ON THE ROAD AGAIN WITH JODY FULLER. PAGE 4
SUPER 12 Generals’ Drew Hill ready to run through opposition. Page 10.
THURSDAY
THE
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 August 13, 2015 Vol. 123, No. 161 www.alexcityoutlook.com
Legislators feel budget deal near By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
With the Alabama Legislature staring head-on at a second special session and further attempts to solve the state’s general fund shortfall, Alexander City’s legislators are unanimous in their belief that there will be no need for a third gathering in Montgomery. But that’s where the unanimity ends. There’s disagreement in how the lawmakers can best get there.
“I think we’ll get there this time,” said Rep. Mark Tuggle, who, along with Sen. Tom Whatley, makes up Alexander City’s legislative lawmaking duo. “But you have different opinions, different philosophies and different mindsets on how to get there. We just have to look for the right combination.” The legislature was forced into special session after lawmakers balked at Gov. Robert Bentley’s plan, which included a $541 million tax plan that would raise taxes on out-of-
state corporations currently doing business in Alabama but paying no state tax, increase taxes on banks and insurance companies and double the sales tax on the sale of automobiles from 2 to 4 percent. Bentley’s plan did not include an increase on property taxes, income taxes or sales taxes beyond the sales tax on cars. The special session, which concluded Tuesday, appeared doomed from the beginning when lawmakers took issue with the governor’s timing, saying they needed more time
to meet and discuss alternatives to fix the general fund budget after the failure to do so in the regular session. “We were close before the first special session,” said Whatley. “If the governor hadn’t called the special session early like he did, I think we would have already had this done. But, unfortunately, he did. And I don’t guess, as it’s turned out, I can fully blame him for us being where we are.” See BUDGET, Page 8
Dadeville Council committed to keeping agency in the city By Cliff Williams
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Outlook Staff Writer
It looks like the Tallapoosa County Department of Human Resources is on its way to new building in Dadeville. The Dadeville City Council heard a request at Tuesday night’s meeting from Tallapoosa County Administrator Blake Beck for the city to allow DHR to use seven acres of City of Dadeville property behind Subway for a new building. “The county commission has been approached by DHR for additional space.” Beck said. “Our goal is to keep this facility in Dadeville. It is centrally located for everyone that uses it. They employ 38 people there. They get a lot of traffic.” At Monday’s meeting of the Tallapoosa County Commissioners, they seemed to be excited about the possibility. Dadeville Council Member Randy Foster said the council is very interested in helping out. “It has been discussed briefly,” Foster said. “I think everyone is on board with it. There is a process that we need to go through with the town attorney, but I don’t think it will be a problem.” Beck explained how the transfer of the property might work. “It is fairly common practice for governments to transfer property amongst See DHR, Page 5
Members of the graduating class of the 2014 Alexander City Public Safety Academy pose with instructors, chaplains and elected officials after completion on the 12-week course.
TRAINED AND THANKFUL
Public Safety Academy grads appreciative of program By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
One group of area residents have a whole new appreciation for the job done by Alexander City’s first responders. The city held a graduation ceremony for the participants in the 2015 Public Safety Academy Tuesday evening. Participants say they now understand what all goes into keeping a community safe. “I can’t express how much this experience has meant to me,” said class participant Dorothy Heard. “I now know how much you all care and how dedicated you are to the people of Alexander City. “You have touched me See ACADEMY, Page 8
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Alexander City Fire Chief Kem Jones hugs Public Safety Academy participant Dorothy Heard as ACPD Chief Willie G. Robinson looks on at Tuesday’s graduation ceremony.
Lake Levels
488.77 Reported on 8/12/15 @ 6 p.m.
By Cliff Williams Outlook Staff Writer Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
Today’s
Weather
90 72 Low
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Exercising their green thumbs 54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
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By Cliff Williams Outlook Staff Writer
Jackson’s Gap will be starting the process of selecting a new council member after 12-year veteran member Felecia Edwards resigned effective immediately at Tuesday night’s meeting. “I will be resigning tonight from my position on the City Council,” Felecia Edwards said. “(I am resigning) due to being treated as if I am dishonest in attending training classes. I am the only certified municipal official in town with over 40 hours and have attended a graduation. The mayor has been in office over 15 years and has only 11 hours of training and denies my continuing education. “Therefore I feel that I have been discriminated against based on my gender and color and will be resigning tonight. It has been a pleasure serving the town.” Jackson’s Gap mayor Jeff Walker explained his See GAP, Page 5
Dadeville Council looks ahead to beautification grant possibilities
Lake Martin
6
Whatley
Jacksons Gap sees councilor resign
Progress made towards new DHR building
High
Tuggle
Members of the Tallapoosa County Master Gardeners work to beautify the beds around the courthouse in Dadeville.
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The Dadeville City Council is still trying to move ahead with the courthouse square renovation project for which it has received a $400,000 grant but wants the Tallapoosa County Commission to be involved also. “We have discussed at the last couple of council meetings,” Dadeville Council Member Randy Foster said. “It’s going to take both entities to make it happen.” Attending the meeting Tuesday night were Tallapoosa County Commissioner Emma Jean Thweatt and County Administrator Blake Beck. “I think the commission will
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take it on soon,” Beck said. “These downtown projects do make towns look better. I cannot commit the commission to do it, but I think there is interest there. We (Thweatt and Beck) have met with the engineers on this. For us, you are talking a funding date of 2017-18. That is enough time for the commission to work with it. It gives us some time to make it work budget wise.” Foster agreed. “Given two or three years, I think we could come up with the money in that time frame,” Foster said. The council heard from some of its department heads. Dadeville Fire Chief Keith Wilkerson asked permission to purchase five radios for new See COUNCIL, Page 5