May 4, 2016 Wetumpka Herald by Tallapoosa Publishers

INSIDE TODAY State loses 100 years of seniority in Congress.

Experienced defense leads Indians in Spring drills.

Kickoff the summer early with local events!

Inside, Page 4

Sports, Page 11

Inside, Page 2

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

Wetumpka, AL 36092

50¢

WEDNESDAY • MAY 4, 2016

THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM

VOL. 118, NO.15

Council spars over hot issues

Newspaper announces new leaders Steve Baker named Herald’s publisher STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Steve Baker has been named publisher, president and C.E.O. of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Baker, 59, has headed five newspapers in his career, including most recently working as publisher of The York (Neb.) NewsTimes. He was formerly publisher of the Baker Pierre, S.D., Capital Journal and served as president of the South Dakota Newspaper Association. “I have worked in many different areas of newspapers in my 20-plus-year career,” Baker said. “These positions See PUBLISHER • Page 5

Carroll to serve as managing editor STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

William Carroll has been named managing editor of the Tallapoosa Publishers newspapers that serve Elmore County – The Wetumpka Herald, The Ta l l a s s e e Tribune and the Eclectic Observer. Carroll, 40, comes to the area after serving as managing editor of The Daily Carroll Times Leader in West Point, Mississippi. Carroll will lead a news team that was guided by the late Peggy Blackman and more recently John Peeler. “We are excited to welcome William to our team,” TPI Editor Mitch Sneed said.

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

A contentious city council meeting was held Monday night as District 2 Council Member Percy Gill pressed the mayor and city engineer for answers about the status of the development of the Dr. MLK Jr. Multicultural Center. Tensions came to a head at the conclusion of the nearly two-hour long meeting as several of Gill’s constituents and residents of District 2 spoke and accused the city of not taking See COUNCIL • Page 3

Corey Arwood / The Herald

Above, Stan Tew, president of Wetumpka’s Chapter 822 of the Experimental Aircraft Chapter Association, prepares for flight at the Young Eagle Event in his home-built red, white and blue Rans S-7. Below, a Young Eagle flyer in a simulator, built by a former local EAA member, Raymond Griffin, who passed away recently.

YOUNG EAGLES

Pilots fly kids over Wetumpka for airport, aviation education

Former Tallassee library director facing charges

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

Local pilots flew more than a hundred young people over Wetumpka and the surrounding area Saturday in an effort to inspire in them an appreciation for aviation and an understanding of the role airport systems play nationally. The only turbulence encountered at the 2016 Airport Appreciation Day was in the form of the previous day’s weather. But after a quick clean up of the grounds at the Wetumpka Municipal Airport where the Young Eagle Event had been set up the See AIRPLANE • Page 3

By MITCH SNEED Editor

Former Tallassee Community Library Director Sharon Kilpatrick has been indicted on two theft related charges and has a date in court set for Wednesday. See LIBRARY • Page 5

Tree planting ceremony held for well known local vet By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

A tree planting ceremony was held at a Wetumpka children’s home for a prominent Elmore County resident who founded Millbrook’s Ark Veterinary Clinic and was said to have been heavily involved in the community and a number of charitable groups. Family and friends of Robert Parker stood under the pavilion at Adullam House Tuesday morning and heard a 14-minute long audio recording he had made before his death March 25, in what was called a tragic farming accident.

See EDITOR • Page 5

In the recording, Parker, a well-known local veterinarian, spoke to his wife, Betsy Parker, along with his children, family and a number of friends and acquaintances. He gave advice, and spoke about his religious convictions in a brief testimonial. One such message of advice from Parker went, “Number one, people are more important than things.” And another, “I encourage you to enjoy life, live each day.” A plaque was placed at the sawtooth oak that was planted Corey Arwood / The Herald in honor of Parker and his wife Mary Parker, Betsy Parker and Thomas Parker pose for a photo near the See PLANTING • Page 3 tree planted in honor of Robert Parker.

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Page 2 • MAY 4, 2016

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Area Calendar

Obituaries Aaron Stephens

Aaron Michael Stephens, 27, of Eclectic, passed away April 27, 2016. He was born December 2, 1988. Graveside services were Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Watson Chapel Cemetery with Rev. Ken Keppel officiating, Linville Memorial Funeral Home directing. He is survived by his mother, Robin Stephens; father, Michael Hornsby; maternal grandmother, Loretta Stephens; paternal grandmother, Marie Hornsby; children, Dalton James Stephens and Kaitlyn Stephens; brother, Dyron Johnston; sisters, Jamie Kelly, Jessica Hornsby and Shainna Hornsby; and cousins, Jeremiah Stephens, Johnna Stephens, John Michael Stephens, Lauren Marie Stephens; Morgan Dew and Mike Hornsby. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, James Stephens Sr; paternal grandfather, Rogers Hornsby; and brother, James Stephens Jr. Online condolences at www. linvillememorial.com Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama

Steven Holley

Steven Wayne Holley, a resident of Wetumpka, Alabama died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, April 24, 2016, after an extended illness. He was born on February 22, 1963. Steve is survived by his mother, Linda Pike Holley; sisters Jamie Holley Taylor (Bruce), Anna Holley Morris (Avery), Mary Ann Holley Parker, and Deborah Holley Burdett (Marc); and fourteen nieces and nephews Sydney Parker, Gaylen Morris, Hayden Tadlock, Chris Taylor, Tryton Taylor, Spencer Morris, Sam Morris, Coby Taylor, Dawson Tadlock, Maddy Taylor, Shay Taylor, Shaun Taylor, Hannah Kate Burdett and Jacob Burdett. Steve was preceded in death by his father, James Darrell Holley; and grandparents Harvard and Silvie Pike of Pell City, and William Pratt and Dorothy Burns Holley of Birmingham. A graveside service was held at Cook Spring Baptist Church Cemetery in Pell City, Alabama on Sunday, May 1 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Benevolence Fund at Mulder Methodist Church in Wetumpka.

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

May

MUSEUM EXHIBIT: During the month of May, the Elmore County Museum’s exhibit will feature the nationally known Elmore County Band - fondly called “The Big Blue”. The exhibit is filled with yearbooks, pictures of the band beginning in the 1950s and running through the 70s, plaques, scrapbooks, and a video of the 2003 Big Blue reunion! There are some funny, FUNNY stories told on the video! Come by Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday between 10 a.m. & 3 p.m. and take a step back in time!

May 5

ART UNDER THE STARS: Wetumpka Elementary School is hosting Art Under the Stars May 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. CTE AWARDS BANQUET: The second annual Elmore County CTE Awards Banquet is Thursday, May 5 at 6 p.m. at the Wetumpka Civic Center. Faculty, staff and student honorees and their families will have a seated dinner with a keynote speech from Bobby Jon Drinkard prior to the awards. ALABAMA POWER SERVICE ORGANIZATION will host the Annual Relay for Life Hotdog Cookout. May 5 at 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Hotdogs, chips and dessert will be

$6 and an additional $1 for an extra hotdog. Contact Melinda Emfinger 334-2522969. TALLAWEKA BAPTIST CHURCH: May 5 marks the 65th anniversary of the National Day of Prayer. Friends and neighbors from across Tallassee representing many area churches have gathered for prayer on the first Thursday in May for years. This year’s National Day of Prayer event in Tallassee will be hosted for the twelfth consecutive year by Tallaweka Baptist Church. A light lunch will be served, beginning at 11:30 AM. The program will begin at noon. The event will be held in the fellowship hall of the church, located at 1419 Gilmer Avenue in Tallassee. Everyone is welcome to attend this special time of prayer. “Wake Up America” is the theme this year’s National Day of Prayer. Area ministers, in cooperation with the Tallassee Ministerial Alliance, will conduct the observance in Tallassee. Since it is a work day and many will come during their lunch hour, the program will conclude before 1 p.m. For more information about the local National Day of Prayer observance, please contact Tallaweka Baptist Church, 332-2832279, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m until noon.

May 7

CAMP STEW SALE: The Cedarwood Community Church will be holding a camp stew sale from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 7. The church will also be holding an indoor yard sale with many unique items. Included are a wheel chair, walker, hospital bed, dvd’s video games and lots of other items. Cedarwood is located at 10286 Highway 231 in the Wallsboro Community. All proceeds help to support the ongoing community ministries of the church. For more information please call the church office at 334-5670476.

May 9

BAND CONCERT: The Southeast Alabama Community Band will host a concert Monday, May 9 at 7 p.m. at Wetumpka High School. Musical director and conductor is James Smith and Director Emeritus is Dr. Johnny Long.

May 10

GOLF TOURNEY: Tallassee Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament will be held May 10 at Wynlakes Golf and Country Club Come join us for a fun day of lunch, golf and a chance to win bragging rights and CASH!

May 14

UNION REUNION: Union Academy, Dadeville, Class of 1974 is hosting a School Reunion BBQ: On Saturday, May 14th from 2 p.m. until at University Station RV, Hwy 14, Auburn. All students, faculty, their families and anyone associated with Union Academy are invited. Contact Eddie Hughes, 334-257-3826, hughesautoparts@centurytel.net; Priscilla Hammonds, 334-283-2233,steven505@ centurytel.net; Carolyn Hood, 334-319-3434, auburnhood@aol.com; or Genice Fuqua, 256-5081768, gfuquaret@gmail. com for more information. Assistance will be provided for those with mobility problems.

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May 19

AFTER HOURS: Chamber Business After Hours, Sunset Reception is set for Thursday, May 19 at Wind Creek Wetumpka, 100 River Oaks Drive, Wetumpka from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

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May 21

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PADDLE FOR A PURPOSE: Children’s Harbor Lake Martin Campus is hosting Paddle for a Purpose May 21 at 8:30 a.m. Registration fees are $35 for the mile race and $45 for the 3 and 6 mile race. This event is part of the SUP the South race series. Non-racers are welcome to watch.

MAY 23

Tallassee City Council meeting at City Hall from 6 p.m.-7 p.m.

May 28-29

ART ON THE LAKE: Children’s Harbor Lake Martin Campus is hosting Art on the Lake May 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and May 29 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Art on the Lake provides an opportunity for artists from all over the Southeast to showcase their art including canvas, jewelry, pottery and sculpture are available for purchase with a portion of the sale benefiting Children’s Harbor.

JUNE 7

Industrial Development Board meeting 1 Twin Creek Drive from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

JUNE 10-11

TALLASSEE NOW: Tallassee Now event is set for June 11 at Bell Park and J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium. ONGOING EVENTS TENNIS LESSONS: Grassroots Tennis Association will be offering (8) Weeks of Free Tennis Lessons this Summer throughout the rural and inner city underprivileged communities. A player can become a recipient of Free Tennis Lessons by contacting this organization before (May 27th, 2016) by calling (334-439-8198). SUMMER READING PROGRAM: Readers of all age will explore all thing sports and fitness this summer as Wetumpka Public Library presents “On Your Mark, Get Set, Read” during their summer library program. The 2016 Summer Library Program is open to young people, preschool, through young adult, with programs, prize drawings, story times and more. Preschool Story Time for infant through those entering kindergarten is on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. this is a year round program. Summer program for those entering first through sixth grade will meet Tuesday afternoon from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Wetumpka Civic Center beginning June 14 – July 26. The Teen Program for those entering seventh and up will meet Thursday afternoons beginning June 16 – July 28 in the Library for movies. Registration begins May 2, 2016. You may download a registration form from our website: www.wetumpkalibrary.com or come in for a copy. For more information you may call 334-567-1308. Find us on Facebook. All programs are free. SATURDAY NIGHT JAMBOREE: Every second and fourth Saturday of the month is the Highway 231 Saturday Night Jamboree at the Alabama League of the South Cultural Center Building at 12814 Highway 231 North in Wetumpka. There will be country, gospel, and rock and roll music in a good atmosphere. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be line dancing, no alcohol, no smoking and no charge. Donations accepted for upkeep of the building. Contact Ray Funderburk at R&R Music and things at 334-991-4682 or 224-8509804 with questions.

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Council

continued from page 1

adequate action to ensure the progress of the project. Gill had four items on the seven item agenda most of which erupted into argument with multiple members of the council. The work session took up the entire one-hour allotted to it from Gill’s request to the director of the city’s public works department, Tex Grier, that a construction schedule be created which would detail the future progress of the center. Gill said his concern was with the upcoming city elections the development might get shelved indefinitely if no concrete plan or actions were taken up by the city on the project, which has been in the works since 2015. “I’m personally really frustrated about this process,” said Gill. “We’re at a point that I’m really not comfortable that we’re going to get these projects completed.” He said he wanted to be able to give definite answers for the questions from the District 2 residents he represented. Mayor Jerry Willis began to move forward with the meeting, but Gill interjected saying he wanted to reach some conclusion from the talks. Grier said the progress was on schedule according to an illustration that was presented some months earlier at a city council meeting, which depicted various stages of the project’s development, as well as renderings of what the final result was planned to be. The city embarked on the project about three years ago as part of a roughly $6,000,000 joint effort to develop a sports complex and renovate the MLK JR. Center, along with completing several smaller capital investment projects like a pedestrian walking bridge. The next phase in the project is set to be the construction of a football field and soccer fields at the sports complex, Grier said. Gill said he wanted to know what could be done given the time constraints from upcoming elections as well as money left from the initial $6,000,000. There was approximately $645,000 said to be remaining from the total, which had gone to completed aspects of the project. That was the sum said to be remaining and available to direct to the MLK Jr. Center. However Grier said he estimated the expenditures from the development of the football field and soccer fields alone run up to around $700,000. Multiple residents, who were gathered in the council chambers, said that they thought the unfinished project was a direct result of favoritism showed to other projects the

city entered upon at the same time. They expressed feelings that the priority was given to the development of the sports complex center, which the city embarked on about three years ago as part of a roughly $6,000,000 joint project along with the development MLK JR. Center, and several smaller capital investment projects, like a pedestrian walking bridge. On multiple occasions it was said that the issue of the MLK JR. Center stemmed from racial disparities, and neglect of poorer and majority African American communities within the city. Lakerri Gill, sister to council member Percy Gill, and Yancey Mitchell, both of which were said to have been residents of District 2, expressed some opinions of the group. “You have to have money when you go there, your kids are hungry when you go there, it’s money, it takes money to sign them up for softball, you know parents don’t have that if you full time job of somebody your family backing you to get your child there “I paid $300 out of my pocket before my child was even on a softball team to be in the sports complex that’s there now the rec was free to us when I was younger the rec was free to us to go an play softball we need something for our youth not just black, white as well.” Mitchell asked when “Kids walking up and down the street they ain’t go nowhere to play ball no more all this is gone, they can’t come down there and pay money to play, now you say you gonna pay for people to play softball baseball down there at the complex, I’m gonna have you a line of em.” Also at the meeting, the five city council districts were approved for use in upcoming elections after recent rezoning efforts were stalled from incorrect mapping representations. The city suspended its rules to request permission to change contractors for the monitoring of landfill gas wells to Carmichael Engineering, Inc. at $480 semi-annually. A Federal Highway Administration grant was approved for repairs to the downtown areas of Green and Company streets. And a motion to pay $15,000 was approved for the engineering of the city’s portion of land at First Presbyterian Church, which was said to have caused flooding problems. Most other items proposed by Gill were set to be discussed at following city council meetings, except for the hiring of parks and recreation director, which was voted down.

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Airplane

Serving Lake Martin, Tallassee and the Surrounding Area continued from page 1

day before, Stan Tew said the rest of the day – and his own personal seven trips up – flew by with only mild winds, sunny skies and no problems. Up from last year, Tew said in all 133 youths 8 – 17 years old took the roughly 12- to 15-minute trip, a circuit toward Wetumpka and the Coosa River, up to the Jordan Dam, and then back to the city’s airport It was the first flight for four of the seven kids he flew in his twoseat home-built RANS S-7S, while two others had only flown in larger commercial airliners. Planes of different makes and models were taken up Saturday, some seating up to 7 and 18. Tew, a retired state employee, who has flown in over 50 Young

Eagle Events, said he always offered some of his passengers the chance to fly the plane. “I had a couple that did really well. One little (boy) said he’d been flying simulators on his computer,” said Tew, who has been with the Experimental Aircraft Association since 1998. “A couple that held the stick for just a (few) minutes and then said ok that’s enough … some kids like it, some don’t, some just want to look out the window.” They started out nervous but after a few minutes would get over what Tew said was the “initial thing about getting off the ground in a flying machine” which he said most found both thrilling and scary. Tew said there were even a few overly ambitious aviators in the making who tried to commandeer

the aircraft without his permission and one who talked so much he had to ask him to be quiet so he could focus on landing the plane. According to Tew, the EAA, the non-profit volunteer-based organization, was founded in 1992, and has conducted an annual Young Eagle Day event for going on 25 years. Tew said he would incorporate educational aspects into his flights also and he said he explained the hydroelectric dams of Lake Jordan. “I always try to bring in a little bit of geography,” Tew said. Tew said his goal was not to make his passengers pilots but to make them supporters of aviation and airport systems.

Planting made a statement shortly after the planting. “He loved the trees and it was a special time for him to be out on that farm,” said Betsy Parker. The chair of the Elmore County TREASURE Forest Association, Mike

MAY 4, 2016 • Page 3

continued from page 1

Hagen, directed the planting. The Wildlife Group’s Allen Deese, who said he routinely sold trees to Parker, donated the tree. Adullam House’s, Philip Powell said Parker let the boys at Adullam

House go out to his property to spend a day outdoors. The plaque at the tree reads, “This sawtooth oak in memory of Dr. Robert Parker, a man of faith, family, friends and forests.”

RODNEY GRIFFITH BROKER CELL: 334-207-0666 WEB: www.rodneygrif¿th.com EMAIL: rodneygrif¿th@windstream.net 78 ACRES off Lower Tuskegee Hwy., on Cleghorn Road, great hunting only, $135,000. TALLASSEE – McNEAL STREET, 2 bd/1 ba, close to national guard armory, $55,000. COMMERCIAL BUSINESS – Hwy. 229 in Red Hill (formerly Red Hill Cottage Restaurant), over 3000 sq. ft. on 3 ACRES, only $99,500. RIVER HILLS SUBDIVISION – 19 lots, great views of Lake Tallassee, underground utilities, sewage. Prices start at only $20,000. 4 SOLD – 19 remaining. W. PATTON – Brick, 3 bd/1 ba, new heat pump, hardwood floors, 2 lots, REDUCED $65,000. ECLECTIC – 5 acre lot on lake point road in eclectic, off highway 80 close to lake martin, modular home or double wides are ok if newer. Only $29000. BEAUTIFUL BRICK HOUSE in Plantation Pines, 4 bd/3.5 baths, 1.6 acre lot very modern and pretty, REDUCED TO $310,000. 3189 LITTLE ROAD – 4 bd/2ba., large lot, very modern, & pretty, only $215,000. 8 ACRES KENT RD – REDUCED SOLD TO $45,000. 27 ACRES CLAUDE RD. – $80,000. TALLASSEE GILMER AVE. – 3bd/2 ba next to DQ zoned commercial, REDUCED TO $110,000. TALLASSEE BRICK HOME – on 1 acre with a 2 acre fish pond, 3 bd, 2 ba , large den and kitchen, garage, large screened porch, heat pump, REDUCED FROM $159,000 TO $149,000. 8 more acres also adjacent to it. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY – 8 ACRES close to Walmart on Hwy 14, REDUCED $189,000. MULLINS STREET– Eclectic, 1991 Doublewide mobile home on flat acre lot 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, very private, $45,000. 548 PROSPECT ROAD ECLECTIC- Beautiful home on 4 ACRES, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, Very modern and private, Very close to lake Martin.$279,000.

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OPINION

Page 4 • MAY 4, 2016

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

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

The Herald strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and, above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

Your

Only the big bartender in the sky knows when next drink may be

Opinion

We can’t change history, but shouldn’t ignore it either

Dear Editor, I take issue with the recent letter by Bobby Mays. The speech by Secretary of State John Merrill at the Confederate Memorial Day celebration was spot on. Governor Bentley was wrong to remove the Confederate flags from the Confederate Monument. Perhaps the de facto Governor, Rebekah Mason, was responsible for making that decision. In all, four flags were removed. Three flags were flags of the Confederate States of America, and the fourth flag was the Confederate Battle Flag. The monument has been in place since 1898. These flags are an integral part of the monument. The flags represent history, not hate, despite what some people choose to believe. Those who have studied the events leading up to the Civil War acknowledge that slavery was not the cause. Rather, the economic oppression brought down upon the Southern States to placate the Northern financial interests was the cause. “States rights” was the issue then, and it is still an issue today. The abolition of slavery was a result of



the Civil War, but not the cause. President Abraham Lincoln is highly touted as some type of savior in history classes taught in our schools. A close examination of his actions reveals that this is definitely not the case. He specifically stated in his inaugural address that he had no intention of abolishing slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation was not issued until 1863, two years after the start of the Civil War. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued as a blow to the Confederacy to spur the North to victory. Lincoln was also particularly vindictive toward American Indians. I invite the interested reader to research the life of Lincoln. We cannot change history, and we must not ignore it. Removing any historic representations of our history is akin to the book burning carried out by the Nazis. The flags need to be replaced on the monument, and we need to respect our history as part of what has made America great. John Hazel Deatsville

YOUR VIEW

Want to share your opinion on a situation, topic, etc.?  WRITE: Your View, The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092  EMAIL: News@TheWetumpkaHerald.com Include your name, address and phone number. Only your name and city will be printed. We reserve the right to edit or to refuse to publish any submission. You may submit one letter per month, limited to 300 words or less.

334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE WETUMPKA HERALD (681-260) is published twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099. ISSN # 1536-688X. We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $.25 per word per paper. Additional $15 charge for a photo per paper. (Herald, Weekend, Observer, Tribune). •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a photo. SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes Wednesday & Saturday) One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $50 One Year Elsewhere: $75 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. ADMINISTRATION Steve Baker publisher@thewetumpkaherald.com William Carroll, managing editor william.carroll@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 306 SALES Jayne Carr, marketing consultant Jayne.Carr@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . .. .. Ext. 313 Molly Brethauer, marketing consultant molly.brethaur@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . Ext. 305

y moratorium on alcohol continues. The down and dirty of it is that due to personal issues, I was drinking way too much throughout most of last year. I was also eating way too much. On December 22, after a night of excess, I felt awful and had had enough. Two days later, I had a previously scheduled appointment at the VA, where I had a series of labs drawn. A few weeks later, my results came back. My cholesterol was high and my liver tests were slightly elevated due to alcohol consumption. I’d already made the decision to drastically alter my alcohol intake, but this was added incentive to do just that. I had a follow up three months later. I drank some after that decision but haven’t had any since February 8. I recently wrote about an incident where I thought I was ready for a beer. I’d been given a 12-pack of beer and was going to have just one but

JODY FULLER Guest Columnist

dropped the whole thing and that one bottle of beer that I intended to drink sacrificed itself for me. The other 11 are still in my refrigerator. Another time, I was at my buddy’s house for dinner. He was drinking a beer while standing over the grill. In the past few weeks, he’d asked if I wanted one, but I declined each time. This time he didn’t ask. I momentarily felt the urge to have one but didn’t stress about it. I had an angel on one shoulder telling me no and a devil on the other shoulder who was passed out and never said a word. The angel easily won. It was no contest. There are so many styles of microbrews, and I love them all except for porters and stouts. I simply cannot drink them. You’ll see

me wearing a Bama shirt before you see me drinking one of them. Last week, I went to a little restaurant around the corner from my hotel in Jersey City. They had great lunch specials for only $10, which included a beverage of choice. They had an extensive selection of beer on tap, but only three of them were marked for the special. After a few minutes of deliberation, I decided to go with the pale ale. The guy next to me had just ordered one, and it was a thing of beauty. Speaking of a thing of beauty, my bartender walked back over to tell me that the keg of pale ale was empty. The guy next to me had gotten the last pint, so I looked at the menu to see what my other two choices were. There were at least 30 beers on tap so they could have been any style, but they weren’t just any style; they were porter and stout and were going nowhere near my snout. My battle with beer is a lot like the war between North

and South Korea. Technically, they are still at war but have had a truce since 1953. I haven’t quit drinking, I’ve just had a truce since Feb. 8. Early last week, I got back my lab results from the VA. My cholesterol levels were good, and my liver tests were normal. I don’t know when I’ll have my next drink. It may be next week or it may be never, only the big bartender in the sky knows. He’s cut me off for now but is always there to listen. And before anyone gets upset about that analogy, just remember this; he turned water into wine. How cool is that? 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.

State lost 100 years of congressional seniority in one fell swoop

t this time of year Washington, D.C. is a beautiful place to visit. The city is aglow with the blooming of the cherry blossom trees. The cherry blossoms offer a glorious scene as you stroll down the mall and look toward our nation’s capital. This scene has been glimpsed by tourists and visitors for over a century. Each year the National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates a 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Japan to the United States. The current Cherry Blossom Festival has grown tremendously. It is now one of our nation’s greatest springtime celebrations. The first festival was held in 1927 and it has continued to grow over the years. The festival grew to two weeks beginning in 1944. In 2012, the festival expanded to five weeks to honor the 100-year anniversary of the gift of the trees. Over the years, millions have participated in the events and viewed the flowering cherry trees. Today more than 1.5 million people visit Washington to admire the blossoming cherry trees in our nation’s capital. Last April I spent several days walking the Potomac and enjoying the festival and cherry blossoms. It was indeed a magnificent sight. As I walked past the Jefferson Memorial and into the heart of the blossoms that surround the tidal basin, my mind wandered back in time and I began to think about the blossoming relationship that the gift of the trees signified between Japan and the U.S. In 1915, we reciprocated by giving the Japanese an equal number of dogwood trees. Little did we know that 24 years later the Japanese would attack us on a Sunday morning in December 1941. World War II was the most epic war in our nation’s history. Our nation

Inside the Statehouse By Steve Flowers united like no time in our history in response to the war. The World War II years and the two decades after the War was a magical time to serve in Congress. Many of the images we have of Congress were established during the decades of 1941-1961. Many of the legendary icons of congressional history reigned during this time. Congressional power was immense during those years and at the front and center of this pinnacle of power was our Alabama delegation. We were the most powerful state in the nation when it came to leadership and seniority. Our representatives and senators not only had power based on their seniority, they were also very well respected and erudite gentlemen. Gentlemen is the proper description because all ten members of our congressional delegation were men. Both senators and all eight of our congressmen were white male Democrats. If you look back to an early spring day in 1964, you would see a senatorial team from Alabama that was the envy of every state in the nation. Our senatorial duo of Lister Hill and John Sparkman was unparalleled. Strolling along the Potomac from Alabama at that time was an eight-member congressional delegation that boasted of over 120 years of seniority in Washington. These gentlemen were similar in backgrounds. It is as though they were born planning

their paths to Congress. Amazingly all eight graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law and were all attorneys by profession. On a Sunday afternoon in midApril you would likely see some of our delegation casually strolling by the Jefferson Memorial toward the tidal basin admiring the brilliant cherry blossoms in bloom. Among the group were the likes of George Andrews, George Grant, Albert Rains, Bob Jones, Carl Elliot, Armistead Seldon, Kenneth Roberts and George Huddleston. Little did they know that six months later their stellar congressional careers would be snuffed out by straight ticket republican voting in Alabama. The tidal wave that swept them out of office was spawned by Lyndon Johnson’s Civil Rights Act of 1964. White Southerners were so incensed that they voted not only for Goldwater but every other Republican on the ballot. All of our delegation voted against the Civil Rights Act. However, it did not matter. White southern voters took no prisoners. African Americans did not vote in 1964. Johnson passed the Voting Rights Act the next year in 1965. The only members of our delegation to survive the Goldwater landslide tidal wave were Bob Jones, Armistead Selden and George Andrews. If Hill or Sparkman had been on the ballot that year they would probably not have persevered the onslaught. Alabama lost over 100 years of seniority in one fell swoop. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

Letters to the Editor

Trump’s foreign policy fits those who suit him best Dear Editor, As I listened to Donald Trump’s “foreign policy” speech this week I was struck by a glaring contradiction in his praise of Ronald Reagan and the racist bigotry he espouses. Early in his speech he stated: “The Cold War lasted for decades but, guess what, we won and we won big. Democrats and Republicans working together got Mr. Gorbachev to heed the words of President Reagan, our great president, when he said, tear down this wall. History will not forget what he did… a very special man and president.” Trump was referring to the Berlin

Wall which for 30 years was the defining symbol of the Cold War, separating families and keeping people from jobs and opportunities in the west. Before the wall’s erection, 3.5 million people from East Germany and other Eastern Bloc nations circumvented emigration restrictions and defected to West Germany and other western European countries. The wall served to prevent the massive emigration and between 1961 and 1989, as thousands still attempted to reach the west, at least 171 people were killed trying to get over, under or around the wall. These were people who were

searching for freedom and a better way of life. Do you now see the irony? While praising Reagan for helping bring down the wall, he famously espouses building a wall on our southern border to prevent the entry of people, the vast majority of whom are simply searching for the same thing. Trump had no problem with removing barriers to the movement of white eastern Europeans but he would build a wall to keep out our brown-skinned Hispanic brothers and sisters. Michael E. Waters Elmore

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Library

Need CPAP?

continued from page 1

Court records indicate that Kilpatrick was arrested on March 3 on charges of second-degree theft of property and second-degree theft by deception. Following her arrest, Kilpatrick was released from the Tallapoosa County Jail after posting a $10,000 bond, records show. Tallassee Police Chief Jimmy Rodgers said the charges stem from an investigation following a 2014 audit that showed irregularities in expenditures at the library. “Originally, the state began the investigation and earlier this year they returned it to us,” Rodgers said. “Our investigation found that library funds were used for personal use and the indictments and charges are a result of those findings.” According to the indictment, “Sharon Kilpatrick, alias, whose true name is otherwise unknown to the Grand Jury, did knowingly obtain or exert unauthorized control over, lawful currency of the United States

Publisher

MAY 4, 2016 • Page 5

of America, and/or check, the exact denominations of which are otherwise unknown to the Grand Jury, a further description of which is otherwise unknown to the Grand Jury, the property of Tallassee Community Library, of a value in excess of $500 but which does not exceed two thousand five hundred dollars $2,500, with the intent to deprive the owner of said property.” Rodgers confirmed that Kilpatrick was no longer employed by the library. Kilpatrick now works at the Elmore County Museum in Wetumpka. Records show that Kilpatrick waived arraignment and entered a not guilty plea on April 1. Kilpatrick’s name appears on the plea docket for Wednesday’s hearings before Circuit Court Judge Steve Perryman. The trial date in the case is set for June 7 at the Tallapoosa County Courthouse in Dadeville. Attempts to reach Kilpatrick or her attorney Donald Harrison were unsuccessful Monday.

334-514-6183

Editor

continued from page 1

have helped me develop an understanding of how newspapers function and interact with the communities they serve.” “Steve is a highly qualified newspaper publisher who will bring a wealth of experience and new ideas to our company,” Boone said. “We share the same ideals and goals for Tallapoosa Publishers. I am stepping back from the day-to-day operation of TPI, but I will remain active in the management of the company.” Boone will continue to serve as owner and chairman of Tallapoosa Publishers and will contribute stories, columns and photographs for the company’s products. Baker and his wife, Kim, a licensed practical nurse, have a son, Kelly, and two grandchildren, Lucca and Laikyn. “Steve and Kim will be great additions to our community,” Boone said. “They are very civic-minded and genuinely nice people who have a desire to get involved here in the Lake Martin community.” Baker said he is looking forward to becoming a part of the community and continuing to help the company grow. “I am very excited to be part of the community and continue the good work Kenneth has started,” Baker said. Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., operates five newspapers: The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, The Wetumpka Herald, The Tallassee Tribune and The Eclectic Observer; three monthly magazines: Lake, Lake Martin Living and Elmore County Living; six web sites associated with the publications; a commercial web printing shop and Kenneth Boone Photography.

“He has a passion for community journalism and is excited about making our newspapers all they can be. “He brings a fresh perspective and experience in all facets of community news coverage and leadership and we feel confident that he will be a great fit for not only our newspapers, but the communities they serve as well.” Carroll, an avid historian, especially regarding Southern history, said he is excited to be in the community. “I have been here about a week now and I have already discovered quite a few interesting aspects of Elmore County that I think we will focus on in the near future,” he said. “I am really excited about this opportunity.” Carroll said he welcomes feedback from the community on ways to continue making all of the Tallapoosa Publishers newspapers better. “Community newspapers are often the life-

blood of the communities they serve,” he said. “My goal will be to make our area papers something our readers can be proud of and hopefully get our communities recognition statewide in the process.” Carroll added that he plans to be very active in the community. “I am looking at staying in Elmore County for quite some time,” he said. “I feel it is important for an editor to see and be seen in the community, so if someone sees me in the community I hope they will come up and introduce themselves, and tell me how we can better serve the area.” Carroll is a graduate of Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi and the Valparaiso University School of Law. His newspaper career includes stops at The Daily Star in Hammond, Louisiana, the BannerNews in Magnolia, Arkansas and the Spencer Magnet in Taylorsville, Kentucky.

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FAITH

Phone 334-567-7811 Fax 334-567-3284 News@TheWetumpkaHerald.com TheWetumpkaHerald.com

PAGE 6 • MAY 4, 2016

Visit our sister website: TallasseeTribune.com

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THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Sometimes you have to stop and acknowledge privilege G

reetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge! I hope this column finds everyone enjoying the arrival of May. National Day of Prayer and Cinco de Mayo share the calendar this year. That’s an interesting combination! I am a person of privilege and I know it. While it is certainly true that I am a white male and that a certain amount of privilege is afforded to me in our society and culture as a result, I am speaking of something else. The privilege I am speaking of has a great deal more bearing on my life than my gender or race. The first aspect of privilege I enjoy is that I was raised by loving parents. I cannot begin to tell anyone how blessed I am because of this. While I know I am not alone in this privilege, my

REV. JONATHAN YARBORO

First Presbyterian

heart breaks for those who do not share it. The second aspect of privilege I enjoy is knowing I am not that wonderful. All of my life, I have been supported, prayed for, empowered, and lifted up by people who believe in me. None of those people ever told me I was better than anyone else. They told me I was worth something and that I had gifts to share. The third aspect of privilege I enjoy is that I was raised in a city with a rich history of racial divide

and injustice. My family moved to Birmingham in 1969 in the wake of the atrocities connected to the Civil Rights Movement. I learned the true story from first hand witnesses. Connected to that is the privilege of coming up in the Birmingham Public School System during that time. Each year my class photos featured God’s rainbow of human diversity. I never knew I was supposed to see difference in skin color or heritage as a means for passing judgment. I am privileged to be married to an intelligent, creative, and beautiful woman. She has a heart for educating some others might think of as “less than”. I have watched my wife exercise her passion for connecting with children who struggle with mental ill-

ness or learning disorders. Aside from her taste in husbands, she is a pretty smart cookie! I am privileged to have two fabulous, outspoken, fun-loving, wise and smart daughters. Yes, there are days when I struggle to see the estrogen cloud of my house as a blessing, but God has a way of setting me straight. They teach me far more than I will ever be able to teach them. I am privileged to serve as a full time paid pastor in a time when the institution of the church is in decline. The immediate needs of the church could probably be met by a part-time pastor, but this congregation sees a larger responsibility to the community. I am allowed to focus most of my time and energy on serving God on several levels of community. Perhaps the greatest privilege

I enjoy is that I am thankful. I know I do not deserve any of the blessings I have been given. I also know these blessings are not for me alone. They are intended to be shared for the sake of God’s glory. Society and culture tells me I am privileged because I am male and white. This is true, but it does not paint an accurate picture. I am white and male because God made me that way. God surrounds me with people who appreciate and value the way God made everyone. They encourage and challenge me to see the world as God sees it. What a privilege. Rev. Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka

Religion Briefs • St. Vincent de Paul OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY is a service of St. Vincent de Paul Church and airs weekly from 8-8:30 a.m. on 580 WACQ and FM 101.1 in Tallassee. Listen Live on www.wacqra-

dio.com or the TuneIn app on your smartphone. The pastor of St. Vincent de Paul is Monsignor Charles Troncale. May 8 - Beyond Belief part 3 (Mike Schmitz) May 15- Building Better

Wetumpka Church of Christ 408 West Bridge Street

Jason Chesser Minister Sunday Prayer and Fellowship.......8:30 a.m. Bible Study.............9 a.m. Worship service...10 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study........7 p.m.

Visitors Welcome At All Services

Families part 1 (Matthew Kelly) May 22 - Building Better Families part 2 (Matthew Kelly) May 29 - Building Better Families part 3 (Matthew

Kelly) • Episcopal Church of the Epiphany On Sunday, May 1, at 10:30 a.m., Senior Warden Mike Harber will lead morn-

First Presbyterian Church

Harmony United Methodist Church 8000 Titus Road Titus, Ala.

100 W. Bridge St.

Sunday Services at 11 a.m.

Rev. Jonathan Yarboro

Minister Dr. John Brannon

Sunday School..9:45 am Morning Worship..11 am

There is Harmony at Harmony United Methodist Church!

567-8135 “In the name of the Lord Jesus – Welcome.”

Please join us.

Wallsboro United Wallsboro United Methodist Church Methodist Church

Mountain View Baptist Baptist Church Church

11066 U.S. 231, Wallsbooro 11066 U.S. 231, Wallsboro

Rev. Ryan Rev. Ryan Johnson Johnson Pastor

Pastor Rickey Luster,

Rickey Luster, MusicDirector Director Music

SundaySchool..........10:45 School....10:45 a.m. Sunday a.m. Morning Worship....9:30 a.m. Morning Worship........9:30 a.m. Children’s Church.... 9:30 a.m. Children’s Church.......9:30 a.m. Thur. Night Service....6:00 p.m. Wed. Night Service.....6:30 p.m. You will receive a warm You will receive a warm Welcome at this friendly, welcome at this friendly, Christ-centered Church. Christ-centered Church.

NURSERY PROVIDED PROVIDED FOR NURSERY FOR ALL SERVICES SERVICES ALL

ing prayer. There will be NO Sunday School that day. Coffee hour will follow the service in the Little House. For more information, visit the church website: http://epiphanytallassee.org/

567-4458 1025 Rifle Range Rd. 567-4458 1025 RiÀe Range Rd.

504 West West Osceola 504 OsceolaSt. St. 334-567-4729 334-567-4729

Anthony B. Counts, Pastor InterimWorship Pastor Leader Angie Gallups, Billy of Students AngieReinhardt, Gallups, Min. Worship Leader

Rev. Anthony Rhodes, Senior Pastor Rev. Anthony Rhodes Tammy Driver, Children’s Ministries Senior Pastor Sarah Swedenburg, Worship Ministries Tammy Student Driver:Ministries Derek Blankenship, Children's Director

Billy Reinhardt, Min. of Students SUNDAY Morning Worship.......10:30 SUNDAY School.............9:15 Sunday MorningChoir Worship............10:30 Youth ..................5:00 Evening Worship..........6:00 Sunday School.................9:15 WEDNESDAY Evening Worship..............6:00 Fellowship Meal............5:45 WEDNESDAY Preschool/Children’s Choirs.........................6:00 House of Prayer................6:00 House of Prayer............6:30 Preschool/Children’s Preschool/Children’s Missions............................6:00 Missions........................6:30 Youth Bible Youth BibleStudy.............6:00 Study.........6:30

SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY SERVICES a.m. Sunday School...........9:30 Sunday Worship.....10:30 School........9:30 a.m. a.m. Morning Morning Worship...10:30 a.m. Evening Worship.......6:00 p.m. Evening Worship.....6:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY SERVICES WEDNESDAY SERVICES Prayer Meeting...........6:00 p.m. Supper.....................5:30 p.m. Choir PrayerRehearsal.........6:00 Meeting........6:15 p.m. p.m. Calvary Youth.............6:00 p.m. Choir Practice..........7:00 p.m. Calvary Kids.............6:00 p.m.

CEDARWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH 10286 U.S. Hwy. 231 Wallsboro 567-0476 www.worshipcedarwood.org

Roger Olsen, Pastor Sunday Bible Study..........9:00 AM Sunday Worship.............10:00 AM We are a Congregational Christian Church which, in the name of Jesus, invites all to worship with us. Nursery Check out our Facebook page

Santuck Baptist Church

7250 Central Plank Road

“A Family of Families”

B.R. Johnson, Senior Pastor Larry Gore, Adm. & Counseling Randy Godfrey, Education Amy Pugh, Director of Children & Preschool Chad Middlebrooks, Students SUNDAY Sunday School............9 & 10:30 a.m. Worship........................9 & 10:30 a.m. Evening Celebration.................6 p.m. WEDNESDAY/FAMILY NIGHT Programs for every age 6:15 - 7:30 p.m.

Send your church news and happenings to: news@The Wetumpka Herald.com _________ JayneororShannon Molly CallCall Jayne at 567-7811 to advertise your church’s services in this space

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

MAY 4, 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ PAGE 7

Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day honors the woman or women in your life who have been there for you in your lifetime. A Mother can be biological, adopted, or even just a close friend. In the United States, the idea of Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day was created by a lady named Julia Ward Howe. Howe wrote the Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Proclamation which was a plea for the Civil War to be put to an end in the name of a MothHUÂśV 'D\ IRU 3HDFH 8QIRUWXQDWHO\ WKH LGHD ZDV QHYHU RIÂżFLDOO\ UHFRJQL]HG ,Q the late 1850â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Anna Jarvis promoted the idea of a Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day of Work to help improve sanitation conditions for American soldiers in military hospitals. 3UHVLGHQW :RRGURZ :LOVRQ GHFODUHG WKH ÂżUVW RIÂżFLDO 0RWKHUÂśV 'D\ LQ Many Nations followed suit, and Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, as we know it today, was born. The most popular Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day gift in the United States is roses. A simple handmade card, or even a special moment that you take to tell your Mother you love her, would make her day special.

Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Word Search

Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Crossword Momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Coupon Fill out a coupon with chores or favors that you will do for your Mom. When she is ready, she can redeem them!

Across Clues: 3. You could make this for Mom. 5. First person to suggest the Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day holiday. 6. You could pick these for Mom. $ GD\ WR KRQRU \RXU 0RWKHU Down Clues: 1. Breakfast in ___ is a nice treat you could do for your Mom. 2. Promoted better hospital conditions for soldiers. 7R EH D 0RP ZRPHQ KDYH ZKDW" 7. President who made Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 'D\ RIÂżFLDO 8. In which month does \ 0RWKHUÂśV 'D\ RFFXU"

Hidden Words: Amazing Beautiful Caring Cheerleader Dedicated Friend Generous Giving Kind Loving Patient Protective 6HOĂ&#x20AC;HVV Special Strong Supportive Survivor Talented Teacher Wise

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Color It!

Crossword Ans: Across: &DUG +RZH )ORZHUV 0RWKHUÂśV 'D\ Down: 0DWK $QV %HG -DUYLV &KLOGUHQ :LOVRQ 0D\

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Alexander City (Lake Martin) www.russellmedcenter.com RN ICU/Step-Down (FT/PRN) LPN/Clinic (FT) Athletic Trainer (ATC) RN Med/Surg (PRN) (FT) Medical Tech (MT)(PRN/FT) RN OB/PEDS (FT/PRN) Security Guard (PRN) RN Emergency Dept. (FT) RN Cath Lab (FT) Environmental Servs. (FT) Surgical Technologist (FT) RN (FT) Student Loan Reimbursement Program Director Environmental Servs. Sleep Lab Tech (RPSGT)

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The Wetumpka Herald

SPORTS

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

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TheWetumpkaHerald.com

MAY 4, 2016 • Page 11

EXPERIENCED DEFENSE LEADS INDIANS DURING SPRING DRILLS By CORY DIAZ The Wetumpka Herald

Editor’s note: The Wetumpka Herald is examining each coverage-area high school football team as spring practice kicks off. It’s no secret what the Wetumpka coaches expected when they first stepped foot on the practice field this spring. Returning 10 of 11 starters from last season’s first-round playoff team, the Indians defense was poised to lead, and so far they’ve delivered, head football coach Tim Perry said. The other side of the ball is where Perry and his offensive coaches will examine and evaluate the most. Running back tandem, rising junior Kavoisey Smoke and senior DeAndre Williams, bring experience, but the Tribe will have a new quarterback, a new crops of receivers and three offensive lineman to break in. WHS closes spring May 13 hosting Sidney Lanier at 5:30 p.m. Q: What is the main focus for your team this spring? Perry: The main focus for us as coaches is evaluation. Spring is one component of building a team for the upcoming season. The other is the offseason, where they get bigger, faster and stronger. We’re looking at young

men at their respective position, thinking as far as starter, as far as two-deep. This is also a time to move guys around and see if they can play on both sides on the ball. So it’s an opportunity for guys to compete for a position. They’ve given us great effort first two days. Q: Is the starting quarterback job rising junior DeAndre Ezell’s job to lose? Perry: No, he’s got a little bit of a leg up on the other quarterbacks from an experience standpoint being the back-up last year and started a couple of games last year. He has a better grasp of what we do. We’re coming in with an open mind at every position. We want to give every player as fair an evaluation as possible. All our quarterbacks (Ezell, David Arrington, Jadarious Martin, Trey Jones and Malik Johnson) are doing a great job. We’re throwing a lot of things at them, and our offense needs that particular person to make great decisions. Q: With 10 players returning, where can the defense improve? Perry: Very proud of how the defense has played so far. You expect them to be ahead of the offense, returning 10 of 11 starters. One of our defensive coaches said one area we need to improve upon is our third-down

Cory Diaz / The Herald

Wetumpka opened spring practice Friday, April 29. The Indians defense looks to be the driving force for the team this spring, with 10 returners, while the offense works through open competition at each position. The Tribe closes spring hosting Sidney Lanier for a jamboree May 13 at Hohenberg Field.

defense. We did a pretty good job against opponents first and second down, and we’d get what we wanted, a thirdand-long situation. Then the offense would convert. We need to finish that. Q: What’s the position/ unit battle to watch? Perry: There’s not one in particular. We’re excited about watching the guys

that worked so hard since January in the weight room. Just be able to watch them practice, coach them hard and see progress they made. Q: Who’s ready to lead the team this spring? Perry: I’m very proud of how all our guys have responded. Jay McDonald and Trent Holley continue to demonstrate leadership

and have stepped into that role. Kelton Elmore, a junior next year, I think he’s off to having a great spring at linebacker. He’s playing like we always believed he could play. Trey McCreary, defensive back, has had two good days of practice. Those guys are stepping up their leadership.

Stanhope shuts out Carroll, cruises to 2nd round By CORY DIAZ The Wetumpka Herald

Nathan Warlick believes Stanhope Elmore poses one of the toughest offensive threats in the state and the Mustangs put on a display in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs, shutting out Carroll-Ozark, 4-0, Saturday at FosheeHenderson Stadium. Stanhope (15-4-1) scored at least four goals for the ninth time this year, two in each half, en route to setting up a second-round rematch with Northview, who eliminated SEHS last season, 6-3. “In my opinion, we’re one of the best attacks in 6A,” the sophomore striker said. “We’ve been

doing well all season and scored a lot of goals. We’re all able to dribble, shoot and pass so it makes for a very good offense.” Warlick jump-started Stanhope’s attack netting the contest’s first score in the 22nd minute. Senior center midfielder Brayan Torres picked up the first of his two assists on the goal and added a goal one second before halftime as he helped SEHS control possession and the tempo of the match. “We’ve been doing it all year. Our center mid, Brayan, was able to control the game, pass it and possess and everything, so it’s really all him,” Warlick said. “He was the creator of all of our

chances. “He can do it all. He can dribble, he can pass, he has good vision over the whole field. He’s a really good player overall.” The Eagles struggled against Stanhope’s defense led by seniors Trenton Lewis and Jorge Carrillo, as they managed three shots-on-goal, all in the second half with the first coming in the 50th. After Torres gave the Mustangs a 2-0 lead at the break, sophomore forward Marcos Cortes extended the side’s advantage 43 ticks into the second half, beating two defenders before a ripping a shot past Carroll’s keeper, Edward White.

In the 57th, Cortes tallied his second score on the day and Torres his second assist, putting Stanhope ahead, 4-0. SEHS freshman keeper Michael Young recorded the clean sheet with three saves. While Warlick wasn’t on the Mustangs’ team last season, he’s heard from the teammates about losing to Northview last year and how they plan to not let it happen again in 2016. “I think we played all right today, we could’ve done a lot better. We need to step it up a little bit if we want to go far in the playoffs this year,” he said. “I wasn’t here last year, but they’re all upset about it. We’re excited

Cory Diaz / The Herald

Stanhope Elmore senior center midfielder Brayan Torres (7) looks to pass a ball past a Carroll-Ozark defender during the Class 6A first round playoff match Saturday at Foshee-Henderson Stadium.

for it. We’re going to train hard and get ready for that game, for sure.”

SEHS traveled to Northview Tuesday.

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THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Lady Mustangs edge Carroll in 1st round home match By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Cory Diaz / The Herald

Stanhope Elmore junior winger Kelli Vaughn (16) slides in to strip the ball away from Carroll-Ozark’s Taylor Strength (8) during Saturday’s Class 6A first round playoff match at Foshee-Henderson Stadium.

Lady Indians fall to Northview in 1st playoff match By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Defense paced Wetumpka through the first 30 minutes of its first playoff match, but much like all season, its offense couldn’t finish its chances as Northview pulled away, 2-0, at home. The Lady Indians (7-12-2) came out firing in the opening minutes of the game, with seventh-grader Marley Candelaria and freshman Julianna Crockett getting off chances, but the two were off target and Northview’s Adriana Wright made a save on Candelaria’s second shot. Wetumpka played tight defense for most of the first half, but Meg Maddox netted a goal from long range that clipped the crossbar and fell in, putting the Lady Cougars up 1-0 and turning the momentum. “I think (Northview) came out there thinking they were going to dominate us because they beat us 1-0 earlier this year,” Wetumpka girls soccer coach Jessica Holbert said. “But we started out really good. Our gameplan was to get on the board and then just defend. We came out in a 4-2-4, giving up more up top because that was our one weak area attempting to score. We actually got the first couple of shots off and caught them offsides a few times. My honest opinion is we held on so long in the beginning defensively that my girls just got fatigued.” Grabbing the lead 10 minutes before halftime, the Cougars cruised as Emma Rizzi scored on a corner kick from Faith Hayes a couple of minutes into the second half, booming it past Tribe junior keeper Alee Theriot, who recorded more than 20 saves. Holbert credited the leadership of the seniors

for the historic run the team made, as she looks to continue the trend. “Lanisha (Traylor), Taylor Keithahn, Erica Bush, they’ve been with the program since I started. And although Brooke Cannon came in, she played a big leadership role these past two seasons,” Holbert said. “It’s important to have seniors that want to be out there. “They came out, made history, and worked on building a program. I think the seniors played a large role in developing the younger ones and enjoyed it.”

Cory Diaz / The Herald

Stanhope Elmore survived the late-game dramatics to hang on against Carroll-Ozark, 2-1, Saturday in the first round of the Class 6A girls soccer playoffs at Foshee-Henderson Stadium. Tied 1-1, junior winger Kelli Vaughn scored off a corner kick from fellow junior Dauson Alexander, putting the Lady Mustangs ahead 2-1 with four minutes left in regulation. Two minutes later, Vaughn was hit with a straight red card on a hard challenge and was sent off as Stanhope navigated the final two minutes down a player. Carroll’s Taylor Adams had one last free kick opportunity but sent the shot over the net as SEHS (12-8-1) held on to advance to the second round for the second straight season. The Mustangs and Eagles battled to a 0-0 tie at the half, with Carroll leading the way with two shots-ongoal to Stanhope’s one. Junior keeper Andrea Sanchez stopped two shots in the first 40 and saved another from Adams to open the second half before a shot from Joanna Paris hit the crossbar in the 48th. Sophomore striker Madelynn Cantrell gave Stanhope the first goal of the game in the 61st, capitalizing on a failed clearance from Lady Eagle senior captain Taylor Strength, finishing a breakaway run to put SEHS up 1-0. But the lead was short-lived as Adams answered back for Carroll three minutes later, finding the net off a pass over the top to pull the Eagles back even, 1-1. The Lady Mustangs traveled to Northview Tuesday.

Great things are on Elmore Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

HORIZON HORIZONS: A TPI Special Edition Highlighting Local Advancements

The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is pleased to announce

New Chamber Executive Director,

GERRY PURCELL We encourage you to meet Gerry and tour the new Chamber offices, now located at 116 E. Bridge Street, adjacent to the former Chamber building.

Watch the Chamber Website and Facebook page for the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony announcement for the launch of the new Wetumpka Business & Innovation Center located at 118 E. Bridge Street, Wetumpka. The Innovation Center provides a stepping-stone for Åedgling businesses wishing to operate in a professional environment but not yet capable of supporting the substantial overhead costs associated with a prime location.

Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce

116 E. Bridge Street, Wetumpka, Al 36092 • (334) 567-4811 www.wetumpkachamber.com www.facebook.com/wetumpkachamberofcommerce • www.innovatewetumpka.com

April 2016

Horizons 2016

Elmore County is set for an ‘Energy Efficiency Overhaul’ By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

Elmore County is expected to have its yearly energy expenditures cut nearly in half after entering into an agreement with an energy savings company to develop a plan to reduce utilities costs by updating existing county buildings. At a recent County Commission meeting Richie Beyer, county engineer with the Highway Department, said bond details were currently being worked out to secure the funding for a 20-year contract with Schneider Electric. The southeast sales team leader with the company, Todd Smith, said Elmore County facilities would be brought up to 2016 standards and save $4.4 million throughout the duration of the partnership. “We were able to reduce the energy and water consumption of the county by 38 percent, which is huge,” said Smith. He said Schneider had worked on about 40 projects throughout the state and the Elmore County estimates were on the higher end. “They’ve analyzed current buildings and said if you put these improvements in place you will realize this much savings to your current budget,” said Richie Beyer, county engineer. He said county costs for electricity, natural gas, water and sewer usage was $400,000. The money saved was going to be used to finance the physical upgrades to the buildings, such as the heating and cooling, as well as water systems. Smith said they began working with the county about six months ago and work would begin soon on the roughly nine-month long project. He said they looked at the courthouse first and found outdated air conditioning and heating systems. “What we’re doing at the historic courthouse is pretty amazing,” Smith said. He said they planned to install what is called a variable refrigerant flow system that would allow

individual control over the temperature in each office of the building, as opposed to the current on-or-off option for an entire floor. Next on the list, Smith said, was the judicial complex, which despite being in a newer building, Smith said was very inefficient. The county jail had a list of potential upgrades that Smith noted such as four old boilers used for heating and the existing water system, which Smith said used unnecessary amounts of water. He said jails typically have water waste issues and valves could be changed which would reduce water per flush and per shower and an automated system that would prevent inmates from continually flushing toilets could be installed. About 75 percent of the lighting systems in some county buildings, Smith said, were well over 20 years old. He mentioned one of the main components for the county’s efficiency overhaul, however, and said it would also take the longest to implement. “What we kind of found was that they didn’t have a centralized integrated automation system through the county that helps them control and operate and maintain their systems,” Smith said. “So most of the buildings were just running wide open.” One aspect of the renovations would be to develop remote access to a building’s lighting or heating and cooling that could be set to automatically shut down at certain times or through the use of motion sensors. He estimated the age of the technology the county currently used for its utilities operations to be roughly somewhere from the 1980s. “In the end it’s a win for citizens and the commission because they don’t have to come up with additional revenue to make these improvements, and the employees that occupy these buildings and spaces should see better working conditions in addition to the public that interacts eve ryday,” Beyer said.

BUSINESSES RSO presents Prime Time Athletics 1220 Café S & S Services, LLC 3am Growers, Inc. Scarborough & Griggs, LLC AES Industries SCF Buildings, LLC Alabama Ag Credit Servpro of Montgomery Alabama Gas Corp. - Alagasco Sizemore & Sizemore Alabama Power Company Steve Martin Engineering & Surveying Alabama Water Well Service, LLC Stinson Drafting Corp. Alfa Realty- Angel Miller Studio B Dance Center AME Engineers, Inc. Subway of Tallassee B & B Screenprint SWAT Exterminating Co., Inc. Boutique Talisi Talisi Historical Preservation Society Brantley Signs Tallassee Armory Guards - SCV Camp 1952 Britt Veterinary Services Tallassee Automotive Central Alabama Electric Cooperative Tallassee Bonded Warehouse Comfort Inn & Suites Tallassee Community Community Hospital, Inc. Development Corporation Country Inn & Suites Tallassee Family Dentistry Cozumel Mexican Grill Tallassee Health and Rehab, LLC Days Inn Tallassee Jewelry & Gifts Diamond Carmichael Gary Patterson & Tallassee Power & Equipment Duke P.A. Tallassee Recreation Department E&I Tallassee Septic Tank Service East Tallassee Pharmacy Tallassee Super Foods Factory Connection The Apothecary Faulkner University - Joey Wiginton The Learning Tree, Inc. First Community Bank of Central Alabama The Segrest Law Firm Fresenius Medical Care Tallassee Three Lakes Dental, P.C. Friendly Home Rentals, LLC Trustmark Game Day Clips Turf Tactics Gazette Publishing, LLC/ VIVA Medicare Plus Tallassee Quarterly Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. GKN Aerospace WTLS / Tallassee Times Godwin’s Flowers INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS Guardian Credit Union Lacey Brewer Heart of Dance Elizabeth Britt Herring Chiropractic Clinic Ann Christian Home Integrated Solutions Bill Godwin Hornsby & Son Body Shop, LLC Jeanna W. Kervin HR Management Solutions George McCain Hughey Communications, Inc. Billy McKenzie Humane Society of Elmore County Ron McDaniel J Alan Taunton & Company, LLC Ann Noble Jackson Thornton & Company, P.C. Mary and Roy Parker Jeffcoat Funeral Home Bobby & Mary Carrol Payne Lee Staf¿ng, Inc. DBA Allegiance Staf¿ng Rep. Mark M. Tuggle Linda D. Benson Linville Memorial Funeral Home CHURCH / CLUBS Mason Rentals First Baptist Church Max Credit Union First United Methodist Church More Than Floors, LLC Tallassee Mt. Vernon Theatre, Inc. Nail’s, LLC Natural Resource Consulting GOVERNMENT Neptune Technology Group Central Alabama Regional Planning & New Stone Realty, LLC Development Commission Parker Wholesale Cars Elmore County Patterson Air, Inc. Economic Development Authority PrimeSouth Bank Tallassee City Board of Education R&R Construction & Roo¿ng Co., LLC Tallassee Industrial Development Board

Horizons 2016

April 2016

NEW LEADER, NEW DIRECTION Chamber ready for big things to come By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

The director of the Chamber of Commerce said his new position was a big change from his past and the 20 years he spent in the healthcare industry and that he found out about the opening accidentally, but said it was a perfect fit. Gerry Purcell relocated here two years ago after residing in the Atlanta area for nearly 20 years and said moving to Wetumpka was a breath of fresh air. “I have traveled all over the country,” Purcell said. “I have worked extensively in multiple states for the last 25 years. I have been in multiple businesses, hundreds of businesses, and state capitols and there are some extraordinary things going on here.” Purcell said he wanted to help Wetumpka businesses through his two decades worth of experience in the healthcare industry dealing largely with insurance related issues and businesses. “I would like to bring some of that expertise to try to better educate and help our business members here in terms of meeting that healthcare challenge,” Purcell said. He said he worked with a statewide healthcare committee during his time in Georgia. Purcell spoke at a recent Wetumpka City Council meeting about the opening of the new Chamber business complex. The grand opening of the new facility, a project Purcell said cost roughly $1.5 million, is expected in only a matter of weeks.

Corey Arwood / TPI

New Chamber of Commerce Director Gerry Purcell relocated here two years ago after residing in the Atlanta area for nearly 20 years and said moving to Wetumpka was a breath of fresh air.

About the center he said, “This is going to be a real, I think, advantage for our members here in the community in multiple ways and one of those ways, as I keep saying over and over, is education, is helping them with practical things,” Purcell said. He said the Chamber serves roughly 385 current members, and he intended to grow membership opportunities within the area and strengthen those members through what he called continual education opportunities. An example Purcell gave was building the “education opportunities around the dayto-day business challenges our members face.” “I’m a big believer in busi-

ness development and learning,” Purcell said. He said the new complex and innovation center would help with that. He mentioned his strategy for the Chamber and the area going forward. “Here’s three priorities that I have in mind: I’ll just call it serve, grow and strengthen,” Purcell said. He described the strategy as forward-thinking and said he wanted to gear it heavily toward technological developments. “I’m a big technology guy at heart, too, so you’ll see I think a lot of my focus with education will have a technological bent to it,” Purcell said.

One way he said he wanted to do that was by attracting a startup information technology business as one of the first users of the innovation center office space. Prior to his business career, Purcell served as a decorated Army Military Intelligence Officer and is a Distinguished Military Graduate (DMG) of Chaminade University of Honolulu. He said he grew up in northeast Georgia and, after two years of college, enlisted in the Army. He was stationed in Hawaii after going to intelligence school and later used an ROTC scholarship to pursue two degrees in military science and business administra-

tion. He said he spent another four years in the military after getting his degrees. After his time spent owning his business, Purcell said he wanted a change of pace and explained how he came across his new title. “I accidentally actually saw the listing for the job and wasn’t looking for a job, didn’t need a job, but I had always sort of envisioned the last third of my career doing work either teaching or nonprofit or doing something in the community and that obviously encompasses economic development as well as business development,” Purcell said.

April 2016

Horizons 2016

Corey Arwood / TPI

Craterfest is one of the area’s signature events and is sponsored by The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce. The day is filled with incredible music and plenty of activities for children, including face painting.

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Horizons 2016

April 2016

Firm hired by city to bring in big names in retail and restaurants By COREY ARWOOD Herald Staff Writer

A Birmingham-based consulting firm hired by the city to attract large retailers and restaurants to Wetumpka completed its analysis of the city and revealed its potential to get the nationally known names to the area. A portfolio director with Retail Strategies, Scott VonnCannon, revealed what was called the Retail Marketing Plan for the City of Wetumpka. He gave a presentation with the vast amounts of information his firm had collected on the city and its population, such as their daily travel patterns and the spending habits of residents, along with those of people passing through on a usual day. He said the company and city had been in a partnership for a few months and recently a retail strategy had been created for the city from what VonnCannon said were hundreds of reports on data and analysis about who the consumers are in Wetumpka and their “buying power.” “Technically we work with cities, economic development offices and chambers of commerce throughout the country, to help bring new

Corey Arwood / TPI

Scott VonCannon, portfolio director with Retail Strategies, illustrates the partnership between the city and the consulting firm, and what was described as its goal of bringing more retailers and restaurants to Wetumpka.

business that is simply geared toward retail to cities across the country,” said VonnCannon. He delivered the presentation at a recent city council meeting, and was met with questions from

Mayor Jerry Willis, as well as inquiries from residents and local business owners. After a nearly 45-minute long presentation, Willis opened the floor to questions. Willis proceeded to ask the first questions after a

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period of silence. “What makes Wetumpka an easy sell and then what makes Wetumpka a difficult sell?” asked Willis. VonnCannon said he would start with what made it difficult. “When you run a quick demographic report on Wetumpka the numbers are small,” VonnCannon said. He said there already were a larger number of retailers in the area for a town with a population under 10,000. However, he said he believed there was an opportunity to get more. “Your strongest suit in my opinion is the traffic you get on the highway,” VonnCannon said. Willis addressed members of the planning and zoning boards in the audience and went into further detail about the reason for the partnership. “When we set down with them some months ago, it was because Wetumpka had never had anything put together and compiled,” said Willis. “It gave us all these numbers all this data and it put it under one umbrella.” A city planning board member and downtown property owner, Betsy

Shelton, asked VonnCannon, “Exactly what kind of a contract does this company have with the city of Wetumpka? What are they tasked to do?” “Our contract has us here for a couple years, to be looked at as the economic development arm focusing 100 percent on retail,” VonnCannon answered. She asked what that meant for the downtown renovation efforts and the businesses there. “We are embarking on a downtown development plan now,” Shelton said. “Everything you’ve said tonight is all couched in terms of national retail. Are you prepared to also be a marketing arm for downtown?” Shelton asked. VonnCannon said they had all ready begun working in the downtown area and, though their working connections suited them better to national connections, they could work with regional businesses as well. “A reason a lot of cities want to hire us is because they have a hard time getting into the national retailers and restaurants and so on,” VonCannon said.

April 2016

Horizons 2016

BIG EVENTS PLANNED FOR ELMORE COUNTY May 12-28 I Hate Hamlet A young, successful TV actor relocates to New York City to play the coveted role of Hamlet in this Wetumpka Depot Players production. The problem is that he really hates Hamlet. Don’t miss this fast-paced, unapologetically silly duel over women, art and real estate. Directed by Tom Salter, this production will be the Wetumpka Depot Player’s entry in the Alabama Conference on Theatre’s Community Theatre Festival in late October. Show dates will be Oct 21-29. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday performance on May 22 begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door and online. Visit www. wetumpkadepot.com for information or call the Depot at 334-868-1440.

May 13 Friday On the Green Rexton Lee kicks off the summer season at the Russell Crossroads Town Green at 6:30 p.m. Bring coolers, blankets, chairs, kitds and pet for live music, lawn games and great times.

May 14 5K Patriot Run Emerald Mountain Christian School will sponsor a 5K run in Goldstar Park in downtown Wetumpka at 7 a.m. Registration fee is $25 before May 7. Late registration is $35. Register at ate-timing. com. For information, call Autumn Newell at 334-233-5906 or Heather Thornton at 334-799-7335.

May 19 Business After Hours Wind Creek Wetumpka will host a Sunset Reception Business After Hours from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 1000 River Oaks Drive in Wetumpka. Meet, greet and network with other community business people in Wetumpka!

May 19 Wild Game Culinary Class Join Johnson Crew cook team chef Don Johnson in preparing a couple of delicious wild game dishes and take home recipes to try yourself. Class begins at 6 p.m. at the AWF Natureplex in Millbrook. Class is appropriate for ages 15 and up. Admission fee $10. To register, call Tyler

Harris at 1-800-822-9453.

May 20 Dixie Sailing Club 3rd Annual Drawdown This year’s silent auction and drawdown event starts at 6 p.m. at The Ridge Clubhouse and will benefit the club’s 501(c)3 youth program, which teaches kids the life-long skill of sailing. Only 400 tickets will be sold at $50 per person, which covers admission, heavy hors de’oeuvres and one entry in the drawdown. Cash bar for beer, wine and soft drinks. Drawdown winners do not have to be present to win; holders of last five tickets to be drawn may agree to split the winnings. See complete rules at DixieSailingClub.com. To donate door prizes or silent auction items, contact Merry Hardy at 256-794-8075 or Jim Simons at 334-546-0224 in Lake Martin Area. Elmore County and Montgomery residents contact Beth Biggs at 334-220-8650.

May 20 Friday On the Green This week features Britt and Kurt from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Russell Crossroads Town Green. Bring coolers, blankets, chairs, kids and pets for live music, lawn games and time with family and friends.

May 21 Paddle for a Purpose The annual Paddle for a Purpose paddleboard race launches from Children’s Harbor at 9 a.m. with 1-mile, 3-mile and 6-mile race options to raise money for the camp that serves terminally ill children and their families. Entry fee for the 1-mile race is $35; entry for the 3-mile and 6-mile races is $45. Call Sharon Johnston at 334-799-0529 for details.

May 26 How to Make Your Backyard a Birding Paradised Doyle Keasal, conservation education specialist at AWF Natureplex, will teach you how to make your backyard a paradise for the numerous bird species that call Alabama home. Learn what species of plants birds like; where to place feeders and houses and more. Project is suitable for ages 5 and up. Bring your own dinner. No reservations required. Admission

$5 charged. Event begins at 6 pm. in the Community Room.

May 27-29 Art on the Lake This annual art show on the grounds at Children’s Harbor is the official start of summer on Lake Martin and benefits the camp for terminally ill children and their families. Artists across the Southeast showcase their fine crafts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. For booth information or to volunteer, contact Vicki Tuggle at 34-857-2021.

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May 30 Memorial Day Service “Eclectic the Beautiful” will sponsor a service to honor veterans at Eclectic Veterans Park, ½ mile north of downtown on Highway 63 North from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

May 27-29 RXR Fest Enjoy music on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads Memorial Day weekend with special festivities at SpringHouse on May 29. Bring chairs and coolers, family and friends this weekend celebration of another summer on Lake Martin. The music, lawn games, food and fun are free and start on Friday afternoon. Sweet Tea will start the music at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by Brooke Daniel Band at 8:30 p.m. Saturday will feature The Bank Walkers at 6 p.m. and Atlas Road Crew at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are available at SpringHouse for the Sundy night festivities with music from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. with Jonathan Bloom. For details, call Emily Spink at 256-794-1397.

May 28 Community Garden Club Pancake Breakfast

May 31 Millbrook Farmer’s Market Opens Pick up fresh produce right from the gorwers from 8 a.m. until noon every Tuesday all summer long at the Village Green in Millbrook. Some growers arrive early.

June 3 Tallassee Relay for Life Relay For Life! More details to come

June 3-5 Coosa River Whitewater Festival Bands, races, celebration on the Coosa River. Call 334-202-3050.

June 4 Introduction to Sailing Dixie Sailing Club will host a short course on the basics of sailing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch will be served.

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The Community Garden Club members will be up early cooking pancakes for all to enjoy at the Artist’s Cabin from 8 a.m until 10 a.m. on holiday weekend Saturdays. Come by and feed the family and help out the garden club.

FRANKLIN Ì Ì Ì

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Horizons 2016

April 2016

Wetumpka’s Sportplex and its tournaments are an engine for local economy Complex draws visitors from across the Southeast By CORY DIAZ The Wetumpka Herald

Baseball and softball and the desire to play it hits a home run with today’s youth – a common denominator across the nation for most all age groups. Any girl or boy with a ball, a bat, a glove and the love of it need no extra draw to participate in the popular sports. But for an organization to clear all the bases to bring the best baseball and softball to those who want it, any added incentive goes – and attracts from – a long way. And Wetumpka has that. “Our beautiful fields,” City of Wetumpka Parks and Recreation director Ron Dickerson said. “We’ve had tournament directors come in here from Georgia, Florida and throughout

Alabama and they have all said that these are the best fields that they’ve seen – best complex that they’ve seen. I’ve been in sports all my life and

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I have to agree that these are some of the finest facilities around. That attraction is exciting.” In 2009, the city completed construction on a five-field softball pod, along with a concession stand and batting cages. Six years later, the city’s Parks and Rec department completed and opened Phase II of the sports complex project in May 2015, adding a five-field baseball pod with its own press box/concession stand and a row of batting cages. Not only are numerous travel ball organizations impressed with the city’s new $20 million fields and facilities, but once tournament and league directors enter Wetumpka, they like what they see even more, Dickerson said. “The tournaments, they want to bring teams from all over so that they’re not possibly playing at the same venue. When you open a new venue, it’s good for parents that are either coming from Georgia, from south Alabama or north Alabama coming into Wetumpka and seeing what we have,” Dickerson said. “So we’re excited about that. Eating at our restaurants, spending time in Wetumpka. We’re looking forward to that.” Since the opening of the new baseball fields, Dickerson said the Parks and Rec department has seen an increased interest and participation in kids of all ages wanting to play in the Wetumpka city youth baseball and softball leagues. Presently, the city of Wetumpka has five travel ball tournaments scheduled to compete on both sets of fields this summer after the finales

of both Wetumpka’s youth baseball and softball leagues – with more to be nailed down on the way. For Wetumpka, the more showcases and more opportunities to showcase the city the better. “We have teams and tournaments that are calling us on a constant basis. They want to come in and participate in either softball tournaments or baseball tournaments, Dixie League tournaments,” Dickerson said. “We don’t generally tie down too many tournaments when our Dixie League teams are playing, but we have a lot of groups out there that as soon as Dixie League is over, we can bring them in here. Hopefully it’ll be around the time the hotel is finished and we’ll be able to make some money. And the economic impact would be outstanding.” A Hampton Inn, which will contain 80 hotel rooms, located in the heart of downtown Wetumpka on South Main Street, is scheduled to open in either April or May. With another place for lodging in Wetumpka for out-of-towners – leagues, parents, supporters for different travel ball teams – Dickerson said the Hampton Inn will further the city’s efforts to offer a high-class experience with its sports complex. “Now that we can bring in more tournaments, a lot of the wants and the desires have been predicated on when the hotel is going to be finished, not as a whole because we’ve seen a huge increase in our youth sports because of the field. We’re not depending on the tournaments by any See SPORTPLEX • Page 13

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Corey Diaz / The Herald

The In 2009, the city completed construction on a five-field softball pod, along with a concession stand and batting cages. Six years later, the city’s Parks and Rec department completed and opened Phase II of the sports complex project in May 2015, adding a five-field baseball pod with its own press box/concession stand.

means,” he said. “It’s good, but just having a community that’s together, everyone’s enjoying participating at a beautiful complex, that’s exciting to see.” The fields are done. The softball and baseball pods are completed and now the only thing left to do is watch as it all comes together for the kids who love the game and for Wetumpka. “That’s worth its weight in gold to see the kids participate, the parents sitting in the stands, the coaches, the umpires, everybody. That’s number one, just to see the gratification of everybody,” Dickerson said. “Every city from Montgomery to Wetumpka wants that economic impact. That’s something that’s going to happen. When it happens I think everyone will notice a difference in everything. That’s what these fields were built for. They were built for these kids and they were built for this area and this community. They are priority.”

Horizons 2016

April 2016

Dan O’ Sullivan / Alabama Bass Trail

Boats filled with fishermen fill the waters of Lake Jordan for the start of last year’s Lake Jordan stop on the tour. For the third straight year, the Alabama Bass Trail will tow in its legion of boats and fishermen into the City of Wetumpka this June.

Lake Jordan and Wetumpka hook Alabama Bass Trail for third year By CORY DIAZ The Wetumpka Herald

For the third straight year, the Alabama Bass Trail will tow in its legion of boats and fishermen into the City of Wetumpka this June. But when the motors crank and wake up the stillness in the wee hours of the morning on Lake Jordan this late spring, it’ll be a little different. A FOX Sports Southeast twoman television crew will film the tournament, capturing all the sights and sounds in and around Wetumpka and the beauty of its natural resources, as the episode will air Sunday, Aug. 28, at 8 a.m. on the channel. “This is the first time we’ll film for TV in 2016 and have coverage,” Bass Trail program director Kay Donaldson said. “They’ll have two guys on the water that day. On Friday, they’ll go around and film at local restaurants, they’ll film at the (Wind Creek) casino. They’ll be at our (rules and regulations) meeting, be on the water four or five hours Saturday and they’ll

film at the weigh-in. “They’ll film around town and talk to our local hosts about what it means to have the Trail in the area. They’ll get really good content on the water. They are really good guys to work with and it’s one of the top editing crews out there. So we’re excited about it.” The Lake Jordan Tournament, the Angler of the Year showcase and season finale for the Bass Trail, will hold its pre-tournament rules and regulations meeting at the Wetumpka Civic Center Friday, June 3, at 7 p.m. The next morning, the 324 total fishermen in 162 boats will blast off from Bonner’s Point in Slapout and the state boat ramp off U.S. Highway 231 near Titus at 6 a.m. Weigh-ins will be held at the ramps, where the winner will take home a $10,000 first-place payout. Most fishermen will enter Wetumpka and the surrounding area four or five days prior to pre-fish and prepare for the tournament. “We’re glad to have them back,”

Wetumpka Civic Center director Clay Murrell said. “This will be their third year coming to Wetumpka and they’ll bring lots of folks and have a good time. We are eagerly awaiting June to get here so we can show them a good time, show them hospitality, good fishing and hope they continue to keep coming back.” Not only was hospitality a big draw for the Trail to schedule a date with the city, but mostly Lake Jordan and what it has to offer made the decision a no-brainer. “When we first decided to bring the Alabama Bass Trail, including the tourism portion of it, but Lake Jordan is one of the best in mineralrich resources in the state. It’s a little smaller than the other lakes we go to, but it’s fishery is extremely healthy,” Donaldson said. “The fishermen like the show and we’ve had good success there. The anglers, when were there last February, over 23 pounds was the winning boat. It’s filled with spotted bass and it’s a very healthy lake.” What was once just a partnership

with the Elmore County Commission as well as the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce, a sound relationship has been established between the city and the tournament series, Murrell said. “(Alabama Bass Trail) keeps it to where these small towns can reap the benefit of the tourism dollars brought into the community. Fortunately, we’ve been able to keep them here, and the amazing thing is, Lake Jordan is by far the best fishery in Alabama that’s not well-known. It gets more known each year,” Murrell said. “The natural resources here are pretty easy to pitch, it’s just a matter of doing it and keep it going. “The more they come, they more everybody else wants to come.” Donaldson said around 350 people – fishermen plus tournament workers – will come enjoy what Wetumpka has to offer, as she hopes the residents come enjoy what the Trail’s reeling in. “We’re excited about being there. I know the city has worked hard for us See FISHING • Page 15

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to come back, and the anglers love it there,” Donaldson said. “It’s our Angler of the Year tournament, our last tournament of the season, so we’ll have fishermen jockeying for points to get in contention for the championship. It’s going to be a really good tournament on June 4.” Wetumpka is no stranger to big-time fishing organizations taking advantage of its resources, but Murrell said the upcoming tournament will be the biggest yet. “It’ll be a lot of good publicity and coverage for the city and our area for them to be here. It’s amazing. We had the Bassmaster Elite 12 here for two or three years. But when you’re talking 12 boats to 170 boats, you’re talking more money fixing to be spent. They’ll have to fill their boats with gas and that can eat up a $100 bill in a heartbeat. “They’ll eat here, enjoy themselves. It’ll be amazing to see Wetumpka on national TV every chance we get. To see God’s resources being used, seeing them enjoying it with us Dan O’ Sullivan / Alabama Bass Trail right in the middle of it, that’s the The Lake Jordan Tournament, the Angler of the Year showcase and season finale for the Bass Trail, will hold its pre-tournament rules and regulations meeting at blue ribbon to everything.” the Wetumpka Civic Center Friday, June 3, at 7 p.m. The next morning, the 324 total fishermen in 162 boats will blast off from Bonner’s Point in Slapout.

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April 2016

Special / Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka

The Wind Creek Casino and Hotel in Wetumpka offers state-of--the-art gaming, fine dining and luxury accommodations. The complex now also features big-name entertainment on a regular basis.

CHANGING THE HORIZON

Wind Creek Casino adds glitz and substance to area’s tourism draw By LIZ ELY Staff Writer

Wetumpka’s Wind Creek Casino and Hotel is steam-rolling in its popularity, bringing in people from neighboring states and cities to catch live performances from acts both big and small, play the Bingo machines or eat at the award-winning restaurant Fire. Singer-songwriter and the “Queen of Funk” Chaka Khan performed on April 23 and that is just one of the many larger acts the establishment has secured. Kenny Rogers makes a stop in Wetumpka in June. The popular R&B group Boyz II Men held a concert there in January and, on May 21, The O’Jays, another R&B group that has been around for decades, is scheduled to perform. Property Manager Cody Williamson hopes that people from the community will attend both concerts and he wants the people of Wetumpka to know there is more to the casino and hotel than meets the eye. “With Chaka Khan, people can expect a good concert from a good act. We try to get those acts the

people want to see, and she was touring around the time we needed her. As an entertainment and hospitality provider, we understand that not everybody wants to play the Bingo machines. Many people come to stay in the hotel and eat. Entertainment is another aspect we use to let people have a good time. We like to offer you something you would like to do, and we are happy to do it,” Williamson said. The casino provides entertainment in many aspects, and while there are those that come to try their luck on the Bingo machines, Williamson thinks of the casino and hotel as an adventure to be had – one that he hopes lets people escape from their everyday lives. “The goal of the casino is to let you escape from your ordinary world and enter a world where everything and anything is possible. Ultimately, whether you win or lose, we want you to have a good time and good experience every time you come in. We want you to get into our fantasy world while you’re with us,” Williamson said. While many may come strictly to play the Bingo machines, their restaurant, Fire, is yet another way the

casino and hotel draws in crowds. The restaurant has garnered a serious reputation for providing fine food and, ultimately, an experience to remember. It was voted as one of the top steak houses in Alabama, but Williamson hopes that people who come to eat leave with more than a trip to a fine dining eatery. “The food itself is amazing, and it’s not all that expensive. However, Fire is less of a restaurant and more of an experience. When you go there, you don’t just order a steak. There’s a presentation to what we do and the chef can give you a tasting when we’re trying to get something new on the menu. From being seated, to the courses, to the women receiving a rose at the end of the meal, it’s an experience from start to finish,” Williamson said. For fans of gaming, the casino boasts 2,757 Bingo machines. They have added a second high-limit room for those wanting to wager a higher bet and Williamson encourages people to take advantage of the promotional offers that are held virtually every day of the week. See CASINO • Page 7

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“Promotions center around Ladies Night, seniors, and we have a promotion for just about everybody who comes to our place. For instance, we had one April 15 in conjunction with tax day. We try to make it fun and exciting for everyone who is here,” Williamson said. Of course, there are other services the casino offers that many may not know of. For those curious about the games within the casino itself, Williamson suggests going online to try your luck in the virtual world. “We have Facebook pages, a mobile app, and all of our casinos have their own webpage. We have an online platform, www.windcreekcasino. com, where you can sign up to play online and see some of the games we have. You’re not playing with real money, but you earn points that you can redeem for a night’s stay at the hotel or for a dinner at Fire. It doesn’t cost anything to join or play. It’s just for fun,” Williamson said. For a casino whose slogan is “Find Your Winning Moment,” this catchphrase may not boil down to simply winning cash. Williamson wants people to know that you don’t need to come prepared to gamble in order to have a fun night out. “You don’t have to want to play the machines in order to come out and have a good time. We offer many non-gaming experiences so that people who don’t want to game can still come out and have a good time,” Williamson said. For more information on all that the casino and hotel offers, go online to www.windcreekwetumpka.com or like their Facebook page for the latest news and promotional offers.

Kenneth Boone / TPI

Fire at Wetumpka’s Wind Creek Casino offers elegant dining opportunities for visitors as well as area residents looking for an escape.

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April 2016

Carmen Rodgers / TPI

TALLASSEE HAS BIG IDEAS, BIGGER PLANS By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

Mt. Vernon Mill built all of the infrastructure – schools, hospital, library and much, much, more. Fifty years ago Tallassee was a bustling town that had years of success and manifestation under its belt. The town was best known for being self-sufficient. During the early years, there was no major thoroughfare through the city. Products produced by the mill were shipped by railroad to Montgomery where they would be distributed throughout the nation. Therefore, Tallassee was an isolated city for the first half of its lifetime. Today, however, Mt. Vernon Mill is nothing more than a shell of what it once was. The whistle quit blowing in 2005. Luckily, new manufacturers moved to the area and today Tallassee remains a manufacturing city. Yet, the city is missing something. In many ways, Mt. Vernon Mills was the heartbeat of the city, which allowed it to flourish. Without the mill, the city seems to have lost its identity. Many Tallasseeans have a stronghold on that self-sufficient mindset. It is clear: Tallassee is in the process of redefining itself. The town must embrace change as life here progresses. Change is inevitable. The outcome lies in the reaction to that change. Change can be embraced or battled. Tomorrow’s Tallassee is developing with every breath and one thing that is sure to change is the city

pool. The city pool has been in use for over half a century and today children continue to find joy in an afternoon trip to the city oasis. In 1951, when the pool was designed, it was stateof-the-art and filled with pride fueled by a textile mill that was, too, state-of-the-art. Time has seen a lot of change, yet the city pool stands strong because, like Mt. Vernon Mills, it was built with a strong fundamental design that has lasted throughout the years. There is no doubt; it has stood the test of time. But, even as children still flock to the pool in the summer for recreation, it is obsolete for swim meets and water sport events – events that could potentially flood the city with visitors and much needed sales tax revenue. The fact is a new pool must be built. The problem comes with which direction will be taken to build the new facility. The Tallassee Recreation Board has proposed a new facility that would include the pool, a gymnasium that could seat 400-500 people, an elevated walking track, a wellness center, free weights, baseball fields, softball fields, soccer fields and tennis courts. This would be a massive facility that would certainly put the city back on the map. But questions remain as to where will this new facility be located and how it will be funded. Many want the recreation center to remain in town, close to the current location. Supporters believe this would drive more people into town for sporting events, thus raising tax revenue, and allow the inner

city children who currently walk or ride a bicycle to the swimming pool to continue to do so. There are also many who support building the complex on Hwy 229 South. This would allow all of the sporting facilities to be housed in one location with ultramodern equipment and design. This proposed recreation complex has a hefty price tag of nearly $12 million. This is why the Recreation Board and members of the City Council have been divided over where to put the proposed recreation center. Even while divided, supporters of both projects agree that a new pool must be built. In an effort to locate funding, The Tallassee Recreation Board brought the proposal for the complex before the city council on numerous occasions and has taken steps to create a separate channel to fund the project. Attorney Dale Segrest designed and proposed the creation of a committee that would oversee funding exclusively for this proposed recreation center. “This is a special vehicle authorized by state statute for a particular project, the project on 229,” Segrest said during the November City Council Meeting, “This is the proper legal vehicle as a financial tool. This would not impact the day-to-day operation of the parks and rec department.” However, the city has its reservations. “It seems to me from a legal standpoint, the question is the city avoiding potential liability to pay See TALLASSEE • Page 9

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moneys back,” said John Smith, attorney for the City of Tallassee in November 2015. “It seems to me that there needs to be discussion between the financial intuitions, whatever those are, whatever nature they take, and the city so that the city can have some comfort that if this is done, it’s something that will actually get somewhere and not just be an entity that exists just for the purpose of existing. Because otherwise, why do it?” At a recent Recreation Board meeting, Michael Butler explained some of the possible funding outlets, including grants and low-interest loans. The idea of adding a one percent sales tax was brought up, but the attending councilmen quickly shot it down. “The tax rate in Tallapoosa County was just raised to one of the highest in the state and I cannot support another raise in taxes,” said Terrel Brown. Councilman Rob Rygiel and Council Wilson were also in attendance and both agreed that an additional tax is not the funding solution for the proposed complex. Therefore, a tax bond to fund the facility seems to be out of the question. In the latest move to construct the project, the city council passed a motion to construct the new pool at the Softball Complex, which is owned by the city.

Mt. Vernon Theater

Mt. Vernon Theater, also built by Mt. Vernon Mills, is set to open this year. The Theater Group brought contractor Stacey Gunn on board to complete renovations. Since last fall Gunn and his crew have been steadily moving forward with overhaul. The project, however, seems to have hit every potential bump along the way. The first major issue was rerouting a gas pipeline that has been in place for over 40 years. The pipeline had to be relocated or capped so that the theater could add a dressing room that would serve the theater two-fold. Not only would the dressing room add the needed space for performers to prepare, it would also serve as a platform for the facility’s heating and cooling units. “Stacey really wants us to go back to building our dressing room,” said Jan Autery, chair of the Theater Operations Board. “He can save us a good bit of money if he does not have to purchase all that structural steel to put on the roof to reinforce and completely support those extremely heavy heating and air units that were supposed to go up there. Units weighing much less would be placed on the roof of the new dressing room as was originally planned.” Now that much of the major reconstruction is well underway and, in some cases, complete, the Theater Group is looking forward to putting the final touches on the theater. “I do know the Name Recognition and the Operations & Management Committees are hard at work trying to put the finishing touches on how and where name recognition displays will be placed in the theater,” said Autery. “Operations Committee is finalizing how the theater will be managed once it is open – what to charge for various concessions, how much to charge to rent the entire theater, the lobby, courtyard, etc.” The concession stand is a major feat for the Theater Group. “We found out from the Health Department that we will be required to file for this permit,” Autery said. “Drawings of the concession room showing specifications and placement of all equipment have been completed as is required as part of the application process. There are several things we will be required to do, but we have studied their rules and regulations very carefully and have worked with Stacey to assure that they can be met without very much expense.” The courtyard will serve as an outdoor area to be used during intermissions and for other use by the general public, as requested. “We haven’t finished the design yet, but we want it to have pathways through it, places for people to sit, shrubs, and possibly even flowers – a place where people can come outside and just enjoy it,” said Autery. As part of this courtyard, the theater plans to add a water feature to the existing exterior brick wall. This water feature, Serenity Falls, will include a basin located at the base of the wall. From there, water will be pumped up to the top of the wall where it will then gently flow down from one trellis to another and continue down the brick wall back to the basin. “This feature will be used as a wall of memory for a loved one who has passed away,” said Autery. “Anyone can honor his or her loved one by making a donation to the theater in memory of that loved one. The deceased’s name, along with the name of the donor, will be placed on a plaque and attached to the brick behind the flow of water. This Serenity Falls is a permanent fixture in the courtyard and will live on throughout the history of the theater.” The theater had planned on opening in early spring of this year and while it is a little behind schedule, it is much anticipated.