April 22, 2016 alex city outlook

THE

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES Police still searching for answers in Wednesday shooting.

See Page 3.

FRIDAY

CHAMBER PULSE INSIDE!

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 April 22, 2016 Vol. 124, No. 81 www.alexcityoutlook.com

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Page 2

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In-laws demand too much time from hard-working son

Saturday

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Sunday

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Staff

Directory David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210 david.granger@alexcityoutlook.com Mia Osborn Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 mia.osborn@alexcityoutlook.com

Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Kenneth Boone Publisher, Ext. 218 kenneth.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com

Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Kim Morse Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 kim.morse@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Guill Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.guill@alexcityoutlook.com

Accounting Angela Mullins Bookkeeping, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Mary Lyman Boone Bookkeeping marylyman.boone@alexcityoutlook.com

Composing Audra Spears Composing Department, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Alethia Russell Graphic Artist, Ext. 231 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com

Newsroom Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Robert Hudson Sports Editor, Ext. 228 robert.hudson@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com

Circulation Linda Ewing Asst. Circulation Manager, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Lake Martin Living, The Outlook is published five times Kenneth Boone a week, Tuesday through Saturday Photography and mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, a commercial web printing press.

Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. © 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. ReproPOSTMASTER: Send address duction of any part of any issue requires changes to Post Office Box 999, written publisher permission.

Alexander City, AL 35011.

Postal

Information

How to Submit Obituaries

Friday, April 22, 2016

The Outlook

Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by e-mail at obits@ alexcityoutlook.com. For more information calt (256) 234-4281.

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DEAR ABBY: My husband, “Ed,” and I are in our 40s.

We both work, and Ed often puts in more than 60 hours a week. My in-laws, in their 60s, are both in good health, retired and well-off financially.

They expect weekly gatherings unless THEY have other plans.

In warmer weather, my mother-in-law guilt-trips Ed into performing weekly chores such as painting, gardening, window washing, etc. These take more than six hours on Sundays, in addition to dinner.

My in-laws also insist on yearly family vacations.

Because of this we have little time alone with our teens or each other. I don’t think all these gatherings should be mandatory. Please help.

This is hurting our marriage.

-- HIGHLY STRESSED IN PENNSYLVANIA DEAR HIGHLY STRESSED: During one of

DEAR ABBY Advice

those mandatory family visits, you and your husband should tell his parents what you have told me. Unless you explain to them that they have you on a schedule that doesn’t permit you to spend alone time with your children or each other they won’t get it.

Family get-togethers are supposed to be pleasant for all, not mandatory. And if your in-laws can afford the expense, they should hire a handyman to help them and not impose upon their son.

DEAR ABBY: I have been single for almost six years and have had no luck with

the dating scene. Every time I go on a date, I perceive it as a date that went extremely well. But when I go to contact the guy the next day, I get no response in return.

I have major trust issues to begin with from past relationships, and it’s hard for me to let my guard down. Although I try to be as open and honest with the guys as possible, it just doesn’t work. I know the whole cliche of “the right one is out there somewhere,” but what can someone do when she just feels like giving up completely on dating? -GIVING UP IN STOCKTON, CALIF. DEAR GIVING UP: The one thing you shouldn’t do is give up and stop trying. Not knowing what you are doing on these first dates, I can only surmise that while being “as open and honest with guys as possible,” you may be giving them so much negative

information that you’re scaring them off.

In a way, dating is like sales: It’s important to communicate positive information about the product you are selling (you) and downplay the negative (i.e. “I have trust issues because someone done me wrong.”). It might also be helpful to have an honest talk with some of your friends and ask them what you may be doing wrong.

TO MY JEWISH READERS: Passover begins at sundown. Happy Passover, everyone! -- LOVE, ABBY Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips.

Contact Dear Abby at www.

DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

News Briefs Library is offering ebooks The Adelia M. Russell Library has been offering free eBooks to its library patrons since 2012. With their popularity continuing to grow we’re making it easier than ever for you to receive the most from this free service. We are glad to report that we will be adding additional titles to our eBook collection on a monthly basis!

We are so excited to be able to provide these additional titles just for “our” library patrons.

This means a shorter wait time on all those popular titles! The Advantage titles are marked by an “a” in the corner of the title cover. To view all available titles, make sure to log in first. You can easily search and filter titles or topics of interests to best suit your taste. The Trending Titles and the Best Seller links are great for what’s popular now. There are also nonfiction, biographies, self-help, travel, foreign, cookbooks, and more available. eBooks are convenient and easy to use. Just like library books, you don’t have to buy them. Just borrow them, read them, and they automatically go back into the digital library for others to enjoy.

Once your account is activated you are set. In order to activate your

eBook account you do have to have a valid library card. Call or come in and we’ll set-up the pin number so you can access Camellia Net, Alabama’s Digital Library.

In 2002 Over Drive, the parent company of Camellia Net, launched its Digital Library Reserve for public libraries. By August of 2012 the network included more than 19,000 libraries and 1000 schools in 50 countries worldwide.

Camellia Net can be accessed through Adelia Russell Library’s website www.amrlibrary.net.

There are 110 Alabama libraries that contribute and participate.

The main thing, it’s FREE. It is for all ages, children, teens and adults. Please note there is content filtering available. There are over 25,000 titles in the collection along with audio books. Most e-readers and devices are compatible but Camellia Net does include some “how-to” videos to help you find answers to your questions while offering information for the different applications available for digital media. Library lending policies can be found along with contact support. And if that is not enough, we provide eBook assistance on the third Monday of each month at 3 p.m. Just call the library to reserve your place.

Graham accepted into NSCS Joshua Graham of Alexander City has accepted membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS).

“NSCS is more than just a symbol of academic achievement.

Membership gives students access to a number of amazing benefits including career and networking Graham resources, scholarships, travel and service projects both on campus and in the community,” says Stephen E. Loflin, NSCS Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

NSCS is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and is the nation’s only interdisciplinary honors organization for first-year and second-year college students.

Membership is by invitation only, based on grade point average and class standing.

NSCS has over one million lifetime members and 300 chapters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Ongoing Events SCHOOL REGISTRATION: Victory Baptist Academy, a mission of Victory Baptist Church, is now holding registration for the 2016-2017 academic school year for grades K4 - 12th grade.

For more information call 256-234-2089 or 256749-6451.

SCHOOL REGISTRATION: Faith Christian Academy, a ministry of Faith Temple Church, is accepting applications for the 2016-2017 academic year for grades K3 and up. Applications may be obtained at the Church office at 425 Franklin Street (256-2346421). Tours of the school are available upon request.

AWANA: Wayside Baptist Church hosts Awana Sunday’s from 4:40 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for ages

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three to high school.

For more information contact George Gardin, student minister at 864580-0343.

VOLUNTEER: Southern Care Hospice is seeking volunteers. Please call Lizz Gillenwaters at 256-2341134 or 256-749-3717 for more information.

WOMAN MEETING: Every first Sunday, Victory Temple Holiness Church hosts a woman’s meeting, at 237 Aster St. in Dadeville. Everyone is invited. The meeting starts at 2 p.m.

READY TO WORK: Ready to Work is a FREE jobs skills training program offered at Central Alabama Community College Career Center. Classes meet Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Completion of the program depends on the skill level of the individual. For more information contact Elaine Balint, instructor, at 256-2154496 (leave message) or ebalint@cacc.edu.

OFFICE CAREERS: The Office Careers Technology program is funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and was created to help dislocated workers learn new

Base, Commission & Monthly Bonus + Excellent BeneÀts To Apply, Bring Resumé To: Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. 548 Cherokee Road Alexander City, AL or email: marketing@alexcityoutlook.com

It is made up of regular folks who are on a journey toward wholeness; seeking recovery from life’s hurts, habits, and hang-ups. We meet every Monday at Vertical Point Church, 860 Airport Drive, Alex City. We begin with dinner at 5:45, followed by large group at 6:15 & small groups at 7:15. Childcare is provided. Everyone is welcome. For more info, call Mike at 256-496-4664.

BEYOND TRANSFORMATIONS: Meetings every second Saturday. Have you been wanting to give back, work with youth, or be a part of a group that makes a difference? Please email iamtransforms@ gmail.com or Call at 334440-6539. Donations of clothes, food, books, computers, school supplies. A building and donations are needed.

AMERICAN LEGION: Post 339 in Cottage Grove is open every Friday night from 8 p.m. until with fried chicken and fish. Music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

SCV MEETING:The Sons of Confederate Veterans meets every third Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at J.R.’s Sports Bar & Grill. Visitors are welcome.

SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law

Includes: Advertising sales for Lake Magazine, Lake Martin Living, Alexander City Outlook, Dadeville Record, Wetumpka Herald, Eclectic Observer, Tallassee Tribune, Elmore County Living, digital and other special publications.

QualiÀcations: Sales and customer service experience, computer skills, positive attitude and self-motivation.

employable skills.

To qualify for the programs be a dislocated worker (layoff) or a low income family. Anyone interested in the classes should contact the Alexander City Career Center @ 256-215-4494 and ask about the WIOA program. Most all dislocated workers automatically qualify for financial assistance.

The program is 52 weeks and is open entry/ open exit. Students learn at their own pace in a non-traditional classroom setting. Classes begin when students are approved and they may leave when they receive any or all of the certificates offered. Classes are Monday--Thursday, 8:00 a.m.--3:00 p.m. (with a lunch break). All textbooks and class materials are supplied.

Certificates available are receptionist, inventory clerk, data entry clerk, administrative assistant, accounting office clerk, medical office clerk, legal office clerk.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY: Celebrate Recovery is a Christcentered ministry designed to help hurting people.

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825-9559 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

256-329-1313 Free Consultations 217 Madison Street, Alexander City, AL “We are a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 under the Bankruptcy Code. Alabama State Bar requires the following in every attorney advertisement, “ No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”

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OPINION: EXTEND EARTH DAY, DO YOUR PART ON THROW AWAY DAY

FRIDAY

THE

PLAYOFFS START TODAY! Find out where local high school baseball teams will be playing today.

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 April 22, 2016 Vol. 124, No. 81 www.alexcityoutlook.com

See page 12.

Board votes on Councill fate today

By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

The Tallapoosa County Board of Education will hold a specially called meeting Friday at noon to consider Superintendent Joe Windle’s recommendation on whether to close Councill Middle School.

The recommendation follows public meetings held by the board on Wednesday and April 6 to allow

input from parents and others about the potential closure of the 62-year-old school, which has seen its enrollment dwindle to approximately 250 students in grades 6 through 8.

On Wednesday, Windle showed an itemization of savings the board would realize through the closing of Councill, totaling approximately $133,000 per year in recurring expenses, such as utilities. According to the school sys-

tem’s chief financial officer, Phil Blasingame, there was also an average of more than $18,000 each year over the last three years spent on one-time emergency expenses, such as replacement or repair of air conditioning units, freezers, etc.

In addition, with the planned installation of technology infrastructure throughout the Tallapoosa County schools in the coming year, $38,000 would be spent on that See COUNCILL • Page 11

Tallapoosa County Superintendent Joe Windle speaks at a meeting on the potential closure of Councill Middle earlier this month.

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Officials quickly recapture jail escapee

UW Quail Fry, Low Country Boil kicks off 2016-17 fundraiser year

Suspect now faces additional second-degree escape charges

By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

A man serving time for burglary and awaiting transfer to state prison escaped from the Tallapoosa County Jail Wednesday evening, but was arrested about six hours later by authorities.

Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said his department is conducting an investigation after 21-year-old Reynolds John David Reynolds II escaped from the jail at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening.

According to a release from Abbett, Reynolds fled on foot and was located about three miles from the jail at about 1:30 a.m. Thursday. Reynolds was found at the intersection of Barron’s Bridge Road and County Road 34 and was immediately returned to custody.

Reynolds now faces additional charges of second-degree escape, which is a Class C felony. Reynolds was in jail after being convicted of second-degree burglary, Abbett said.

“The circumstances surrounding the escape are currently being investigated by the department,” Abbett said in a released statement. “The department was assisted by the Alabama Department of Corrections, Camp Hill Police Department and the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department.”

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Divers were in the water as investigators stood by at a pond in the area following Wednesday’s drive by shooting.

No one would say exactly what was found or what they were looking for as they worked a grid in the water.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Police searching for answers in Wednesday shooting

By MITCH SNEED Editor

Details remained limited as investigators continued to search for answers in Wednesday’s shooting that claimed the life of a local man.

Elbert Clyde Wilson, 49, died after being shot while cutting his yard on a riding lawnmower Wednesday morning.

Alexander City Police Department Lt. James

Easterwood said Thursday morning that no arrest has been made on murder charges, but indicated that they are working several leads and continue to search for more evidence in the case.

“There has been no arrest and we probably won’t have anything additional today,” Easterwood said Thursday. “We do have some things that we are looking at that suggest that it may not be See SHOOTING • Page 11

Young Professionals host live music Lake Levels 490.57 event at Strand Park after Clean-Up Day Reported on 4/21/16 @ 5 p.m.

Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL

Today’s

Weather

74 56 High

6

Low

54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080

8

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

For those of you taking part in the county-wide cleanup, the Lake Martin Young Professionals are hosting a get together at Strand Park afterwards.

“We are doing a gathering at Strand Park afterwards,” Lake Martin Young Professionals’ Jacob Meacham said. “We will have live music with Jonathan Bloom playing.”

The gathering will have food and drinks available.

“The Elks Lodge is doing a fundraiser,” Meacham said. “They will have hotdogs and burgers for sale and J.R.s will have a booth setup on their property to

Now Playing:

Junglebook 3D – PG Barbershop 3 – PG-13 The Huntsman: Winter’s War – PG-13

See UNITED WAY • Page 5

Wilson

Lake Martin

The Lake Martin Area United Way will kick off its 2016-17 fundraising efforts with its Quail Fry and Low Country Boil, set for Friday, April 29, at 6 p.m. at L.D. Benton’s barn located at 4841 Elkahatchee Road.

All are invited to come and enjoy food, fun, music and fellowship, rain or shine. The cost of the event is $30 for individuals and $50 for couples.

“This used to be a Red Cross fundraiser,” said Sharon Fuller, executive director of the Lake Martin Area United Way. “They restructured a couple years ago and decided not to do any fundraising locally, so we’ve taken it over.

“In the past, it has been very popular with the people in the community.

We’re hoping that they will find it just as enjoyable with us doing it.

The menu at the event will consist of fried quail, green beans, rice & gravy, cole slaw and, of course, the traditional low country boil fare of crawfish,

Camp Hill Council confronts town’s financial issues at recent meeting

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

File / The Outlook

Members of the community are encouraged to clean up anywhere in the county and promote the stop of illegal dump sites like this one found in March in Alexander City.

sell drinks.”

The Young Professional are not only organizing the

gathering following the clean-up but are taking part See CLEANUP • Page 5

Camp Hill’s financial problems are reaching a head.

Council members expressed their frustrations in a financial committee meeting followed by a special called meeting to pay the town’s bills Wednesday afternoon.

“We are broke,” Anthony Pogue said. “We will not last through the summer.”

“This is giving me a headache,” Ezelle Smith said.

The committee meeting came about at Monday’s council meeting when council members could not vote to approve payment of bills due to a lack of funds.

The committee looked at losses of income from utilities and courts.

“We are not making near the money now See CAMP HILL • Page 5

MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213

editor@alexcityoutlook.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Kenneth Boone Mitch Sneed

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 4

Our

Opinion

Extend Earth Day, do your part on Throw Away Day

A

s our special front page proclaims, today is Earth Day in the United States and countries around the world. While we encourage any celebrations that might take place today, we are especially excited about one set for tomorrow, when PATH, Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership, Lake Martin Resource Association and hundreds of volunteers representing government, civic organizations and businesses throughout the county join in the first-ever Throw Away Day county-wide cleanup.

“We are really hoping to make this a true county-wide effort,” said John Thompson, president of the Lake Martin Resource Association. “We have seen interest grow in helping out and we are hoping we can have a real grassroots effort where civic clubs, companies, youth groups and just groups of residents interested in cleaning up a stretch of road or around their neighborhood will come together around this event.”

Many groups have committed to do their part on Saturday and we urge those who are interested in participating to do so as part of a group or as an individual.

It’s a chance for all of us to be a part of giving our community a spring cleaning and making it more sparkling than ever when tourists visit the area in their treks to beautiful Lake Martin or other area spring and summer activities.

The Tallapoosa County Commission has arranged for and is sponsoring the placement of roll-off dumpsters at several sites throughout the county for collection of bags of trash as well as household items like mattresses, sofa, tables, etc.

Dumpsters will be at the following locations: downtown Alex City, next to the fire department; in the Double Bridge area on Highway 63; Hackneyville and Union volunteer fire departments; Tallapoosa County shops in New Site and Dadeville; Siggars Grocery on Gibson Road; Camp Hill Town Hall; Red Ridge Methodist Church and Wall Street Nutrition Center.

The Lake Martin Young Professionals are sponsoring an event with music and refreshments for purchase in Strand Park after the cleanup.

We urge you to extend your Earth Day celebration into tomorrow and take part in Throw Away Day wherever you live in Tallapoosa County.

Know Your

Officials Communication with elected officials is the key to good government. To let your most local representatives know how you feel about state or local matters, contact any of the following.

Governor Robert Bentley represents the state of Alabama and its 67 counties. He was elected to office on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334242-7100. His office is located at the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.

Robert Bentley Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256-392-2006 or by email at tughd81@ gmail.com. His office is located at 110 Calhoun Street, Mark Tuggle Suite 108, Alexander City.

Tom Whatley represents the 27th District covering Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa County.

He was elected to the Alabama Senate on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334-242t7865. His office Tom Whatley is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.

Outlook The

Friday, April 22, 2016

God’s image makes us unique in this world

F

or a long time many of us have thought this old world was going crazy with the inmates running the asylum. Now this anxiety we’ve been experiencing is coming to pass in Switzerland. The Swiss have released a report on the “Dignity of the Creature in the Plant World” stating that plants have rights. Yep, you read it right. They’re saying that plants have as much right to exist in their habitat as you do, and that they are just as important in the world as you are. That kind of puts you in your place, doesn’t it?

According to these ethicists it is morally wrong to decapitate a flower for the sole purpose of wanting a bouquet. It’s cruel and injures the dignity of the plant because it makes humans morally superior to another species.

Duh! I like to think I’m smarter than an ear of corn, but I’m having my doubts about the Swiss thinkers. It makes you wonder if that thin mountain air of the Alps has gotten to these boys.

Hey, it gets even better.

Bernard Baertche, a member of the panel of ethicists, actually said, “the simple pleasure of picking the petals off a daisy might suffice as a reason to take punitive action against the picker.” So, some moon-eyed teenager pulling a daisy apart

GERALD HALLMARK Guest Columnist

while saying, “she loves me, she loves me not,” could be arrested and fined. I hate to think what would happen if they saw me with corn on the cob, fried okra and fresh tomatoes. I might get life without parole for stepping on the dignity of those plants.

Since I don’t want to be considered a plant killer practicing plantacide (if there is such a word) I suppose I’ll have to quit cutting my grass, trimming the shrubs and pulling weeds.

I can’t stand the thought of all those little grass plants screaming in terror when I crank up my mower. Plus, those ugly weeds are just plants needing a hug and a place in the sun so I must leave them alone as well. I wonder if the Swiss have poison ivy and kudzu. If they do I bet they would make a couple of exceptions to a good herbicide.

The Swiss can just yodel up their mountains because I’m not starving.

In all of this absurdity of plant’s dignity and rights is a scary point. There are people

that would take the crowning act of God’s creation and reduce it to the status of a weed. When humans have no more rights than a melon then it is alright to kill the old, abort the unborn and remove the invalid. These people would take God’s gift of uniqueness and diminish it to the level of an evolutionary accident. When this happens humans are just another species taking up room on the planet until evolution removes them and replaces them with something else.

I’m so glad I’m created in the image of God with a future of eternity before me. My life is more than a progression of days and then I die. I have worth, purpose and dignity because my God made me and blessed me with His love!

Oh well, I guess I had better go practice a little plantacide and get the grass cut because my wife wants me to weed the flower beds before supper. Even if the flora in my yard thinks I’m a serial killer the grass has to be cut. Boy, are those little plants in for a rough day at the preacher’s house.

Dr. Gerald Hallmark is a retired minister, an Alexander City Resident and a regular columnist for The Outlook.

Today’s

Quote

“ Change is inevitable.

Change is constant.”

– Benjamin Disraeli

Today’s

Scripture “The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.”

– Proverbs 11:30

alexcityoutlook.com

Daily Poll Thursday Question: Did you ever think you would see a drive by shooting death in Alex City?

Yes – 16 No – 19

Friday Question: Are you planning to take part in Saturday’s Throw Away Day? To participate in this daily poll, log on each day to www.alexcityoutlook.com and vote. Find out the vote totals in the next edition of The Outlook and see if your vote swayed the results.

Our

Mission

For when kids say they are voting for Bernie or Hillary

N

aïve young voters are pulling the lever for Bernie Sanders in droves. In New Hampshire, for example, 83 percent of voters age 18-29 chose Sanders. It turns out they like the promise of free stuff, something to which they have become accustomed.

The Vermont senator makes seductive yet unachievable economic promises. Kids are conditioned to believe they are entitled and can get something for “free.” When you catch yourself believing this, keep in mind that Bernie Sanders’ initials are BS. Liberal progressives love to describe themselves as “kind and giving.” They will always magnanimously give you the shirt off someone else’s back.

College kids even have a Bernie Sanders drinking game.

When he mentions he is going to give you something for free, you take a drink of someone else’s beer.

The Nazis were socialists.

Their propagandist, Joseph Goebbels, taught modern-day liberals an important lesson: “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.

The lie can be maintained only for such a time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie.”

ObamaCare is an example.

As you discuss/argue with your kids or liberals on the two main Goebbels-esque lies Democrats perpetuate with the help of their kindred souls in the media, use these simple facts to rebut their claims: 1. The White House tweets: “Ninety-seven percent of scientists agree: #climate change is real, man-made and dangerous.”

Days later, Secretary of State John Kerry announced, “Ninetyseven percent of the world’s scientists tell us this is urgent.”

That myth of “97 percent”

RON HART Guest Columnist

is based on the paper of a 2009 University of Illinois master’s student. Only 5 percent of people he sent questions to were climate scientists. Al Gore channeled his inner Goebbels and started repeating it. Then Obama added, “The science is settled on the matter.” What a stupid statement. By its very nature, science is never settled. If it were, we would be still using leeches to extract blood.

When I got my master’s degree, I did a PowerPoint presentation to my professor of a pie chart of the bars I liked and a bar chart of the pies I liked. My paper was more factual than the Illinois kid’s.

“Climate scientists” (who cannot get the weather forecast right 9 out 10 days), know what the earth’s temperature is going to be in twenty years? Even if accurate, they say Obama’s power-plant rules, which bankrupt coal companies across the nation, will affect temperatures only 0.03 degrees Celsius. His fuel mileage dictates, while burdening Detroit and crippling VW, would have even less effect. They do, however, help his green donors like Tesla Motors’ Elon Musk and the Solyndra crony capitalist types.

To believe the global warming alarmists one has to believe: A. That the data collected by climatologists who make money from their predictions are correct and that the planet is warming. B. That global warming is man-made. Keep in mind the Mississippi river was formed in the Ice Age, when glaciers

melted and moved south. There were no SUVs then. C. That by taxing us all, government can do something about the weather.

All three are very big leaps of faith unsupported by facts or reason.

2. “Today, women make up about half our workforce. But they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. That is wrong, and in 2014, it’s an embarrassment.” -- President Obama, 2014 State of the Union address That women make 77 percent of what men make is another myth. “We need an equal-pay law,” whine Democrats. Never mind that we have had one since the 1960s.

If we are to believe that women’s equal work trades at a 23% discount to men’s, why don’t greedy businessmen only hire women?

Even the Washington Post concedes that, when adjusted for job choices (like teaching), time off to have children and job experience, this gap evaporates.

It has happened in my family, where women nobly take time off from jobs to raise a family.

Husbands work more and get paid more because of it – and die younger from the stress.

Hillary will make a campaign issue of the gender pay gap, but remember: She paid her women staffers less than 77 cents of what she paid the men while a U.S. Senator. Bill Clinton, to his credit, always paid his women equal hush money.

I apologize for the lack of humor in this column. I’m just preparing for Bernie’s world of no joking. Under socialism, jokes will not be allowed to be funny unless everybody gets them equally.

Ron Hart is a Libertarian who writes a nationally syndicated column.

The Outlook strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

How to

Subscribe The subscription rate is $136.00 per year in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties and $177.99 outside the area. Periodicals paid at Alexander City, AL. Newspapers are available at 100 news racks in our area at 50 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. We would love to deliver a paper to your door. Call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281, Ext. 204 or e-mail david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook. com.

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Opinion?

We’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with the greater Lake Martin community. It’s free and it only takes a few moments of your time. We have two ways to get your opinion in print: letters to the editor and guest columns. The main difference is length. Letters to the editor are up to 250 words, while guest columns can be up to 500 words. Letters and columns may be sent to P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011, faxed to (256) 2346550 or e-mailed to editor@alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number.

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Friday, April 22, 2016

United Way

Camp Hill

continued from page 1

shrimp, corn, potatoes and sausage.

In addition to the food, there will be music from local favorites The Bankwalkers and a sale and auction of baked goods prepared by some of the culinary best of Alexander City and surrounding area. One baker’s cakes are rumored to have gone for as much as $500 in past auctions.

“We have some of the best bakers in Alexander City who have already committed to donate cakes, pies and all sorts of good stuff,” said Fuller. “A lot of the best items, we’ll auction off. But there will also be items there that are priced for purchase.”

Fuller said the United Way is still accepting donated baked goods for the event. Anyone wishing to donate a baked item can drop it off at the United Way conference room at 19 Main Street or with Stephanie Daughtry at 746 Commerce Drive the morning of the event between 8 a.m. and noon. Bakers can also call 256750-3645 to make other arrangements.

Baked items should be labeled with a

description of the item and who prepared it and securely wrapped, bagged or boxed so that they may be seen by potential buyers.

Fuller said Gene Gwaltney donated 500 quail for frying at the event.

“We really appreciate Gene’s donation and all the donations that we’ve received for this event,” Fuller said. “We’ve had a lot of people who have really stepped up.”

Fuller said she hopes the quail fry and low country boil would serve as a rousing kickoff to a fundraising year that will exceed what the agency did last year, when it raised more than $565,000.

“I hope that this is the beginning of our best fundraising year yet,” Fuller said.

“We’re looking forward to getting things off to a great start.”

The Lake Martin Area United Way needs your support to help the 26 agencies it supports. For more information on how you can help, call 256-329-3600.

Cleanup

continued from page 1

to do?” York asked.

“Maybe one,” Shelley responded.

Pogue presented an idea that would save jobs.

“We might have to look at a 32-hour work week,” Pogue said. “It is better to have a job than no job.”

To attempt to start solving the financial woes, the committee asked for Town Clerk LaKesia Harris’ recommendation on what bills to pay given funds.

“We have to pay the IRS,” Harris said. “That is about $5,800 and we need to pay $12,000 for workman’s compensation insurance. The insurance is for the year and we have inquired about breaking it up into three or four installments.”

The council approved the payment to the IRS and for the insurance hoping that they could pay in installments.

In addition to getting an installment plan for insurance, Council member York brought up a suggestion for working with the IRS. “We need to get our attorney to get with the IRS,” York said. “We need to check with them and see about getting some relief and seeing why funds have not been applied to our balance.”

that we do in the winter because of gas,” Pogue said. “In the past, that profit helped get us through the summer months.”

The mild winter affected income.

“Winter was not cold this year,” Pogue said.

Pogue was also frustrated over a lack of reserves as the committee looked at checking accounts, expenses and income from utilities.

“Through February of 2015 we had been having a reserve of about $50-60,000 a year to help us get through summer,” Pogue said. “We have lost income. Our bills have gone up. Looking at these numbers, for the next few months, we are looking at a $7,000 to $12,000 a month shortfall.”

For courts, the collection of fines has been down.

Income was not the only area that the committee looked at as they looked at cost saving measures.

“I think we need to do a list of recommendations,” Will York said.

“I think we will need to institute a hiring freeze and no unapproved overtime.”

The council even spoke to utility worker Robert Shelley.

“Could you work with fewer staff and still be able to do what you need

continued from page 1

in the clean-up too.

“We are going to start at County Road 40 near LakeWinds Golf Course,” Meacham said. “From there we are going to head down the road as far as time allows into the Madwind area.”

The Young Professionals want other groups to join in cleaning up an area of their choice.

“We are challenging other groups to get together to clean up,” Meacham said.

“Afterwards they can come join us in the park.”

Lake Martin Resource Association’s John Thompson is thankful for local

groups helping out with the clean-up.

“I am thankful that the Young Professionals are doing this,” Thompson said. “There are several organized pickups this weekend.”

If you plan on going to Strand Park after cleaning up, Meacham says don’t get there too early.

“We will start about noon,” Meacham said. “Jonathan Bloom will play for about two hours and the event goes until 3 p.m. for those that took part in the clean up and those that did not. Just bring a blanket or a chair and come have a great time.”

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Friday, April 22, 2016

The Outlook

PULSE

Our Community, Our Readers, Your Chamber

Throw Away Day - Community cleanup challenge

T

his weekend is a very special one for our family. My wife Meridith and I have two kids and the oldest turns three on Saturday. Her name is Hvala and she frequently reminds us how excited she is for her birthday. It’s a big day! This Saturday is also an extremely Collari important day in our community as it’s Throw Away Day – Community Cleanup Challenge. The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce encourages everyone and especially businesses to please participate in this worthwhile event. I’d like to personally challenge all Alexander City businesses to do their part in helping us clean our community.

If you own or work at a business and are unable to assist with trash pickup on a designated roadway, the Chamber encourages you to use this day to walk your own property, parking lots and surrounding areas to clean up any accumulation of litter or trash. Someone once said, “Always keep your business presentable, assuming you keep a business for purposes of presentation”.

The health and beauty of our community are vitally important for many reasons. If customers, vendors or clients regularly visit your location, how clean you maintain your property specifically reflects on the level of service and professionalism they can expect. A clean, attractive and well-maintained environment is welcoming to guests and reflects very highly on your level of professionalism. The opposite is very true.

The beautification of Alexander City is also critical to recruitment of businesses, industry and professionals to our community. Executives who make decisions on where they may potentially relocate their business or family travel throughout our city to determine if this is a community that takes personal pride in its appearance. It may not be the deciding factor, but I can assure you the appearance of our city and the existing businesses play a huge role in whether someone will decide to make Alexander City their home.

Yard work and trash pickup is something you do that nobody notices until you don’t do it. And I can assure you, people notice.

Again, please support the Alexander City community and your business by taking part in Throw Away Day this Saturday, April 23. I’d like to personally thank John Thompson of the Lake Martin Resources Association (LMRA) for being the driving force behind this wonderful initiative. I’d also like to thank the Young Professionals for hosting an after party at Strand Park from 12-3 p.m. on Saturday, which includes live music, food and drinks and is free for all Throw Away Day volunteers.

As for our daughter’s birthday, I look forward to her walking at my side as we do our part in picking up trash along the roadway on Saturday morning. As a parent, that truly is quality time.

After all, the best birthday gift I could ever give her is the understanding that God blessed us with this beautiful world to live in and the responsi-

bility falls on each of us to do our part to respect and care for it.

Best Regards, Ed Collari President & CEO Alexander City Chamber of Commerce

Education and workforce readiness is key to our future

By JACOB MEACHAM VP Business Development

As a leading voice of the business community in Alexander City and the Lake Martin area, the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce works to help the region grow in several key ways: new business recruitment, existing business development, education and workforce readiness and through public policy, advocacy and activism.

Although it’s tough to say which one of those is most important – because they’re all critical to our success – it’s become clear to me that strong educational and workforce initiatives usually top the list of things that economically strong communities have in common.

Business and industry are the consumers of the educational product as students become the employees that they rely on to manufacture products or provide a service. One of the first things a business is going to examine before making a decision to locate to a new area is the type of workforce available to them. Similarly, an existing business looking to grow must first determine if they’ll be able to find the employees needed to handle the growth. So without strong workforce and educational initiatives, the already complex task of new business recruitment and existing business development becomes much tougher.

Luckily, right here in Alexander City we have excellent leaders in our local school system that are meeting these challenges head on and preparing our students for their future. One step beyond that we have another critical piece of the puzzle – Central Alabama Community College, a two-year institution that not only prepares students as academic transfers to four-year colleges, but also offers career technical training programs that produce a workforce trained in some very high-demand fields, such as industrial electronics, machining, welding and robotics.

Cliff WIlliams / The Outlook

Austin Robinson, right, with Ribonson Iron speaks to CACC students Trent Harper, left, Jackson Hardy and Brian Thompson at CACC’s Best and Brightest event.

This is an extremely valuable asset to our community, and we want to make sure that the students who attend CACC are aware of the employment opportunities that exist here locally so that they will make Alexander City and the Lake Martin area the place they choose to live, work and raise families. This concept was the genesis of an event we’re now in the second year of hosting, CACC’s Best & Brightest, which brings students from CACC together with our area’s top employers for an evening of networking and building awareness of the jobs that exist in our community that align with their degree fields.

Our hope is that by increasing the awareness of the types of jobs and helping the students to build relationships with the leaders of our businesses and industry, we will increase their potential for local employment and keep our students here in our area to become the next generation of leaders.

Through our partnership with the Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance, we were able to bring the area’s top employers to CACC last Thursday night to connect with their future employees. It was encouraging to see the students taking an active role in ensuring their

success, and for as much flak as the “millennials” often catch, what I witnessed last Thursday night were dozens of students with a desire to take the skills they’re being taught at CACC and use them to build a life here in our community.

The task of keeping our talent here at home will be vital to our success as a community moving forward.

Initiatives such as this are a starting point in building the relationships that will help accomplish this. Thank you to all who participated and for helping take steps to build a better tomorrow for Alexander City and the entire Lake Martin area.

Friday, April 22, 2016

The Outlook

Page 7

www.alexcityoutlook.com

PULSE

Our Community, Our Readers, Your Chamber

Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store gets new venue

Submitted / The Outlook

The Chamber of Commerce was proud to be a part of the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store on April 1. This beautiful 10,000-square-foot upscale thrift store is located at 8842 Kowaliga Rd. in Eclectic.

Local entrepreneurs, business and community volunteers teach at CHOICES program KIM DUNN Director of Marketing & Special Events

Each year, the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce teaches a program called CHOICES to every 8th grader at Alexander City Middle School. CHOICES is an interactive, decision-making workshop that empowers teens to achieve academic success in pursuit of their career and life aspirations. In two hourlong sessions, business and community volunteers take students through realworld exercises on academic self-discipline, time and money management, and goal setting.

“Although many students might not be thinking about college or career choices yet, we want them to understand that planning for their future starts at an early age,” says Kim Dunn, Chamber of Commerce director of marketing &

special events. One visual aid that is used in the presentation is a timeline of an average person’s life to illustrate how little time is spent in school in comparison to the rest of their life. Based on a lifetime, these few years spent in school seem insignificant but we want to make sure the students realize that what they do with their time and the choices they make now can have a lasting impact on the years to come. World History teacher Kelly Johnson says, “The CHOICES program is a great opportunity for students to get an insight on how the decisions they make now and in the next four years will impact their future.”

Alexander City business men and women have volunteered their time to make this program a success in our community for years. Volunteers this year include Randy Newton,

Chamber to host quarterly lunch to discuss business incubator KIM DUNN Director of Marketing & Special Events The Chamber of Commerce will host a quarterly lunch on Tuesday, April 26, beginning at noon in the fellowship hall at First Baptist Church of Alexander City. Jim Page, president and chief executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, will be our keynote speaker.

With the potential for a business incubator on the horizon in Alexander Jim Page City, Page will be discussing the economic impact of The EDGE Entrepreneurship Center in Tuscaloosa.

The BRHS students participating in this year’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy will also host a Trade Show that morning from 11 a.m. until noon. Please make plans to come early to learn more about their business ideas and plans.

Reservations for the quarterly luncheon are required. The cost is $20 each for Chamber members and $25 per person for mon-members.

Call 256-234-3461 or email kdunn@ alexandercitychamber.com by Friday, April 22, for reservations.

Wells Fargo; Susan Hardy, Wells Fargo; Meridith Collari, Vital Images; Lacey Howell, Re/Max Around the Lake; Marcie Jones; Lake Martin Area Boys & Girls Club; Karen Kison, Russell Lands on Lake Martin; Emily McDaniel, Russell Lands On Lake Martin; and Chris Gaston, Russell Lands On Lake Martin. After one session in the classroom, Lacey Howell stated, “I love participating in mentor programs like CHOICES because I find that one can learn so much from teenagers! They are smart, funny and incredibly relevant. It is cool to learn what their current view is of the world and what they want and expect from life.” These volunteers will be back in the classroom on Monday, Submitted / The Outlook April 25, to finish up the second half of the pro- Randy Newton, represents Wells Fargo and instructs a class at Alexander City Middle School in one of gram. this year’s CHOICES program seminars.

Alexander City Chamber of Commerce new members ARISE 82 Court Square, Ste. 102 Alexander City, AL 35010 256-329-8444 Bodyworks Massage & Spa 2828 Dadeville Road Alexander City, AL 35010 256-915-0442 Spectrum Business Enterprise Solution 2100 Columbia Road Vestavia Hills, AL 35216

256-221-0207

256-404-5858

American Water Sports 10780 Hwy 280 Jackson’s Gap, AL 36861 256-825-5568

Karen Jennings 124 Calhoun Street, Alexander City, AL 35010 256-329-0003

Alabama Street Makers Market 149 Alabama Street, Alexander City, AL 35010 256-392-5555 Alex City Civitan Club Alexander City, AL

Legacy Builders Fellowship Alexander City, AL 256-338-6477 Harbortouch Services of Alabama, Inc. 3514 Bay Pine Road Jackson’s Jap, AL 36861 205-567-0622

Top Notch Athletics 1031 Cherokee Road Alexander City, AL 35010 256-496-1358 Nelson Electric Motors 1919 Radio Road Alexander City, AL 35010 256-234-3000 Kona Ice 1236 Cherokee Road Alexander City, AL 35010 256-794-8197

Turn to our Classified Pages to find the latest garage, yard, moving and estate sales going on in your area. You never know what you might find!

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Page 8

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CommunityCalendar Need Insurance?

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Today is April 22, 2016 Today’s Event

PATH GARDEN TEACHING DAY: Join Prosperity Again Through Health and the 4th graders from Stephens Elementary as we prepare

Friday, April 22, 2016

The Outlook

Alexander City’s community garden for spring. Ashley Hoppers will lead a program designed to teach the kids about fresh produce as volunteers ready the garden for the next round of crops. The work day will begin at 1:00 at the community garden on Green Street, behind First United methodist Church. Anyone can attend and help. Volunteers

Submit calendar items:

Participate in your Outlook by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or logging on to http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/. should bring their own gloves and trowel. For more information, contact Ella MacFiggen at ellafish62@gmail. com.

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Local law enforcement will be on site at Walgreens Pharmacy in Alexander City from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 30 to allow anyone to dispose of unwanted or expired over the counter and prescription medications. No questions will be asked.

April 23

FAMILY BINGO NIGHT: The Bibb Graves School is hosting a family bingo night April 23 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

TOUR OF HOMES: The Tallapoosa County Museum and Historical Society is sponsoring a Spring Tour of Homes in StillWaters at Lake Martin. The tour starts at the StillWaters Clubhouse where maps will be provided, refreshments served and wrist bands provided. Each wrist band registers ticket holders for the door prize drawings. Homes may be toured between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Tickets are available in advance for $15 at The Beauty Shop, Mix it Up Lake Martin, Pearsons, Plantation House and Lake Martin MedSpa. Tickets will also be available on the day of the tour for $20.

AUTISM WALK: The Autism Society of Alabama is holding its annual walk on April 23 at Alexander City Middle School. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the walk will begin at 9 a.m. You can preregister by contacting Katrina Blair at 256794-2815.

April 23-24

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: The Family Worship Center is celebrating its 4th anniversary April 23 and 24 with a Saturday movie and bon fire at 4:30 p.m. with hotdogs, chips and drinks. The Sunday Homecoming will be at 10 a.m. with Heartfelt Ministries.

The pastor of Family Worship Center is Tony Harris.

April 24

PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY: Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating the third pastoral anniversary of Rev. and Sis. Melvin C. Kelly, Jr. Sunday, April 24 at 2 p.m.

CHURCH HOMECOMING: Mt. Hebron East Baptist Church in Eclectic will celebrate its 120th Anniverary with homecoming nn Sunday, April 24. Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. (omitting Sunday School). Special singers will be “Holy Destiny� of Prattville. Following services, dinner will be served at noon in the church fellowship building. We invite everyone to come and celebrate with us and stay for lunch at noon.

CHURCH HOMECOMING: Daviston Baptist Church will be having Homecoming April 24. Forgiven Heart will be singing at 10 a.m. and Rev. Shane Dye will bring the 11 a.m. message. Lunch will follow in the church fellowship hall. Everyone is welcome.

PASTOR ANNIVERSARY: New Cannan Baptist Church in Camp Hill is hosting it 36th Anniversary for Sis. Alice Lewis April 24 at 2 p.m.

April 25

How to add a calendar item:

MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION MEETING: The next meeting of The Alexander City Area Ministerial Association will be Monday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Mount Calvary Baptist Church. Plans for the National Day

Participate in your

By e-mailing your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or call 256-234-4281. _____ Send your news items to editor@alexcityoutlook.com

April 25-29

BASEBALL REGISTRATION: The 2016 Alex City Baseball 13-15 Year Old League registration will be at the Sportplex Baseball Tower Monday, April 25 through Friday, April 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $75.

April 29

HEALTH FAIR: Lake Martin Community Hospital, a division of Ivy Creek Healthcare, is hosting a Health & Wellness Fair on April 29th, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Stillwaters Welcome Centre (2129 Moonbrook Drive) in Dadeville, Al. Physicians and nurses will be on site administering basic health & wellness checks, as well as a fly-in by Life Saver helicopter. For more information, please call 334-618-4616.

QUAIL FRY: The Lake Martin Area United Way is hosting a quail fry and low country boil April 29 at 6 p.m. at LD Benton’s Barn on Elkahatchee Road. Cost is $50 per couple or $30 per individual. For more information or to purchase tickets contact the United Way office at 17 Main Street or at 256-329-3600.

April 30

DRUG TAKEBACK: Local law enforcement will be on site at Walgreens Pharmacy in Alexander City from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 30 to allow anyone to dispose of unwanted or expired over the counter and prescription medications. No questions will be asked.

CEMETERY PRESERVATION WORKSHOP: The Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance is hosting its annual cemetery preservation workshop at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Friendship United Methodist Church Cemetery April 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Contact Scott Martin at bevel67@ aol.com for additional information.

CAR WASH: The Pine Ridge Mission Team is having a car wash April 30 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Arby’s. The proceeds will help with VBS and community outreach projects this summer on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

SHELIA’S WARRIORS: The Central Alabama Club of the NANBPWC, Inc. in a one mile walk for Sarcoidosis honoring the memory of Sheila Shelton-Burks April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration is $10 and t-shirts are $12-$15. All proceeds from this gathering will aid in finding a cure for this deadly disease.

For additional information contact Shirley A. Shelton, CAC President 1114 Parrish Street Alexander City, AL

35011.

MULE DAY: The Weogufka Center will host Mule Day Saturday, April 30.

Vendors are welcome. Breakfast will be available from 6:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. Concessions will be available from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Parking is $2 per car. There will be plowing demonstrations, buggy rides and entertainment will be available all day. For more information contact Margaret Thornton at 256-234-2186 or Kattie Hocutt at 256-329-3638.

Alexander City Outlook Dadeville Record Wetumpka Herald Eclectic Observer Tallassee Tribune

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May 1

REGENERATION ANNIVERSARY: The Regeneration Community Praisers will present their Moving Forward program May 1 at 3 p.m. at the Cooper Recreational Center.

Mistress of Ceremony will be Keke Fuller.

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700

May 3

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Central Elementary School will have registration for kindergarten May 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the Central Elementary School.

Registration forms are available at www.ces.coosaschools.k12.al.us Bringing completed forms will make the registration process go much more quickly.

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May 5

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Central Elementary School will have registration for kindergarten May 5 from 3:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Central Elementary School.

Registration forms are available at www.ces.coosaschools.k12.al.us Bringing completed forms will make the registration process go much more quickly.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER: The local observance of the National Day of Prayer will be May 5 at noon at the First Baptist Church of Alexander City.

Everyone is invited. This is sponsored by the Alexander City Area Ministerial Association.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER: The Hackneyville Community will sponsor its first National Day of Prayer Thursday, May 5 at 10 a.m. (rain or shine) around the flag pole at the Hackneyville Community Center on Highway 63 North. All are welcome For more information, contact Leslie Payne at 256-8391235.

May 7

HATCHETT CREEK ROUNDUP: Hatchett Creek Presbyterian Church will host the 20th Annual Hatchett Creek Roundup May 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Speakers will be George C. Smith, Sr. MD, George C. Smith, Jr. MD. and Ashley Lane, MD on Healthcare in Clay County Past Present and Future.

FISH FRY: The Hackneyville Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its annual fish fry May 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $10 a plate.

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call the Advertising Department

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Brown Nursing and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services •Physical Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Speech Therapy 2334 Washington Street Alexander City • 256-329-9061 www.crownemanagement.com

Come Visit Us! Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing

The FANS HEAR You!

THROW AWAY DAY PATH and Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership are organizing

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

of Prayer and for the BRHS baccalaureate service will be considered.

Decisions will be made about revisions to the constitution. There will be a time for sharing news and concerns and for intercessory prayer. All Christian ministers are invited. For additional information, contact Bill Middlebrooks, secretary at 256-2343371.

• • • • •

a county wide clean up for the weekend of April 23. Tallapoosa County Commissioners are providing dumpsters at the following locations throughout the county. • District 1: Downtown Alexander City, next to fire department • District 2: Double Bridge area on Highway 63 (1 mile south of Elkahatchee Creek Bridge) • District 3: Two locations Hackneyville

Volunteer Fire Department and County shop in New Site • District 4: Three locations including across from Siggars Grocery on Gibson Road, Camp Hill Town Hall and County Shop in Dadeville • District 5: Four locations including Highway 34 near The Rodeo Club, Wall Street Nutrition Center (Tallassee), Reeltown Volunteer Fire Department and Union Volunteer Fire Department

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Reaching more than 22,000 households in Tallapoosa and Elmore counties The Dadeville Record

classifieds@alexcityoutlook.com public.notices@alexcityoutlook.com classifieds@thewetumpkaherald.com public.notices@thewetumpkaherald.com

The Eclectic Observer

The Tallassee Tribune

Security Pest Control “The best against pests”

WAREHOUSEMAN/DELIVERY PERSON Accepting applications for warehouseman/delivery person position at Dadeville Russell Building Supply. Full-time position with benefits. Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving history. Applications accepted Monday - Friday.

YOU MAY APPLY IN PERSON AT:

Russell Building Supply, 350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL Online applications can be submitted at: www.russelllands.ninjagig.com Serious Inquiries Only • EOE

The Wetumpka Herald

Friday, April 22, 2016

Shooting

The Outlook

Page 11

continued from page 1

as random as it appeared yesterday, but that’s about all we can say.”

Turner said the police department could use input from the community.

“We are still following up on the red truck scenari,” Turner said. “We are asking if anybody saw anything in that area about that time to call the police department.”

Police personnel could be seen along North Central Road, some using metal detectors. Divers were in the water as investigators stood by at a pond in the area.

No one would say exactly what was found or what they were looking for as they worked a grid in the water.

Wilson died shortly after being shot on his property at 3823 Highway 63, just outside the Alexander City limits.

Witness accounts vary on what took place, with one neighbor saying he saw a truck stop in the roadway, heard a gunshot and then saw Wilson fall from the mower.

Rhonda Williamson, a motorist who actually stopped to render aid didn’t indicate that she saw any vehicle, but just “saw his arm fly back and him fall backwards.”

“My first thought was that he was having a heart attack or had gotten into yellow jackets or something. I never thought about him being shot,” Williamson said Wednesday.

It wasn’t until 911 dispatchers instructed her to roll Wilson over that she saw blood and realized what had happened.

Investigators said that Wilson suffered a single gunshot wound that had passed through his arm and into his chest, with no visible exit wound. He was pronounced dead at Russell Medical Center.

On social media, readers were shaken by the news.

Some questioned the motives while others recalled Wilson as a man who was always “smiling” and was “a very nice man and always waving as I would ride by.”

Wilson’s body was taken to the Alabama State Crime Lab for an autopsy, but no information on the results has been released.

No details on services for Wilson have been released at this time.

Councill

www.alexcityoutlook.com

continued from page 1

installation at Councill.

Though Windle says no teachers will lose their positions, sixth graders next year would remain at Dadeville Elementary, where they currently attend as fifth graders, and an academy allowing Pam Langford to remain as principal over the seventh- and eighth-graders would likely be established at the high school where those students would be integrated, the move has still been met with opposition by several in the community.

“Is there anybody (on the board) that wants to keep (Councill) open, that has actually looked for some reason to keep it open?” asked parent Emily Bullard.

“Because y’all have got all this stuff planned out, it doesn’t matter what we say or what we do. Does anybody (on the board) actually want to keep the school open?”

“We’re not in the business of closing anything,” responded board member Michael Carter. “We don’t want to close anything. We would love to open a big, grand university-type campus for all the schools. But when you have a budget, you have so much money.

Whether it’s wasted from past administrations or current administrations or whatever, you have to work within whatever parameters you have set for you.”

Tallapoosa County Schools, like all systems throughout the state is required to maintain a reserve equal to one-month’s operating expenses or face takeover by the state. When the system’s reserves fell below that requirement, the board was successful in convincing the Tallapoosa County Commission to pass an additional 1-cent sales tax for schools.

The resolution, approved by the Commission on May 10 of last year, included a three-year provision where the county schools must work toward a property tax referendum to add a more stable source of funds.

Making a Difference in a Child’s Education The following sponsors have joined with The Alexander City Outlook and The Dadeville Record to promote the use of newspapers as an educational resource by providing Tuesday edition papers to city and county schools in the area.

• Russell Medical Center • Russell Lands • Representative Mark Tuggle • Tallapoosa County Sheriff, Jimmy Abbett • Grace’s Flowers & Gifts • Barbara Young • Udora Berry

To become a sponsor in The Alexander City or Tallapoosa County School System Please contact David Kendrick at 256-234-4281 or david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com 548 Cherokee Rd., Alexander City, AL 35010

ROBERT HUDSON SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228

sports@alexcityoutlook.com

Page 12

Friday, April 22, 2016

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Lyman Ward track program makes strides in first season

By ROBERT HUDSON Sports Editor

This season only marked year one for the Lyman Ward Military Academy track and field team, but the Rangers are already making big strides.

LWMA had three athletes finish at the top at the recent Alabama Independent School Association State Track and Field Championships in Selma.

Lyman Ward sophomore Rogan Norrell finished in first place at state in the 1600-meter run, while junior Michael Logan was state runner-up in the 110-meter hurdles and fourth in the 300-meter hurdles, and TJ Diallo finished third in the high jump.

Norrell, who finished with a time of five minutes, 16 seconds at state, said it was great to come out on top against good competition.

“I led all four laps and beat my personal best, so it was a good experience,” Norrell said. “It was competitive, though. There were a lot of other fast kids there. I was glad to come away with the win.”

Logan said state offered a great challenge and opportunity to compete that he is thankful for.

“It’s something that I always wanted to do was compete to be at the top.

It feels good to be state runner-up,” Logan said. “With my form, I actually had to learn three-step the day we had the state competition. I’m thankful I had a good track coach to help me out and that I was able to run that fast.”

This season was the first for the Rangers fielding a track and field team.

Will Williams, admissions officer and a coach on the Lyman Ward staff, said the team came together on a short notice, as their first practices were a week before their first meet on March 7. The Rangers competed in five meets in total this season.

“Really the way it came about, a lot of credit to Logan because he’s the one who came to me right after he first

started here. He told me track was his sport and he was asking me what it would take to get that started here,” Williams said. “He asked me what were some of the times that placed at state last year, and he said he felt he could be competitive with those times.

Then we just kind of got the ball rolling there and got the word out that we were going to get together a track team.”

With the support of track coach Michael Keys, Williams said the Rangers were able to find success and mold natural athletes into competitors.

“Rogan ran cross country this year, which was a sport we started last year, and he did well and placed well there,” Williams said. “So, we have some natural runners and a lot of natural athletes.

The thing about getting it started was trying to find some practice time, trying to get some equipment and do it as best we can on short notice. TJ is one of our international students from Dubai.

He came and he was just interested in doing some of the sprinting events at first. He went over and competed in the high jump and did well placing as high as tying for first place at one of the meets with a jump of five feet, eight inches. At state he ended up tying for third with a height of five feet, seven inches.

“He’s another one of the guys I was talking about who was just a natural athlete.”

With the program just beginning, the Rangers were short on equipment such as hurdles.

But Norrell, who ran cross country last year, said that competing in sports such as soccer and making sure to work in his down time helped prepare him for the season.

“I ran all game, so that definitely helps. In practice we’d run for conditioning,” Norrell said. “But I think the track coach helped me a lot with my pace and my form. I thank the school for giving me the opportunity to compete. The biggest challenge was that we

Robert Hudson / The Outlook.

From left, Lyman Ward junior Michael Logan, admissions officer and assistant coach Will Williams and sophomore Rogan Norrell were a part of LWMA’s first-year track program. Norrell and Logan finished among the best in the state in year one.

don’t have a track, but I managed to run and get a lot of training in. I know it was harder for Logan because we don’t have any hurdles.”

Logan said the first practices were similar to what you would see in football, with an emphasis on conditioning and stretches. He said it was amazing to see the team come together to achieve its goals.

“To start off, the first practice we had we ended up with five guys showing up. We used the parade field down there and we did simple stuff like stretches and sprints and it was kind of like a football practice,” Logan said.

“As time went on, more people came out and bought in (to the program).

That’s kind of how it developed and then we just kind of bonded and formed

a nice track team. If it wasn’t for my teammates, I couldn’t get as far as I could.”

Norrell said he hopes to get his time under five minutes next season, while Logan hopes to continue improving and one day gain a track scholarship.

Williams said that this season laid a great foundation for the future of the Rangers’ track and field program.

“Just to see all of that come together and to be able to go (to state), I can’t state enough how good a time we had,” Williams said. “We had 15 or 16 guys go to each meet, and whether they were placing or not, it was a very supportive atmosphere. It was really good for the school to get those guys together and to do that. We really laid a good foundation moving forward to next year.”

Dadeville set to travel to Bibb County for playoffs

Robert Hudson / Outlook File Photo

Dadeville’s Cal Jones (2) makes contact with a pitch during a game this season at Central Alabama Community College against Westbrook.

By ROBERT HUDSON Sports Editor

The Dadeville Tigers are set to begin the playoffs and look to start on a high note.

The Tigers will travel to Bibb County (13-20) on Friday for two Class 4A State Playoff games starting at 5 p.m., with game three scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m., if necessary.

Dadeville Coach Randy Nolen said the Tigers have improved near the end of the season, and coming off a 5-0 win over Sylacauga, Dadeville will have to drive in runners more consistently to advance to round two.

“We’ve actually been playing a little bit better and a lot better at times.

But it depends on our hitting. If we hit like we did against Holtville for two games where we left runners all over the place with less than two outs and came away with nothing, we have to do a better job than that,” Nolen said.

“We’re going to have to get runners in, whether it’s hitting ground balls with the infield back, hitting fly balls, getting base hits or something, we’re going to have to generate some runs.”

Nolen said pitching has been solid for the Tigers down the stretch, and they hope to continue to utilize multiple arms on the mound in the post-

season.

“We’re throwing a lot of guys and everybody has been throwing pretty good, so we’re looking to continue that in the playoffs. We just want to throw a lot of guys, give the opponent different looks and see how it goes,” Nolen said. “Defensively, we’ve been making plays.”

Nolen said just as important for Dadeville is making the simple, routine plays and not beating themselves with little errors.

“It’s just one of those things where you have to go and play well. That’s the bottom the line. If both teams play well then the best team is going to win, and if they’re better than you are, then tip your hat to them and wish them luck in the next round,” Nolen said. “But make sure you don’t give them any gifts and make it easy for them. That’s what we’ve got to avoid doing.”

And with two games on Friday, Nolen said the players are ready to go.

“They’re fired up and ready to go play. They know they’ve been playing better and they know that there have been a few games this year where we have played the way we’re capable of playing,” Nolen said. “They’re looking forward to it. They’re excited about going out and competing.”

Robert Hudson / Outlook File Photo

Collier Bonner and the Reeltown Rebels will host Francis Marion today starting at 1 p.m. with game two following.

Local teams begin playoffs TPI Staff Sports Brief

Along with the Dadeville Tigers, a trio of local high school baseball teams will also begin the chase for a state championship today.

The Benjamin Russell Wildcats will hit the road to face Northview High School of Dothan in round one of the Class 6A State Playoffs.

The first game of the doubleheader against Dothan will begin at 5 p.m. at the Northview High School Baseball Field. Game two will follow immediately after game one. If necessary, the Wildcats will face Northview in Dothan on Saturday starting at 1 p.m.

The Horseshoe Bend Generals will also be on the road for round one of the state playoffs.

The Generals will open the Class 2A State Playoffs at Holy Spirit Catholic in Tuscaloosa starting at 4:30 p.m., with game two following immediately afterwards. If necessary, game three will be at Holy Spirit starting at 2 p.m.

Reeltown will be the only local team hosting a round one playoff series.

The Rebels will open round one of the Class 2A State Playoffs at home against Francis Marion starting at 1 p.m. with game two following immediately after the first game.

If necessary, game three will be at Reeltown on Saturday starting at noon.