SUPER 12
OPINION: VOTERS ARE TAKING THEIR ROLE SERIOUSLY, PAGE 4.
FRIDAY
THE
Reeltown’s Baker aims for the championships.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 August 12, 2016 Vol. 124, No. 162 www.alexcityoutlook.com
Sports, page 8.
It’s hands on at ACPD’s National Night Out enjoyed herself. “I like it,” Miller said. “I think it is good for the community to get to Even with threatening skies, area know these people.” residents came to the Sportsplex for Residents had a chance to see National Night Out hosted by the law enforcement from Alexander Alexander City Police Department. City, Alabama Law Enforcement “I think it is going to slide around Agency and Tallapoosa County, us,” ACPD Lt. James Orr said. “At the SWAT team, fire departments least I am hoping so.” from Alexander City, Dadeville and The event is designed to give law Goodwater and the rescue team enforcement and first responders a shoot a bow and arrow with the chance to interact with the commu- Conservation Department and even nity in a friendly way. enjoy hot dogs and snow cones. Alexander City Middle School National Night Out is designed eighth-grader Diamond Miller to: By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Alexander City Middle School eighth-grader Diamond Miller tries her hand at a bow and arrow under the eye of Conservation Officer Drake Haynes.
Sales tax collections trending upward
Alabama Power continues low releases from dams By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Because of the dry, hot conditions that have been prevalent in Alabama, Alabama Power Co. continues to follow its drought plan calling for minimum releases from its hydroelectric dams, but has at least temporarily continued releases of water from Jordan Dam to the Coosa River, according to Allison Westlake, a spokesperson for Alabama Power Co. In June, Alabama Power announced it was minimizing releases of water from its hydroelectric dams and, beginning on the July 4 weekend, suspending recreational releases from the Jordan Dam on the Coosa River to help combat the low flows. “We’ve had some rainfall throughout Alabama that has had an impact of river flows, but not enough that we have been able to do anything but continue the minimum releases from our power-generating dams,” said Westlake. There is good news for the See DAMS • Page 3
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
489.07 Reported on 8/11/16 @ 3 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
Today’s
Weather
87 73 High
6
Low
54708 90050
8
• Heighten crime and drug-prevention and foster safety awareness; • Generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs; • Strengthen neighborhood spirit and public safety-community partnerships; • Promote general safety in and around the home; and • Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. The nation wide event is in its 33rd year and ACPD has now hosted it three times.
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
District 6 candidates for the Alexander City Council from left Jason Cromer, Tim Funderburk and Tony Harris take to the podiums to answer questions about their views and why they would like to represent residents in their district.
HOPE FOR COUNCIL Candidates give their vision for Alex City’s future
out for the 2016 Alexander City City Council Candidates’ Forum, sponsored by Tallapoosa Publishers and Central Finances, finances, finances. Alabama Community College to hear All 14 candidates for city council posi- from council hopefuls. tions in Alexander City left no doubt that While all had their own ideas and for the city to move forward the backlog visions for what they would do if elected, of audits and the financial issues must be as one candidate put it “the elephant in solved first. the room” was the city’s financial issues. Thursday night 241 voters turned See FORUM • Page 3
By MITCH SNEED Editor
There is a glimmer of great economic news in Alexander City, as the latest sales tax collection numbers show a continued increase in month-over-month and year-over-year collections. The good news is that increases in sales tax collection means increased sales by local businesses. According to numbers released by Ward Sellers, who handles business licenses and sales tax collection for Alexander City, July showed a 6.19 percent increase over the same month in 2015. “There are a lot factors that play into the numbers,” Sellers said. “We have an increase in business license fee collections, which could indicate more businesses operating, but in general, more taxes collected means increased sales. “Regardless of the factors, this is good news for the city.” In addition to the good news in July where the city collected a total of $857,766 in taxes including the half-cent for roads, the year-todate collections for the 2016 fiscal year show a 4.74 percent increase over last year. The July collections were the second highest of the fiscal year, ranking second only to See TAX • Page 3
Stephens teachers use Fred the Fish for water lesson By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Fred the Fish was the star of the show at Stephens Elementary School Thursday morning when teachers Ann Goree and Debra Griffith teamed up to teach fourthgrade students about the different kinds of water pollutants. The lesson was part of a lead-up to the Nov. 4-5 Renew Our Rivers Lake Martin Cleanup, sponsored by Alabama Power Co. and the Lake Martin Resource Association. LMRA President John Thompson visited with the class and heard the story of Fred the Fish. “Mrs. Goree is the one
that’s really kept Stephens’ involvement in Renew Our Rivers going,” said Thompson. “I think she’s been involved with it for 10 years now. Thanks to her efforts, the children do a great job of teaching their parents the value of Lake Martin.” Not only does Goree teach a series of lessons on water to her science classes every year, but the students at Stephens also submit original artwork in a contest affiliated with the Renew Our Rivers effort. The winning art is featured on the t-shirts given to the volunteers for the cleanup. This year, the top 50 pieces of art submitted will be exhibited in Alexander City See FISH • Page 3
David Granger / The Outlook
Cerynity Price adds a pollutant to Fred the Fish’s bowl Thursday morning as teacher Ann Goree looks on.
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