Sept 15, 2016 Eclectic Observer by Tallapoosa Publishers

Panthers beat Indians twice

Budget time is always an interesting time of year

Area Calendar Inside!

Eclectic Observer Page 4

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The

THURSDAY • SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Vol. 27, No. 37

Eclectic 17-year-old charged with shooting parents Sheriff: Former Mayor Mike Holton and wife die after Sunday shooting By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

A past mayor of Eclectic and his wife have died from a double shooting and their 17-yearold son is facing murder charges and is in jail on a $150,000 bond as an investigation contin-

Holton

ues by Elmore County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Bill Franklin said Tuesday they were still in the “infant stages” of the investigation into the murders of Mike and April Holton. He said there would now be an examination of April by the Department of Forensic Science, however he said the pathology report would likely spell another count of murder for the Holton’s son, Jesse Holton, a senior at Elmore County High School. The ECSO is collecting evidence and have

sent fingerprint and blood samples from Jesse Holton, collected through a search warrant, to the forensic investigators, he said. The results of the report on April, like the report received by the ECSO on Monday from Mike Holton, Franklin said would “loom large” for the case. The bond would also probably be the same, $150,000, Franklin said if Jesse Holton gets See SHOOTING • Page 3

School board approves 2016-17 budget

Commission discusses budget, probate office By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

The Elmore County Commission took up the county budget Monday evening and spent some time discussing specific requests made by the probate office. The board took no immediate action on the budget due to a request to modify it, which was approved by four of the five commission members, giving employees a one percent pay increase. County Administrator Grace McDuffie presented her proposed budget to the board. She stated that the goal was level funding. County Commission Chairman David Bowen said that level funding was the goal because the county once again effectively had zero growth in revenues. “At some point we

By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

After two public meetings to discuss the budget on Friday morning and Monday afternoon, the Elmore County Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the fiscal year 2016-2017 budget at its Monday afternoon meeting. According to the budget, a copy of which was provided at the meeting, the district is anticipating $98,068,669.54 in revenues and $98,160,359.44 in expenditures. Of the revenues, $63,953,033 will come from state sources, $8,462,507 from federal sources and $25,383, 613 will come from local sources, $287,516 will come from other sources. $55,123,611 of the expense is directly tied to instructional services, with an additional $12,751,523 being tied to instructional support. Operation and maintenance fees account for $7,936,839 of the costs while $12,298, 959 is tied to auxiliary services. The remainder of the expenditures are for administrative services, capital outlay, debt services and what are titled “other” expenditures. Chief School Financial Officer Jason Mann said that this year’s budget is just over $98 million, while last year’s

Corey Arwood / The Observer

REMEMBERING SEPT. 11 A ceremony to add about 230 names to the Elmore County 9-11 Memorial was held Monday. The organizer of the event on behalf of the Elmore County Commission was Chief Warrant Officer 4, Gardner Perdue, as pictured. A number of military personnel, and families representing the names placed on the monument were said to have been present at the ceremony. He said another event was held as well by local Boy Scout troops 13, 50 and 429 in which a half-circle of flags was dedicated in memory of a local World War II veteran

See BUDGET • Page 9

See COMMISSION • Page 9

Law enforcement seeks suspect in bridge vandalism

Arrest made in Kowaliga tomahawk theft By MITCH SNEED Editor

By MITCH SNEED Editor

Russell Lands Security and investigators with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Department are working on identifying a suspect in a vandalism case that has left a bridge with thousands of dollars worth of damage. On Sunday, Sept. 4, a boater spotted two white males, one adult and one that appeared to be a teen, leave a boat of See VANDALISM • Page 3

Submitted / The Observer

Investigators tracked the suspect involved in the Kowaliga tomahawk theft using credit card information. The tomahawk has been returned to Kowaliga Restaurant.

Kowaliga the Indian’s tomahawk has been recovered and the person investigators believe is responsible for taking it has been arrested. Investigator Bill Wilson with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Department said that 19-year-old John Mason Friday has been charged with theft of property after evidence linked him to the theft of the tomahawk from the Kowaliga Restaurant on Sept. 4. Security captured footage of a

young man entering the lobby of the restaurant, looking around before plucking the tomahawk from the hand of the statue and then quickly leaving the restaurant. Russell Lands Security Chief Mack Daugherty said that investigators were able to identify Friday as being with a large group of people at the restaurant that day. Using credit card information from someone in the party, they were able to get names of those possibly involved. Wilson said the investigation was See TOMAHAWK • Page 3

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PAGE 2 • SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Area Calendar October 11, November 15, January 10, February 4 and March 14

The Wetumpka Public Library, along with the Elmore County Museum, invites veterans and family members to sign up and participate in a free monthly reading discussion program on the experience of war, beginning September and ending in March. Discussions will be held in the Elmore County Museum from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 15, Jan. 10, Feb. 14., and March 14. All books and films will be provided for each participant in advance of each discussion. Recent veterans of the global war on terror are particularly encouraged to participate.

September 17

A Fall Migration Walk will be held at the Fort Toulouse/ Fort Jackson National Historic Park located at 2521 W. Fort Toulouse Road in Wetumpka at 7 a.m. The event is a collaboration between the park and Alabama Birding Trails and will consist of a bird walk, sign unveiling and a French Colonial historical reenactment.

September 19

The annual Taste of Eclectic is scheduled for Sept. 19. The event will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. at the Elmore County High School Cafeteria. The cost of the event is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Funds go to support the Veteran’s Park in Eclectic.

September 20

Seeing Is Believing is the theme of the next Tuesdays with Kelly meeting when Kathie Buntin and her mother, Bennie Kennedy, from Dothan will discuss flower arranging for the church altar. The door prize will be a devotional booklet “Seasons of Hope and Encouragement” written by Cindy Childress. Music

will be provided by Mary Wolfe. Drinks and dessert are compliments of the Rumbling Waters Arts Club so bring your sack lunch to this “lunch and learn” event at noon on the third Tuesday of each month at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery 408 South Main Street in Wetumpka. Free and open to the public.

September 25

Calvary’s Call will be performing at Rushenville Baptist Church, located at 10098 Georgia Road in Eclectic at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will follow the service.

ONGOING EVENTS CHILD FIND: The Tallassee City School System is launching its annual campaign to assist children—birth to age 21— who have disabilities and may need special services. The campaign urges parents, service providers, and concerned citizens to contact Child Find, a program to locate, identify and evaluate children with disabilities or children who are believed to have disabilities. The Tallassee City School System wishes to notify you of the availability of special education services in our public schools. If you have questions regarding our programs, or if you wish to refer a student, please contact Lynell Carr at (334) 283-5675 or Child Find (Alabama Department of Education) at 1-800-5482547. ART EXHIBITION: There is a free exhibit of 65 works of art by the late Priscilla Crommelin featuring vibrant still life and floral paintings, portraits and landscapes at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery. 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

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THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Obituaries

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. SANTUCK FLEA MARKET: First Saturday, March-December, dawn to 2 p.m in the area surrounding Santuck Baptist Church. An outdoor flea market with booths featuring arts, crafts, antiques, novelties, imports, food and more. Free admission to the public with free parking available. For info, call 334-567-7400. BLUEGRASS JAM: First Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. All acoustic instruments welcome - guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass, singers. Beginner, intermediate, advanced and listeners. For info, call 334578-9485. SIT AND SEW: First Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. All sewers and knitters welcome. Bring your own sewing machine or hand-sewing project. Assistance and encouragement to help you through your project. Ironing board and iron provided. Free. For info, call 334-5789485 or visit www.arrac.org. POTTERY CLASS: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka For age 16 and older. $80 for four classes or $20 per week. Taught every Saturday by Rick Bowman. Bring your own tools or use art center tools. Center provides other supplies. For info, call 334-313-1646. CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP: Saturdays, 11 a.m. at the Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. For ages 12 and older. $32 for four classes. Taught every Saturday by Cliff Wayne. For info, call 334-300-9394.

HHS 50’s AND 60’s CLASS REUNION: Several members of Holtville High School Alumni are planning a reunion that will span two decades - the 1950’s and 1960’s. This first-time reunion will be held on Nov.11, 2016 at the Holtville Gymnasium beginning at 1 p.m. Each class that has a reunion planning committee is asked to contact their classmates to relay this information so that “HHS 50’s and 60’s Reunion” will be a great success. SENIOR ACTIVITIES: “Prime Time” activities at the Wetumpka Senior Center, held at the Fain Center, 120 Cotton Street for those 55 and older: Regularly Scheduled Activities Monday-Friday - Lunch, 11:30 a.m. Cost is $1.60 donation if possible. SilverSneakers Classic Exercise Class - M, W, F at 9:30 a.m. - total body toning and muscular strength SilverSneakers Circuit Exercise Class - Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. - cardio workout SilverSneakers Yoga Class - Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. deep breathing, stretching, muscle relaxation Bridge Club - Wednesdays, Noon to 3 p.m. Audio Book Club- second and fourth Monday of every month at 1 p.m. - enjoy listening to a book on tape while knitting, crocheting, sewing, etc. NEW REGULARLY SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES DIY Classes - Every first and third Monday at 1 p.m. Do It Yourself Classes to learn to make things you can use around the house, including soap, lotions, crafts and decorations. Uno Wednesdays - 1 p.m. every Wednesday take part in a rousing game or two of Uno. Sock Sisters - 1 p.m. every Thursday come and make non-slip socks to give to nursing home residents. Volleyball - Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Join us for an intense game of volleyball, using a beach ball! Bridge - Wanted: Bridge players for afternoon Bridge Club. Meets Wednesday afternoons Noon to 3 p.m. NOTE: For info on any Prime Time event, call 334567-1335.

MASTER GARDENERS LUNCH AND LEARN: Second Tuesday of each month, 12 to 1 p.m. at the Elmore County Extension Office, Wetumpka. Hosted by the Central Alabama Master Gardeners Association. Free and open to the public. Bring a sack lunch, drinks provided. For info, call 334567-6301 or visit www.aces. edu/counties/Elmore/. NAACP MEETINGS: Elmore County Branch NAACP Executive Committee meeting every third Tuesday 6:30 p.m at MLK Center 200 Lancaster St, Wetumpka Elmore County Branch NAACP regular monthly meeting every fourth Tuesday 6:30pm at MLK Center 200 Lancaster St. Wetumpka.

ECLECTIC: The Eclectic Senior Center is open every weekday until noon. For more info, call Deborah Rowe at 334-541-3581. Tallassee Recreation Center Community Announcements Funtastic Fort reservations for the pavilion or gazebo are made by calling the Recreation Department office at 283-4726. The fee for the pavilion is $40 for a two-hour period and the fee for the gazebo is $15 for a two-hour period, fees must be paid prior to the reservation date. SSI INFO: Social Security will no longer be coming to Tallassee; their website is www.socialsecurity.gov or 800-772-1213.

Jesse Michael Holton

Jesse Michael Holton, 37, of Eclectic, passed away on September 11, 2016. He was born June 3, 1979. Visitation will be Friday, September 16, 2016, from 3 to 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Eclectic. Funeral service will be Saturday, September 17, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Eclectic with Rev. Britt Green, Rev. Tim Hughes and Bro. Randy Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Bullard Cemetery, Linville Memorial Funeral Home directing. He is survived by his sons, Madison Holton, Hayden Holton and Kyle Holton; mother, Kitty Hopkins; sister, Pam Hardegree (Danny) and brothers, Tim Ashworth and Chad Ashworth. He was a graduate of 1997 Class of Elmore County High School and a member of First Baptist Church of Eclectic. He served in the National Guard, Montgomery Fire Department, Alexander City Fire Department and Millbrook Fire Department and on the Air Evac Lifeteam. He served as Chief of the Eclectic Fire Department and was a certified fire instructor. He gladly traveled to New York after 9-11 and helped many families. He served as Mayor of Eclectic from 2012-2014. His life was devoted to serving people and his community. He was a Little League Coach for football and baseball, a loving father and husband and a dear friend to all who knew him. Online condolences at www.linvillememorial. com. Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama

April Owenby Holton

April Diane Owenby Holton, 37, of Eclectic, passed away on September 12, 2016. She was born December 24, 1978. Visitation will be Friday, September 16, 2016, from 3 to 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Eclectic. Funeral service will be Saturday, September 17, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Eclectic with Rev. Britt Green, Rev. Tim Hughes and Bro. Randy Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Bullard Cemetery, Linville Memorial Funeral Home directing. She is survived by her sons, Madison Holton, Hayden Holton and Kyle Holton; father, Charles Owenby; mother; Joy Owenby; aunt, Martha Brown; siblings, Chris Owenby (Michelle), Michael Evans, Charlette Wilson, Grace Williams, Scott Owenby (Temperance), Erin Wilson (Thomas) and Meaghen Owenby; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and biological parents, Sue Evans and David Groger. April was a member of First Baptist Church of Eclectic since her childhood, where she was active in the Youth Mission and won Bible drills. She was a graduate of 1997 Class of Elmore County High School, where she played in the band; she was saxophone section leader and also assistant drum major. She was a full-time mom and could often be seen in the dugout section as a team mom. Online condolences at www.linvillememorial. com. Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama

Patricia Flourney

Patricia Lazenby Flournoy of Eclectic, AL, passed away on September 6, 2016. Born in 1936, Mrs. Flournoy remained a lifetime resident of the Good Hope community. She is preceded in death by her parents, Kyle and Essie Lazenby; husband, Robert Flournoy; and grandson, Christopher Flournoy. Mrs. Flournoy was a graduate of Elmore County High School and Troy State University. She retired from a career with the Civil Service at Maxwell and Gunter AFB in Montgomery, Alabama. A lifelong member of Good Hope Baptist Church, she enjoyed positions on various committees and as church clerk. Patricia was a talented musician and lovingly served as church organist for forty years at Good Hope. She is survived by her son, Marcus Flournoy of Montgomery, AL; daughter and son-in-law, Amelia and Chris Bussjager of Marietta, GA; three grandchildren, Kyle Flournoy of Plano, TX and Avery and Jack Bussjager of Marietta, GA. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 am, Friday, September 9, 2016, at Linville Memorial Funeral Home, with funeral service following at 11 am with Rev. Kenny Hill officiating. Burial will follow at Good Hope Cemetery, Linville Memorial Funeral Home directing. Online condolences at www.linvillememorial.com. Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama

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Vandalism

SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 • PAGE 3

continued from page 1

Lake Martin and climb up onto what is known as the Ridge Bridge. The witness said that it appeared that the older males damaged the ornamental fencing in order to allow access to the bridge for the teen to jump off the bridge and into the water. The damage to the fence is more than $6,000 according to Russell Lands Director of Security Mack Daugherty. “The witness advised that the adult male began attempting to pull down one of the railings, which is part of the safety fence constructed along each side of the bridge,” Daugherty said. “The witness advised that the destruction continued to the point that one complete section of the safety fence was completely destroyed. The younger male then proceeded to jump off the bridge, and the older adult male returned to the boat.” Fortunately for law enforcement, a boater spotted the activity and began to take pictures. “There were at least three other people on the boat,” Daugherty said. “An adult female actually laid down in the boat in an obvious attempt to avoid being photographed. The adult male, who had actually destroyed

the bridge property, waved at the witness while he was being photographed.” The photographs also featured the boat’s registration number and Daugherty along with Investigator Bill Wilson with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Department have been working interviewing witnesses and identifying the suspects. Wilson said he hopes to be able to secure warrants for the suspects, who are from the Birmingham area. “I have been in law enforcement for over 32 years and 23 of those as Chief of Security with Russell Lands,” Daugherty said. “I never cease to be amazed at how someone can come to one of the most beautiful lakes in the country or the supposed purpose of enjoying the lake and at the same time intentionally destroy property on and around the lake. “We plan to prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law, to include charges for criminal trespass second degree and criminal mischief first degree, which is a Class C felony.”

Shooting

continued from page 1

another murder charge. “We don’t want to rush to judgment here, we want to wait on (the) forensic report to come back,” said Franklin. He said something was unusual however about the character of Jesse Holton, and described him as “emotionless.” “He doesn’t have very much emotion about this, which is somewhat odd,” Franklin said. And Holton, he said, referring to him as “the boy,” had not confessed “by any stretch of the imagination.” The evidence from the report of Mike Holton’s injuries the ECSO received Monday was then said to be a critical factor pointing to a third party involved in their death. “Mr. Holton did not have a self-inflicted gunshot wound, it is apparent that he was shot close contact but in the back of his head, not self inflicted, the only other person in the house that had means is the 17-yearold,” Franklin said. He said the ECSO investigators did not feel comfortable with the entry and exit wounds sustained by Holton and his wife, both 37, on Sunday. Investigators had been suspicious of the suspects account of the incident early on, but Franklin said they “erred on the side of caution” and waited to arrest him on murder charges after the pathology report arrived Monday. He said they had also learned that the 17-year-old had a “self proclaimed” issue with becoming “agitated” if he had not used marijuana and Adderall. Franklin also said Jesse Holton would be tried as an adult. The shooting was said to have happened shortly after an incident between Holton and his father, which also involved ECSO deputies.

Franklin said about 4 p.m. Sunday they received a call from Mike Holton who, along with his wife April, were upset because Jesse had a thrown a party the night before in their house. Franklin said Mike Holton told them they had essentially “trashed his house,” and Sheriff’s deputies found remnants of obvious drug activity and paraphernalia. Deputies arrived a short time later, Franklin said, and spoke with Holton in their front yard. Mike Holton told the deputy he was trying to discipline his son, and had him handcuffed and sitting on the couch when the deputies arrived, Franklin said. He added that the 17-year-old “doesn’t open his mouth, doesn’t say anything,” while the officers are there. They conducted their search, took photographs and drug paraphernalia and left, he said, offering to the father that he could come by the juvenile probation office Monday morning to sign a petition if he wanted; which Holton said he did. Franklin said the parents walked with the deputy back out to his car and that there was some small talk before the deputy left for another call. Franklin said as the deputy left, the parents headed back inside the house. About 20 to 25 minutes later authorities got another call, he said. Jesse had gone to the neighbor, Franklin said, and told them something happened at his parent’s house, there was an argument of some kind. “When they get there this time you’ve got Mr. Holton, you’ve got Mrs. Holton are lying in the master bedroom, Mr. Holton has died from an apparent gunshot wound and Mrs. Holton is, as we speak, on life support with severe head trauma down in Montgomery,” Franklin said on Monday.

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continued from page 1

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still active and didn’t rule out additional charges if it is found that others played a role in the theft. The statue is a fixture at the restaurant where much of the décor is centered around Hank Williams and his ties to the area. It is said that Williams penned his hit Kaw-Liga while staying at a lake cabin that was then owned by Darwin Dobbs. The tomahawk is valued at $1,250 and Wilson said they hope to return it to the restaurant Wednesday.

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PAGE 4 • SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

OPINION

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

The Observer 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.

I’m sorry, what’s your name? JODY FULLER Guest Columnist

’m pretty good when it comes to remembering names. There are times, however, when I fail miserably. Sometimes I rebound, but sometimes I don’t. Recently, I was out to lunch with one of my buddies when we saw another guy approaching us as if we were all best friends. We were both friends with him on Facebook, so we both knew him, but for all the country fried steak in the world, we couldn’t remember his name. I pulled out my phone and jumped on Facebook with the quickness of a cat all cranked up on Mountain Dew. He was getting closer. I remembered that he’d commented on my most recent post. He was almost there. I scrolled down. There he was. I looked up. There he was. “Tommy, what’s up, my man?” like the best friends we were. One of the most common techniques to combat this awkwardness is to introduce the person you are with to the person to be named later. Then, you can just sit back, listen to the introductions, and then jump back in like the cool customer you are. Of course, this only works when you’re with someone who doesn’t know that person. Even then, I’ve been in situations where the nameless one refuses to bite. I think they’re calling my bluff. This happens to all of us, and the older we get the more often it happens. I once had an awkward moment while signing a book for a guy that I no doubt knew. I just couldn’t remember his name. “Make it out to me,” he requested. My life flashed before my eyes. “No problem. Now how do you spell your name? I can never remember,” I asked.

He looked at me with a confused look and answered, “B-O-B.” One of my techniques is to call girls “girl” and guys “buddy.” I’ve spoken at a particular out of state conference for the past four years. I met this really nice gentleman that first year. When I came back the next year, he was the first one I saw as I approached the conference room. “Jody!” he yelled. “Hey, what’s up, buddy?” I replied. “Good to see you. I’m so impressed that you remembered my name,” he said. His name was Buddy. “Buddy, my memory is like a steel trap, buddy,” I said. Now, even if I was blindfolded, I could pick him out of a lineup of Buddy lookalikes of guys named Buddy. Once I know you, I know you. Sometimes, I use the best technique of all: honesty. I politely ask them to tell me their name. There is, of course, a tactful way to do so. You don’t just ask, “Who are you?” The fact of the matter is that between real life and social media, we are meeting more people than ever before. Back in the day, people knew people from church and work, and that was about it. Their only form of social media was the party line. With social media, we often become friends with people we don’t actually know, so when we finally cross paths, sometimes one doesn’t recognize the other, even though we are always the spitting image of our Facebook profile picture, right? Right… So, if you don’t know someone’s name, ask them. I think most people will appreciate your honesty. Besides, it’s the most polite and courteous thing to do. It’s respectful and shows that you actually care enough to want to know their name. By the way, my name is Jody. Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He can be reached at jody@ jodyfuller.com.

Eclectic Observer The

334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER (005-022) is published weekly on Thursday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Eclectic Observer, 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 One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $25 One Year Elsewhere: $38 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 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

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Budget time is always an interesting time of the year

ver the last couple of weeks I have had the opportunity to sit in on budget meetings for the Elmore County School Board and the Elmore County Commission. You can read more of the details from those meetings in today’s Wetumpka Herald. One of the things that has always struck me about these meetings, and it is true in every community I have been in, is how so few of the citizens attend. Generally I have noticed a low citizen turnout, especially at county board meetings, but not attending during budget time is always disappointing. Budget conversations are the one time when citizens need to be present at the meetings, if for no other reason than to hear how their tax dollars are being spent. Budget meetings though also afford citizens an opportunity to have their voices heard on important budgeting issues. As a rule, we are pretty complacent in this country when it comes to participation. The most recent municipal elections prove that around 25-30 percent of people really care enough to vote and the remainder can’t be bothered with the process at all. For a republic based upon the concept of representative democracy we actually really do a bad job. We speak of candidates who win elections as having a mandate from the people,

WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

but a mandate from whom? The minority of citizens who decided to actually go vote? That isn’t really a mandate. If you look at it honestly, from the perspective of all those who don’t really seem to care enough to vote, the only real mandate is that most of us would probably rather not be bothered with politicians at all. I of course understand this viewpoint as I consider politicians in general nothing more than a necessary evil, but we still have to be engaged in the process. Normally presidential election years are when voters finally decide to be involved in the process. That is because people are fascinated with who holds the office of president even though in the grand scheme of things the president has very little to do with their day to day lives. This year might be the exception though as both major party candidates really have nothing to offer the American public. The reality though is that citizens need to be engaged in the process, especially in the process that will decide how their tax dol-

lars will be spent. Failure to be a participant in the process effectively eliminates any argument you have later when things don’t go as you would like them to. An example would be helpful at this point. In another state I have worked in, the county board met for its annual budgetary meetings. There the meetings are held in June for a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year budget. As oftentimes happens, this county found itself deep in the red and needed to figure out a way to acquire more funds to pay its expenses, some of which were runaway expenses that should have been controlled but weren’t. The board meetings had a few citizens present, but most were just there to watch, and offered no input. The board voted to increase the millage rate on property taxes to foot the bill. Guess what? Shortly after they passed that measure hundreds of citizens then decided to start protesting and complaining. Where were they at the initial meeting? Why did they care after the fact, but not before? That is the issue. You have to be involved in the process every step of the way. You can’t just decide to participate when things don’t go your way. In the future, I would hope more citizens of Elmore County choose to participate in their governing process. It helps all of us when we are all involved.

Long-time Alabama mayors lose re-election bids

here is no truer adage in the political world than “all politics is local.” Therefore, the best politics and the best governing in the state is at the local level. The mayors of cities and towns throughout Alabama are the real governors of the state. Running a city is a full-time job. It is the where the rubber meets the road. They are the closest to the people. It is more important to the average voter whether their garbage has been picked up on time or their utility bill is too high than if we build a wall to keep Mexicans out of Texas or that Hillary Clinton hid her emails. These mayors get blamed for the garbage not being picked up on time and especially if their water bill is too high. There was a wholesale apple cart turnover and slaughter of iconic long-term mayors throughout the state with statewide municipal elections on Aug. 23. It was devastating in the Jefferson County suburbs. The veteran mayor of Hoover, Gary Ivey, lost 35 percent to 52 percent to former Hoover Fire Chief Frank Brocato. Two-term Vestavia Mayor, Butch Zaragoza, lost 43 percent to 57 percent to former FBI agent Ashley Curry. In Trussville, five-term Mayor Gene Melton lost big time. He got 25 percent of the vote running third to two City Councilmen, Buddy Choat (35 percent) and Anthony Montalto (40 percent), who will be in a runoff. Legendary Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford fell to City Council President Tony Haygood, 38 percent to 62 percent. The Selma mayoral race was a real donnybrook. In a five-person contest, the incumbent Mayor George Evans finished third with

STEVE FLOWERS Guest Columnist

only 18 percent of the vote. State Representative Darrio Melton and former Mayor James Perkins are headed for an Oct. 4 runoff with Melton leading. In Alexander City, incumbent Mayor Charles Shaw barely got into a runoff with James Nabors, who led 47 percent to 20 percent. In Hamilton, Mayor Wade Williams got trounced. Bob Page beat him 63 percent to 24 percent. Hamilton has not had a mayor to win a second term in 24 years. In Demopolis, incumbent Mayor Mike Grayson was trampled by John Laney 63 percent to 15 percent. That is taking someone to the woodshed. In one of Alabama’s fastest growing cities, Fairhope, four-term incumbent Mayor Tim Kant lost to bookstore owner Karin Wilson, who qualified the last day on a lark. In short, a host of incumbent mayors bit the dust and they fell hard. However, some popular incumbent mayors won reelection handily on Aug. 23. Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller waltzed to an impressive victory garnering 80 percent of the vote. In Prattville, incumbent Mayor Bill Gillespie trounced his opposition with a record 92 percent of the vote. Popular young Troy Mayor Jason Reeves got an impressive 73 percent of the vote over two opponents and reelection to his second term. Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis won a third term. He got 65 percent of the vote in his

reelection bid. Jim Lowery, the longtime mayor of Fultondale won 58 percent to 42 percent. Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell beat two opponents without a runoff. The biggest victory of any incumbent mayor came in one of Alabama’s top three metropolitan areas. Huntsville is one of the state’s largest cities and the fastest growing. Incumbent Mayor Tommy Battle won with 82 percent of the vote. This will probably catapult him into the 2018 Governor’s Race. Several popular mayors were unopposed. One was the very able mayor of Andalusia, Earl Johnson. All of the aforementioned mayoral incumbent victors are leading cities that are thriving and growing exponentially. There will be some good runoffs on Oct. 4. Most notably in Ozark between Mike Barefield and Bob Bunting where only 39 votes separated them. Forty-year veteran Mayor Jimmy Ramage stepped down as mayor of Brundidge. There will be a runoff election between Cynthia Pearson and Isabell Boyd, which will be interesting. The Luverne runoff election between Alan Carpenter and Ed Beasley will be close with only 12 votes separating them. It has been a very good year for local politics in the Heart of Dixie. 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.

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THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Sitting in the aisle with God

had a friend who worked at St. Thomas Church, New York City during seminary. St. Thomas is a very formal church where the ushers wear morning dress: a black cut away coat, grey striped formal trousers, vest and gray ascot. One Sunday, he said a young man came into the church as the service was beginning. He was scruffy looking, had long hair, and was wearing ragged jeans and an old army fatigue jacket. As the choir was processing down the aisle, the young man followed. When he got to the second pew, he suddenly sat down on the floor, in the aisle. An usher, a very old man in his morning dress and using a cane, started down the aisle. The choir finished the hymn before the usher reached the young man. For 10-15 seconds, there was silence but for the sound of the usher’s feet and the tapping of his cane. Everyone was mesmerized by the tableau, and waited until the usher got to the young man. Suddenly, gripping his cane and the pew, the usher sat down in the aisle with the young man and the service contin-

ued. This is a modern equivalent of the scene described in Luke 5:1-7, where the Pharisees and Scribes “murmur” about Jesus receiving and eating with tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees strictly observed the law of Moses. Anyone who did not was labeled as sinner. Pharisees did their best to cut themselves off from those sinners in every way: physically, socially, business wise. They also said and believed: there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who is obliterated before God. So when Jesus deliberately and intentionally sought out such sinners, went to their homes and ate with them, the Pharisees were horrified. In answer to their murmuring, Jesus tells two parables. The first, about a woman losing her silver coin, isn’t too hard to understand, especially in light of Judean marriage customs. Jews had a tradition of bridal necklaces. Ten silver coins would be strung on a necklace as part of the bride’s dowry. She would wear this necklace throughout her marriage to symbolize a ful-

REV. BOB HENDERSON Trinity Episcopal

filled, whole and complete home life. To lose it or one of the coins would be like losing an engagement ring or a wedding ring today. Naturally, she would search for it and search hard, until she found it. Easy to understand. But then, there’s the parable about the shepherd. He’s got 100 sheep. A shepherd with 100 sheep was considered well-to-do and secure, at least for a shepherd. Even so, his life wasn’t easy. It was hard and isolated. The hills of Judea were tough on shepherds and sheep. The soil was rocky, the hills and mountains were rugged and treacherous. There were lions, foxes, bears and wild dogs to contend with. It was hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Because sheep are essentially very stupid animals, the shepherd had to be very attentive or he would lose one to predators,

or by falling into a crevice or hole. It required constant vigilance. Yet, in this parable, the shepherd leaves 99 of the flock to go search for one. That doesn’t seem to make sense. What would happen to the 99 while he was searching? How many of them would be killed by a lion or fox, how many would fall into a gorge, how many would simply wander off like the one who was lost? It doesn’t make sense for the shepherd to leave the flock and go hunt for one sheep. And, maybe that’s the point. God is willing to leave all the good sheep, the sheep who don’t go wandering off, the sheep who do what the shepherd says, and go search and seek the one sheep, the one of us who is lost. That was unthinkable to Jesus’ audience of Pharisees. No Pharisee ever believed that God loved humans especially enough to search for them. Maybe, just maybe, the Jews taught, if a person abased himself enough, crawled to God, and asked for pity, God might have mercy. But, the idea that God would search out sinners, was absolutely

inconceivable. So much so, that an early Jewish scholar said that the one absolutely new thing Jesus taught men about God, was that God searched for men. But it is true. God searches for us. No matter how sinful, God searches for us and seeks us, even when we don’t want to be found. The mere fact that Jesus came, lived and died shows that God searches for us, seeks us out, just as Jesus did. That is something we mustn’t forget, ever. It is something we must teach our children, it is something we must tell ourselves over and over until we believe it. No matter how lost we feel, no matter how much we have sinned, no matter how bad we are or think we are, God is still looking for us, God is still seeking us, God wants to be with us, God wants to love us. Or, maybe, God just wants to sit down with us in the aisle of a stuffy, old Episcopal Church. The Rev Bob Henderson is Priest-in-Charge of Trinity Church in Wetumpka.

Area Churches AME ZION Mt. Zion Chapel AME Zion 2340 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-4413 Rogers Chapel AME Zion 709 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8144 Jackson Chapel AME Zion 4885 Coosada Rd., Coosada Jones Chapel AME Zion 2414 Ingram Rd. (Co. Rd. 3), Elmore ABUNDANT LIFE Abundant Life Church 9301 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-9143 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Agape Tabernacle Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic 541-2006 Bethel Worship Center 11117 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-5754 Crossroads Assembly of God 2534 AL Hwy 14., Millbrook 2855545 First Assembly of God 3511 Shirley Ln., Millbrook New Home Assembly of God 5620 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 569-2825 BAPTIST Abraham Baptist Church Millbrook Antioch Baptist Church 1115 Antioch Rd., Titus 567-2917 Beulah Baptist Church 2350 Grier Rd., Wetumpka 5142881 Blue Ridge Baptist 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 567-4325 Brookwood Baptist Grandview Rd., Millbrook Calvary Baptist 504 W. Osceola St., Wetumpka 567-4729 Central Baptist 3545 W. Central Rd., Wetumpka 541-2556 Coosada Baptist 20 Kennedy Ave., Coosada Deatsville Baptist 184 Church St., Deatsville Eclectic Baptist Church 203 Claud Rd., Eclectic 541-4444 Faith Baptist 64 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 5674417 First Baptist Church 205 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-5191 First Baptist of Elmore Hwy. 14 Co. Rd. 74, Elmore Galilee Baptist 95 Old Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-4178 Good Hope Baptist 1766 S. Fleahop Rd., Eclectic

Goodship Baptist Hwy. 143, Millbrook Grace Baptist Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-3255 Grandview Pines Baptist Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville Green Ridge Baptist 288 Turner Rd., Wetumpka 5672486 Harvest Baptist 2990 Main St., Millbrook Hillside Baptist 405 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka Holtville Riverside Baptist 7121 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 514-5922 Lake Elam Baptist 4060 Gober Rd., Millbrook Liberty Hill Baptist 61 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-8750 Lighthouse Baptist 2281 Main St., Millbrook Living Water Baptist 1745 Grass Farm Rd. (Co. Rd. 80), Weoka Millbrook Baptist Millbrook 285-4731 Mitts Chapel Baptist 935 Cold Springs Rd., Deatsville 569-1952 Mt. Hebron West Baptist 150 Mt. Hebron Rd., Elmore 567-4441 Mt. Herron East Baptist Church 4355 Mt. Herron Rd. Eclectic, Al 36024 334-857-3689 Mountain View Baptist 1025 Rifle Range Rd., Wetumpka 567-4458 New Harmony Baptist 3094 New Harmony Rd., Marbury 312-1878 New Home Baptist 1605 New Home Rd., Titus 5670923 New Hope Baptist 6191 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 569-1267 New Lily Green Baptist 6504 Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville New Nazareth Baptist Hwy. 143, Deatsville Pleasant Hill Baptist Pleasant Hill Rd., Eclectic 5413460 Prospect Baptist Prospect Rd., Eclectic 567-5837 Redland Baptist 1266 Dozier Rd., Wetumpka 567-8649 Refuge Baptist Church 3098 Red Hill Road Tallassee 334-857-2638 Rehoberth Baptist 8110 Rifle Range Rd., Tallassee 567-9801 Rushenville Baptist 10098 Georgia Rd., Eclectic 541-2418

Saint James Baptist 1005 Nobles Rd., Wetumpka 567-6209 Saint James Baptist 101 Gantt Rd., Deatsville 5693006 Santuck Baptist 7250 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 567-2364 Seman Baptist Seman, Alabama Shoal Creek Baptist 13214 Holtville Rd., Deatsville 569-2482 Springfield Baptist Hwy. 7, Millbrook Thelma Baptist 810 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 5673665 Titus Baptist 6930 Titus Rd., Wetumpka 334-531-2120 Tunnell Chapel Baptist 210 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 567-2589 Victory Baptist 5481 Main St., Millbrook Wadsworth Baptist 2780 Hwy. 143, Deatsville 5692851 BAPTIST - MISSIONARY Atkins Hill 565 Atkins Rd., Wetumpka 5671141 Cathmagby Baptist 3074 Mitchell Creek Rd., Wetumpka 567-4787 First Missionary Baptist at Guilfield 412 Company St., Wetumpka 567-7455 Goodhope 1389 Willow Springs Rd. Wetumpka 567-7133 Lebanon 17877 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 5141097 Mount Canaan 1125 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 567-2141 Mount Pisgah 16621 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 5673668 Mt. Zion 371 AL Hwy. 14, Elmore, 567-2613 Mt. Zion #3 1813 Luke Paschal Rd., Eclectic New Home 5130 Elmore Rd., Wetumpka 567-5966 Second Missionary 760 N. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8601 Spring Chapel Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 567-6493 Sweetwater 163 Michael Lane, Wetumpka 334-538-9415 Tabernacle Baptist

1020 W. Tallassee St., Wetumpka 567-0620 BAPTIST - PRIMITIVE Bethel Old School 4625 Jackson Rd. (C.R. 103), Wetumpka Providence 4850 Chana Creek Rd., Wetumpka CATHOLIC Our Lady of Guadalupe 545 White Rd., Wetumpka 5670311 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ of Elmore 470 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 567-6670 Church of Christ Grandview Pines 165 Deatsville Hwy., Millbrook Cold Springs Church of Christ 5920 Alabama Hwy. 143, Deatsville Georgia Road Church of Christ 4003 Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-2804 Lightwood Church of Christ 251 New Harmony Rd., Deatsville 569-1510 Redland Road Church of Christ 2480 Redland Rd., Wetumpka 514-3656 Wetumpka Church of Christ W. Bridge St. At W. Main St., Wetumpka 567-6561 CHURCH OF GOD Elmore Church of God 10675 Rucker Road, Elmore Gethsemane Church of God 705 Cotton St., Wetumpka 5679886 Church at the Brook 2890 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Maranatha Church of God 2621 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 567-6786 Victory Tabernacle AOH Church of God Hwy 143, Millbrook Wetumpka Church of God Hwy. 9 N. Wetumpka 215-3091 CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN Cedarwood Congregational Christian 10286 US Hwy 231 N, Wetumpka 567-0476 Seman Congregational Christian 15970 Central Plank Rd., Seman Union Congregational Christian 8188 Lightwood Rd., Marbury 569-2122 EPISCOPAL The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2602 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee 252-8618 Trinity Episcopal Church 5371 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka

567-7534 St. Michael & All Angels Church 5941 Main St., Millbrook HOLINESS New Beginnings Holiness 865 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-9211 Summit Holiness 2050 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Temple of Deliverance Holiness 620 Alabama St., Wetumpka 514-3114 JEHOVAH’S WITNESS Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 9235 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-8100 LATTER DAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1405 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 567-8339 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Cobbs Ford Rd., Millbrook LUTHERAN Christ Lutheran Church 2175 Cobbs Ford Rd., Prattville PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church 100 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8135 Millbrook Presbyterian Corner of Main St. & Coosada Rd. Valley View Presbyterian - PCA 4125 Rifle Range Rd. Wetumpka 386-2386 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST First Elmore Seventh Day Adventist 210 Lucky Town Rd., Elmore 514-1020 INDEPENDENT METHODIST Claud Independent Methodist Church 81232 Tallassee Hwy, Eclectic 541-2552 UNITED METHODIST Cain’s Chapel United Methodist 96 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 569-2375 Central United Methodist Church 11721 Central Plank Rd. Central Elmore United Methodist Church 40 Hatchet St., Elmore 567-8653 First United Methodist Church 306 W. Tuskeena St., Wetumpka 567-7865 First United Methodist Church 3350 Edgewood, Millbrook Harmony United Methodist Church 8000 Titus Rd., Titus Mulder Memorial United Meth-

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odist 3454 Fire Tower Rd., Wetumpka 567-4225 New Style United Methodist 64 Old Georgia Plank Spur, Wetumpka 567-9840 Oak Valley Station United Methodist 162 Parsonage Road, Tallassee 541-3924 Pierce Chapel United Methodist 1003 Pierce Chapel Rd., Santuck 265-6099 Providence United Methodist 1540 Providence Rd., Titus Robinson Springs Methodist Church 5980 Main St., Millbrook Trinity United Methodist 135 Little Weoka Creek Rd., Equality 567-9997 Union United Methodist 691 Central Rd. Eclectic Wallsboro United Methodist 11066 US Hwy. 231, Wetumpka CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Millbrook Church of the Nazarene 3251 Browns Rd., Millbrook PENTECOSTAL Faith Deliverance Church 475 Jackson St., Elmore 567-9209 OTHER Central Bible Chapel 3630 Edgewood Rd., Millbrook Chapel of Praise Hwy. 14, Millbrook Cornerstone Full Gospel 9301 US Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-9143 East Chapel MP Church Airport Rd., Millbrook Grace Bible Church 2251 Main St., Millbrook Gracepoint Community Church 78223 Tallassee Highway, Wetumpka 514-9292 New Life Church - Millbrook Sanctuary Worship Center 1688 Ceasarville Rd., Wetumpka Servant Fellowship Church P O Box 1423, Wetumpka 5672190 servantfellowshipchurch@windstream.net The Worship Center 2705 Williams Rd., Wetumpka Time of Refreshing Fellowship 117 E. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-7750 Victory Temple (Pentecostal church) 1173 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-7779 Words of Life Church 105 Cousins Rd., Wetumpka 514-2730

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ PAGE 7

Who Was Johnny Appleseed? John Chapman was born on September 26, 1774, in Leominster, Massachusetts. He was a nurseryman, primarily in the cultivation of apple trees, which earned him the nickname, Johnny Appleseed. Little is known about his childhood, except that his Father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and he and his sister went to live with relatives after his Mother died from tuberculosis. At the age of 18, he left for the new frontier out West, taking with him many apple seeds that he had collected after they were discarded by the cider mills in Pennsylvania. He ended up establishing himself in the then wildernesses of Ohio and Indiana. Appleseed planted many nurseries full of apple trees. He preferred a covered nursery to an outdoor orchard because it offered the seedlings more protection from animals. After growing the trees, he would sell them or give them away to the pioneers on their way out west. He was very generous and would often take payment for the trees by way of used clothing or food. Sometimes he did not even expect payment at all. He rarely wore shoes and lived a simple lifestyle, never taking more than he needed. His strange attire, the worst of the used clothing or even burlap sacks, was noted in many records. This is what led to the legends of his wearing a tin saucepan on his head as a hat, although it is unlikely that was really what he wore. Johnny Appleseed never settled down in one place. He roamed the Country tending to his various nurseries. Although he spent most of his life in the woods and forests, he was never once harmed by any animals. Folklore says that he even spent the night at the opposite end of a hollowed out WUHH ZLWK D PRWKHU EHDU DQG KHU FXEV GXULQJ D VQRZVWRUP KH FKRVH QRW WR OLJKW D ÂżUH VR WKDW KH ZRXOG QRW harm or scare away the animals. Appleseed was also famous for his love for horses. He would often rehabilitate old, broken-down horses and then give them away for free to good homes. When Appleseed was not cultivating, he was often working to help others. Johnny Appleseed died near Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1845, but his legacy lives on. You may have eaten an apple that was a descendant from one of his trees!

Appleseed Crossword

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How To Make Apple Juice

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THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Commission have to understand that without additional funding or increases in values of ad valorem that we have to be very prudent with our money,” Bowen said. “There are costs that keep going up and one of them that we are going to discuss is health insurance.” On the health insurance issue, McDuffie said that she had originally been asked to add a seven percent increase for health insurance costs but that the actual increase would be closer to four percent. McDuffie said that the county pays $6,241 for every single employee, which amounts to 100 percent of costs. The total for these expenditures she said is just over $1 million for 166 employees. For families the county pays 70 percent with the employee covering 30 percent, which puts the total at around $15,000 per year she said. McDuffie said she had researched state coverage of employees and noted that the state covers 75 percent of single employee costs and 63 percent of family employee costs. She then suggested that with insurance rates going up, the commission consider capping the cost that the county pays for insurance coverage. Bowen noted that absorbing the cost of insurance amounts to a raise of sorts for employees, he then suggested a one percent pay increase for county employees. McDuffie said that this would increase the budget by $90,000. Bowen then asked for a show of hands as to which members would support changing the budget to add in this pay increase. All of the commissioners except Commissioner Mark Hragyil voted to amend the budget. Hragyil said that he felt the one percent raise was a slap in the face to county employees who work hard at their jobs. Bowen then proceeded to go through specific line items in the budget, two items in particular in the probate office’s budget

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

continued from page 1

were of concern to him. One was regarding information technology services for the probate office. Bowen wanted to know why IT was budgeted for the probate office when the county already has an IT person to handle such issues. Bowen also questioned the “software maintenance” line item. Bowen wanted to know why the county was providing this line item from the general fund as Probate Judge John Enslen has a discretionary account that is supposed to cover archival expenses. McDuffie said that in her discussion with other department heads, they mentioned that they also use the services obtained under this line item and failure to fund it would disrupt their services. Revenue Commissioner Lee Macon specifically spoke on the issue stating that his office pulls every deed that comes through the probate office and the mapping department starts the process of obtaining information from the deeds filed. After Macon’s comments, Bowen no longer pursued the issue. In other matters before the commission: • The commissioners approved an agreement with Keet Consulting Services, LLC, Macon said he wanted to move to Keet Consulting because the current provider was not living up to its part of the contract. • The commission approved a carryover of dispatch services agreements with the city of Wetumpka and the town of Eclectic. • Approved support for the Veteran’s Day Musical Tribute. • Approved a letter of support for the Autauga Elmore Corrections Program. • Approved several measures for upcoming general and municipal elections. • Approved the FY 2017 Edward Byrne Memorial JAG program grant application.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 • PAGE 9

Bark in the Park event rapidly approaching BY REA CORD HSEC Executive Direcot

Only one week to go until our 11th Annual Bark in the Park at Fort Toulouse in Wetumpka! Make sure to join us this coming Sunday, Sept. 18 starting at 1 p.m. as our afternoon kicks off with a police K-9 demonstration by the Wetumpka Police at 1:15 in front of the Pavilion. Need to get your dog microchipped? Then Bark in the Place is for you as we will have a Microchip Clinic and ‘Ask the Vet’ from 1:30 – 3:30 thanks to Tuskegee University Veterinary School. For only $25 you can get your dog microchipped and that will also include the registration with 24 PetWatch. If you have questions you would like to ask a veterinarian, there will be veterinarians and senior students from the Tuskegee Veterinary School on hand - only questions though, there will be no exams, rabies vaccinations or treatments done. Bring your appetite (and some money) as Uncle Bob’s Dog House will have scrumptious hot dogs; Venice Gelato will have the always popular Italian ice and lemonade. And we will have a drink trailer from Buffalo Rock/Pepsi. Don’t miss your chance to have your pet’s photo taken by Pet Pawtography and check out our kissing booth for kisses from some awesome pooches. Is your pet an artist? Then you will love having your very own Pet Picasso at our brand new paw and tail painting studio for just a small fee – and no worry, the paint is safe for pet and people alike. Throughout the afternoon there will be interactive demonstrations of agility and K-9 nosework where you might find a new fun thing you can do with your dog. At 2:30 we hope you can join in on the Pup Parade to show off your loved and special pooch to our great pet loving crowd. There will be a variety of children’s aames, vendors; educational opportunities, rescue groups; Mulder Youth Ministry puppets – the list goes on! Make sure to get our very cool blue tie-dyed Bark in the Park 2016 t-shirt for $15. We are also selling them now at our shelter office so you can wear them to the Park. Admission to Bark in the Park is $5 per person 13 years old and older. All dogs coming to Bark in the Park must be good in public, meaning good around children, adults and other dogs in a very busy situation, and they must have a current rabies tag/proof of rabies vaccination to come to the Park. Parking can be tight, so please be prepared to walk just a bit to get from your parking spot to our activities. You

Budget budget was just in excess of $95 million. He stated that the increase was due to employee salary increases from year to year. According to the budget documents and discussion had during the two meetings, the district currently has 726.73 units. Units are the number of staff allotted for the district based upon student population numbers. Per unit, the district is currently allotted $405 for teacher materials and supplies, $169 for technology, $21 for library enhancement. $63 for professional development and $54 for textbooks. Elmore County Schools Superintendent Dr. Andre Harrison said many of these numbers do not allow for the district to be able to purchase necessary supplies and equipment. For instance, he mentioned that the library enhancement allotments were not sufficient for the needs of a modern school library and would barely be sufficient to purchase one book. During the budget discussions, Interim Assistant

Submitted / The Observer

Bea is a happy and loving six-month old female Lab/Bulldog mix, about 40 pounds. She loves everyone, is playful, great with other dogs and would simply love a family to call her own. Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under one-year-old; cats over 1-year-old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee completely covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough, free health exam with your participating veterinarian. To meet all the great pets at our shelter come to 255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL, 36092, go to our website at www.elmorehumane. org for more information, email us at hselco@bellsouth.net or give us a call at 334-567-3377. We are open for adoptions this week Mon–Thu, 10-5; Fri 10-6 and Sat 9-3. We will be out at Ft. Toulouse on Sunday, Sept. 18, from 1-5 for Bark in the Park.

will receive a map of events as you come through the gate. Cross fingers for a cool and sunny day and join us for an afternoon of fun with fellow pet-loving folks and shelter supporters! Just in case though - the rain date for Bark in the Park is Sunday, Sept. 25, 1-5 p.m., still at Ft. Toulouse. In celebration of our last big, pet focused event of the year, starting Monday and through Bark in the Park on Sunday our Adoption Fees for all of our large dogs (over 50 pounds) and a few others that have simply been with us far too long for their liking, will be reduced to $50 to qualified & approved adopters. We will also stay open until 6 p.m. on Friday night and if enough people keep coming – perhaps even later on Friday night! So now that the hot weather is hopefully also breaking, no better time to give one of our deserving larger (and smaller) dogs a loving home!

continued from page 1

Superintendent for Secondary Schools/Student Services Steve McKenzie spoke with the board about possibly including supplemental pay for teachers engaged in school related non-athletic duties. McKenzie noted that the district already provided stipends for those teachers engaged in athletic pursuits, such as coaches and assistant coaches. He noted that other districts have also been paying teachers who are involved in other extra-curricular activities that are not sports related and suggested that the board take a look at possibly compensating teachers for their non-classroom work. McKenzie said that based upon analyses done of other districts that provide such compensation, the compensation ranges from $500 to $3,000, with the average stipend being around $1,000. The board took no immediate action on McKenzie’s suggestion asking that more research be done to determine who would qualify for the stipends and what the stipend amounts would be.

PAGE 10 • SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

SPORTS

Visit our sister website: TallasseeTribune.com

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Panthers beat Indians twice, ride 7-game streak By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Elmore County beat the Indians twice in straight sets in back-to-back days, and kept rolling through Brewbaker Tech, 2-0, to close out a Thursday and Horseshoe Bend, 2-0, on the road Monday. Since losing its first two games on the year, the Panthers (7-2) have won seven straight without dropping a set. Defense reigned supreme in the short series of county foes, and the Panthers’ back row, led by senior libero Madeline Taylor, as well as senior Jazzmyn Barton and junior Alyssa Thomas, outshined Wetumpka’s Shamari Crenshaw and libero Caroline Tyler. “Elmore County was just more consistent than us defensively both games, and defense wins games,” first-year Indian volleyball coach Margo Thomas, whose team is 4-9 on the season, said. “I think with a little more time together, our team will learn each other and their roles on the court to become more consistent.” Against teams like Wetumpka, ECHS volleyball coach Kimberly Moncrief said, her team needed sound defense in order to win. Since dropping its first two matches of the year, Elmore County has

rattled off a string of victories, including this week’s wins over WHS. “I felt from the beginning of the season that we were strong all the way around the floor,” Moncrief said. “I also felt that one thing we would need to excel at this year is defense. We have to have our offense working to win big matches and it depends on getting the ball off the floor. I think we’ve picked up the hustle factor and making plays.” While defense has been the catalyst for much of their win streak, the Panthers cranked up the offense Monday to the tune of a season-high 27 team kills against Horseshoe Bend. Senior outside hitter HannahTraylor and sophomore Madison Taylor each led the way with eight kills apiece. Madison Taylor paced the back row with 11 digs. Junior middles Hannah Gibson and Hannah Hughes added five and two kills, respectively. Sophomore setter Nicole Ferpes helped spark the attack with 16 assists, while Sarah Ingram had nine assists. Accompanying the solid play from her starters, Moncrief lauded the play of reserve Haleigh Hart. “She was in for 10 total points, but during that time, she had five digs, one ace and

Cory Diaz / The Observer

Elmore County senior hitter Hannah Traylor (6) blocks a tip from Wetumpka setter Amber Sprayberry (11) during a match last week at ECHS.

one assist. Being able to come into the game like that helps us tremendously,” Moncrief said.

“She is a versatile, unselfish player who works very hard.” ECHS travels to Holtville

today for a key Class 4A, Area 5 match.

ASWA WEEK 4 FOOTBALL POLLS Class 7A 1. McGill-Toolen (28) (3-0) 354 2. Hoover (2) (3-1) 256 3. Hewitt-Trussville (4-0) 255 4. Central-Phenix City (2-1) 183 5. Spain Park (3-1) 168 6. Bob Jones (3-1) 148 7. Lee-Montgomery (3-0) 137 8. Davidson (3-1) 49 9. Enterprise (4-0) 47 10. James Clemens (1-2) 40

Cory Diaz / The Observer

Elmore County junior linebacker Ryan Orr (48) wraps up a Handley runner during last Friday’s Class 4A, Area 5 clash at Handley.

ECHS prepares to halt region skid v. Childersburg By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Despite consecutive region losses, Elmore County head football coach Norman Dean believes his team is better than they were when the season started. The biggest reason is building depth. With injuries to some key players, the Panthers (2-2, 0-2) ordered patchwork to get through the Leeds and Handley losses the last two weeks. “We feel terrible about being 0-2 in the region,” Dean said Wednesday. “You know, if you look for a silver lining, you look at have we improved in parts of our game? Have certain players improved? And the answer to both of those questions are, ‘yeah.’” Complementing junior wide receiver Terrence Head on the outside, senior wide out Tyric Belyeu has provided a nice target for senior quarterback Will Venable through the first four games. The 6-foot, 160-pound receiver has caught a team-leading 13 passes for 260 yards and four touchdowns. “Not only has he done real well for us catching the ball, he’s been a real good blocker for us,” Dean said. “(Offensive linemen) Easterling Carpenter and Michael Guionnaud have done well. Being injured all last year and not being able to play, those guys have been a pleasant surprise and we’re very glad they’ve been able to contribute so well.” While his offensive production has dipped some, the coach lauded Head’s play at cornerback. With Head

stepping up and helping experienced safety Shakwan Bickley who has 13 tackles this season, the team will count on the defensive back unit on defense hosting Class 4A, Region 3 foe Childersburg this week. Senior quarterback K.C. Calhoun guides a Tiger aerial assault that highlights senior playmakers Syheem Young and Noah Garrett. “You want them to be able to react. You don’t want them thinking a whole lot,” Dean said. “If you think, you play slow, especially on the defensive side. Whoever we’re playing, we’re looking to try to stop what they do well. “Childersburg is no different. They’re a big zone team, and counter. They have two very good receivers and they put up yardage.” Six turnovers doomed Childersburg last week versus Tallassee. ECHS matched that number over the past two weeks, with four against Leeds and two at Handley. “We’re trying to improve a little bit every week. We’re still improving parts of our game, but we still need to cut down on the mistakes,” Dean said. “It’s getting there. “You better beat (teams) that you are more evenly matched with. We feel like the next few weeks we’re matched up with people we feel better about.” The Panthers host Childersburg Friday at BurtHaynie Field with kickoff at 7 p.m.

Class 6A 1. Blount (24) (4-0) 334 2. Spanish Fort (1) (3-1) 251 3. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (2) (4-0) 244 4. Opelika (2) (4-0) 212 5. Clay-Chalkville (1) (3-1) 164 6. Oxford (4-0) 157 7. Gardendale (4-0) 136 8. Park Crossing (3-1) 86 9. Hartselle (4-0) 63 10. Minor (4-0) 33 Others receiving votes: Pinson Valley (2-2) 9, Wetumpka (3-1) 7, Benjamin Russell (2-1) 5, Albertville (4-0) 2, Bessemer City (2-2) 2, Saraland (2-2) 2, McAdory (2-1) 1, Parker (3-0) 1, Ramsay (3-0) 1. Class 5A 1. Jackson (23) (3-0) 338 2. St. Paul’s (6) (3-1) 284 3. Russellville (3-0) 238 4. Mortimer Jordan (3-1) 195 5. Beauregard (2-0) 175 6. Etowah (3-1) 138 7. Scottsboro (1) (3-0) 109 8. Calera (4-0) 65 9. Guntersville (2-1) 49 10. Lee-Huntsville (2-1) 35 Class 4A 1. Leeds (19) (4-0) 318 2. UMS-Wright (7) (3-1) 283 3. Madison Acad. (2) (2-1) 208 4. Haleyville (1) (4-0) 205 5. Andalusia (3-1) 160 6. Cordova (1) (3-1) 159 7. Munford (2-1) 132 8. Thomasville (2-0) 86 9. North Jackson (2-1) 51 10. Rogers (4-0) 36 Others receiving votes: Jacksonville (4-0) 23, West Limestone (3-1) 22, Tallassee (4-0) 14 (Randolph (3-1) 6, Handley (1-2) 5, Montgomery Catholic (3-1) 2.

Class 3A 1. Piedmont (28) (4-0) 354 2. Gordo (1) (3-0) 271 3. Opp (3-0) 238 4. Montevallo (1) (3-0) 199 5. T.R. Miller (2-1) 171 6. Oakman (3-0) 152 7. Mobile Chr. (2-1) 98 8. Colbert Co. (2-1) 87 9. Ohatchee (4-0) 43 10. Weaver (3-0) 19 Class 2A 1. Elba (30) (3-0) 360 2. Fyffe (3-0) 264 3. G.W. Long (3-0) 233 4. Lanett (4-0) 210 5. LaFayette (4-0) 165 6. Cleveland (3-0) 139 7. Washington Co. (2-1) 96 8. Tanner (2-2) 90 9. New Brockton (2-1) 58 10. Red Bay (4-0) 54 Others receiving votes: Leroy (2-1) 19, Aliceville (2-1) 8, Sheffield (3-1) 6, Goshen (3-0) 5, Tarrant (1-2) 3. Class 1A 1. Maplesville (26) (2-0) 348 2. Linden (4) (3-0) 281 3. Pickens Co. (3-0) 233 4. Spring Garden (3-0) 198 5. Brantley (2-1) 178 6. Cedar Bluff (2-1) 133 7. Addison (4-0) 117 8. Sweet Water (2-1) 72 9. Decatur Heritage (2-1) 60 10. Wadley (3-0) 38 Others receiving votes: Georgiana (3-1) 19, Berry (3-1) 14, Hubbertville (2-0) 8, Lynn (4-0) 4, Hackleburg (2-1) 3, South Lamar (2-2) 2, Isabella (3-0) 1, Notasulga (2-2) 1. AISA 1. Bessemer Acad. (29) (4-0) 356 2. Autauga Acad. (1) (3-0) 269 3. Monroe Acad. (3-1) 223 4. Escambia Acad. (3-1) 215 5. Lowndes Acad. (3-0) 159 6. S. Choctaw Acad. (3-0) 120 7. Marengo Acad. (2-1) 114 8. Pike Liberal (3-0) 91 9. Chambers Acad. (3-0) 88 10. Fort Dale Acad. (2-1) 32