continued in that 1938 speech, but to
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
The
Our elected officials are a mirror of ourselves
Our
Governor Kay Ivey represents the state of Alabama and its 67 counties. She was sworn into office on April 10, 2017, and can be reached at 334-242-7100. Her office is located at the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.
Outlook
PARKER SNIDER Columnist say that our elected officials exemplify our true values, attitudes, and manner of living on a personal level can be a hard pill to swallow. Montgomery and a few city halls, some say, are “swamps” that don’t reflect Alabama accurately. I’m confident, however, that these “swamps” and the elected officials who govern there are not outliers — they are, in fact, a very real mirror of ourselves. Much of what happens in these “swamps” is indeed positive and healthy reform. The Alabama Legislature, for example, passed a bill this session that eases the burdens of moving to our state for military members and their families. Here, we see a clear reflection of Alabamians’ patriotism and support for our military. We also saw a decrease in the income tax rate for many lower-income families pass this session, a reflection of Alabamians’ support of smaller government. Many of our elected officials are honorable public servants, just as most Alabamians are genuinely kind, caring and moral people. We all, however, (I am no exception) have some blind spots — some less positive attributes — our elected officials publicly display. For example, some elected officials say one thing and do another. Do we not regularly fail to keep our promises? Alabama is, in fact, the ninth most likely state for people to break their marriage vows. Additionally, some elected
officials have been caught misusing state funds and accepting bribes as they put morality on hold for their own purposes. Do Alabamians not sometimes also ignore immorality if the end is justified, especially if it is a political end? Furthermore, some elected officials tout their Christianity, their love for God and his commands, in ads and stump speeches only to later be revealed a hypocritical nominal Christian banking on evangelical support. Are Alabamians not, at times, just as hypocritical? Are we not the third most Christian state yet one of the first to reject refugee resettlement, even though the Bible clearly commands we love our neighbors and foreigners as ourselves? Our elected officials offer a rare opportunity for us to see ourselves as we are — our good and bad. Every four years or so, we break the old mirror and put up a new one, wondering if it’ll show us something different. It hasn’t. We haven’t changed. or grown in the areas we should. This election cycle, my hope is we will choose the best of Alabama to represent us as our elected officials. Perhaps, when paired with intentionally naming and confronting of our blind spots, we will soon be proud of our reflection. Parker Snider is policy relations manager for the Alabama Policy Institute (API). API is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit research and educational organization dedicated to strengthening free enterprise, defending limited government and championing strong families. Snider may be contacted by email at communications@ alabamapolicy.org or by calling 205-870-9900.
Today’s
Quote
“There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.” —Ansel Adams
Today’s
Scripture
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” —Psalm 46:10
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Trump probe: Too much law enforcement with too little to do
T
he pernicious Trump “collusion” probe is a stupid waste of money and an unnecessary national embarrassment that will backfire on Democrats. It is what the Russians wanted and they knew we would overreact. Dems took the bait. They want the verdict now and the trial later. The whole thing is a conspiracy in search of some facts. In reality, if you give the ex-FBI chief $15 million, a big all-Democrat donor staff, and all our laws-layered-upon-laws in America, they will get 90 percent of us on something. This is what should worry us all, Democrats included: Is this the legal system we want, one that indicts out of political vengeance with antiquated laws no one understands? All the indictments have been handed to Mueller by a grand jury from Washington, D.C. made up of folks like you see at your local bus stop, or at a Bernie Sanders rally, in a city that voted 91 percent for Hillary. Trump would fare better being judged by two of his former Miss USA winners whom he later said got fat. Once the group got outside of D.C., like with Virginia Judge T.S. Ellis III, Mueller got scolded for overreaching and was served a healthy dose of reality. It is what America is seeing with this investigation, not what “deep state” swamp dwellers with a pansy grand jury are producing. It seems the feds now are down to charging Trump with tearing tags off pillows or recording games without the express written consent of Major
RON HART Columnist League Baseball. Still, Trump needs to be careful. Punishment for him could range from one to 10 years in prison to being forced to get an age-appropriate haircut. This investigation is so bent on screwing Trump that Michael Cohen wrote them a personal check for $130,000 out of habit. Stormy Daniels is laughing all the way to the bank. She just introduced her new sex toy line called “Collusion.” Given that no one seems to know what the crime is and what Mueller is investigating, there would be no reason in the world for Trump to testify under oath. It would be a perjury trap, like the one the FBI set for Mike Flynn. You should never approach a mule from the rear, a bull from the front or a prosecutor with an agenda from any angle even if Mueller’s team looks like Laurel and Hardy pushing a piano up stairs. Or is it Yanny and Laurel? But if the crimes Manafort has been indicted for date back to 2006, why didn’t the Justice Department get him then? That is the real question. And an armed, pre-dawn raid of his office and of the home of Trump’s personal attorney, Michael Cohen, for a non-violent investigation should make us all scared of government. The FBI visited Manafort in March 2013 and July 2014; why not tell Trump that while he was running? Why plant a spy in the Trump campaign, when Hillary had more Russian connections and
emails stolen than Trump or the RNC? What we are learning is we have way too much law enforcement with too little to do. The “Broward Coward” sheriff’s deputy who didn’t even enter the Parkland school during the shooting just retired at age 54 with a $100,000-plus per year pension. Andrew McCabe, corrupt deep-state poster boy, gets to retire from the FBI at age 50 with millions in lifetime, taxpayer-paid benefits. Former FBI Director James Comey is currently on his selfaggrandizing cover-up tour. When he was fired he was in his $61 million, Gulfstream 550 private jet (or as it should be called, “Not United Air Lines”), flown out to L.A. for an FBI job fair. To recruit people for sixfigure unaccountable jobs from which you can retire after 20 years? This Mueller probe might actually be good. It exposes the “deep state” and the absurd cost we are paying for government bureaucrats. By weaponizing criminal law for political gain, this “Special Counsel” is about to spend $20 million to indict some guys who really harmed no one. With all this waste, it is no surprise we have a huge budget deficit. We just had to do a budget deal to avoid another “fiscal cliff.” When the political swamp rats in D.C. go over the next fiscal cliff, I hope the tide is out and there are lots of rocks below. Ron Hart is a libertarian op-ed humorist and awardwinning author. Contact him at Ron@RonaldHart.com or @ RonaldHart on Twitter.
The subscription rate is $136.00 per year in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties and $177.99 outside the area. Periodicals paid at Alexander City, AL. Newspapers are available at 100 news racks in our area at 75 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. We would love to deliver a paper to your door. Call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281, Ext. 204 or email david.kendrick@ alexcityoutlook.com.
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The Outlook
DOTS WITH DAD
This year we will celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday, June 17. The origins of Father’s Day go back to June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington. Each player takes a turn to draw a Sonora Dodd was the daughter of William Smart. Sonora’s Mother died line from one dot to another. When during childbirth, so Mr. Smart was a single Father to six children, as well a player completes a box, such as a Civil War veteran. Dodd was honored by her Father’s love, hard as the one below, he is allowed work, and dedication to raising his family alone, so she campaigned to another turn. If a player’s turn FUHDWH WKH ¿UVW )DWKHUœV 'D\ 7KH KROLGD\œV SRSXODULW\ FDXJKW RQ DQG LQ allows him to make several boxes 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson made the third Sunday in June an ofin a row, he can keep playing until ¿FLDO KROLGD\ 3UHVLGHQW 1L[RQ PDGH LW D SHUPDQHQW SDUW RI RXU &RXQWU\œV he cannot complete another box. annual festivities in 1977, and it has been observed and celebrated ever Initial each box you create. The since. The holiday now occurs every year on the third Sunday in June. It person with the most boxes wins. is a day that has been set aside to show the Fathers, Grandfathers, and other men in our lives how much we appreciate all that they have done Dad for us. Most people celebrate Father’s Day by giving their Dad a gift or card. Children make cards and presents for their Dads and treat them extra special that day.
DESIGN A TIE FOR DAD Did you know that neckties are the most popular gift given on Father’s Day? The United States sells millions and millions of ties each year! Design the perfect tie for your Dad or someone you love!
DAD’S GOLF MAZE
DAD’S DAY WORD FIND
HOW MANY WORDS CAN YOU SPELL FROM THE WORD: FATHER?
Adviser, Buddy, Caretaker, Coach, Dad, Disciplinarian, Father, Friend, Guide, Mentor, 1XUWXUHU 3DO Parent, Protector, Provider, Role Model, Teacher, Teammate
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Page 6
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CommunityCalendar Need Insurance? Call me.
Today is
June 12, 2018 Today’s Events
DELORES HYDOCK: Friends of the Dadeville Public Library are sponsoring a moment in history, “It’s the Little Things: Five small objects that shaped the world of the Dutch
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
The Outlook
Golden Age” with storyteller Delores Hydock at 12:30 p.m. at Red Ridge United Methodist Church located at the intersection of County Road 34 and Alabama Highway 49 just south of Dadeville. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Dadeville First United Methodist Church is hosting its last night of Vacation Bible School tonight from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
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/.
Today’s Birthdays
Jonathan Turner, Moulene Brown, Baxter Burke, Bryan Yates, Anthony Moe and Darrell Ware Sr. are celebrating their birthdays today.
Today’s Anniversaries
Jamie and Lisa Morgan celebrate their anniversary today.
Leanne Colley and Wyatt Jones found the final Sun Festival Medallion at Kerley Motor Company under a flower pot Saturday morning. Congratulations and thanks to all who participated in what was a great week of Sun Festival activities in Alex City.
256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
This week
WARREN’S APPLIANCE PARTS, LLC Johnnie Warren, Owner
MAJOR APPLIANCE PARTS! 1008 Hillabee Street Alex City, AL 35010
256.215.PART
(7278)
The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow
The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for Housekeeper. Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Shatia Carr (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 Email: Scarr@learning-tree.org
Need your business to
STAND OUT from the crowd?
Call us, we can help!
256.234.4281
• • • • •
Alexander City Outlook Dadeville Record Wetumpka Herald Eclectic Observer Tallassee Tribune
CAMP: Mt. Vernon Theatre in Tallassee is hosting a theatre camp for kids daily through June 14. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Wayside Baptist Church is hosting “Game On” Vacation Bible School nightly through June 14 from 5:20 to 8:15 p.m. VBS will have music, art, Bible study, recreation and lots of surprises. A free T-shirt is included. For more information, call 256-749-1102. Pickup will be available upon request. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Orr Street Baptist Church is hosting Vacation Bible School through June 14 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. each night. A meal will be served. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Lake Martin Baptist Church is hosting Vacation Bible school nightly through June 15 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The church is located on County Road 34 in Dadeville. RABIES WEEK: Many vet clinics in the area are offering $10 rabies vaccinations this week. In addition, Dr. John Caldwell will take his rabies vaccination services on the road June 16. He will be at the Daviston Fire Department from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. June 16 and from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. at Hall Propane in New Site. The $10 fee only covers the rabies vaccination.
Friday, June 15
CONCERT: Mean Mary will be in concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Sundilla Concert Series at the Auburn United Universalist Fellowship Hall. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.
Saturday, June 16
CHURCH SINGING: The First Presbyterian Church Choir is presenting its Annual Concert at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary at 371 Jefferson Street. This year’s program is entitled “The Elders Sing the Oldies,” featuring music from the ‘40s, ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. The guest artists will be former Alexander City residents, Brink and Brinkley Norton from Charleston, South Carolina. Admission is free. COMMUNITY CLEANUP: Clean Community Partnership is encouraging volunteers to meet at Broad Street Plaza at 8:30 a.m. Supplies and assignments will be provided to help clean up Alexander City’s roads. For questions, contact Jacob Meacham at 256-234-3461. YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT: Liberty Life Christian Center on S Street is hosting “You are What You Eat” at 6 p.m. The speaker is Charlene Stone and the pastor of Liberty Life Christian is Apostle W.T. Traylor. RABIES SERVICES ON THE ROAD: Dr. John Caldwell will take his rabies vaccination services on the road giving discounted $10 rabies vaccinations. Caldwell will be at the Daviston Fire Department from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. and at Hall Propane in New Site from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. The $10 fee only covers the rabies vaccination.
Thursday, June 21
SENIORX: Deborah Jones, SeniorRx coordinator will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce to see if seniors are eligible for assistance with diabetic supplies, liquid supplements or medications. DAY OF ACTION: The Lake Martin Area United Way Day of Action is from 8 a.m. to noon. The projects this year are at Benjamin Russell High School, Dadeville Elementary School and on Main Street. Interested volunteers can download a registration form from the Lake
Martin Area United Way website or contact Courtney Layfield at uw211@ unitedwaylakemartin.org or at 256329-3600.
Saturday, June 23
SAVE OUR YOUTH TOUR: The 2018 Save Our Youth Tour featuring special guest Amari Asad will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Cooper Recreational Center located at 625 MLK Jr. Blvd. in Alexander City. The theme is “teach, educate and motivate.” Admission is $20 and advance tickets are available. Vendor spaces are also available for $25. All ages are welcome to attend. For more information, call 256-496-4099. BENEFIT PROGRAM: New Canaan Missionary Baptist Church in Camp Hill is hosting a benefit program for Vikki and Porshia Doss at 5 p.m. It is hosted by the Star Wonders and pastor of New Canaan is Rev. Justin Freeman.
Sunday, June 24
FAMILY, FRIENDS and SINNERS PROGRAM: Corinth Baptist Church in Kellyton is hosting a Family, Friends and Sinners Night Program at 6 p.m. The guest minister will be Rev. Len Wilson, pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Goodwater. Rev. Jimmy Brooks Jr. is pastor of Corinth Baptist Church. FAMILY REUNION: The 101st Mann Family Reunion will be at 11 a.m. at Rocky Mount Primitive Baptist Church. All descendants of John Branch will gather for a covered dish lunch and fellowship. For more information call Judy Burgess at 256-216-6108.
Tuesday, June 26
USHER MEETING: The Early District Usher’s meeting will be at 5 p.m. at the Early Rose District Center.
June 28-30
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Hackneyville God’s House Church is hosting Vacation Bible School for all ages June 28-30. Thursday and Friday’s programs will be held nightly from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday’s programs will be from 3 to 6 p.m. with a commencement to follow. The church is located at 9234 Highway 63 North in Alexander City or downtown Hackneyville.
Saturday, June 30
GREAT OUTDOORS DAY: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a Great Outdoors Day. There will be Dutch oven demonstrations, boat rides, birds of prey programs along with archery and kayak training. There will also be a bounce house for children. A hiking tour and tips on camping will be demonstrated with a tour of an RV and boat. Park entry fees are charged at $5 for adults and $2 for children and seniors.
Sunday, July 1
CHURCH MEMORIAL: The Almighty God Baptist Church is hosting a church memorial service at 2:30 p.m. The guest minister will be Rev. Roosevelt Gregory of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Lorenzo Caldwell is the pastor of Almighty God Baptist Church. FIRST SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP: Duncan United Methodist Church is hosting First Sunday Fellowship starting July 1. There will be a meal filled with friendship, fellowship and lots of fun starting at 5 p.m. at the clubhouse adjoining the church. Rev. Wayne Hicks is the pastor.
July 15-17
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL:
Duncan United Methodist Church is hosting Vacation Bible School July 15-17 at 5 p.m. daily. The theme is “God First” and a closing ceremony will be Sunday, July 22 at 5 p.m. with a program presented by the children of activities, games and music they enjoyed. Rev. Wayne Hicks is pastor.
July 16-17
THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days July 16-17. Dumpsters will be located at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town Hall at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.
Sunday, July 22
VBS CLOSING CEREMONY: Duncan United Methodist Church is hosting a VBS closing ceremony at 5 p.m. with a program presented by the children of activities, games and music they enjoyed during the recent VBS program. Rev. Wayne Hicks is pastor.
August 3-4
CONFERENCE: The Mt. Vernon Theatre in Tallassee is hosting the LIFT Ministries Women’s Conference “Restoration” August 3-4. Tajuan McCarty will be the special guest speaker and there will be worship, fellowship and communing together in the name of Jesus. Tickets are currently available at liftministriesal.com/shop for $50 each and include seats for the two-day event, a T-shirt, notebook, movie, night of worship, light breakfast, refreshments and a catered lunch. Friday, doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the event beginning at 6 p.m. and movie following at 8 p.m. Saturday, doors open at 9 a.m. with coffee and donuts provided, the event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a worship rally to follow. Vendors may also purchase a ticket online for $70, which includes a general admission ticket as well as the vendor fee. Vendors may have tables set up for both days until the end of the night of worship. For more information, contact LiftMinistriesal@gmail.com
Saturday, August 11
GOSPEL SINGING: The Mt. Vernon Theatre in Tallassee is hosting a Gospel Homecoming at 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 25
SPEAKER: The Mt. Vernon Theatre in Tallassee is hosting Sean Dietrich.
October 15 - 16
THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days October 15-16. Dumpsters will be located at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town Hall at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.
Sunday, October 29
FALL FEST: First Baptist Church of Alexander City is hosting a Fall Fest from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Family Life Center. The public is invited.
THE MEADOWS ASSISTED LIVING
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SEE ME FOR INSURANCE
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Come Visit Us! Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing
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BIG “B” BAR-B-QUE “We Cook The Best BETTER!”
Hickory Grilled Meat BBQ • STEAK CHICKEN • CATFISH
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How to add a calendar item: Participate in your
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
By e-mailing your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or call 256-234-4281. _____ Send your news items to editor@alexcityoutlook.com
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Lake & River Phone (256) 277-4219 Fax (205) 669-4217 The Alexander City Outlook
Reaching more than 22,000 households in Tallapoosa and Elmore counties The Dadeville Record
classifieds@alexcityoutlook.com public.notices@alexcityoutlook.com classifieds@thewetumpkaherald.com public.notices@thewetumpkaherald.com
The Eclectic Observer
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The Outlook
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL Photos by Donald Campbell Becky Yarbrough Tucker from Yarbrough’s Educational Reptiles shows off reptiles at Mamie’s Place Children’s Library Monday afternoon. Area children enjoyed getting up close and personal with a variety of snakes, lizards, an alligator and other reptiles.
United Way preparing for annual Day of Action STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
The Lake Martin Area United Way will be holding its annual Day of Action event Thursday, June 21 from 8 a.m. until noon, working to clean
up around the county and improve the appearance of two area schools and downtown Alexander City. This year, teams of volunteers will be working at Benjamin Russell High School, Dadeville
Elementary School and the area around Main Street in Alexander City. While the group also usually schedules one of the schools in Coosa County for work on the Day of Action, the organization was unable
to take on projects at any of them due to school re-organizations. Over the course of the four-hour work session, volunteers will be taking on tasks like pressure washing, landscape cleanup, painting, and
overall general cleaning, among other items. Anyone wishing to volunteer can designate where they would like to work, or can volunteer for any available site. Those working at Benjamin Russell and Dadeville Elementary are asked to gather at the school, while those working on Main Street will meet at the United Way Conference Room. During the 2017 Day of Action, more than 200 people from Tallapoosa and Coosa counties were involved in the work, including a number of students enrolled at the schools receiving work. Last year, volunteers painted the hallways at Alexander City Middle School, cleared old wooden tables from
Stephens Elementary School and spruced up at both Horseshoe Bend School and Central Coosa Middle School. The United Way Day of Action is a worldwide effort each year to recognize volunteering as an essential part of the organization’s promise and engaging individuals in the community. At its core, Day of Action is an opportunity for members of the public to get more hands-on in the community. For more information about the Day of Action or to sign up to volunteer to be a part of the work on Day of Action, contact the Lake Martin Area United Way office at 256-329-3600 or via e-mail at uw211@ unitedwaylakemartin.org.
FREE CONSULTATIONS
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Tuesday, June 12, 2018
The Outlook
It was a full house for both nights of the twoday Jazz Fest. Crowds gathered Friday night at Strand Park to hear tunes from the New Devils, Jon Cleary and Hollis Brown. Saturday night’s round of music included Yonrico Scott, Roman Street and headliner Taylor Hicks who all played a highenergy show at The AMP on Lake Martin. Cliff Williams and Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Festival
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locations around Alexander City looking for the Pie in the Sky Treasure Hunt medallion every day, spending time visiting with residents at area nursing homes and taking part in a cornhole tournament. Making sure area children had plenty of excitement of their own, KidsFest offered up fun times with a magic show at Mamie’s Place, water slides at the airport pavilion and expressing their artistic talents, among other things. “Thursday night’s Strand Sessions was probably the largest crowd I’ve ever seen for a Strand Sessions event,” Collari said. “We had a great turnout for bingo Wednesday afternoon and Faith Night Wednesday evening. The glow golf tournament sold out again, and we had about 10 to 12 teams on the waiting list. There were about 40 dogs in the dog parade. Overall, I thought everything had a great turnout.” The fun continued Friday night in Strand Park with the first night of Jazz Fest followed by Saturday’s lineup at The AMP on Lake Martin. Crowds packed both venues to hear a host of top-notch musicians performing at no cost. “I would say it was a great success,” Robert Gunn with the Jazz Fest Committee said. “Friday and Saturday were both very well attended. People came out in numbers. Everything was great, and everyone seemed to be having a good time.” Along with people coming early and staying late to take in their favorite acts, Gunn said it has been great being able to pull in some of the artists Jazz Fest has in the past, but also amazing to have some Grammy award winning performers take the stage this year. Collari added it was great to see Hicks be patient with the fans after his performance with a fairly lengthy line of people wanting to meet him, shake his hand and get a photo with the fifth season “American Idol” winner. While he was backstage much of the time both nights, Gunn said he heard a multitude of positive remarks from those in the audience. “From my vantage point, I could see a lot of happy people in the crowd,” he said. “I can’t recall hearing anything negative from anyone either night.” Now that another Sun Festival is in the books, Collari said he and his staff will be taking some time to regroup before reviewing everything, figuring out the things that worked and those that didn’t in order to begin planning for next year’s event. “We want to find what we can do to make it better next year,” Collari said. “The initial feedback is dictated by attendance. Everybody seemed to be having a good time and enjoying themselves.” Gunn said he and the others in the Jazz Fest Committee will also be coming together for a post-event meeting in the near future to figure out the good and the bad from the event, as well as forming sub-committees to begin piecing together a plan for next year’s Jazz Fest. While the group does not book acts until around February, committee members will begin listening and compiling together a list of potential artists to look at booking soon. In the future, Collari said he feels having Sun Festival and Jazz Fest coincide might be the way to go, though this has not been set in stone at the moment. At the same time, he wanted to thank all those who helped make this past week such a phenomenal success. “I can’t thank our staff and the community enough,” Collari said. “We can’t do all that we do without our sponsors. People see this and think it’s a Chamber event, but really, it takes everyone. “We heard nothing but positive comments from everybody. We can’t thank the community enough for supporting this. This year was hugely successful.”
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LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
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Sports
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LUKE ROBINSON Columnist
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Outlook The
FOOTBALL LESSONS
T.O. will regret Bridge Builders teaches football not attending skills, life lessons HOF ceremony
T
errell Owens has always been an interesting guy — dynamic at times; shy at others. Sometimes it was indistinguishable if he was genuinely passionate, emotionally unstable or some uncommon hybrid of the two. He has been both an inspiring success story and the personification of a hard life lesson. At his recent induction into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, I had the pleasure of sitting with Owens at his designated table. We didn’t speak much directly, but he was affable and courteous to everyone seated. Still, there were some signs of the social awkwardness he can be famous for. Nothing rude. Nothing shocking. Just an opaque disconnection with the group despite the fact the entire table of 10 consisted of his family, business associates or fellow natives of Alex City like me. Why wouldn’t he be disconnected, though? T.O. built himself into an NFL legend despite long odds. His body still looks chiseled out of granite. His bank account has seen more commas than the rest of ours has combined. It’s probably difficult for him to relate to others no matter where we were all born. Owens is unique in every sense of the word. He trains differently than most, he socializes differently than many and he handles fame with his own, customized flare. He dances to the beat of his own drum; a drum he handcrafted and only he can play. Therefore, it should be no shock T.O. is declining the NFL’s invitation to his own Hall of Fame induction. In his predictably unpredictable way, this seems par for the course. Unfortunately, I bet he eventually regrets not attending. Owens has had so many accomplishments in his life. He is in the conversation when discussing greatest wide receivers of all time — of all time. He made one of the more famous catches in San Francisco 49er history. He played for some of the more iconic teams in professional sports. He was the lead story on SportsCenter for doing sit-ups in his driveway. Even though his team lost, he was the star of Super Bowl XXXIX because he completely dominated despite playing with a broken leg. T.O. has led an incredible life. There have been missteps and mistakes, no doubt. But Owens should be proud of himself. He deserves to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Instead of basking in that moment, though, Terrell Owens has decided he will spend that night somewhere other than Canton, Ohio. I don’t know if it’s some deep-seeded social anxiety, a grudge he holds against the NFL or if it is general apathy, but T.O. will one day wish he had not been absent for his own celebration. Let me be clear: Owens doesn’t “owe” football anything. The man paid his dues and worked his way to the top of the game. He could so much as swear off Tecmo Bowl forever and still be gridiron royalty. Induction into this exclusive club comes around only once, though. There’s not a do-over. Perhaps I am being selfish, but I want to see Terrell Owens walk onto that stage and stand next to his bronze bust. I want to hear his speech, to see that smile. It’d be a fantastic moment for him and for our community here. Sadly, it sounds like it won’t happen. Long term, a move like this one hurts only Owens, not the league. I hope he changes his mind about this decision. He deserves this moment in the sun even if he doesn’t know it. Luke Robinson is a regular columnist and contributor to Lake Martin Living and BMetro.
By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
When kids sign up for a football camp with Auburn players, they’re excited to hit the field and get to work. They want to soak up as much information as possible about the game and learn from talented players they watch on Saturday afternoons. Bridge Builders offered that and so much more this Saturday at the Sportplex. After several hours of running drills, learning fundamentals and even coming together for a scrimmage, the campers at Bridge Builders got to learn more than just football, though. The kids and instructors gathered in the Benjamin Russell locker room, and each Auburn player had the chance to teach the kids a life lesson. Linebacker T.D. Moultry talked about surrounding yourself with good friends, running back Malik Miller spoke about education keeping God first and linebacker K.J. Britt stressed the importance of working hard. “Work hard in the classroom, work hard on the field and work hard at home,” Britt said. First-year Benjamin Russell coach Kevin Smith reiterated all of those messages. Smith said there were 350,000 high school football players last year and only 5 percent
Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook
Benjamin Russell’s Za Stowes, far left, throws up a ball to youngsters at Saturday’s Bridge Builders youth football camp.
of them went on to play college ball. “All these guys sitting right here before you, these guys are special people,” Smith said. “My point is, you guys need to work your tail off. If you think you want to play at this level, you gotta do more work than 95 percent of all the other people that are playing ball.” Smith also stressed the importance of getting an education because without that, the dream of becoming a college football player can be easily wiped out. Finally, Benjamin Russell graduate and Auburn alumni Michael Goggans spoke to
the campers. Goggans has been with the Bridge Builders camp for four years and helps with the football side of things. “The biggest thing you gotta do right now is stay focused, make good decisions and do things the right way,” Goggans said. “Separate yourself from any kind of negativity and have a good attitude. You can be a great athlete, but if your attitude is bad, the coach isn’t gonna want to deal with you.” The Sportplex will play host to a second Bridge Builders camp on June 23 from 8 a.m. to noon. The cost is $10.
Alex City 6U takes third at pre-area tourney nine innings and struck out a staggering 23 batters. Price fanned five batters in three innings, and Trapp threw one inning.
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Alexander City’s 6U All-Star softball team finished third at this weekend’s NSA pre-area tournament in Millbrook. The all-stars dominated both Chelsea and East Tuscaloosa, beating both, 16-6, but they were ultimately ousted by Chelsea, 15-14, in the final game. JaRyah Coleman was unstoppable, going 9-for-9 with two home runs and 11 RBIs. Allison Dean and Rhyleigh Ruffin also went a perfect 9-for9 and drove in five runs apiece. Dean smacked two home runs. Also staying perfect on the day was Kelsi Rogers, who went 8-for-8 with six RBIs, and Lee Ellen Shores, who was also 8-for-8 and plated three runs. Rylee Whetstone was all but perfect, finishing 6-for-7 and driving in eight runs. “The girls played excellent this weekend and all of us coaches and parents were extremely proud of them,” 6U coach Mike Nolen said.
New Site keeps the wins coming
For the second weekend in a row, New Site’s 10U All-
New Site’s T-ball team lights up the scoreboard
Spencer Main / The Outlook
Left: New Site’s Janie Ann Clark makes contact with the ball during the NSA area tournament over the weekend. Right: Alex City’s Madison Morgan sprints back to base during the 8U tournament.
Star softball team picked up a victory in a pre-area tournament, this time with a 4-0 day in Millbrook. The day started off with three huge victories, 10-3 against Dadeville; 13-6 over East Tuscaloosa; and 11-3 over host Millbrook. New Site then finished off the first-place win with a 6-0 shutout of Phenix City. Sophie Price was the top hitter for the 10U all-stars with four singles and four RBIs. Other multiple hitters included
Lily Moss (2 singles, 1 double, 1 RBI); Holland Gamble (1 single, 1 double, 3 RBIs); Marigrace Jones (2 singles, 2 RBIs); Marley Trapp (1 single, 1 triple, 2 RBIs); Paislee Greyce Sharpe (2 singles, 3 RBIs); and Rylee Jordan (1 single, 1 triple). Alisa Foreman and Jacey Johnson each had a single, while Gracie Deason plated four runs, Harper Hunter drove in two and Caralina Tidwell notched one RBI. Moss threw a team-leading
Despite New Site’s All-Star T-Ball team falling to Lineville Black on Thursday, both teams put on an offensive show with New Site ultimately losing, 38-30. Hunter Gordon led the way, slamming three home runs and two singles in five at-bats and driving in a staggering 12 RBIs. “Our team fought extremely hard,” New Site coach Blake Sherrer said. “The turning point of the game was when Lineville Black got us with a double play and a triple play in back-to-back innings. Something like that is so rare, it was amazing to watch even though it was outs counted against us.” New Site had several big hitters. In addition to Gordon’s perfect game, Carson Turner also went 5-for-5 with two doubles and six RBIs. Karson Smith finished 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles and four RBIs, and Harris Gamble drove in three runs on two singles and a double.
COME SAIL AWAY Photos by Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook Saturday, Dixie Sailing Club hosted its Intro to Sailing event, a free annual event that gives newcomers the opportunity to learn about sailing, participate in tipping drills then sail on Lake Martin. The club had more than 20 participants in this year’s event. Left, a Dixie Sailing Club member helps newbies get onto a boat during Saturday’s Intro to Sailing. Above, newcomers flocked to the lake after having proper training by DSC members.