Weekend The Outlook
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
April 13-14, 2019 Vol. 127, No. 74 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
INSIDE: • Fatal wreck, 2 • Obituaries, 2 • Opinion, 4 • Events, 5 • Faith, 6 • Sports, 11
Tornado threat Forecaster warns of threat in Alex City, said conditions are ripe as season peaks By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor
The Alexander City area will face an enhanced risk for tornadoes Sunday morning and afternoon as a strong storm system sweeps across the Southeast, according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham. “Our main concern is tornadoes,” NWS forecaster Jason Holmes said. “There’s a lot of wind shear and a lot of instability there. Many of the conditions are there for tornadoes and we are concerned. We don’t want to scare anybody but the last time we had this was the Lee County event. The potential is there for a few tornadoes or even a strong tornado.” See TORNADO • Page 10
Council likely to vote on city hall financing Monday Mayor wants low interest rate locked in
Randy Wilson / Community Design Solutions
An artist rendering shows what Broad Street currently looks like, top, and could look like, above, if some of the ideas Main Street Alabama presented this week were to be implemented by Main Street Alexander City.
By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor
Alexander City Mayor Jim Nabors said he is willing to order a special-called meeting if necessary to lock in a low interest rate loan if a $9.11 million financing proposal for the newly acquired municipal complex is not approved at Monday’s city council meeting. He may not have to. Ordinances are traditionally considered in a first reading at council meetings then approved or rejected two weeks later after a second reading. But such a delay could result in a higher interest rate on the loan. To change the procedure, a motion to suspend the rules for immediate consideration must pass unanimously; the vote to approve the ordinance itself can then proceed and pass with a 4-2 majority. Councilmember Buffy Colvin has voted See FINANCING • Page 3
‘A bold vision’ Potential changes could take downtown from ‘good to great’
By AMY PASSARETTI Lake Martin Living Editor
Downtown Alexander City could make some minor changes that would make an immense impact, according to the initial findings and recommendations from Main Street Alabama’s enthusiastic resource team. This week, a five-person team spent three days immersed in the community’s downtown, interacting with people, gathering information and data and
Alexander City Board of Education
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presenting an exciting list of possible opportunities Main Street Alexander City could enact with the help of other organizations. The Main Street organization refers to this process as a Resource Refresh. “We need to all work together and the community needs to care,” Main Street Alabama state coordinator Mary Helmer said. Main Street operates on a four-point approach — organization, promotions, economic vitality and See DOWNTOWN • Page 3
Heard determined to bring research to school board
Lovett wants to bring education perspective to school board
Editor’s Note: The is the second in a series profiling candidates applying for the open seat on the Alexander City Board of Education. By GABRIELLE JANSEN Staff Writer
Tuskegee University public health service community liaison and research core coordinator and Alexander City native Vantrice Heard said she would like to implement research based instructional strategies in the classroom if chosen to become a member of the Alexander City school board. “I would like to see more effective programs that we can have a metric for evaluating whether those programs are working,” Heard said. “I would like to see a more active role in someone having a voice in the programs that we have.” Alexander City school board member David See HEARD • Page 10
Editor’s Note: The is the third in a series profiling candidates applying for the open seat on the Alexander City Board of Education. By GABRIELLE JANSEN Staff Writer
Lovett, 55, said since he already works in education in Alexander City, he can bring a different perspective to the
Central Alabama Community College student support services specialist Michael Lovett said he wants to bring a new perspective on education in the Alexander City School System by serving on the board of education.
school board. “I deal with a lot of the graduates of Benjamin Russell High School through my grant work over the years,” Lovett said. “I’ve touched upon workforce development and other technical
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training programs, so I have an idea of their needs as well.” Alexander City school board member Gabrielle Jansen / The Outlook
CACC student support services specialist Michael Lovett, left, and testing and admissions coordinator Karen Hayes discuss work. Lovett is applying for the city school board.
David Sturdivant chose not to return for a third term on the board, and his current position ends in May. Current applicants are interviewing with the city Monday. Lovett has a bachelor’s of science degree See LOVETT • Page 10
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