04-20-22 Tallassee Tribune

Page 1

LOCAL, PAGE A2

Sheriff’s Department seeking help with burglary

SPORTS, PAGE A7

REELTOWN BASEBALL HITTING ITS STRIDE ENTERING POSTSEASON

INSIDE:

Tallassee, AL 36078

LOCAL, PAGE A12

Police seeking suspect in pharmacy burglary MEET THE PET OF THE WEEK, A3

$1.00

April 20, 2022

TallasseeTribune.com

VOL. 124, NO. 16

Council concerned over inflation, project costs

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer Everyone is seeing rising costs, from everyday citizens to local businesses. It’s no different for public projects, but budgeting and planning multi-million dollar projects is difficult, especially when funds are already tight. The City of Tallassee has multiple projects under way, some from con-

sent decrees, such as a new wastewater filter treatment plant to keep it from paying more in penalties. But with no bid locked in yet, the price tag climbs daily. “I’m really concerned about taking on new projects,” Councilwoman Sara Hill said at last week’s Tallassee City Council meeting. “I know we need to do it but with costs going up, where is the money going to come from?” The city does have some grant

funds to help with the project but it also has to come up with matching funds. Bids should soon be let for the new wastewater treatment plant, but many things have changed since the planning began. Mayor John Hammock said estimated costs have risen $1.9 million. “We started this project years ago,” Hammock said. “We had COVID in CLIFF WILLIAMS / THE TRIBUNE there.” Tallassee fire Chief Eric Jones speaks with the Tallassee City Council about some of the things the department has done See COUNCIL, Page A3 during recent storms.

Commission recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Month

Encampment brings history to life STAFF REPORT

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer The Elmore County Commission passed a resolution at its meeting last week marking April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Stacy Reed with Elmore County Department of Human Resources (DHR) said it is a team effort in protecting children from the dangers of the world. “Prevention of abuse is effective because of cooperation between agencies, schools, faith communities, civic organizations, law enforcement and the business community,” Reed told the commission. “It is important we celebrate the role everyone has in protecting children.” Reed said Elmore County DHR investigated 563 reports of possible abuse or neglect involving 814 children. Reed said the agency found 33 percent of See COMMISSION, Page A3

CLIFF WILLIAMS / THE TRIBUNE

Members of the Elmore County Department of Human Resources speak to the Elmore County Commission about Child Abuse Prevention Month.

City clerk cleared by ethics commission By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer After months of allegations and the Tallassee City Council’s request for investigation into a number of issues of multiple employees and elected officials, the State of Alabama Ethics Commission has said a complaint against Tallassee city clerk Whitney Pitchford has been thrown out. Pitchford was one of those the council said had allegations against her. Councilmember Jeremy Taunton

read a letter from the ethics commission during Tuesday night’s council meeting. Dear Ms. Pitchford: A complaint was against you alleging that you violated the provisions of the Alabama Ethics Law. The complaint has been investigated by the commission investigator McCay. The results of that investigation were presented to the members of the Alabama Ethics Commission at their meeting

held April 6, 2022. The commission concluded, upon review of the evidence from the investigation, that there was not probable cause to believe that you violated the Alabama Ethics Law. Accordingly the complaint has been dismissed. Sincerely, Thomas B. Albritton Executive Director The State of Alabama Ethics Commission investigates allegations of unethical behavior of

elected and government officials across the state. When it finds probable cause of violating ethics laws it refers the cause to district attorneys or the Alabama Attorney General’s Office for possible prosecution. It is unclear whether this ethics commission investigation was part of the council’s November 2021 request to investigate multiple city employees and officials. Also unknown is the status of investigations into the other employees and officials.

Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson and the Alabama Historical Commission are hosting the French and Indian War Encampment this weekend. The event focuses attention on the main protagonists of the French and Indian War — France, Britain and their American-Indian allies. Living history demonstrations of military, Indian and civilian life will take place on Saturday and Sunday throughout the day. Re-enactors will be dressed and equipped as they appeared in North America during the middle of the 18th century. The encampment is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 23 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 24. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for school age children. Refreshments will be sold by Boy Scout Troop 50 on Saturday. Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park is a historic property of the Alabama Historical Commission. The forts are located at 2521 West Fort Toulouse Road, two miles west of U.S. Highway 231. Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park is a significant archaeological site. This area is where the Coosa and Tallapoosa River meet to form the mighty Alabama River and has been occupied for 10,000 years. Prehistoric and American-Indians, Spanish explorers, French marines, English and Scottish traders, and American settlers all left their mark on this National Historic Landmark. To learn more about Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson, or the Alabama Historical Commission, please visit www.ahc.alabama.gov.

Today’s

Weather

73 53

High

Low

CONTACT US 334-567-7811 Fax: 334-567-3284

THURS: HIGH 80 LOW 54

USPS 681-260

All Lawn Maintenance • EDGING • TRIMMING • WEED EATING • PINE STRAW

FREE ESTIMATES!

(334) 309-4422 (334) 580-7879


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
04-20-22 Tallassee Tribune by Tallapoosa Publishers - Issuu