OPINION: UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS ARE A HUMBLING SIGN
FRIDAY
THE WHAT’S UP? See all local events in the calendar, page 7.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 March 18, 2016 Vol. 124, No. 56 www.alexcityoutlook.com
WILDCATS AT THE BREAK Sports, Page 8.
Tree pollen causing sneezing, watery eyes By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Warmer weather brings out better conditions for tree pollens to circulate. The pollen in the area is predominantly tree pollens. The pollen count in Alexander City was 10.3 on the 12-point scale which can cause problems for persons with allergies.
Find yourself sneezing a bit more than normal over the last few days? To understand why, most of us need look no further than the hood of our vehicle and the yellow pollen that’s settled there. “Everyone can tell the pollen’s in the air,” said Mickie Jones, who heads the allergy department for Dr. Tony McLeod at Southern Head and Neck Surgery in Alexander City.
Jones said Thursday’s pollen count in Alexander City was 10.3 on the 12-point pollen scale, which can cause problems for persons with allergies. She said the predominant pollens in the air were cedar/juniper, elm and maple. “Of course, the warmer the air, the higher the pollen count,” Jones said. “On the other hand, if it rains or turns cooler, then the pollen count goes down.” Jones said that pollens and other allergens can cause a variety of symptoms, from the clas-
Opelika’s Fuller pens letters to board, ACHE
ACT II opens auditions for summer plays By BETSY ILER TPI Magazine Editor
Alexander City Theatre II (ACT II) this week announced auditions for a summer production of the classic dark comedy, Arsenic and Old Lace. Anyone interested in auditioning for the play can review the script at the Alexander City and Dadeville public libraries and at the Central Alabama Community College media center. The play, written by Joseph Kesselring, was made into a 1944 Frank Capra movie that starred Cary Grant, Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre. Bob Hope originally was cast in the lead role, but Cary Grant won the part when Hope wasn’t able to get a release
Attacks Burrow, consolidation process, touts Southern Union Cliff Williams / The Outlook
the
SPREAD LUCK Above, Lake Martin Area United Way director Sharon Fuller shakes the hand of Chapman’s Nursing Home resident Leldon Porch as volunteer Reagan Williams looks on. Fuller, Williams and her staff were visiting residents to give them a little something sweet. Porch has been a longtime donor to the organization. Left, wrapped cookies wait to be given out by United Way staff at Chapman’s Nursing Home.
See PLAYS • Page 3
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
486.42
Today’s
Weather
69 56 High
6
Low
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
The war of letters over the consolidation of Central Alabama Community College with Southern Union State Community College and Chattahoochee Valley Community College continued earlier this week with letters sent Tuesday by Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller to the trustees of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS), members of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) and the three top administrators of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Fuller’s letter to the ACCS Board of Trustees questions the ability of Susan Burrow, president of Central Alabama Community College who has also been named as president of the consolidated institution, and Alexander City’s Susan Foy, a member of the ACCS Board, to remain fair in decision-making related to the consolidation of CACC, Southern Union State Community College and Chattahoochee Valley Community College. “Dr. Susan Burrow has said on several See MERGER • Page 3
Horseshoe Bend FCCLA students qualify for nationals By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Reported on 3/17/16 @ 4 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
sic sneezing and watery eyes to headaches, rashes and swelling. Regardless of the symptoms, most folks who suffer from them seek relief. Jones said that over-the-counter antihistamines sometimes work, but people with more serious symptoms that antihistamines don’t counter need to see a doctor. “It’s hard to say what works for each individual,” said Jones. “Everyone’s different. The antihistamines usually help, but some people really need to See ALLERGIES • Page 3
Five Horseshoe Bend High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members have qualified for nationals at last week’s state convention. Two members nervously looking forward to the cross-country trek to the national convention in San Diego are Abby Hadaway and Nathan Wilson. The partners are taking their second place illustrated talk with them. “It will be my first national convention,” Hadaway said. “And my first plane ride.”
Wilson is also looking forward to the trip and presenting their project on dyslexia, something close to him. “I have dyslexia and want people to know about it,” Wilson said. Horseshoe Bend was close to having more make the trip to San Diego. “It was some of the closest scores I have ever seen,” HBHS FCCLA sponsor Felicia Williams said. “In some cases, the difference between second and third was .33 on a 100 point scale.” It is not the first time Horseshoe Bend students have been to nationals. See FCCLA • Page 3
Submitted / The Outlook
Horseshoe Bend High School’s FCCLA members won many individual and club awards at last week’s state FCCLA convention in Montgomery.
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Miracles from Heaven – PG Zootopia (3D) – PG Allegiant – PG-13 (The Divergent Series)
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Dad is disturbed by his ex’s revolving door relationships
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Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Kenneth Boone Publisher, Ext. 218 kenneth.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Accounting Angela Mullins Bookkeeping, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Mary Lyman Boone Bookkeeping marylyman.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Robert Hudson Sports Editor, Ext. 228 robert.hudson@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210
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david.granger@alexcityoutlook.com Mia Osborn Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 mia.osborn@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Kim Morse Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 kim.morse@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Guill Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.guill@alexcityoutlook.com Debbie DeWildt Advertising Sales, Ext. 214 debbie.dewildt@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Audra Spears Composing Department, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Alethia Russell Graphic Artist, Ext. 231 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The
(USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) The Outlook is published five times a week, Tuesday through Saturday mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.
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Friday, March 18, 2016
The Outlook
Ongoing Events SCHOOL REGISTRATION: Faith Christian Academy, a ministry of Faith Temple Church, is accepting applications for the 2016-2017 academic year for grades K3 and up. Applications may be obtained at the Church office at 425 Franklin Street (256-2346421). Tours of the school are available upon request. TAX FILING ASSISTANCE: Starting Jan. 25 there will be free tax and electronic tax filing assistance at Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama. IRS certified volunteers will provide free assistance to seniors over 60 with no income limit and those under age 60 with incomes less than $54,000.
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DEAR ABBY: I was in a six-year relationship with a woman. We shared a home and have a child together, whom I support. She has primary custody, and I provide financial support and exercise my visitations regularly. We broke up six months ago and she immediately moved a man into the house. Since they split up, she has done this again with a new person. I have moved on and am content being single and focusing on my career and parenting my son when he’s with me. Where I struggle is when these new men want to meet me. I don’t feel obligated to shake their hands, be polite and friendly or be a supportive, smiling face. I’m disturbed by the speed she moves into other relationships. I feel like it sets a bad example for my son
DEAR ABBY Advice
regardless of how “nice” these men are. There is no record of abuse, and I do believe my ex is a good mother, just maybe lonely and very dependent on having companionship. I understand life goes on and people move on, but at what point is this unhealthy? Am I wrong for not wanting to be friends with my ex and her new “guy friend” whenever she decides she should be accompanied for custody exchange? I refuse to speak to or acknowledge these men. I am not confrontational, but I literally have nothing to say. Any advice how to handle this
Obituaries
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DEAR ABBY: I’m sure there are many others who would like to know this: I’m trying to downsize. I have a World Book Encyclopedia set from the ‘70s, plus yearbooks I’d like to find a home for. My kids are gone and living on their
Mr. Joseph Michael “Big Mike” Mizzell, Sr. 1950-2016
Annie Gray
Funeral service for Mrs. Annie L. Gray of Alexander City, Alabama will be Saturday, March 19, 2016 at New Elam #2 Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at New Elam #2 Baptist Church Cemetery . Wright’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Joseph Michael “Big Mike” Mizzell, Sr. age 65, of Goodwater, passed away on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at his residence. He was born on November 4, 1950 in Goodwater, Alabama to Joseph E. Mizzell and Martha Gilliland Stuckey. He was a member of Goodwater Baptist Church. Mike was a simple man who loved to operate heavy equipment. He also loved to hunt and was an avid Auburn fan. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jennie Wren Hylemon Mizzell of Goodwater; mother, Martha Gilliland Stuckey of Goodwater; son, Mikey Mizzell of Alexander City; sister, Pat Mann (Bobby) of Goodwater; brother, Ed Mizzell (Gwen) of Birmingham; step-sister, Debra Adair of Birmingham; step-brother, Kenneth Stuckey of
David Tucker
Rev. David Tucker 64 of Alexander City, AL died on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at his home. Arrangements by Armour’s Memorial Services. Taxpayers will be assisted in the order they are registered. You need to bring last year’s tax return, photo ID Social Security Cards, W-2’s, 1099’s and SSA. If you have insurance through the government marketplace, bring your 1095-A. All employed taxpayers should bring a copy of their year end pay stub. Dates for VCCA are Jan. and Feb. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., March on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and April 1 to April 18 Mondays Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. VOLUNTEER: Southern Care Hospice is seeking volunteers. Please call Lizz Gillenwaters at 256-2341134 or 256-749-3717 for more information. WOMAN MEETING: Every first Sunday, Victory Temple Holiness Church hosts a woman’s meeting, at 237 Aster St. in Dadeville. Everyone is invited. The meeting starts at 2 p.m. READY TO WORK: Ready to Work is a FREE jobs skills training program
offered at Central Alabama Community College Career Center. Classes meet Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Completion of the program depends on the skill level of the individual. For more information contact Elaine Balint, instructor, at 256-2154496 (leave message) or ebalint@cacc.edu. OFFICE CAREERS: The Office Careers Technology program is funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and was created to help dislocated workers learn new employable skills. To qualify for the programs be a dislocated worker (layoff) or a low income family. Anyone interested in the classes should contact the Alexander City Career Center @ 256-215-4494 and ask about the WIOA program. Most all dislocated workers automatically qualify for financial assistance. The program is 52 weeks and is open entry/ open exit. Students learn at their own pace in a non-traditional classroom setting. Classes begin when students are approved and
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moving forward? -- FAKING SMILES DEAR FAKING SMILES: I subscribe to the philosophy that one can never have enough friends. You don’t have to approve of your ex’s boyfriends, but it is in your child’s best interest to maintain a relationship that approximates cordiality. It won’t hurt you to shake hands and be on a first-name basis with the men who occupy space in your son’s life even temporarily. When we can’t change something, sometimes we have to accept it -- and that’s what you would be wise to do.
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own, and the books haven’t been opened in years. I refuse to throw them in the recycling bin. Any ideas? -- JOY IN NEW YORK DEAR JOY: I did a quick search online to see what other people might be doing with their old encyclopedias. A solution popped up that might help you: Immigrants who are learning English as a second language may be able to use them if you offer them in a yard sale. A high school in your area might also be able to use them. 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.
Childersburg; grandchildren, Austin Mizzell and Maggie Mizzell; nieces, Tara Jospehson (Kris), Mallory Stuckey and Haley Adair; nephews, Brian Mann (Kelly), Matthew Mizzell (Jenny), Damian Adair and Madison Stuckey; great niece, Isabella Mann; great-nephews, Ian Josephson, Isaac Jospehson and Harris Mizzell. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph E. Mizzell and step-father, Ralph Stuckey. The family will have a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Goodwater Public Library, P.O. Box 140, Goodwater, AL 35072. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome. com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
they may leave when they receive any or all of the certificates offered. Classes are Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.--3:00 p.m. (with a lunch break). All textbooks and class materials are supplied. Certificates available are receptionist, inventory clerk, data entry clerk, administrative assistant, accounting office clerk, medical office clerk, legal office clerk. CELEBRATE RECOVERY: Celebrate Recovery is a Christcentered ministry designed to help hurting people. It is made up of regular folks who are on a journey toward wholeness; seeking recovery from life’s hurts, habits, and hang-ups. We meet every Monday at Vertical Point Church, 860 Airport Drive, Alex City. We begin with dinner at 5:45, followed by large group at 6:15 & small groups at 7:15. Childcare is provided. Everyone is welcome. For more info, call Mike at 256-496-4664. BEYOND TRANSFORMATIONS: Meetings every second Saturday. Have you been wanting to give back, work with youth, or be a part of a group that makes a difference? Please email iamtransforms@gmail. com or Call at 334-4406539. Donations of clothes, food, books, computers, school supplies. A building and donations are needed. AMERICAN LEGION: Post 339 in Cottage Grove is open every Friday night from 8 p.m. until with fried chicken and fish. Music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. SCV MEETING:The Sons of Confederate
Veterans meets every third Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at J.R.’s Sports Bar & Grill. Visitors are welcome. BIBLE STUDY: Come join the Auburn Woman’s Satellite Day Bible Study Fellowship. We’re currently registering ladies interested in studying Revelations. The course, study guides, seminars and lecture notes are free. This is interdenominational and open to all women at Parkway Baptist Church Holliday Hall, 766 East University Drive, Auburn. We meet on Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. We will love to have you there. Bible knowledge is not required. Come learn, share, and fellowship. For further information, contact Tricia at 334-546-1386. For further information on Bible Study Fellowship go to https://www.bsfinternational.org. AMATEUR RADIO CLUB: The Lake Martin Amateur Radio Club meets from 6 to 7 p.m. the second Thursday of every month at the Alexander City Airport Terminal Building with dinner and fellowship following at a local area restaurant. Amateur radio license exams are available after the meeting by prior arrangement. The club also meets on the air (Alabama Emergency Net Victor) on the first, third, fourth and fifth Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on the club sponsored K4YWE repeater at 145.33 mhz with the 146.96 repeater as backup. All interested can attend our meetings or contact Tim Mayfield K4CWL at 256329-1172 or John Phillips WI4P at 256-212-4063
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Friday, March 18, 2016
Allergies continued from page 1
be evaluated. They would need to make an appointment to see Dr. McLeod and then he would likely send them over to us in the allergy department. “We do allergy skin testing for inhalants like pollen, dust, mold and pet dander and blood tests for food allergens. We also do the immunotherapy through the weekly allergy injections. Of course, the weekly injections take a while to work. It’s not a quick fix.” Here are some facts about allergies: • Researchers think nasal allergies affect about 50 million people in the United States. • Allergies are increasing. They affect as many as 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children. • Allergic disease, including asthma, is the fifth leading chronic disease in the U.S. in people of all ages. It is the third most common chronic disease in children under 18 years old. • Allergic conditions are the most common health issues affecting children in the U.S. • In 2012, 11.1 million people were
diagnosed with allergic rhinitis. • People visit the emergency room about 200,000 times each year because of food allergies. Almost 10,000 people stay in the hospital each year because of food allergies. • The most common triggers for anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction, are medicines, food and insect stings. Medicines cause the most allergy related deaths. •African-Americans and the elderly have the most deadly reactions to medicines, food or unknown allergens. • Deadly reactions from venom are higher in older white men. Over the years, deadly drug reactions have increased a lot. • In 2010, Americans with nasal swelling spent about $17.5 billion on health costs. They have also lost more than 6 million work and school days and made 16 million visits to their doctor. • Food allergies cost about $25 billion each year.
Plays
continued from page 1
from his studio contract. The cast includes 14 parts, including 11 men and three women. Several of the men’s parts are small ones and would be perfect for cameo appearances, said ACT II president and the director of the play, Betsy Iler. The plot of Arsenic and Old Lace revolves around the home of the Brewster sisters, Abby and Martha, who have developed the very bad habit of ending the suffering of presumably lonely old gentlemen by serving them elderberry wine laced with arsenic. The sisters then tell their off-his-rocker nephew, who believes himself to be Teddy Roosevelt, that the men are victims of yellow fever and must be buried in the basement of their home, which he thinks is the Panama Canal. When a second nephew, Mortimer, finds a body in the aunts’ window seat, he assumes Teddy has murdered someone; then, a third nephew, the evil Jonathan, arrives unannounced with his creepy plastic surgeon accomplice, and
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“hand-picked by the Governor, legislators and/or outside lawyers who are controlling various actions of colleges.” • Questions the processes in which Burrow’s presidency of CACC was made permanent and she was eventually named as president over the consolidated CACC, Southern Union and Chattahoochee Valley. Fuller says the bill that repealed a policy that prevented interim presidents from being made permanent was “commonly referred to as ‘the Susan Burrow Bill.’” “It wasn’t commonly known to me as the Susan Burrow Bill,” said Burrow. • Calls the decision to consolidate the three schools “hasty,” and says there are “no facts to support” that the consolidation is in “the best interest of the ACCS, the affected community colleges and the general public.” • Says “in early February 2016, it became abundantly clear that the Chancellor (Mark Heinrich) and the board had accelerated the pace of consolidation and are pushing to have the process complete before the 2016-2017 academic year.” According to Burrow, the timeline for the process has not changed since it was first addressed. • Says there is no public record of Burrow’s appointment as president of the consolidated institution and that her role as lead of recent town hall meetings regarding the consolidation “appears to be a conflict of interest as she is currently the president of CACC, lives on Lake Martin and seems unable to separate her personal allegiance to give Southern Union and Chattahoochee Valley ‘a fair shake.’ She has stated at several town hall meetings that CACC should be the main campus since it is the central location of all the locations on one of her maps in the slide show.” At the Alexander City town hall, Burrow made no such statement, but did say that central location was Alexander City’s “biggest asset” as far as the possibilities for it being made the main campus. “If you look at the 11-county area the college will serve, Alexander City is much more central than the other campuses,” Burrow said. “I think that’s clearly its biggest asset.” On Tuesday, March 8, at the Opelika town hall on the consolidation, Fuller said “folks in Alex City (are) talking about a new administrative building on the Central Alabam campus.” But Ann Rye, president and CEO of the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, disputed that, saying the ACCS board was told nothing more than the Chamber could “bring them to the table with partners who can help them with any facilities they might need as part of the consolidation.”
occasions she would make the recommendation to the Chancellor on the location of the main campus as well as the name of the College,” Fuller wrote. “The Chancellor would then make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees and you would make the final decision. “This is not fair to Dr. Burrow, the Board or to Southern Union. As a citizen of Alexander City she cannot make an unbiased decision that will be good for all concerned. She, as well as Trustee Susan Foy, should recuse themselves from this process. I suggest an independent third party get involved and make a sound recommendation that will benefit current and future students, business, industry and institutions.” Fuller goes on to tout the financial situation of Southern Union relative to the other two institutions being merged as well as new jobs and capital investment that has come into the OpelikaAuburn area in the recent past. Al Thompson of Bay Minette, vice president of the ACCS trustees who is serving as the board’s spokesman in consolidation matters, said Thursday he saw no reason for Foy or any of the ACCS board members to recuse themselves. “There’s no reason that I would ask my fellow board member Susan Foy to recuse herself,” Thompson said. “She’s an important part of the board and I value her opinion just as I do the other members of the board. I also value the input of the staffs and of the presidents affected by this consolidation, so I want to hear what Dr. Burrow says also. “I’m not speaking for the rest of the board, but I want to hear all of the evidence, all of the facts and do what I believe is in the best interest of the system in the years ahead. I want to make the Alabama Community College System more effective for our citizens and ensure that we provide quality education, affordability and accessibility. That’s what we’re focused on. I’m going to do my best to keep the politics out of it and see to it that this consolidation is structured in the best interests of the system long term. Our system reaches masses of the average citizens of Alabama. I respect higher ed, but they can’t say that. It’s so critical that we fulfill our mission.” In a separate five-page letter sent to the 12 members of ACHE and the officials of the SACSCOC, Fuller outlines 14 issues about which he says community members have expressed concern. Among these issues, Fuller: • Questions the transfer of authority over the two-year college system from the State Board of Education to the ACCS trustees and the selection of the trustees, accusing the trustees of being
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“For the last 15 years we have had students qualify for nationals,” Williams said. Those students going to nationals will do a little more than just go to a convention. They will get to know a little about San Diego. “We are planning on going to the San Diego Zoo,” Williams said. “We also have a city tour planned that includes a World War II museum and the Hotel Coranado.” But to get to nationals, the FCCLA members need a little help from the community. “California is expensive,” Williams said. “It is going to cost about $1,300 a person to go. So we are seeking help.” Williams said to help, email her at fwilliams@tallapoosak12.org or call the school at 256-329-9110. At last week’s state convention the HBHS FCCLA garnered nine gold medals, six silver medals and one bronze and had one student serving as a state officer, Trent Meigs. Meigs has been serving as first vice president for the last year and helped with this year’s convention. “Beginning Thursday, we had the conference part of the convention,” Meigs said. As officers we did skits using Disney characters that correlate with the leadership and mission of FCCLA.” As a club, the students won the
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Alabama National Public Relations Award for newspaper articles, social media posts and television appearances. The club also won first for their Juvenile Diabetes Project and the Alabama National Families First Award for the balloon release in memory of teacher Crystal Morris. Austin Bowen and Kristina Cortez won silver medals for Focus on Children in the senior division and Mary Carol Rasbury won a silver for career investigation in the junior division. Shae Jones and Tyler Brown won a gold medal for promoting and publicizing FCCLA in the division, Sunny Phillips won a gold medal for Recycle and Redesign in the senior division, Meigs and Cheyenne Peepers won gold medals for life event planning, Kristal Cortez won a silver medal for Illustrated talk, Brittany East won a bronze medal for interpersonal communications, Abby Harding won a gold medal for interpersonal communications, Monea Brooks and Alyssa Gaither won silver medals for national programs in action, and Erica Bryan and Baylor Turner won gold medals for national programs in action. Austin Bowen is already looking forward to the next FCCLA state convention. “Next year, I hope to place first or second,” Bowen said. “I want to go to nationals.”
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they bring their own body, a certain Mr. Spenalzo, who will be cast in the production along with the speaking characters. Throughout it all, the Brewster home receives a series of neighborhood visitors, including several policemen, the local parson and his daughter, Elaine, who is Mortimer’s fiancé. “It’s a wonderful, funny script with some great parts, and we encourage anyone would like to help with the production – onstage or off – to stop by one of the libraries and review the script. You can watch the movie online for free at a number of sites, and then come to the auditions and try out or talk with us,” Iler said. Auditions will be held April 7 and 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and April 9 and 10 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lake Martin Area United Way Office at 21 Main St., Alexander City. The play will take place at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium on July 14, 15 and 17.
FCCLA
Merger
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Our
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Jobless rates in the Lake and River Region a humbling sign of progress
J
obless rates in the Lakes and Rivers Region are looking good. Elmore and Lee counties share the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 5.3 percent for January. In Tallapoosa County, the January unemployment rate was 6.2 percent, which is the same as the average for all of Alabama. For the state as a whole, January saw 19,000 new jobs created, which is the strongest January since 2008, before the Great Recession. In other words, more people have more jobs in Alabama than in a very long time. “We remain committed to lowering Alabama’s unemployment rate, but we are even more committed to making sure that every Alabamian who wants a job has the opportunity to have one,” said Gov. Robert Bentley. “… This month’s jobs numbers are showing some of the best growth we have seen in years and we are encouraged by the momentum.” It’s been a long, hard slog to get to this point. Many people still have not fully recovered from the economic downturn of the last decade. But most have, and the trend is still heading in the right direction. That’s the kind of communitywide good news that should make us all feel grateful.
W
Friday, March 18, 2016
Forever grateful for God’s plan
hen I left active duty army 10 years ago, I planned on being a stand-up comedian and nothing else. I had it all figured out. Those were my plans. Fortunately for me, God had other plans. The last 10 days paint a great picture of where He has led me. The first gig took place in Albany, Ga., or “All-benny” for those of you in the know. The event, a fundraiser called “Laugh for Literacy,” is the brainchild of the Family Literacy Connection. Before making the trip to South Georgia, I stopped at my bank and told the tellers over and over that I was going to speak at a literacy event. I continued telling them about the event as I pulled on the door three times to exit the building. The sign on the door clearly read “PUSH.” It was ironic to say the least. The next event took place in Tampa. It, too, was a fundraiser. This one was for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which provides college scholarships for the surviving children of fallen Special Operations Forces. It’s not very often that I work a comedy club, but this was indeed a special event with my brothers born to international mothers, The GIs of Comedy. My friend Joe flew me down to the show, because I had to be back the very
JODY FULLER Guest Columnist
next morning to speak at a conference at Auburn University. In the army, we call this a “turn and burn.” The best part of the whole day is that my mother flew with me. At 66 years old, she had vowed to never fly. Initially, she may have been a little nervous, but she conquered her fears and even has most of her fingers left. She’s a Bama fan, so my next objective is to get her to pull for Auburn. If I can get her to fly, I can get her to do anything. The conference was the Alabama Transition Conference, which was hosted by the Auburn Transition Leadership Institute (ATLI.) The mission of ATLI is to help youth and young adults with disabilities achieve successful integration into community life by providing continuous improvement resources to the systems, practitioners, and citizens who assist these young people with their transition to adulthood. There were educators and specialists from all over the state in attendance, not to mention speakers from all over the country. I gave the opening keynote
to a full house on Monday morning, which went well. I then gave a short talk to close out the conference on Tuesday. I think it went well for those who stayed around, but many of those in attendance left early. The only thing standing between them and the highway was a stuttering guy, so I don’t reckon I can blame them. Finally, on Saturday night, I performed in Lafayette at Lafayette Heights Baptist Church, which is where my cousins worship. I had a great time sharing my stories and got lots of laughs. The food and fellowship were second to none. I met some really wonderful people. When I was in basic training, my drill sergeant would often say, “You don’t run nothing but the two mile run and the buffer.” While that may not exactly be true today, I am glad that God is running things for me. If my plans had come to fruition, I might have had a good run in comedy, but I don’t think my life would be nearly as rewarding as it is now, and for that, I am forever grateful. Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller.com. For more information, please visit www.jodyfuller.com.
Today’s
Quote
“ To make us love our country, our country ought to be lovely.” –Edmund Burke
Today’s
Scripture “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.” – 1 John 1:8
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Officials Communication with elected officials is the key to good government. To let your most local representatives know how you feel about state or local matters, contact any of the following. Governor Robert Bentley represents the state of Alabama and its 67 counties. He was elected to office on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334242-7100. His office is located at the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.
Luther Strange
Robert Bentley
was elected Alabama’s 49th Attorney General first elected in 2010, and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement officer. He can be reached at 334242-7300, and his office is located at 501 Washington Avenue, Luther Strange Montgomery. Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256-392-2006 or by email at tughd81@ gmail.com. His office is located at 110 Mark Tuggle 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. Tom Whatley His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.
I
Sunshine Week is not just about journalists
was a 20-year-old cub reporter at The Birmingham News, but I was prepared. On every assignment I carried in my purse a copy of the state of Alabama open records and meeting laws. It shocked me how often I came across desk clerks that did not know what was public record and what wasn’t. I would explain the law to them and they would usually have to go get a supervisor. I may or may not have left with what I needed. Sometimes it took weeks to get the information. Later, when I got kicked out of meetings that shouldn’t have been secret, that piece of paper didn’t help me. It’s that way for many journalists, who, like me, have spent countless hours sitting outside in the hallways, intently listening through closed doors as elected and appointed officials hide truth from reporters, and in doing so, the public. I would like to say a lot has changed in my beloved home state of Alabama and the almost 25 years since, but it hasn’t. In fact, in many ways it has gotten worse. Alabama needs help. This week is Sunshine Week, a time when journalists everywhere will be perceived by the public as complaining about things we don’t have. But here is why this matters to everyone, not just journalists: An informed society is a better, more democratic society. Without all
MEREDITH CUMMINGS Guest Columnist
of the information, how can we make the best decisions? It’s time for Alabama to operate in the sunshine and not in the shadows. Reporters are here to serve the public. Journalism should give voice to the voiceless and tell stories that would otherwise remain untold. Wanting better open records laws is not idle curiosity. These laws allow citizens and journalists to access things like public safety records, criminal documents and matters that pose a threat to our communities. Journalism has gotten a lot of attention lately thanks to the Oscar-winning movie Spotlight, which accurately portrays the drudgery involved in unearthing documents and tracking down sources. But out of the spotlight, back in Alabama, things stay the same for reporters who routinely get put off by public information officers, have to pay exorbitant fees for copies of records that they are not allowed to take pictures of with their cell phone and have to wait a “reasonable” amount of time for records to be released. Who determines reasonable?
The people with the records. At the scene of a crime reporters are often told to wait to talk to the public information officer and are pressured not to interview detectives on the scene. And, according to our state’s severely-lacking open meetings laws, financial information from public bodies may or may not be open. These examples don’t even begin to cover what some public servants hide. Messages and information are becoming so managed that the public really doesn’t get the full story without some tenacious digging by reporters. Even with that push for transparency, reporters often come up short because of poor laws and red tape so thick it would make passing a budget in Congress seem like a birthday party. The Reporter’s Committee for Freedom of the Press compiles a guide for journalists regarding each state’s open government laws. The guide for Alabama is 56 pages. It takes 56 pages to explain what our state lawmakers have decided the public has the right to know. The truth would take far fewer words. By any measure, that’s extreme. Do better, Alabama. Meredith Cummings is president of the Alabama Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
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Today is
March 18, 2016 Today’s Events
MOVIE UNDER THE STARS: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a movie under the stars March 18 at 6 p.m.
WIZARD OF OZ: The Dadeville High School Drama program is presenting the Wizard of Oz March 18 at 7 p.m., March 19 at 7 p.m. and March 20 at 2 p.m. at the Dadeville High School Auditorium.
Today’s Anniversaries
Pat and Jim Minor, Dwight and Yolanda Russell and Fred and Kat
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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/. Milner are celebrating their anniversaries today.
Today’s Birthdays
John Coker, Lorenza Bailey, Joshua Harmon, Paul Turner, Neal Nicholson, Faith Baker, James Burton, Mary C. Jordan and Danny Rainwater are celebrating their birthdays today.
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Stephanie Kennedy helps her son Kingdom Smith, 7, color a St. Patrick cartoon supplied by Mamie’s Place Children’s Library Thursday as Kingdom was taking part in the spring break community lunch program at Stephens Elementary School. The lunch program continues today with pizza on the menu and Gospel Magic by Rev. J. Carl Kelly, Sr.
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March 14-18
LUNCH PROGRAM: Alexander City Schools Nutrition Program is serving free meals at Stephens Cafeteria for children from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. Adults can eat for $3. This is part of the community lunch program and not the free lunch program and is open to everyone. The theme of the week is leadership. Monday there will be a history presentation of Nathaniel H. Stephens School, Tuesday, DARE Program with Corporal Marcus Billiups, Wednesday, Mayor Charles Shaw, Thursday Adelia Russell Library, and Friday Gospel Magic by Rev. Carl Kelly, Sr. Menus are Monday, Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, English peas, wheat roll, and applesauce; Tuesday Hamburger, baked beans, oven fries and fruit cup; Wednesday Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, marinara sauce, steamed broccoli and fresh apple; Thursday, chicken sandwich, oven fries and fruit cup; Friday, pizza, corn and fresh orange. Every day a a vegetable bar with celery, carrots, tomato, lettuce and onion will be offered.
March 16-18
CHURCH REVIVAL: GAP Fellowship Church will host its spring revival March 16-18 at 7 p.m. nightly. Guest evangelists are Al Williams, Rev. Jason Whetstone and Rev. Troy Holley. Gap Fellowship is pastored by Lou and Marilyn Benson.
March 18-20
ANNUAL MINISTERS COUNCIL: The New Covenant Ministries of the World is hosting the Annual Minister Council of 2016 at Liberty Life Christian Center in Alexander City. Daily prayer at 9 a.m., worship and praise at 11:45 a.m. and nightly speakers at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
March 18
MOVIE UNDER THE STARS: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a movie under the stars March 18 at 6 p.m.
March 18-20
Small Space Advertising Works! call the
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WIZARD OF OZ: The Dadeville High School Drama program is presenting the Wizard of Oz March 18 at 7 p.m., March 19 at 7 p.m. and March 20 at 2 p.m. at the Dadeville High School Auditorium.
March 19
EGG HUNT: Wind Creek State Park will host an Easter Egg Hunt March 19 at 10 a.m. in the North Picnic area. There will be prize eggs. For ages under 2, 2 to 4 5 to 8 and 9 to 12. For more information call 256-329-
0845. PATH TRASH WALK: The March PATH Trash Walk is scheduled for Saturday March 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will be hosted by New Water Ministries which is located on Lake Martin at 460 Civitan Road (newwater.com).Volunteers can register on line or on site at New Water campus the day of the event. Volunteers will also be able to meet and register at Siggers grocery crossroads on Young Ferry Road where they will receive supplies and road assignments. At noon, all volunteers will be treated to lunch at New Water contact John Thompson at jthompson@lmra.info for more information. ANNIVERSARY OF HORSESHOE BEND BATTLE: There will be a special event commemorating the Anniversary of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. TRADE DAY: Bibb Graves School is hosting a trade day March 19 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. ELKS GOLF TOURNAMENT: The Alexander City Elks Lodge is hosting a golf tournament at Lakewinds Golf Club and seeking sponsors. All proceeds go toward Lodge events such as aide to Camp ASCCA and other community programs. Contact Bo Parks at 256-329-3954 or Lakewinds at 256-825-9860. COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT: Mt. Zion Baptist Church is hosting a community Easter egg hunt from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
March 19-20
SINGING: Family Worship Center is hosting a singing March 19 at 6 p.m. and March 20 at 10 a.m. with the Willing Vessels.
March 20
MEN AND WOMEN PROGRAM: New Adka Missionary Baptist Church will have its Men and Women program Sunday March 20 at 11 a.m. Edward Milner is pastor. PASTORS APPRECIATION: Rocky Mt. Baptist Church on Highway 22 East in Alexander City is hosting its 13th Pastors Appreciation for Rev. and Sister Al Lawson. Guest speaker will be Rev. Bobby Hargrove pastor of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church. EASTER CELEBRATION: New Site area churches will be hosting an Easter Celebration in the Park on March 20 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the New Site Town Hall. CANTATA: Comer Memorial Methodist Church is having an Easter Cantata March 20 at 11 a.m. GOSPEL SINGING: Miracle Missionary Baptist Church is hosting a Gospel Explosion and Praise Celebration March 20. Scheduled to appear are Tim
Rogers and The Fellas, The Shiloh Spirituals, The Southern Bells, Ruth Black and the Harmonettes, The New Joyful Sounds, N2 Christ and Gospel Exodus. Tickets are $25. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the program starts at 5 p.m. EASTER CANTATA: The sanctuary choir and members of the Orr Street Baptist Church invite everyone to their Easter Cantat Champion of Love at 6 p.m. A fellowship meal will follow.
March 23
EASTER PHOTOS: Sarrell Dental is sponsoring free Easter Bunny photographs March 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
March 24
MUSIC PROGRAM: Alexander City First United Methodist Church will present “At the Cross,� Holy Thursday music program March 24 at 6 p.m. It is a worship service built around the Lord’s supper with the sanctuary choir. MAUNDAY THURSDAY: Comer United Methodist Church is hosting a Maunday Thursday service March 24 at 6 p.m.
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March 24-25
LAST SUPPER: Flint Hill United Methodist Church will presenting a live and moving reenactment of Leonardo Di Vinci’s The Last Supper on Thursday March 24 and Friday March 25 at 6 p.m. Tickets will be available at Flint Hill UMC, from church members, Cloud Nine, Lake Martin Humane Society, The Coffee Corner and Lake Broadcasting. You will not be turned down if you do not have a ticket. For more information call 256-2345047.
256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com
March 25
TENNEBUE SERVICE: Comer Memorial Methodist is hosting a Tennebue Service March 25 at 7:30 p.m. CRUCIFIXION REENACTMENT: Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Highway 63 South will display a reenactment of the resurrection of Jesus Christ March 25 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., all day on March 26 and to noon on March 27.
March 26
FAMILY BINGO NIGHT: Bibb Graves School is hosting family bingo night March 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. ART WORKSHOP: The Artist Association of Central Alabama is hosting a watercolor bird on a branch workshop March 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Social Hall. Contact Dottie at 256-377-4918 to register.
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ROBERT HUDSON SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228
sports@alexcityoutlook.com
Page 8
Friday, March 18, 2016
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HORSESHOE BEND SNAGS A VICTORY Generals dominate Bulldogs for first area win of season, attention turns to Reeltown By ROBERT HUDSON Sports Editor
NEW SITE – Pitcher Blake Hudson struck out nine, and the Horseshoe Bend Generals took advantage of the LaFayette Bulldogs’ mistakes to cruise to a 14-1 home victory in five innings on Thursday. The win over the Bulldogs was Horseshoe Bend’s first area win of the season. Jason Johnson, head coach of Horseshoe Bend (4-11, 1-1 in Class 2A-Area 8), said the victory was muchneeded and that he saw improvement from his team at the plate. “We just needed a win, area win or not. It’s been a while since we had one,” Johnson said. “The biggest thing today was I wanted to see us have a little better approach at the plate, and I thought we did that. We made some adjustments this week to try and fix some of that. I also don’t think we had a defensive error all day, which makes me real happy because that’s where we’ve been struggling. Maybe we’re heading in the right direction.” The Generals put up two runs quickly in the bottom of the first with both Chandler Lewis and Hunter White scoring on passed balls. Horseshoe Bend added three more runs in the bottom half of the first, as Drew Harden scored on an infield single by Grant Taylor, Taylor scored on a fielder’s choice and Griffin Jackson scored on an infield hit by Jace Rodriguez. Lewis scored on a passed ball in the bottom of the second to make it 6-0, and Harden tripled with a hit to deep right field to bring in White and make it 7-0. Taylor doubled to bring Harden home and Luke Yarbrough hit a liner that was dropped, allowing Taylor to score and make it 9-0 in the bottom of the second frame. LaFayette got on the board in the top of the third as Zarion Moore scored on a sacrifice fly by Kentarious Harris to make it a 9-1 game. But Horseshoe Bend added on to the big lead in the bottom of the third, with both White and Bradley Mann scoring
on a double by Isac Holt and Harden scoring on a deep hit by Yarbrough to make it 12-1. A deep fly ball by Jackson drove in Taylor in the bottom of the third to put it at 13-1. Horseshoe Bend’s final run was in the bottom of the fourth, with Lewis scoring on a hit by Holt. Horseshoe Bend will return to play today with another area contest against the rival Reeltown Rebels at 4 p.m. in New Site. “We know what they’re going to do. We played them seven times last year and have played them once this year,” Johnson said. “They’ve got everybody back from last year, so we know what we’re going to get. It’s just a matter of us going out and taking care of ourselves by not beating ourselves.”
Robert Hudson / The Outlook
Above, Horseshoe Bend first baseman Bradley Mann tries to catch LaFayette’s Kentarious Harris stealing early in Thursday’s area contest in New Site. At left, Horseshoe Bend pitcher Blake Hudson releases a pitch during Thursday’s game. Hudson struck out nine LaFayette batters during Horseshoe Bend’s 14-1 victory. Horseshoe Bend will have a quick turnaround with another area contest at home today against the rival Reeltown Rebels at 4 p.m. in New Site.
Wildcats look to take winning momentum into second half of season By ROBERT HUDSON Sports Editor
The Benjamin Russell Wildcats returned home with a 9-1 victory on the road against Wetumpka on Wednesday. The Wildcats (12-3) were led by Neal Turner at the plate, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Tanner Barnett was 2-for-3 with a RBI, while Austin Elliott was 1-for-3 with a RBI, Sean Rape was 1-for-2 with a RBI and two runs scored, and Timmy Lawson was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a RBI. Richy Brooks, head coach of Benjamin Russell, said the Wildcats started slow in Wednesday’s win. “We scored our runs late. We were just off hitting a little bit early,” Brooks said. “We didn’t swing the bat terrible, we just didn’t stir it up and had some opportunities where we left some runners out there and that was kind of concerning early.” But Brooks said he was impressed with the defensive effort from his team, as well as pitcher Corley Woods, who pitched six innings, and gave up one earned run while striking out one. “Fortunately, we played pretty good defense. I think we made like one error the entire game,” Brooks said. “Corley threw and pitched six innings. It probably wasn’t his usual stellar self and he didn’t have as much command as he normally does. But we were able to get them out and started to put some good at-bats together later. We put some pressure on them, stole some bases and started pulling away in about the fifth through the seventh where we played good offense.” While the Wildcats are currently sitting at 12-3, Brooks said he and the team are well aware that they were sitting in a similar place last season at this point. But the result last year after a 13-3 start saw BRHS lose five of their next six before finishing the year 17-14. “We have discussed it. Last year, we were rolling along pretty good
Robert Hudson / Outlook File Photo
Benjamin Russell’s Austin Elliott pitches during a game earlier this season. Elliott has been a key reliever for the Wildcats early in the 2016 season.
and playing better than I anticipated,” Brooks said. “Now this bunch has had some injuries where we’re missing a couple of pitchers we were expecting to depend on for a lot of innings. We’ve had to throw some freshmen
out there that have done a good job and that’s probably going to help us in the long run if we can get everybody healthy again. But last year at this point, we regressed and didn’t get better. Last year we lost some tight games
and we didn’t handle the adversity of losing very well.” Brooks said he is hopeful that this weekend’s matchups against a pair of tough teams in Homewood and Mountain Brook will better prepare BRHS for the second half of the season and the remaining area slate. “That’s something that we’ve brought up. Especially in high school baseball, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish because we’ve still got area play coming up,” Brooks said. “This weekend we’re going to go up and play Homewood and Mountain Brook on Saturday that are going to be some really good teams to get us ready for area play. “This year, that point hasn’t come yet where they have had to face that adversity, so when it does we’ll see then what they’re going to do with it. That’s going to be a concern until we have shown we can handle it.” So far this season, Brooks said that Darius Jackson and Elliott have stepped up big pitching and hitting for the Wildcats. “I think Darius Jackson has played well offensively and pitching. We would like to see more consistency from Darius pitching because he has good stuff,” Brooks said. “He has all the ability in the world to be a good pitcher and the same with Austin Elliott. Austin is a hard thrower. So, we’ve just got to get some more consistency from both of them. They show flashes. Darius on offense has really been a pleasant surprise swinging the bat and Austin has swung the bat well, too.” But moving forward, Brooks said he wants to see some areas improve in base running and other areas on offense. “There’s times when our offense has been not too bad. We show flashes of being a pretty good offense,” Brooks said. “There’s some things that I’d like to do better with our baserunning and I’d like to see us bunt a little better. I’d like to see us use the short game a little more than we do because I think we’re going to have to.”