OPINION:
LOCAL
PAGE 5 These are nowhere close to ‘normal times.’
ACTS honors longtime employee Newman.
SPORTS, PAGE 12
PAGE 3 LOCAL FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS, PAGE 2.
INSIDE:
WRESTLERS GO FREESTYLE
The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
TALLASSEE, AL 36078
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May 17, 2017
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 118, NO. 20
Warehouse project to fuel GKN growth strategic alliance that links the county’s primary economic development agency with key community governments to create a single entity to advance industrial projects. “GKN is proud of our industrial partnership with Elmore County,” said Matt Burke, vice president and general manager of the GKN Aerospace Tallassee facility. “This project will allow us to advance the capability of our facility and foster our relationship in the community.” Construction of the warehouse facility is expected to
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
File / The Tribune
A $700,000 warehouse facility that will permit the county’s largest manufacturer, GKN Aerospace, to open up critical manufacturing floor space for new projects.
A new economic development-focused alliance in Elmore County is funding the construction of a $700,000 warehouse facility that will permit the county’s largest manufacturer, GKN Aerospace, to open up critical manufacturing floor space for new projects. The 20,000-square-foot storage depot in Tallassee is the first project launched by the Elmore County Industrial Development Authority, a
Commissioners talk high-speed internet access
See GNK • Page 3
Roby keeps promise with Healthcare Act
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
The Elmore County Commission held a short but informative meeting, and, with little on the agenda, an important topic arose by way of the commissioner’s reports where an at-length discussion was held on the state of the county’s Internet service. “This is really and truly an economic development issue,” County Commissioner Bart Mercer said at one point during his report. The talks seemed intended to not only inform residents of the commission’s efforts regarding access to high speed Internet service, but also to spell out what the nature of the relationship was between Internet service providers and the county commission. The topic of Internet service has circulated See INTERNET • Page 11
take around 120 days. “We are excited to have a new, forward-thinking commission that truly understands economic development and the impact that companies like GKN make on the county,” said Leisa Finley, executive director of the Elmore County Economic Development Authority. “We are proud to have GKN as a corporate partner and look forward to assisting them by utilizing the resources the new IDA offers.” Finley said the storage
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Police Chief Matt Higgins awards Lieutenant Chris Owenby with the Officer of the Quarter award during Thursday’s Blue Jean Ball at the Benton Barn in east Tallassee. The Tallassee Community Development Corporation awarded the department $40,000 to pay for a citywide surveillance system.
SHOW OF SUPPORT Community turns out in force for TPD Blue Jean Ball By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
It’s no secret that Tallassee has a giving community. If there is a need, the community always comes together to meet the demand. This time, however, the people of Tallassee have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Together, community members and businesses owners donated
over $40,000 to the Tallassee Police Department through the Blue Jean Ball fundraiser. The fundraiser was the brainchild of Tallassee Mayor Johnny Hammock and the newly appointed chief of police, Matt Higgins. The two were brainstorming ideas about funding a citywide surveillance
U.S. Representative Martha Roby applauded House passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) and said Republicans are delivering on their promise to repeal and replace Obamacare. “For seven years I have promised my constituents that I would repeal and replace Obamacare. A month ago I sat in the Oval Office and told the President of the United States that I was with him and that I would help get this Obamacare repeal bill through the House of Representatives. Today we were finally able to deliver on that promise in a meaningful way,” Roby said. “Obamacare is crumbling as we speak. Premiums are skyrocketing, deductibles are through the roof and people are being hurt because they can’t afford care. That’s why we are repealing this failed law and replacing it with a patient-centered system that lowers costs, increases choices and isn’t run by the government.” Passing the American Health Care Act is the first of a three-step plan by Republicans in Congress and the Trump
See BALL • Page 7
See ROBY • Page 3
Community Foundation awards $69K in grants STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
On Tuesday, May 2 the Central Alabama Community Foundation (CACF) distributed $69,726 to nonprofits working in the areas of food, medical and family support who provide services in Autauga, Elmore, Montgomery, Macon and Lowndes counties. The presentation took place at the Mary Ellen’s Hearth at Nellie Burge Community.
CACF Community Trust Grants awarded $15,0000 to the Family Sunshine Center to provide one-year of individual counseling and emotional support to child victims of physical and/or emotional abuse through the Family Sunshine Center Counseling Center. CACF Community Trust also awarded grant monies to area food pantries. CACF awarded $5,500 to the City of St. Jude to purchase
LINVILLE MEMORIAL
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HOMES FOR SALE/ FOR RENT
H O M E
Cremations and Monuments
84632 Tallassee Hwy. [ Eclectic, AL
Submitted / The Tribune
See GRANTS • Page 7
One Spot. Hundreds of Possibilities!
Burton Ward, CACF President, gives Lee Greer, CFO Community Hospital, with a check for $1000 from the Elmore County Community Foundation on May 3 to further support the hospital’s Meals on Wheels program.
Today’s
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three 23 cubic feet commercial refrigerators and two 23 cubic feet commercial freezers for The City of St. Jude food pantry and soup kitchen. The organization also awarded $4,500 to the Montgomery Area Council on Aging (MACOA) for the MACOA’s Frozen Food Program. This program will provide 150 frozen meals a month for a full calendar year. In addition,
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Page 2 • May 17, 2017
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CommunityCalendar Submit calendar items: Participate in your Tribune by calling 334-567-7811, faxing them to 334567-3284, sending your event to carmen.rodgers@tallasseetribune.com or logging on to http://www.thewetumpkaherald.com/. May The Tallassee Garden Club is now taking new members. If you are interested in becoming a member of the club and helping beautify Tallassee, contact Vickie Bowen at 334-415-1987. • Please contact the Tallassee Recreation Department if you are interested in a self-defense class at 2834726. Class would consist of situational awareness, prevention, recognition of criminal behavior and some physical defense. May 18 THS Senior Walk through 9:00am at Tallassee Elementary and 9:45 at Southside Middle School. • Tallassee Elementary will recognize students for academic excellence. The awards program will be held in the cafeteria of Tallassee Elementary.
May 20 Relay for Life Softball Tournament will be held at the Tallassee Softball Complex in Carrville. May 26 Tallassee High School graduation at Hot O’Brien Stadium at 6 p.m. JUNE 1 Tallassee City Pool opens for the season. June 9-10 Tallassee NOW! Is set for Hot O’Brien Stadium and Bell Park. June 12-23 First session of swim lessons offered by the Tallassee Recreation Department at the city pool. Lesson times for each session are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. There will be an 11 a.m. time for
each session IF needed. You must come to Recreation Department to register before June 1. JUNE 26-JULY 7 Second session of swim lessons will be offered by the Tallassee Recreation Department at the city pool. Lesson times for each session are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. There will be an 11 am time for each session IF needed. You must come to Recreation Department to register before June 1. JULY 10-21 A third session of swim lessons may be offered by the Tallassee Recreation Department, if needed. Lesson times for each session are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. There will be an 11 a.m. time for each session IF needed. You must come to Recreation Department to register before June 1.
THE TALLASSEE TRIBUNE
Obituaries Linda Gayle Childers Linda Gayle Childers, 68, of Tallassee, died Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at her home. Funeral services will be Saturday, May 13, 2017, at First Holiness Church in Tallassee with Rev. Eugene Dixon officiating. Burial will follow in Union Methodist Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, May 12, 2017, at Corbitt’s Funeral Home in Tuskegee from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Childers is survived by her husband of 51 years Floyd Childers; her children Chris (Joy) Childers and Beverly (Dignesh) Patel; her grandchildren Brandon Gill, Wesley Gill, and Brooke Childers; her great grandchildren Alyssa Gill, Kalli Gill, and Aastha Patel; and her sisters Sue Roberson and Edna Sexton. She was preceded in death by her parents Chester and Mary Bedford, her sisters Shirley Hamel and Gloria Cannon, and her grandson Ryan Gill. Send condolences at www.corbittsfuneralhome.com.
Alford Royce Curlee Alford Royce Curlee, 81, of Tallassee, died Thursday, May 11, 2017, at Community Hospital in Tallassee. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at Reeltown Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Tim Smith officiating. Mr. Curlee is survived by his son Charles Curlee; his daughters Carolyn Curlee, Cindy Foster, and Elaine Obenberger; 10 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Mamie Curlee; his wife Sandra Curlee; his daughter Diane Foster; and his sisters Christine Lumpkin, Ollie Dunnaway, and Lucille Knowles.
Dean Gentry
Pet of the Week – Minnie
Minnie is an eight-month old female Catahoula mix, about 35-40 pounds, with the most striking colors. She is a confident girl, good with other dogs, though she can be a bit bossy. She is happy to play, happy to lay or just happy to take it all in. Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under one year old. Cats over one 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) and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian. To meet all the great pets at our shelter come to 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. For more information, 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 Monday through Friday 10 a.m-5 p.m. and this Saturday, May 20, from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. for Adoptions Under the Stars!
Dean Gentry, 84 of Phenix City, Alabama died Sunday May 14, 2017 at St. Francis Hospital. Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. EDT Wednesday May 17, in the Girard Room at Striffler-Hamby in Phenix City, AL. Burial will follow in Parkhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Gentry was born July 30, 1932 in Tallassee, Alabama; daughter of the late Jessie E. and Ida Lois Teel Wade. She was retired from Tri-City Cleaners after 29 years of service and was a member of Central Baptist Church in Phenix City. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Gentry and brothers, Ray Wade and Lewis Wade. Survivors include her son, Ellis Estes (Jean) of Wadley, AL, grandchildren, Christy Estes Heath (Casey) of Valley, AL, Robert Estes of Wadley, AL, brothers, Joe Wade of Columbus, Dick Wade of Tallassee and great grandchildren, Devin, Alexis and Jerald Heath. Please visit www.shphenixcity.com
Many a
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Matthew Freeman “Matt”
Happy Special Birthday, which fell on Mother’s Day. This day was very special to me. We miss you everyday, your smile and always saying, “Mom are you good?” Love Always, Mom, Dad, Adrienne, Isaac, Kamar and Allayah
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BRICK HOME ON EAST PATTON – 3 bd/2 baths, nice home on 16.6 acres that’s NOT in the city limits, $149,900. HOUSE IN RED HILL ON 229, 2 large bd/1 bath, nice den and NDING kitchen, 32x20 shop, 2.6 acres,PE$115,000. RIVER HILLS SUBDIVISION – 23 lots, great views of Lake Tallassee, underground utilities, sewage. Prices start at only $20,000. 13 SOLD – NOW 10 REMAINING. 3 MORE NEW HOMES being built now in River Hills Subdivision. 1500 sq. feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, wood and tile floors, fireplace, granite counters, great location within walking distance to downtown Tallassee. $144,900 BEAUTIFUL BRICK HOUSE in Plantation Pines, 4 bd/3.5 baths, 1.6 acre lot very modern and pretty, REDUCED TO $299,000. 3189 LITTLE ROAD – 4 bd/2ba., large lot, very modern, & pretty, only $215,000. RIVER HILLS SUBDIVISION – Water front lot 181 feet W/F 1.3 acres, Flat great views, $115,000. TALLASSEE GILMER AVENUE – 3bd/2 ba next to DQ, zoned commercial, REDUCED TO $89,900.
THE TALLASSEE TRIBUNE
www.TallasseeTribune.com
May 17, 2017 • Page 3
CARMACK’S Prices Effective Tues., May 16 - Sun., May 21, 2017
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ACTS honors Newman
Submitted / The Tribune
ACTS honored one of its most dedicated volunteers at the annual meeting held in March at the ACTS offices in Carrville. Priscilla Newman was honored for her many years of hard work and dedicated service. She has tirelessly given of her time and talents to the organization serving the needs of the less fortunate in our community. Congratulating her is Barry Adair, Executive Director of ACTS. From left to right: Barry Adair and Priscilla Newman.
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depot project serves a vital community need by enabling GKN’s Alabama operation to move forward with potential projects in the near term. According to Tallassee Mayor Johnny Hammock, this expansion project will free up space inside GKN, making the manufacturing process more efficient. “You have parts taking up valuable real-estate inside the plant,” said Hammock. “This warehouse facility will be a place to store those parts prior to shipping. This will free up that area inside the plant and make more room for new jobs.” GKN Aerospace’s Tallassee facility has been in operation since 1985 and today
employs 800 people. The Alabama plant boasts 380,000 square feet of manufacturing space and works with industry partners such as Sikorsky, Airbus, Bell Helicopter, HondaJet, GE and Lockheed Martin. “This will bring in about 40 new jobs.” Hammock said. “I think it’s great. I know AIDT (Alabama Industrial Development Training) is working with GKN to get people trained to fill those positions. Hopefully, people from Tallassee will apply and fill some of those spots.” Community partners behind the formation of the Elmore County IDA are the City of Tallassee, Elmore County Commission and the Elmore County EDA.
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continued from page 1
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THE TALLASSEE TRIBUNE
We’re in the heartland of American music F
or all of the snide invective directed at the Deep South, one historical facet that can’t be denied is its overwhelming position in American music history. About a quarter-century ago, a manufacturing mogul in Meridian, Mississippi asked me to envision “…a square that’s about 250 miles long on each side, where the bottom borders the Gulf of Mexico, the west side is just on the other side of the Mississippi River, the north side is the northern border of Tennessee, and the east side goes down from the eastern border of Tennessee.” He then cited all of the musical styles and genres that came from that area, in which Meridian was “dead center,” according to the captain of industry. And in the two and a half decades since, how the musical entertainment scene has continued to, er, evolve seems to validate the tycoon’s proprietary attitude. Examples include most of what is now pronounced to be country music sounding almost exactly like what used to be called Top 40 rock or
pop, as well as the ongoing rap phenomenon, which may not actually be “music” per se—instead, it might be appropriate to call it “entertainment with a beat.” Consulting a map of the U.S. also validates the mogul’s perspective, and it’s intriguing to consider the distance from Tallassee to each of the metropolises that are generally acknowledged as the focal point of classic American music styles and genres. To wit: Cited as the home of Country music, Nashville is right at 300 miles from here, and has really grown since around the last decade of the last century. Many musicians have been relocating to Music City from elsewhere, including Los Angeles, and Nashville is exploiting its original history along with such expansion (geographical and musical) in a noticeable manner. The thing is, when one examines the roots of country music, Bristol, Tennessee (edge-to-edge with Bristol, Virginia) gets cited, because that’s where the Carter family (A.P., Sara and Maybelle) made some
The So-Called Column By Willie G. Moseley primeval recordings in the late ‘20s. There was also Jimmie Rodgers (a.k.a. “The Singing Brakeman”), who was from Meridian, although some sources indicate he was actually born in west Alabama. Macon is about 170 miles east of Tallassee. It’s noted for legends like Otis Redding and Little Richard, plus an ancillary association with the rise of James Brown, who pretty much founded the Funk genre all on his own (Brown was born in South Carolina). There’s also the Allman Brothers Band and the advent of what was called Southern Rock, as promulgated by Macon’s Capricorn Records in the ‘70s. New Orleans’ polyglot musical history is fascinating, and includes brass band (i.e,, those
parades in the middle of the street without someone prancing out front with a fancy umbrella), ragtime, Dixieland (a combination of brass band and ragtime that also allows improvisation), Cajun, yydeco, gypsy jazz, and even some new hophop genre called Bounce. Whew… NOLA is located some 340 miles from Tallassee. It’s 351 miles to Clarksdale, Mississippi, located in the Mississippi Delta, the home of blues music. While the legends of the blues were scattered all over the Delta—B.B. King hailed from Indianola, for example—Clarksdale is an appropriate location because it’s the site of an iconic intersection called the Crossroads that figures into the history of blues music. Clarksdale is also the home of the Delta Blues Museum. Other Delta musicians migrated to Memphis, of course, and that city not only nurtured the blues, but also oversaw the birth of rock and roll at Sun Studios in the mid-‘50s. The Bluff City subsequently begot the gritty-and-greasy Southern
soul music genre, with Stax Records leading the charge. Muscle Shoals is about 200 miles from here, and unlike the previously mentioned locales, it didn’t really nurture a particular musical movement, but added its own unique styles and embellishments to recordings of Southern soul music. In other words, it seems appropriate that it’s situated between Memphis and Macon. Local legends like Percy Sledge and Arthur Alexander are exemplary, but other musicians from elsewhere came to the Quad Cities to record. And any of the preceding municipalities cited is within a day’s drive from Tallassee. The music born and nurtured in the Deep South ultimately made its mark, world-wise, and any resident of this area who has an interest in American music history certainly doesn’t have far to go to visit iconic sites. Willie Moseley is the news editor emeritus of The Tribune. He is a regular columnist whose work appears here each Wednesday.
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THE TALLASSEE TRIBUNE (533-160) is published weekly on Wednesday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 301 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee, AL 36078. Periodical postage paid at Tallassee, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Tallassee Tribune, 301 Gilmer Avenue, Tallassee, AL 36078. ISSN # 2150-3982. 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 - $0.25 per word with a $15 charge for a picture. Obituaries can only be accepted by the funeral home handling the arrangements. The Tallassee Tribune does not accept obituaries from individuals. •Weddings/Engagements/Birth Announcements - $0.25 per word with a $15 for a 2 column, color photo. • One year $25 (In Elmore County, Tallapoosa County and Notasulga) Elsewhere $38 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription with a 30-day notice. The notice can be mailed to the subscriber, or by notice in the newspaper itself. To subscribe or if you missed your paper, call David Kendrick at The Alex City Outlook: 256-234-4281. © 2015 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. Steve Baker, Publisher publisher@tallasseetribune.com • 256-234-4281 David Granger: Interim Managing Editor David.Grangerl@tallasseetribune.com • 334- 567-7811 Corey Arwood: Reporter corey.arwood@tallasseetribune.com • Ext. 102 Carmen Rodgers: Reporter carmen.rodgers@tallasseetribune.com • Ext. 101 The Tallassee Tribune is contract printed each Tuesday evening in Alexander City, Ala. by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. 256-234-4281.
The Tallassee Tribune
T
The results of an article
here’s a magazine put out by the Electric Cooperatives of Alabama, titled Alabama Living. The reason I’m mentioning this book because in the April issue is an article about purple martins by Katie Jackson and the Coffeebreaker is quoted throughout the article. She also put my cell number in the article. From the article I started receiving phone calls and I’m still getting quite a few but I guess I’ve received well over one hundred calls. Most of them from people wanting to get started having purple martins visit them. Others wanting to know why their birds left and haven’t come back. What kind of houses to put up and where can I find gourds? One man called and asked if I was familiar with Rainsville, Alabama and he explained that it was in the area of Ft. Payne and Scottsboro. He said he didn’t have a
The Coffee Breaker By Ronald Brantley question but to inform me that he had up 974 martin houses and that his son had 240. His son lives across the road and he added that all of them had birds in them. I generally have around 120 gourds and I thought I was king of the hill. By the time he finished his conversation I was having my doubts. He also said he wanted to have a martin bird festival in the third week of June. About a day later I got a call from a man near Scottsboro. How far you are from Rainsville, I asked? About thirty minutes more or less he answered. I told him the story of Rainsville and all the things the first man told me. That’s very hard to
believe was his first response. Later that day my phone rang and when I answered it was the man from Scottsboro. He said, he went over to Rainsville and checked out the address I gave him. He carried his wife who kept telling him it was a wasted trip. When they got there the first thing they saw was about two thousand birds flying over and, sure enough, everything the man from Rainsville told me was true. Later another man called and I told him the story of the first two men. He had his doubts but when he called me back he said it was all true plus the fact that the man turned out to be his wife’s first cousin. I spent twenty years in the Navy he said and in that time I never saw anything beat that sight. These are just a few of the stories that I heard after the story on purple martins came out. Next year I’m going to do some
experimenting on using different types of regular gourds with a different entrance. I have found two different types of commercial gourds, they aren’t like the old plastic gourds they used to sell but a thick gourd that’s roomy plus Tractor Supply has come out with a new type commercial gourd that a lot of the callers that I talked to say work great. My son has come up with a new type that’s made from a plastic paint bucket. We know they will go in the old fashioned gourd, but I want to know if they will give the others a try. If you know someone who gets the Alabama Living and you like martins, I think you’ll enjoy the article and if I can be of any help just call me at 334-301-0125 . Ronald Brantley is a regular columnist for The Tribune. His column appears here each Wednesday. He can be reached by email at Rbrantley1@elmore. rr.com
Talks THE TALLASSEE TRIBUNE
Inside the Statehouse By Steve Flowers
Senate race will eliminate gubernatorial hopefuls quickly
T
he race for our open U.S. Senate seat will be the marquee political event for the remainder of this year. It will be a great show. However, we have a sensational and pivotal 2018 governor’s race evolving simultaneously. This much-anticipated gubernatorial derby will be affected by the preliminary Senate horse race. The political landscape has changed dramatically with the decisive move by new Gov. Kay Ivey to call for the election of Jeff Sessions’ successor to the Senate this year. Unlike in olden days – where running a preliminary statewide race was a stepping-stone to getting elected four years later – in recent years losing statewide is not good, especially if that loss has occurred within less than six months. Therefore, three or more thoroughbreds are removed from the governor’s race. One will be in the Senate and the other two will be exiled to Buck’s Pocket and will not be players in the governor’s race. You can remove Roy Moore, Luther Strange and any unknown wealthy person, who can and will spend $5-$10 million dollars of their own money. This unknown rich man will either be senator or gone from the scene. Roy Moore’s removal from the governor’s race is the most significant change to the gubernatorial track. His evangelical base, which probably accounts for 20-30 percent of a GOP primary vote, will be splintered among the field. As I peruse the horses grazing in the pasture, let’s take a look at them because the race begins in less than a month, with fundraising for the June 2018 primaries beginning on June 6. Before I mention some horses who look to be frontrunners, let me say that most of these folks ain’t ponies. Kay Ivey is 72. She would have probably gone out to pasture had she not become governor. With 18 months as governor she begins to look very gubernatorial. If she decides to run, she will be running as the incumbent and will be a viable horse, if not the front-runner. Huntsville mayor Tommy Battle, 61, is going to be a player in this race. He has done an exemplary job as mayor of Alabama’s most important and successful city. Folks, if we did not have Huntsville, we would be last in everything. Battle is popular in his neck of the woods and will come out of the Tennessee Valley with a good many votes. The “Yella Fella,” Jimmy Rane, 70, may make the race for governor. He is a successful businessman worth $600 million, according to Forbes Magazine. His business success has not gone to his head. He is and would come across as a “good ole guy.” Jack Hawkins, the 72-year-old chancellor of the Troy University System, would be the bestqualified person to be governor. If you put his resume into a merit system roster, the computer would print out his name. He would also be an attractive candidate. Besides building and presiding over a university system for 30 years, he is tall, handsome and very articulate and exudes honesty and integrity. He would also be the only Marine in the race. David Carrington, 69, is a Jefferson County Commissioner and successful businessman. He could garner significant support from the Birmingham business community. He also should have some name identification from being seen on Birmingham television for six years. John McMillan, 75, is one of the best-liked and successful statewide officeholders in Alabama. He has had a stellar eight-year reign as agriculture commissioner. John is a native of Baldwin County, which is one of Alabama’s fastest growing and largest Republican counties. If there is a large field, a strong vote in his home county could catapult him into a runoff. What about the other statewide officeholders? Twinkle Cavanaugh and John Merrill are younger than the aforementioned horses. At 50, they could sit out this race and come back either four or eight years later. Most observers expect Twinkle to run for Lt. Governor. She would be a favorite in that race. John Merrill probably stays another term as Secretary of State, which is prudent. If he and Twinkle bide their time, they would be the frontrunners for governor next time around. Two older horses in secondary statewide office are question marks. Young Boozer, 68, is term limited from running again for Treasurer. He is mum on his plans. State Auditor Jim Ziegler, 68, has garnered a lot of press the last few years from that benign office. Folks would be wise to not underestimate him. However, his best race would be for attorney general. He would enter as the favorite in that race. 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.
I
www.TallasseeTribune.com
The sweetest sound I’ve ever heard
can’t recall exactly when I fell in love; it seemed meant to be from the start. After years of not really fitting in anywhere, band, and later choir, gave me a home. By the second semester of my last year in junior high school, I was so bandobsessed, so overboard in my devotion to band, that my parents actually moved to a different neighborhood so that I could attend a high school that I felt was my destiny: Robert E. Lee High School. Our band director was Dennis Johnson. He was here in Tallassee last week on behalf of Art’s Music Shop, testing kids for band instruments. Johnson was only about 25 or 26 years old when he was my teacher. Johnson was tough as nails. He had come out of the Auburn band and was a part of the Spirit of Atlanta drum and bugle corps. He was a percussion instructor with Southwind, the drum and bugle corps based in Montgomery. It’s hard to imagine now, but in the 1980s, the DCI activity was more than a movement; it was a way of life for many young musicians. What was interesting to me was that Johnson was also a Lee graduate. Lee High
J
Bird’s Eye View By Michael Bird School did a really good job of maintaining its traditions and history, mainly by moving up longtime employees into administrative positions and hiring from within. Lee High also loved to hire its own graduates once they finished college. So, for many years, even decades, Lee High School was insulated in a protective bubble on Ann Street in Montgomery. The Lee Band tradition was so important to Johnson, and to all of us, that we started band camp the week after graduation. I still have the paperwork from my rookie year: drums came back June 5-9. Then, beginning June 13, we had Tuesday and Thursday night rehearsals from 4-8 p.m. In July, we went Monday through Thursday, from 4-8 p.m., four nights a week! By August, we were ready for full-blown band camp. Two weeks of 8 in the morning until 8 at night, Monday through Friday. By the time school began, we were more
than ready. But as enjoyable as marching band was, what I really loved was concert band. We had a magnificent set up at Lee. The top 40 players were in the Symphonic Band, which played the most difficult of the classic band literature. The other 90-100 players were in the Concert Band. We also had a Jazz Band that was by director’s invitation only. I made the Symphonic Band on trombone my first year. And I still remember the hours and hours of rehearsal on those pieces: “Procession of Nobles” by RimskyKorsakov and “Variations on a Korean Folk Song” by John Barnes Chance were the hardest pieces of band literature I’d ever played. I can remember looking out the transom windows at the overcast February sky, with Lee High School almost seeming like one of those black-and-white pictures in my parents’ yearbooks. Johnson was at my band room the other night, and after all the times back in the day that he’d made fun of my geeked-out band recording habits, he had a request. He asked if I had any recordings of us. I walked into the storage closet and produced a
box of tapes. I put the cassette of our 1990 State Contest performance on the sound system in the band room. For a moment, we were transported back 27 years. To me, it sounded like those old recordings of the 1950s-era Lee Band, back when Johnny Long was putting the school on the map and the fidelity of the recordings was not so great. Now, removed nearly 30 years from when these recordings were made, they are about as old as the original Lee Band recordings were when I first heard them in the 1980s. But what fascinated me was not the recording of those great musical works, amazing as it was that we played such difficult music so well; it was what I saw in my mind as the musical notes drifted by. I saw Ann Street in black and white looking out of the transom windows in the Lee band room, and a young Mr. Johnson drilling us on some of the hardest music I’d ever played. How could my teenage self have known that I would still get that thrill, just listening to the sweetest sounds I’ve ever heard.
These are not even ‘semi-normal’ times
ust when you think things might be approaching seminormality in the Trump White House, things happen to blow any semblance of normality out of the proverbial water. Not that, from this seat, things have been completely normal since Trump was inaugurated, but there have been times of lesser uproar. Prior to last Tuesday, things were in a bit of a lull, by Trump standards. So, perhaps Trump felt a need to spice things up and that’s why he fired FBI Director James Comey. Oh, he may say that it was Comey’s decisions he made during the Hillary Clinton email uproar late last year, but is anyone really naïve enough to believe that? Doesn’t anyone else see it as interesting that reasoning flies directly in the face of what Trump’s feeling were about Comey’s role in the Clinton affair during the campaign or that Trump’s dismissal of Comey comes while he is in charge of an investigation that could implicate campaign advisers
O
May 17, 2017 • Page 5
DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor
of the president or even Trump himself? And how about Jeff Sessions’ role in the whole Comey affair? Assistant Attorney General Andrew McCabe’s recommendation – however trumped-up (no pun intended) it may have been – that Comey should be dismissed went through Sessions, who had, weeks before, recused himself from the investigation into any Russian contacts. So how is him playing any part in the recommendation a recusal? When it comes to this whole series of investigations into any Trump associates’ connections with the Russians, we should demand that there be no funny business. Why? Because it is not funny. If the Russians played pals with the Trump campaign and had any role
in changing the outcome of our election, they will likely do it again and have probably already tried. In France. Where they failed. While that’s a good thing, that doesn’t really help our situation in the U.S. where Trump locks out American media allowing only Russian media in to take photographs of him meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. The president is fond of referring to the mainstream media as fake news. Well, what about Pravda? And later in the week, Trump trotted out the idea of doing away completely with his administration’s daily briefings of the media, proposing instead that the media be briefed once every couple of weeks by the president himself. I guess that’s one way to get Sean Spicer off of Saturday Night Live. All jokes aside, the presidential daily press briefings are a long-standing tradition of the White House as well as an expectation of the media that covers the
president. To do away with those briefings would be yet another whack by the Trump administration at one of our fundamental rights. No, the Constitution gives the media – and, as a result, you and me – no expressed right to hear from the White House daily. But tradition does and when you cut back on traditions tied to rights, you cut back on those rights. Can you imagine our media being left out in the cold for a two-week period during some of the crises and questionable actions we’ve seen thus far in the Trump presidency? And when Trump says two weeks, how do we know that might not turn into two months? Or six months? Or his shutting the media down from asking questions of the administration altogether? No, these are not even semi-normal times. They are scary ones. David Grange is the managing editor of the Tallapoosa Publishers Newspapers in Elmore County. He can be reached at david.granger@ thewetumpkaherald.com
Thou shalt not cut grass on Sundays
n Sunday, I was the guest speaker at Eagle Creek Baptist Church on Highway 49 between Dadeville and New Site. I’ve known about this church for most of my life as it’s just a few miles from where both my mama and daddy grew up. In fact, my maternal grandparents are buried in the Eagle Creek cemetery. “It’s a sweet church with sweet people,” Pastor Dr. Tim Thompson said to me via an online message. Dr. Thompson, as many of you know, was the long-time pastor at First and Frazer United Methodist Churches in Opelika and Montgomery, respectively. Unfortunately, he couldn’t be in attendance, hence the need of a guest speaker. Like many of you, I’ve had a great deal of things going on over the past few months, ranging from bad and depressing to really bright and exciting. It’s just how life goes, but that dark cloud has been lingering for a few days now. I just do the
JODY FULLER Columnist
best I can with what I have. Over the past week, I’ve found myself singing the old hymn “Trust and Obey,” which, along with “Amazing Grace” has always been one of my favorite songs in the hymnal. I really wasn’t sure what to expect as I made the drive up Highway 49. While I’ve spoken at many churches, I’ve only spoken at one other on a Sunday morning in lieu of a preacher. I can talk all day long but a preacher, I am not. I knew it was a sweet church with sweet people, so I just trusted, obeyed, and prayed for God’s amazing grace. I walked in to the sanctuary and found a place to sit on the back row. It was a Baptist church after all. When in Rome…
During the announcements, I glanced over my bulletin and began to tear up. The call to worship song was “Till the Storm Passes Over.” The congregational hymn was “Trust and Obey,” and you guessed it, the praise song was “Amazing Grace.” The fellowship song was “God is Good All the Time.” My talk went well. There was lots of laughter with a positive message of service to others. After the service, I stood on the porch and shook hands and hugged necks. Many, if not most, knew much of my family, so it almost felt like a family atmosphere. Some of them went to school with my mama, and some went to school with my dad. One of them was at their wedding. Some of them knew my grandparents, aunts, and uncles on both sides of the family and had stories to tell. One lady sells tomatoes to mama and step-father. One sweet lady talked about how much she loved
my grandmother and fondly remembered her singing the old hymns. Grandmamma didn’t attend Eagle Creek Baptist Church. She attended a nearby church but was always singing the old hymns, so she might have heard her belting out “The Old Rugged Cross” or “He Walks with Me” at anywhere from the nursing home to the grocery store. I was only there for a little over an hour, but it could not have gone any better. It was a sweet church with sweet people. The music, too, was sweet and could not have been more fitting. God is indeed good all the time. The storm shall pass. The Son will shine. We simply must trust and obey. His amazing grace is all we need. 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.
Page 6 • May 17, 2017
www.TallasseeTribune.com
THE TALLASSEE TRIBUNE
CELEBRATING THE ARMED FORCES
The Armed Forces are the brave men and women of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard who are celebrated each May with Armed Forces Week. These people deserve recognition for their contributions to our Nation and our freedom. Armed Forces Week begins on the second Saturday in May and leads up to Armed Forces Day on the third Saturday in May. The holiday ZDV ÂżUVW FHOHEUDWHG RQ 6DWXUGD\ 0D\ DV SDUW RI D FDPSDLJQ WR XQLI\ WKH EUDQFKHV XQGHU WKLV VLQJOH GHSDUWPHQW 7KH ÂżYH PLOLWDU\ EUDQFKHV RI WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV KDG DOO SUHYLRXVO\ FHOHEUDWHG GD\V KRQRULQJ WKHLU LQGLYLGXDO EUDQFK ,Q 3UHVLGHQW 7UXPDQ VLJQHG WKH 1DWLRQDO 6HFXULW\ $FW RI ZKLFK RUGHUHG WKH VHSDUDWH PLOLWDU\ EUDQFKHV WR FRRUGLQDWH WKHLU DFWLYLWLHV XQGHU RQH HQWLW\ WKH 'HSDUWPHQW RI 'HIHQVH 7KH ÂżYH EUDQFKHV RI WKH $UPHG )RUFHV RU PLOLWDU\ ZRUN WRJHWKHU WR SURWHFW RXU &RXQWU\ DQG SHRSOH RI RWKHU QDWLRQV DV ZHOO 7KH $UP\ LV WKH EUDQFK RI WKH 8QLWHG States military that handles land-based military operations. The Air Force mans the skies. The Navy is responsible for military functions at sea, and the Coast Guard is responsible for protecting the 8QLWHG 6WDWHVÂś FRDVWV 7KH 0DULQH &RUS ZKLFK ZDV ÂżUVW FUHDWHG WR SURYLGH 1DY\ YHVVHOV ZLWK ODQG soldiers, now has a wide variety of responsibilities. Many of these soldiers work in what we call The Special Forces. These are special units in the branches that carry out especially important and dangerous tasks. Hidden
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A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS! The
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Ball
www.TallasseeTribune.com
continued from page 1
system and much-needed tactical gear for the officers at TDP. “We started going through ideas,” Hammock said. “We mentioned a Policemen’s Ball to the CDC (Community Development Corporation) and it spun into a fundraiser after that. When we first started looking into it, we hoped to raise $25,000.” Hammock expects that more than money will come from this event. The idea is to reintroduce the Tallassee Police Department under the new leadership of chief Higgins. “There was a black cloud over the department because of a few bad apples,” Hammock said. “We have great, wonderful people on our police force,. They just needed some good leadership. I think everything is working out great.” With a newly appointed chief of police, Hammock hopes that dark cloud will finally make way for sunshine. “When the chief was appointed in January, one of the first things we started doing was talking about how we can put the police department in a positive light,” Hammock said. “We wanted businesses owners and community members to come out and meet the men and women in our department.” Hindsight is 20/20. Looking back, Hammock explained that if a camera system had been in place on the night of the east side mill fire, state and local officials probably could have closed the case in the time lapsed. “It would help if we had some kind of cameras on the thoroughfares in the city,” he said. “For instance, on my first day in office the BB&T Bank was robbed. If we had a camera system back then we could have caught
that suspect much quicker, probably that same day. I also believe that if the city had a camera system in place last year when the mill burnt, we would have someone in custody for that.” According to Hammock, not only did the community come together to raise money for the much-needed surveillance system, the committee working on this fundraiser also rose to the occasion to bring this event to fruition. “I can’t say enough about the committee that worked on this,” Hammock said. “Brad Davis, Jason Benton, David Stough, Laurie Rygiel – they all collaborated to make this event such a success, but Laura Leigh Peters really spearheaded this fundraiser. Hat’s off to her, it would not have been what it was without her. If I had to vote for the Francis Wagnon Award, she would get my vote.” During the fundraiser, the CDC presented a check in the amount of $40,000 to TPD. The citywide surveillance system will cost the city around $20,000. The remaining funds raised through this event will furnish the police department with much needed tactical gear. “These officers were wearing expired vests,” Hammock said. “ Our guys were going into dangerous situations, sometimes without helmets. We set it at $25,000 and raised 40,000.” In addition to food, fun and fellowship, the Blue Jean Ball also offered Chief Higgins the opportunity to award deserving police officers with acknowledgments. Higgins thanked the men and women who now work for him. He commended them for their diligence and desire to serve the community.
May 17, 2017 • Page 7
Grants
continued from page 1
CACF awarded $5,000 to the Society of St. Andrew for The Montgomery Gleaning Network. This network uses volunteers to recover and distribute fresh produce to local agencies in Montgomery, Lowndes, and Macon counties. CACF awarded grants for medical needs as well, including $5,000 to Child Protect to provide forensic interviews and follow-up counseling to victims of alleged child abuse. Five-thousand dollars in grant money was awarded to Medical Outreach Ministries to purchase medical supplies, such as diabetes test strips, lancets, pen needles, and syringes for their Diabetes Self-Management Education Program. An additional $5,000 was awarded to Sight Savers America to provide vision screenings, administered by FocusFirst, to Head Start classes and daycares in Montgomery County. Here in Elmore County, the ECCF (Elmore County Community Foundation) also awarded Community Trust Grants to deserving organizations. The Elmore County Pregnancy Center was awarded $1,000 to provide ultrasound tracking, client training materials and supplies for the Cradle Closet. Another $1,000 was awarded to Tallassee’s Community Hospital for their Meals on Wheels program. This grant will assist in providing 33 daily hot meals to eligible participants. TH ECCF awarded $1,000 to Child Protect in Elmore County to support victims of alleged child abuse that will be served by the Child Protect Elmore County Satellite office. This grant will provide a forensic interview and follow-up counseling.
ECCF awarded Field of Interest Grants to group homes and service dogs providers in the area. Brantwood Children’s Home’s Birthday Angel Fund received $4,550, which will provide 12 monthly birthday parties for 55 boys and girls, ages 10-20 years old, that have been removed from their homes and are in foster care, temporary homes or awaiting transition to a new home. In addition, $15,000 was awarded to Service Dogs Alabama to provide Diabetic Alert Dog training to 50 dogs and match them to children, adults, and veterans with diabetes. The Autauga Area Community Foundation also awarded grants to non-profit organizations in the Autauga County area. The Montgomery Area Food Bank was awarded $1,300 for their Mobile Pantry Program, which will provide 15 deliveries of food distribution and nutrition education materials to 2,250 low-income and at-risk families in Autauga County. ACCF awarded $876 to Child Protect to support victims of alleged child abuse who will be served by the Child Protect Autauga County satellite office. This office, like the Elmore and Montgomery County offices, will help investigators discern the truth in child abuse allegations and provide follow-up counseling. CACF was founded in 1987 and has grown to hold over $58 million in charitable assets while distributing over $50 million to organizations that serve the community. CACF serves several counties including Autauga, Coffee, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery.
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DIAMOND LEVEL SPONSORS AES Industries Gulf Packaging Howell, LLC Jim Wilson and Associates PrimeSouth Bank Tallassee Industrial Development Board
First Community Bank Godwin’s Flowers Home Integrated Solutions Hornsby and Sons Body Shop Hoyt Bazzell HR Management Solutions, LLC Information Management Solutions Information Transports Solutions, Inc GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS Parker Tire and Service Center Advanced Disposal Parker Wholesale Cars GKN Aerospace Patterson Air Yesac Corporation Patterson and Duke Precise Pressure Washing SILVER LEVEL SPONSORS Raymond James BB&T Simple Lease, LLC City Collison Super Foods Crain Rehab Steve Martin Engineering Guardian Credit Union Tallassee Health and Rehabilitation, LLC Jeffcoat Funeral Home Tallassee Lions Club John Stanley and Associates Tallassee Quarterly Neptune Technology Group Tallassee Rotary Club Price Paint and Body Tallassee Tribune SCF Buildings Tallassee VFW Tallapoosa County Commission District Thrifty Portable Buildings 5-George Carleton, Jr. Tiger Paw The Learning Tree Todd Gantt & The Standard Deluxe Band Trustmark Bank PATRON LEVEL SPONSORS Turf Tactics Alabama Power T-Fit AME Engineers WACQ Apex-Chuck Isbell WTLS/Tallasee Times Brantley Signs 1220 Café CARPDC Community Hospital
RELIGION
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www.TallasseeTribune.com THE TALLASSEE TRIBUNE
There is only one sure way to Heaven You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so you may announce his praises. 1 Peter 2:8 Have you ever wondered what the words “lay people” or laity means? I’m sometimes called a “lay priest”. And no, before you say it aloud, it does not come from word lay-ZEE. It comes from the Greek word laos, which means God’s own people, people who belong to God. (We could also say people are owned by God, but that does not come out very well.) Yes, we are God’s people, bought from slavery to sin by the precious blood of our Savior. We are now “living stones, built into the spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5) in Jesus Christ who is the
FATHR MATEUSZ RUDZIK St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church
cornerstone of our lives. The challenge here is to have the courage to evaluate if what we are doing is building on Jesus, does it have its foundation on Him, belong to Him. Or maybe not? “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. (...) Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ John 14:1-3,6 Jesus prepared for us a dwelling place in the Father’s house- in Heaven. The only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ- he is the Way. He opened Heaven just for us. Heaven, salvation and eternal life are offered us for free. Jesus paid the price on the Cross. What we need to do is to respond to His love and His offer of being our Savior. However, sometimes we may think that we can somehow earn Heaven, or salvation by being
good, by loving our neighbor, by going to church, by helping others. That’s unfortunately not true. We do what is good, right, etc., as a response to Christ’s gift of salvation which is for free. Not because we need to be good in order to deserve salvation. We should not just do good so we won’t go to hell. We should do good because He has shown us through His example. But that isn’t what gets us to Heaven. God’s love toward us won’t change. We don’t deserve it. And so, we don’t have to be good in order to be loved by Him. He loves us anyway. He wants us to be loved. We can accept His love and love others or not. But it is always God who does first step towards us – because on our
own we cannot reach Him. We can’t do good works in the hope of reaching Him. Good works are fine, but they won’t save us. Salvation is God’s grace. It’s free. Our good deeds should be a response to, and confirmation of, the faith we say we profess. No good deeds can earn us God’s salvation, forgiveness, love or Heaven. It’s all for free. It’s all God’s gift. Father Mateusz Rudzik is the pastor of St. Joseph Church in Tuskegee and St. Vincent de Paul Church in Tallassee. The 32-year-old native of Poland is an adventurer, sky diver, motorcyclist, rock climber and skateboarder. For more information, visit www.stvincenttallassee.org, or call (334) 2832169.
Church Briefs • Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
On Saturday, May, 20 from 9 a.m to 11 a.m. Epiphany will host “Beans & Rice.” The Beans & Rice ministry takes place the third Saturday of every month. At that time, the Parish Hall is open to those in need of food, who may choose their preferred items from the selection available. On May 21 at 9:30 a.m. Father Wells Warren will lead a continuing Sunday School series on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. At 10:30 a.m. Father Wells will celebrate the Holy Eucharist, with coffee hour to follow. For more information, visit the church website: http://epiphanytallassee.org/
• Tallassee Community Center
A Woman Worthy of Double Honor. You are cordially invited to celebrate with us as we honor a true woman of God, Chief Apostle Dr. Audrey L. Brightmon, on Saturday May 27, at 3 p.m. at the Tallassee Community Center Thank you and God Bless.
• Salem Macon Baptist Church
The Forever Young Seniors will meet Tuesday May 23, at 6:30 p.m. Charles Pollard will be our speaker. Charles is an author, historian, and storyteller. He will keep us entertained. Mark it on your calendar and don’t miss a good time. Bring a covered dish. Everyone invited.
• East Tallassee United
Methodist Church
The “River’s Edge Flea Market” is open every Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. All vendors are welcome: new items, old items, crafts, youth groups, ball teams, baked goods, produce and food. The flea market is sponsored by the East Tallassee UMC and is located across from City Hall. We will offer various priced booths. To reserve a space call Joan Wood at 334-312-4913. All proceeds raised by ETUMC will be used for church-sponsored programs.
• St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
”Our Life’s Journey” is an outreach of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Tallassee,
Fr. Mateusz Rudzik, Pastor; and Knights of Columbus Council 15093, Andy Lacey, Grand Knight. It airs on WACQ-AM 580 and FM 101.1 each Sunday from 8:00-8:30 a.m. Listen online at www.wacqradio.com OR on your smart phone using the TuneIn app.
• Elam Baptist Church
Rev. Gene Bridgman, Pastor, urges everyone to attend Church each Sunday. Visitors and members have a special invitation to attend all services, events, fellowships and special events at Elam. Look for Relay for Life changes this year. Relay has kicked off with a pre-order home-cooked bake sale. Order your favorites. Contact Dianne Arendts. Worship each Sunday is
at 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Life changing Bible hour begins at 10 a.m. Sunday with nursery available and classes for all ages. The Mid Week Renewal with Prayer begins at 7 p.m. each Wednesday following choir rehearsal with Kevin Lanier at 6 p.m. All Choir members please be present. The monthly ongoing Elam ACTS Ministry of rice and chili continues. “KIC”, a Ministry for Children meets each Sunday in the Sanctuary at 11 a.m. for a Children’s Sermon with Will Haynes following the Fellowship Hymn. Children’s Church will follow with joint assembly and age group divisions. Children, age 2-10 years, please take advantage of this special time each Sunday.
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 BAPTIST Abraham Baptist Church Millbrook Antioch Baptist Church 1115 Antioch Rd., Titus 567-2917 Beulah Baptist Church 2350 Grier Rd., Wetumpka 514-2881 Blue Ridge Baptist 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 5674325 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 567-4417 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 567-2486 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 5674458 New Harmony Baptist 3094 New Harmony Rd., Marbury 3121878 New Home Baptist 1605 New Home Rd., Titus 567-0923 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 541-3460 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 569-3006 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 567-3665 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 569-2851 BAPTIST - MISSIONARY Atkins Hill
565 Atkins Rd., Wetumpka 567-1141 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 514-1097 Mount Canaan 1125 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 567-2141 Mount Pisgah 16621 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 567-3668 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 334-5389415 Tabernacle Baptist 1020 W. Tallassee St., Wetumpka 5670620 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 567-0311 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ of Elmore
Submit your church news to editor@tallasseetribune.com ••• The deadline Is FRIDAY at noon.
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 5691510 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 567-9886 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
If you would like to be a sponsor of the Devotional Thoughts each week, please give us a call, 334-567-7811.
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May 17, 2017 • Page 9
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Internet through social media at length, garnering dozens of comments and some suggestions to take the issue up before the commission. Mercer said through his combined work with the Elmore County Economic Development Authority he had been looking into just what the county’s role was, its capabilities and its limitations in getting residents and businesses access to high-speed and broadband online access. He said he was aware of areas within the county that did not have access to this service. “You know it hasn’t been that many years back when high-speed Internet was not totally necessary to conduct life as we normally all would,” said Mercer. “But that’s changed. We have all of our businesses, in order for them to operate in a efficient manner and in order for our students to do their homework in many cases they have to have access to high speed Internet, so the need for that has changed drastically over the last few years, in my opinion.” Mercer said without access it limits those areas to both residential and commercial use. He talked about the capacity of the county’s involvement with cable providers and the nature of their relationships. “The commission does enter into franchising agreements with cable providers that will in-turn provide high-speed Internet, but we do not enter into an agreement that’s exclusive,” Mercer said. “Our agreement has nothing to do with what takes place in a municipality and it also, like I said, no one provider has exclusive rights.” He said it gave them the authorization to
continued from page 1
install the cable in county property or its right-of-way. To do that, he said a franchising fee is collected from the ISP’s costs to the customer. He said there were multiple of these franchising agreements throughout the county and within them the county was limited in its actions. “There’s very few provisions in there that the county can set and regulate, in fact every franchising agreement we have now previous commissions have signed, we haven’t. This commission hasn’t done anything related to that as far as there being any franchising agreements that have expired since we’ve taken office.” He said through his research and looking into the agreements there were a few things that he said directly affected residents. One of which was the franchising fee, but also that the rates and costs of its services were not set by the county or what he said was called in the document the “grantor.” Mercer turned to County Attorney Jeff Courtney for further glimpses into what he said was a lengthy legal document, known as the Cable Act. Courtney said the majority of the franchising agreements were governed through the bill, in which the fees charged were statutory. “It’s so statute driven that there really isn’t a lot of room for movement on a lot of issues,” said Courtney. Mercer spoke then about what the county could do to increase access to high-speed Internet. He said there were grants that would pay partly for infrastructure to be installed at public buildings and that could be a first step in that direction for rural
areas. “We also want to make sure – and we have looked at this – to make sure that Elmore County is as business friendly as possible. That applies to whether getting a cable provider or any industry that would like to operate in Elmore County or either locate in Elmore County. “But because the lack of broadband really and truly can adversely affect the current operation or future operations of business and … our citizens this is really and truly an economic development issue.” In response Mercer said he, along with other commissioners, had begun promoting ECEDA efforts to attract cable providers to the county just like a retailer or manufacturer. Mercer concluded, “I’ve probably learned more about broadband in the last three or four months than I ever knew but I want our citizens to know that we understand there’s a need for it. We also understand clearly that the importance of having broadband access is much more important now than it was a just a very few years ago.”
May 17, 2017 • Page 11
‘Adoption Under the Stars’ offers busy people chance to adopt By REA CORD Elmore County Humane Society
Are your Saturdays just too busy anymore and you find we are closed when you are finally done with all of your errands? Well, not to worry as you can come out to visit our pets until 8 p.m. this coming Saturday, May 20, for our Second Annual “Adoptions Under the Stars.” Not only is our staff doing a fantastic decorating job, you just might find your best friend and get a lucky special discount on that pet’s adoption fee. Once approved for a pet you will be able to pick your star to see what your adoption discount or door prize might be! See you Saturday! We hope you have your calendar marked for our 12th annual Wags & Whiskers Auction on Friday, July 28, at the Wind Creek Wetumpka Entertainment Center, 100 River Oaks Drive, Wetumpka. Our auction is a don’t-miss event with something for everyone and just a great evening of fun. There will be hundreds of items up for auction (both silent and live), great food, door prizes and more. All the proceeds go to our humane shelter to help ensure we can continue our work and be there to help all the pets brought to us in need of our help. We are still accepting items for our auction and are open to just about anything in our categories of antiques & collectibles. artwork & wall décor, certificates/tickets, household Items, jewelry; pet-related items, sports, outdoors and more. If you would like to donate an item to our auction, please contact Chris Sisson at 334313-2155. All donated items are tax-
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deductible and help us do even more to help the animals in our care. This is both a silent and live auction so plenty of opportunities for everyone to find one or more treasures. The fun, food and bidding begin at 6 p.m. when we open the Entertainment Center doors. Wind Creek Wetumpka will ensure a great layout of food for everyone. Scott and Michelle Williams from High as the Sky Auction Company will make sure our live auction is a fun experience for everyone and DJ Ziggy from PowerSounds USA will keep our energy level high as our master of ceremonies. Silent auction bidding will then continue until the final whistle and our many auction volunteers will then help everyone collect their items and do the final payment processing. Later this month you can preview each and every item that will be in our auction by checking out our special auction website: www.elmorehumane. auction. New items are being added weekly so check back often to see what new treasures will be up for bid. You can pre-purchase tickets for $25 person at our shelter (255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka) or at the door. We also have a limited number of tables seating, eight for $300. Come to the shelter or call us at 334-567-3377 to pay for your table before they are all gone! Our Silent Auction is our biggest single fundraising event, so we hope for a huge crowd who want to have fun, find a few treasures and support our work to help as many animals as we can every day.
12 The Tallassee Tribune • May 17, 2017
SPORTS
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Tallassee wrestlers win freestyle championship By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Coach Josh Epperson took four Tallassee wrestlers to the Alabama State Greco and Freestyle Championships, held at Thompson High School in Alabaster on Saturday, with all four medaling in their respective divisions. The Men’s GrecoRoman Wrestling tournament is a long-standing event, beginning in 1904 and the men’s freestyle wrestling tournament has been around since 1951. Tallassee won its first two freestyle state championships with Mason Bell winning the 6th – 8th grade 136-pound division and Land Bell winning the 3rd – 5th grade 70-pound division.
Mason Bell also placed second in the Greco 6th – 8th grade 136-pound division. Aidan Cockrell placed second in both Greco and freestyle at 6th – 8th grade, 144 pounds, and Carter Van placed third in both Greco and freestyle at K – 2nd grade, 55 pounds. Epperson, one of Tallassee’s most decorated wrestlers, winning multiple high school state championships, elaborated on the significance of the showing at the tournament. “Greco and freestyle are the Olympic wrestling styles and are not widely practiced in our area,” Epperson said. “For a group of young men to work out for one month, compete at the state level and place all four wrestlers is remarkable.”
The coach gave the credit to the young men in his charge. “The guys were all having to do things they were unaccustomed to with the Olympic wrestling styles,” Epperson said. “They stayed focused and were very coachable throughout our training and tournament schedule.” Epperson went on to single out the eldest Bell brother. “Mason made the freestyle finals against a kid he wrestled eight times over previous years and had never beaten, and had lost to earlier that day in the Greco finals,” Epperson said. “He was determined to win and scored a second-period pin against the young man. That’s the kind of effort these kids gave last Saturday.”
Submitted / The Tribune
Mason Bell took the 6th-8th grade 136-pound division at the State Greco and Freestyle Championships held Saturday in Alabaster. Bell also placed second in the Greco 6th-8th grade 136-pound division. Land Bell took 3rd in the 5th Grade 70lbs. Aidan Cockrell placed second in both Greco and freestyle at 6th – 8th Grade 144 pounds and Carter Van placed third in both Greco and freestyle at K – 2nd Grade, 55 pounds. Left to right, Coach Josh Epperson, Carter Van, Mason Bell, Land Bell and Aidan Cockrell.
Reeltown collects three gold medals at states By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
People better start keeping their eyes out for Reeltown’s track and field team. A pair of underclassmen collected a trio of gold medals for the Rebels at this weekend’s AHSAA Class 2A Championships. Just a freshman, Eric Shaw was unstoppable in the hurdles picking up wins in both the 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles. He also climbed the podium in the boys high jump with a secondplace finish. Sophomore Makevon Hughley kept the accolades coming as he won gold in the 100 dash. “I’ve been so amazed at how well these kids have performed,”
Reeltown coach Alana Garrard said. “Even with it being freezing cold Friday, they did a great job. I’m so proud of them.” What was most impressive about Hughley’s victory in the 100 was his finish after how he performed in preliminaries. Hughley was seeded just sixth after his prelim time of 11.81, but he slashed nearly a half second off the time to win the event in 11.33. “On Friday, the weather was horrible,” Garrard said. “It was cold and rainy, so we told him just do your thing and get into the final. Saturday morning, the weather was beautiful, and we wanted him to get a good start off the blocks. It was time to show up and he
did.” Hughley also posted a third-place time of 23.11 in the 200 dash; he broke his own school record in both events. For Shaw, he was expected to win the 110 hurdles as he was seeded first, but his time of 15.42 beat the field by nearly an entire second. His winning 41.14 in the 300 hurdles was seventhtenths of a second faster than anyone else. “We knew he had worked real hard at his hurdle technique, and we felt like he was going to be able to perform well,” Garrard said. “We weren’t sure of course, but it turned out that he just had a phenomenal race.” Shaw was second in the high jump after clearing 6-0, and both
Submitted / The Tribune
Reeltown freshman Eric Shaw collected a pair of gold medals this weekend at the AHSAA Class 2A Track and Field Championships. He won both the 110 and 300 hurdles.
he and Hughley were members of the thirdplace 4x100 team, which finished in 44.75. Other team members were
freshmen Cameron Faison and Rahsheed Wilson. Reeltown’s girls 4x100 team of Mya Coleman,
Eryn Wells, Taniya Haynes and Diyanna Newton climbed the podium with a sixth-place time of 54.84.
Elmore County ties Notasulga, BTW in jamboree By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor
Norman Dean is looking for some kids to step up for his Elmore County Panthers. “We lost our entire offensive line and we lost our quarterback,” said Panthers head coach Norman Dean on Monday after his team had played two controlled 12-play scrimmages – one each with Notasulga and Tuskegee’s Booker T. Washington – at Friday night’s spring jamboree in Tuskegee, each ending in an 18-18 tie. From Dean’s comments, it looks as if he may have found a quarterback. “Terrence Head had a big touchdown pass and several big runs for us,” Dean said. “D.J. Patrick had some big runs for us. Donovon Jones had some big runs, too. LaDerrius Jackson had a good run. Defensively, Ryan Orr, a linebacker, did well. We had Keshaun Benson with a 95-yard pick-six. There were a lot of positives, things we can build on in the fall.” “Everything turned out well. It’s the next step in the process. The kids played well and we played a lot of them at a lot of different positions.”
Submitted / The Tribune
Elmore County head coach Norman Dean said rising junior running back D.J. Patrick (4), ahown here in 2016 game action vs. Munford and straight off a two-gold-medal state track meet performance, had several impressive runs in the Panthers’ controlled scrimmages with Notasulga and Booker T. Washington Friday night.
Dean said the AHSAA’s limited to eight practices gives every moment with his team added significance, but that he believes that the Panthers have fared as well as could have been expected this spring. “We’ve got a lot of young guys out there, but
they’ve come along well,” Dean said. “A lot of kids are going to be starting for the first time. The big thing for us is, it’s like putting a puzzle together. You’ve got to look at all the pieces and figure out how they best fit. “We had six first-time starters on offense and,
I think, five or six firsttime starters on defense. We’re really young, but I think everyone did well. I think we arrived at real good starting point. We’re a couple of steps closer to being where we need to be when fall rolls around.” And fall comes early for the Panthers, who
tangle with Montgomery Academy to begin the 2017 season a week earlier than most other schools play. “We can’t afford to have any wasted time (this fall),” Dean said. “First day of practice, you’ve got to come and already be in shape.
“I read a letter and the National College Football Hall of Fame from a Texas coach to his players that told them to report ready to start getting in shape. Nowadays, you don’t have that luxury. You need to be in shape when you hit the field in the fall.”