OPINION: PROTECT YOURSELVES FROM IDENTIY THEFT, PAGE 4.
FRIDAY
THE MAKING PLANS? See today’s calendar for upcoming events. Page 11.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 April 1, 2016 Vol. 124, No. 66 www.alexcityoutlook.com
Listings foreclose after final notification By MITCH SNEED Editor
Have you made the equivalent of what has become the Tallapoosa County Revenue Commissioner’s Hall of Shame? One quick way to find out for sure is to check pages 5-8 inside today’s Outlook for the Tallapoosa County Delinquent Tax List. This year there are parcels and their owners listed as those who have not met property tax obligations in the county. Tallapoosa County Revenue Commissioner Eva Middlebrooks said the listing is the final reminder that the taxes must be paid or the property goes to public auction. “The law requires us to advertise the names in the paper for three consecutive weeks before they can be placed up for auction,” said Middlebrooks. “But this isn’t the first notification that property owners should be receiving. We sent out the original bills, then we send out delinquent notices. Then we send the certified court letter. This is kind of the last resort before auction.” Middlebrooks said this year the list includes about 15 more than last year and that there are more than 36,000 parcels in the county. She said that while 264 sounds like a lot, it is really a small percentage of the total parcels. “The last thing we want to do is auction off someone’s property, so that’s why we do all the notices that we do,” Middlebrooks said.
Council could vote on future of Bama Theater Monday
Cliff WIlliams / The Outlook
Gov. Robert Bentley, left, toured Tutwiler Prison in Wetumpka Thursday to promote his Alabama Prison Transformation Initiative. Above, Bentley, second from right, and Tutwiler Warden Bobby Barett, far left, walk through a dorm with members of the governor’s staff.
TUTWILER TOUR
Questions quickly turn to recent scandal By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
WETUMPKA – Gov. Robert Bentley, engulfed in a firestorm resulting from his allegedly improper relationship with a former senior policy adviser, toured Wetumpka’s Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women on Thursday in an effort to create support for his Alabama Prison Transformation Initiative. Bentley joined Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Commissioner Jeff Dunn, Tutwiler Warden Bobby Barrett,
See TAXES • Page 2
Tutwiler Director of Women’s Services Wendy Williams and other dignitaries on a tour of the women’s prison’s receiving area, A and K dorms, mental health lab and faith-based dorm. Following the tour, in which Bentley and his group were joined by media, Bentley met with the media in an adjacent conference room. It was a briefing cut short when the talk turned from prisons to the governor’s relationship with his alleged paramour, See BENTLEY • Page 3
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Leaders of the ACTII community theater group laid out a proposal to the Alexander City City Council Thursday that would bring performing arts to a downtown venue, bring an aging theater back to life and relieve the city from the expense of costly maintenance and upkeep. To say that the council was receptive to the plan that was laid out by Betsy and Rob Iler would be an understatement. The group introduced a plan that would allow the group to lease the building for $1 a year and take on all costs associated with upkeep, maintenance andutilities and fund all enhancements to the building in keeping with city code. “We appreciate the opportunity to tell you about the vision we have for community theater in Alexander city,” Betsy Iler said. “We believe we have a plan that is a win for everyone. It’s a win for the arts community, it’s a win for the city and we feel like it will be a win for residents.” Betsy explained that they would foster a facility in downtown Alexander City that would welcome and encourage the all-volunteer efforts of participants from throughout the community and provide year-round entertainment that would serve also to draw customers to local restaurants and retail businesses. The theater would create all types of productions and provide local citizens outlets for their creative talents, whether as an actor or performer or in a supporting role. The facility could also be used by others for community events when they fit with the production schedule of the theater group. “This would be a boost to the community,” Betsy Iler said. “To be able to say that we have community theater in Alexander City would be something that would make the area much more attractive to potential businesses and industry. It would be a selling point for the Chamber and the EDA.” See THEATER • Page 2
Lake Levels Qualifying dates set for 488.61 Aug. 23 elections
Former Camp Hill mayor files lawsuit against town
Lake Martin
Reported on 3/31/16 @ 3 p.m.
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Today’s
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Even though the presidential race has been in full swing for what seems to be years, the process of seeking office in Alexander City hasn’t officially begun. Despite some names already cropping up as potential candidates and some campaign material surfacing, qualifying for seats doesn’t even begin until July. Alexander City City Clerk Harriett Scott said qualifying for
USPS Permit # 013-080
––––– LIVE IN CONCERT –––––
Doxology
From the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
APRIL 5th 7:00 PM
Admission is FREE but a love offering for the group will be graciously accepted.
ALEXANDER
C I T Y,
ALABAMA
Lady Wildcats fall in road match. Sports, page 12.
Theater plan gets warm reception
Delinquent tax list inside today
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
WILDCATS SOCCER
Worship God • Love People • Make Disciples
64 Court Square Alexander City, AL www.fbc-ac.org
this year’s municipal election will not begin until July 5 at 8 a.m. and will run through July 19 at 5 p.m. Those are the important dates leading up to the Aug. 23 municipal election day. “Those are dates mandated by state law,” Scott said. “The state has very specific dates and procedures laid out. Anyone who is interested, they can contact me and I have packets available with all the relevant information.” See ELECTIONS • Page 2
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
File / The Outlook
Former Camp Hill mayor Frank Holley, above, has filed a federal lawsuit against current mayor Danny Evans and the Town of Camp Hill.
Now Playing:
Miracles from Heaven – PG Batman Vs. Superman (3D) – PG-13 God’s Not Dead 2 – PG
Former Camp Hill Mayor Frank Holley has filed a federal lawsuit against current Mayor Danny Evans and the Town of Camp Hill. Holley’s lawsuit against the town, Mayor Evans and Police Chief Johnny Potts alleges violation of his First Amendment Right to free speech. Court documents filed March 23 in the Middle District of Alabama Eastern Division by Montgomery attorney Julian McPhillips, who is representing Holley, state that Holley spoke out on matters of public concern that are not matters of private interest. The documents also state that Mayor Evans has chosen to retaliate against for Holley speaking at public See CAMP HILL • Page 2