Aug 13, 2016 Wetumpka Herald

‘DAWGS DESERVE TO WIN’ Sports, Page 8 Wetumpka, AL 36092

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SATURDAY-SUNDAY • AUGUST 13-14, 2016

Citizens organize forum Open call for candidates to participate in absence of an official forum before election

THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

Residents have organized a political forum next week for upcoming city elections and have issued an open call to candidates to appear and talk to Wetumpka citizens about the platforms they are running on.

Talks of forums have circled the city leading up to the municipal elections a mere week-and-a-half away even being discussed in city council meetings during the public comments of residents who wanted to know if one would be held this election.

It is being called the Concerned Citizens Forum.

In the absence of any official forum sponsored by the city, or the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce, which has historically held the event, a number of residents took it upon themselves to undertake the effort to organize a forum.

The result of their effort is that Thursday at 6:30 p.m. a candidate forum will be held downtown at the County Commission Courthouse building in the large main courtroom area.

One of the organizers said the goal was to get as

VOL. 11, NO. 30

many residents as possible at the event.

“We want to hear their platform, where they are coming from, what are they going to do, what they (propose) to do,” said Yancey Mitchell.

Surrounding areas had held similar forums, he said, and he wanted to make sure Wetumpka residents were not left out of something that had traditionally happened in Wetumpka before a local election.

“This is going to be for the whole city of Wetumpka,”

Circuit Court issues ruling on Enslen v.

Elmore County

Wetumpka Chamber gets a lesson in leadership

By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

Circuit Judge John Bush granted Elmore County’s motion for judgment on the pleadings Thursday in its case against Elmore County Probate Judge John Enslen. The decision effectively closes the case though Enslen said that he would be seeking a possible amended order from the court.

The case was filed by Enslen on Aug.14, 2015 and asserted a claim against the county for funds collected for copy costs that had not been transferred to the probate judge’s discretionary fund.

These funds amounted to some $880,000 according to the complaint filed by Enslen.

According to Enslen’s complaint for declaratory judgment, Alabama Code section 45-22-861.22 (d), which became effective on July 18, 1999 required the probate judge to establish a policy for sale/access to information available in the probate office and required that all See RULING • Page 3

Today’s

Weather

92 74 High

Low

See FORUM • Page 2

By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

The Elmore County Technical Center ,part of Elmore County Public Schools, is anticipating record enrollment in its programs for the 2016-2017 school year and ECTC Director Jimmy Hull said it is an exciting time for the district’s career based programs.

Last school year the ECTC had an enrollment of 370 students, while enrollment this year is 500 students, an increase of 51%. The program with the greatest demand is medical sciences. After completion of a technical program at ECTC students are

Attendees at the summer luncheon of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Thursday learned a little bit about leadership from John Kline, Director of the Institute for Leadership Development at Troy University.

Kline said that fundamentally the best leaders are actually servants.

Kline said that leaders must have three traits; character, competence and confidence. Leaders must also know where they are going, how to get there and how to get other people to follow you. Kline said that you get others to follow you by following what he calls the three ATES: communicate, relate and motivate.

Kline made his points by telling a number of anecdotal stories from his own life with a few funny stories and quizzes. Kline focused significantly on the communicate aspect noting that real leaders communicate and the failure to be able to communicate is a sure sign that one cannot be a leader.

Chamber Director Gerry Purcell also updated the members on the new developments at the chamber including the success of the intern program. As well as the Chamber’s development of a haunted Wetumpka tour to take place just before Halloween in October.

Purcell noted that some 140 people had signed up for the basic tour at a cost

See TECH • Page 3

See LEADERSHIP • Page 2

William Carroll / The Herald

Elmore County Technical Center students work on computer towers Thursday afternoon. ECTC is anticipating a more than 50 percent increase in the number of students participating in its programs during the 2016-2017 year. Below, Elmore County Technical Center Public Safety and Law Instructor Donnie Adams demonstrates a proper rope tying technique.

GETTING TECHNICAL ECTC sees monumental growth for new school year

By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

“It’s not delivery, it’s a heist” Local stores owners beware of black market beverage thefts

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

SUNDAY: HIGH 93 LOW 73

CONTACT US 334-567-7811 • Fax: 334-567-3284

A Millbrook man has drawn the ire of management from retail and grocery stores throughout Elmore and Autauga counties by impersonating a deliveryman in order to snag a wholesale haul of beer and split, according to Crime Stoppers.

What he does is the opposite of delivery, however.

While pretending to move stacks of beer with a handcart, he “relocates” them Williams permanently out of the store.

However, according to a Central Alabama Crime Stoppers report, Darrius Williams does not limit his “services” to the alcoholic beverage section and has been known to “restock” soda as well.

It was unclear however if Williams enjoys the spoils See THEFT • Page 2

ka p m u t We

Submitted / The Herald

Crime Stoppers is looking for information on the whereabouts of Darrius Williams in possible connection with a string of beverage thefts from local retailers. Authorities believe Williams is pictured above on surveillance footage leaving a store with stolen alcohol.

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Page 2 • AUGUST 13-14, 2016

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND

Low-cost rabies clinic to be held in Eclectic

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

A clinic will be held in Eclectic today as well as next Saturday to help thwart one of the most horrific viruses in the history of virology – rabies.

Today, as well as next Saturday, pet owners, can get their dog, cat, ferret or even livestock vaccinated in order to protect it and themselves for one year at $12 per animal.

A veterinarian out of Wetumpka will administer the shots.

The receptionist to Ronnie Welch, of Welch Veterinary, said Welch would be at Elmore County High School Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

However for those that cannot make it then, she said Welch would be there again next Saturday from 1:30

p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

She advised that lines usually form early, by the “crack of dawn,” and said payments for vaccines at the clinic held in Eclectic needed to be either in cash or by check.

There is no limit on the amount of pets that can be vaccinated at one time she said, the only guideline however is that the shots had to be given outside of a vehicle.

The program is part of the Alabama Department of Public Health and its preventative efforts to control infectious diseases and outbreaks.

It is administered by Elmore County ADPH headquartered off U.S. Highway 231 in Wetumpka.

According to information from the ADPH, the vaccination of dogs, cats and ferrets is required by law, however it is recommended as well for animals and livestock like horses.

Theft

Obituaries

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himself or uses it to stock his own trade of black market beverages.

The executive director of CACS, Tony Garrett, said Williams had “stocked” a number of local stores, at least one of which was in Wetumpka and the latest in the series perhaps at Prattville.

Garrett said several managers and “loss prevention” personnel from stores Williams was said to have rendered his “services” to had reached out to him to publish a CACS report for help from the public.

He said the usual procedure of waiting for police involvement had not occurred this time due to Williams having only outstanding misdemeanor warrants, opposed to felonies.

Police generally do not like to use Crime Stoppers for mere misdemeanors, Garrett said.

He said he first learned about Williams during meetings with management of local retailers held two times per month at the Prattville Target, and then later at

Howard Clayton McCroskey, Sr. MCCROSKEY, Howard Clayton Sr., a resident of Eclectic, AL; passed away Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at the age of 75. Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 14, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at Perry Hill Road Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL. with Pastor Stephen Nulph officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery with Gassett Funeral Home of Wetumpka directing. Mr. McCroskey is preceded in death by his parents, Elgin Graves & Helen Martin McCroskey, son, Thomas Earl Branch, brother, Carl McCroskey, sisters, Martha Ann Groves, Freeda Simcox, and Sandra McCroskey. He is survived by his wife, Jo McCroskey, sons, Howard C. McCroskey Jr., Rodney Wayne McCroskey, daughters, Deborah Elizabeth Castle, Kay B. Durham, brothers, Billy McCroskey, Larry McCroskey, Butch McCroskey, Phil McCroskey, sister, Dulcie Rose Mumpower, 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Visitation will be held Sunday, August 14, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. until service time at Perry Hill Road Baptist Church. Online Guest Book available at www. gassettfuneralhome.net

the Montgomery Target.

As a sort of coalition of management, the meetings, he said, allowed them to compare notes, share stories, profiles and photos.

He said it helped them learn if there are cross-county offenders ripping off retailers only to make their way across county-lines and “strike” again.

If there is an unsolved case, Garrett said, usually within minutes at these meets he would hear, “I know the guy.”

He said they also use a sort of social media tool to share as a group from a network of stores across the River Region.

Liability issues are largely why most stores do not take more aggressive measures to stop shoplifters, Garrett said.

He mentioned a recent case out of Florida in which three Walmart employees allegedly suffocated a man in their attempts to stop him from stealing merchandise.

The common procedure for shoplifters, Garrett said, was to gather footage from surveillance videos and then sign a warrant with police at a later time.

A video sent along with the report was taken by surveillance in a Prattville store, and showed Williams’ efforts during what Garrett said was a failed attempt.

An employee approached Williams as he was exiting the store with a cart of goods and asked him what he was doing, Garrett said.

The explanation Williams was said to have given was that he was setting up a display with the items in the entryway of the store, at which time Garrett said the employee told him to stop and put the merchandise back.

William’s however now cannot be located, Garrett said, and according to the report his last known address is a Millbrook residence on the 2600 block of Caroline Drive.

Forum

continued from page 1

Mitchell said.

Mitchell said he had decade’s worth of experience in local politics, and had even served in positions in local county government, and was the past chairman of the Alabama Democratic Conference.

Loosely, the forum is set to be a question and answer format “We want to hear the platform of

each of the different candidates,” Yancey said, and emphasized that he wanted all candidates from both the mayoral race and contested council seats to participate.

There are three council districts up for bid this year, along with the office of mayor.

In Council District 1, incumbent Kevin Robbins faces opposition Emma

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Bass, while Percy Gill, of District 2 is challenged by Lewis Washington Jr. Current council member Steve Gantt of District 4 is facing off against Frank Bertarelli.

And the two-time incumbent, Jerry Willis, is up against newcomer Emmett Johnson for the mayoral top-spot.

Leadership

continued from page 1

®

of $15, while nearly 30 had signed up for the more extended tour, including a class for $40. Purcell also noted that the Chamber’s incubation center would be holding an open house

Brandt Wright Realty, Inc. Cell:

As stated on the ADPH website, there are two strains of the virus in Alabama, one of which is called the “raccoon variant,” while the other the “bat variant.”

Both of which according to the ADPH have the ability to infect other wildlife, “but more importantly” people and household pets.

According to ADPH data there has been at least one “laboratory confirmed” instance of a bat with rabies in Elmore County this year.

In neighboring Tallapoosa and Montgomery counties confirmed cases have been found of at least one raccoon, while in Chilton County at least one fox was found with the virus.

One dog found in southeastern Coffee County had been confirmed according to the data.

Overall this year the ADPH states 49 total cases have been confirmed with raccoons leading the totals at 29.

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ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Ruling funds received pursuant to that policy be paid to the county’s general fund for the purpose of establishing and maintaining the archival and indexing equipment of the office.

Enslen said this was accomplished, by prior probate judges, by charging $1 per page. For nearly 15 years funds were paid by the probate judge’s office to the county general fund, until a change in the law relating to Elmore County alone was passed by the Alabama Legislature which amended the statute referenced above by deleting the portion of the statute requiring that funds be for the purpose of establishing and maintaining the archival and indexing equipment to “…expended at the discretion of the Judge of Probate for acquiring and maintaining equipment, improving the efficiency of the operations of the office, supplemental salaries, and acquiring and maintaining office space.”

The effect of this change in the law changed the requirement to submit funds to the county general fund and created a discretionary fund for the probate judge’s use.

According to the complaint, the county partially complied with the new statute by transferring $123,230.33. This represented costs from January 2013 through April 2014. According to the complaint however, some $880,000, representing copy costs collections since 1999, were not transferred into the judge’s discretionary account. It is these funds that Enslen is trying to get placed into the discretionary account.

According to the complaint, Enslen also obtained an attorney general’s opinion that ruled that the new law was retroactive in nature, meaning that he could request funds going back to 1999.

The county, in its response to Enslen’s original claim, asked the court to dismiss Enslen’s claim stating that Alabama’s non-claim statute bars claims occurring before December 2012. The motion also states that funds were originally deposited in the county’s general

Tech trained and prepared to enter a professional field, giving them a competitive advantage in the job market. While some enter the workforce directly, others choose to further their study at a two or four year college, building on their technical certification from ECTC. Students are able to earn a CRI certification (Career Readiness Indicator) signifying that they are work force ready. ECTC students this past year earned 311 CRI Certifications, compared to 40 the previous year, a 677% increase.

Programs offered at ECTC include: Medical Sciences, Welding Technology, Automotive Technology, Computer Technology, Pre-Engineering and Design, Construction Technology, Public Safety and Law, Hospitality and Tourism, Electrical Technology, and Industrial Maintenance.

Hull said that the center added another discipline: Sports Medicine, which while under the medical sciences will hopefully grow into a significant program in its own right.

Hull said that while the growth is significant, the school was already in a position to take on the added students.

“Growth has been pretty much across the board,” he said. “We had room in our programs to add kids, in some cases we had some programs that were half full and now we have gotten them full or nearly full.”

Hull said the growth was due to a variety of factors, but specifically touted the center’s outreach efforts as a major component of the growth.

“We worked to rebrand a lot of our programs to make them more consistent with the needs of area businesses,” Hull said. “Honestly one of the biggest parts is actually educating the adults about what we do.”

Hull said he spoke to a number of area groups to try to educate the populace as to the importance of the program. He said that often when the program is shared with students they get really excited but that parents are sometimes a bit more skeptical initially, however, when parents get an opportunity to see the center first hand they are often amazed.

“When we bring parents in they are always amazed at the equipment we have and some of the things we can do,” he said. “They always say things like, ‘wow I didn’t know you could do that here.’”

AUGUST 13-14, 2016 • Page 3

continued from page 1

fund and spent on the county’s general obligations. The county also disputes the attorney general’s opinion that the new statute applies retroactively, thereby denying that Enslen had any right to funds transferred prior to December 2012. The court denied the county’s motion to dismiss on Nov. 30, 2015.

The county then filed an answer to Enslen’s claim and after several additional hearings, filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings, basically again asserting that the nonclaim statute bars the transfer of $880,000 into the judge’s discretionary account.

A hearing on various motions was held on Monday. During the hearing, the county continued to assert its claim that the non-claim statute barred the transfer of pre-December 2012 funds. Enslen’s counsel asserted that his claims were not barred because it is not the type of claim the legislature intended to bar through the non-claim statute. Also his attorneys argued that the new statute is retroactive and additionally that the funds transferred to the general fund from 1999 to 2012 are still in the fund and that they were merely asking for those funds to be utilized as the legislature intended.

Judge Bush found that the new statute was not intended to be retroactive. He also noted that he had already ordered the county to transfer all monies subject to the law to the probate judge and that any further relief requested by Enslen would be barred by the non-claims statute.

After the ruling, Enslen had this to say in a written statement, “The order had some good and bad for both sides and we appreciate Judge Bush’s work on the case. I was grateful for that part of Judge Bush’s ruling that prohibits the county commission from freezing the probate office’s discretionary account in the future and requiring the commission to pay to the probate office the $123,000 in discretionary funds that the commission had wrongfully withheld. On the other hand, I felt ambushed when the court made

a ruling on the issue of statutory retroactivity (the pre-2013 funds) when that issue was not before the court for a ruling. We never had an opportunity to present the legislative history on retroactivity or to offer into evidence the attorney general’s opinion on that point which is in our favor. The order also surprisingly fails to address the $880,000 that the commission is still holding and which remains earmarked for the exclusive use of the probate office’s records preservation program. The law allows us to petition the court for an amended order, and we will definitely be pursuing that relief on behalf of our citizens who want their records preserved and who want their tax monies spent according to the statutes.”

Elmore County provided the following written statements: “Today is a great day for Elmore County taxpayers,” Commissioner Stephanie Daniels Smoke said in her statement. “As a member of the Commission and an attorney it was

obvious this was a frivolous lawsuit from the beginning. This is just another example of how far people will go to further their political agendas. To defend this frivolous lawsuit cost the taxpayers of Elmore County at least $30,000 in unnecessary legal fees. Although the fight was long, we were relentless in our pursuit to defend it to protect our taxpayers from this $880,000 claim against the general fund. The ruling comes as a major victory to our taxpayers! I am glad to be a part of defending it.”

“I echo Commissioner Smoke’s comments completely,” said Mark Foley, one of the attorneys for the county with the firm of Maynard Cooper & Gale. “This was the ruling we expected and we’re pleased with the result. This case had important implications for Elmore County, its taxpayers, and county governments across the State of Alabama.

Meritless demands on a county general fund that date back to 17 years ago simply cannot be allowed to proceed.”

continued from page 1

Hull credits the activities of ECTC Career Coach Lindsay Jordan and ECTC Counselor Emilie Johnson as being instrumental in helping increase the enrollment of the program.

Jordan said their approach was simple and consisted of meeting with each and every Elmore County 9th grader and taking groups of students on a tour of the facility.

“I think bringing in the students on tour helped the most,” Jordan said. “In many cases we had actual students leading the tour and it wasn’t just a tour of the center, they actually got to see other students actively working in the different fields.”

Johnson said the programs are also aligned with the area’s economy based upon the needs of area industry, which of course enhances the draw of the program.

Both Jordan and Johnson said that area industry had been more than helpful, including volunteering to help conduct mock interviews of the students to prepare them for what they will face in the real world.

“All of our programs have a continuing education or continuing workforce path,” Johnson said.

Hull said that students in the program didn’t just learn on-the-job type skills, but also learned quite a bit about the so called “softskills.” Soft skills are those that are needed in everyday use for all types of professions and include such things as how to act in a work setting, interpersonal communication including teamwork, problem solving related skills.

“A lot of the skills we teach here translate into a real world environment,” Hull said, noting that the center acts as a simulated workplace for students to prepare for future careers.

Elmore County Schools Superintendent Dr. Andre Harrison said about the developments with the program, “I just want to say I am thrilled, I am pleased with the technical center and where it is heading as well as all of the development that has been going on at the center.”

For more information about the programs offered at ECTC the public is invited to an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony on August 18th from 3:30pm to 7:00 pm at the center.

Meet Mayoral Candidate Emmitt Johnson

Kiddie College 202 Old Montgomery Hwy. Wetumpka, AL 36092 10:00-11:30 AM Saturday, August 20th Refreshments, conversation and friendly smiles available to all.

Steve Baker, Publisher William Carroll, Managing Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of The Wetumpka Herald

Page 4 • AUGUST 13-14, 2016

OPINION

“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.”

--Thomas Jefferson

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND

The Herald 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.

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P

Pick a side, any side

olitics always fascinates me especially how divided it tends to be at the higher levels. I suppose this is because I have never really picked a side. I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat nor have I registered as anything other than an independent. I tend to be fairly middle of the road politically and I tend to have my own views on issues. On some I am more conservative, on others more liberal, it really just depends on the issue. Honestly, I have never really understood the polarization of American politics. Good ideas and bad ideas are simply what they are and both parties suffer from equal amounts of both.

Perhaps the more disconcerting issue though is how opposed we as citizens become. During this presidential primary season I have been fascinated with how much

WILLIAM CARROLL Guest Columnist

hate is being spewed, not by the politicians, but by those who attend the rallies, speeches and other political engagements. Watching some of those people who attend these affairs is quite shocking. Often you will see folks red-faced and spewing with hate.

Such anger directed at politicians is somewhat understandable, but when you are red-faced, with veins bulging out of your neck, perhaps your anger should actually be directed more internally, at how your own life got so bad, than at politicians, some of whom honestly have very little to do with your day-to-day problems. There are often

protesters at these events as well, who go so far as to get themselves arrested for being too aggressive or belligerent. The fact is that the division just breeds more division.

To listen to Republicans talk, especially Donald Trump lately, you’d think everything is the fault of President Barack Obama and the Democrats. To hear Democrats talk you’d lay the blame completely at the “do-nothing” Republican Congress as the cause of the division. Honestly neither of these views is accurate.

The more we try to look at Americans as “other” the more we will enhance that division, not only in ourselves, but also in others.

This column isn’t meant to be one of those can’t we all get along type arguments. We can’t.

It is actually human nature to be clannish and divisive. It is perhaps due

to some primordial need we haven’t quite figured out yet, but we revel in dividing the world into good vs. evil, us vs. them, white vs. black and a litany of other divisions. When we look at the politicians we have elected, both at the state and national level, what looks back at us is not a bunch of corrupt crooks, but ourselves – the worst version of ourselves, but nevertheless it is us we find staring back.

So when you see hate and religious battles and killings and racism on the television during your nightly news, remember that it isn’t someone else’s problem. We all created it and we all continue to foster it, primarily because we think you have to pick a side, any side and live or die by that side.

Carroll is the managing editor of The Herald.

334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE WETUMPKA HERALD (681-260) is published twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 360920099. ISSN # 1536-688X.

Zika spread a significant problem

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ADMINISTRATION Steve Baker, publisher steve.baker@thewetumpkaherald.com William Carroll, managing editor william.carroll@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . Ext. 306 SALES Jayne Carr, marketing consultant Jayne.Carr@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . Ext. 313 Molly Brethauer, marketing consultant molly.brethaur@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . Ext. 305

I

wanted to update you on the situation with the Zika virus and efforts to combat its spread. As you may know, Zika transmissions have already been reported in Florida, some among pregnant women.

By now you’ve probably heard of the Zika virus and the harm it has caused in Brazil and other South and Central American countries. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Zika is comparable to the West Nile Virus, spread by mosquitoes and can cause fever, rash, joint pain and eye irritation. The real threat, however, is for pregnant women and their babies. Though rarely fatal, Zika can cause serious birth defects in newborn babies if an expectant mother is infected.

In June I relayed the good news that the House had passed Appropriations legislation providing funding for our nation’s response to the Zika virus. It is important for Congress to ensure agencies like the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health and others had the resources they need to combat the disease and prevent it from spreading.

Sadly, two months later, that compromise funding bill has yet to become law.

MARTHA ROBY U.S. Rep.

Why? Senate Democrats led by Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) have twice blocked the legislation by denying the majority the 60 votes needed to allow a vote on the bill. The Wall Street Journal opines further that “they walked out on their own bill on Thursday to use the issue as a campaign bludgeon against Republicans.” Is that fair?

Let’s review their stated objections.

First, Senate Democrats take issue with temporarily waiving a requirement to obtain a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency to use certain proven mosquito-killing sprays like DDT. However, killing mosquitoes is exactly what we need to be doing right now and an emergency waiver of this kind can help states and communities quickly respond to the Zika threat without a bureaucratic permitting delay. Furthermore, the bill specifically requires any pesticide used to already be approved under and applied in compliance with The Federal

Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Next, Senate Democrats objected to the bill offsetting the cost by reallocating $543 million from ObamaCare funding.

However, the ObamaCare money in question is leftover funding meant for setting up healthcare exchanges in territories that became unnecessary and unused - when Puerto Rico expanded Medicaid.

Finding unspent funds to help offset the costs of emergency spending is basic fiscal responsibility, not a reason to block a bill.

Finally, and probably most importantly, Senate Democrats are upset that the Zika appropriations bill does not allocate funding for Planned Parenthood, arguing that it leaves women without care options. But, that’s not true. The bill allocates $40 million for community health centers that are more plentiful and offer a wider range of care, plus $6 million for the National Health Service Corps and $95 million to the Social Services Grant Program that can distribute funds for preventive care to the most at-risk areas. It is simply not the job of the federal government to fund the nation’s largest abortion provider, and it is unconscionable that

Senate Democrats would block funding aimed to help protect pregnant women and babies because their friends at Planned Parenthood don’t get a cut.

Of course, President Obama has taken the Senate Democrats’ side for the most part.

However, as Roll Call reports, the president’s spokesmen are having a hard time explaining why, amid all the clamoring for more funding from Congress, the Administration has yet to tap into at least $385 million in unspent funds it could quickly access without congressional approval to combat Zika.

The Zika threat is real and it is here. Critical legislation is one step (and about four Senate votes) away from the president’s desk. A public health crisis of this magnitude is no time to block emergency funding in the name of politics.

I hope you will take a moment to read this article and share it on social media. You can post it on Facebook or click here to share it on Twitter.

Thank you as always for allowing me to serve as your Representative in Congress. Please do not hesitate to reach out if my office can be of assistance.

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AUGUST 13-14, 2016 • Page 7

Area Calendar August 13

Beulah Baptist Church will hold the Annual Teachers Luncheon on August 13 at 1 p.m. In order to honor the Reeltown School Teachers and Aides and some other teachers from surrounding school systems.

August 16

What You See, Is What You Get at the next Tuesdays with Kelly meeting when Jason Powell of Petals from the Past will give a Container Gardening Demonstration. Come to this “lunch and learn” event at noon on the third Tuesday of each month at The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery 408 South Main Street in Wetumpka, Alabama Bring a sack lunch, drinks and desserts provided. Free, Open to the Public, Fun, Music and Door Prizes.

August 20

Holy Destiny and Justified will both be in concert at Holtville Riverside Baptist Church on Saturday night August 20th at 6 p.m.

The church is located on Highway 111 in Slapout.

For more information call 334 569 2421.

August 26-27

The Tallassee High School Class of 1981 is planning its class reunion, to be held August 26 and 27 in Tallassee. If you are a member of the class and have not been contacted by a classmate, please call Suzy Solomon Wilson at 334-283- 8172.

August 28

The Wetumpka church of Christ is having homecoming celebration and fellowship meal in the fellowship hall after worship services, Sunday the 28th.

All are invited, especially those who have worshipped at the Wetumpka congregation in the past. Kenneth Randolph and Janice will be with us for the worship services and fellowship.

Brother Randolph will speak at Bible study and at worship assembly. Kenneth was minister at Wetumpka for 16 years. Services begin at 8:30 a.m.

September 3

Emerald Mountain Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a Labor Day Weekend BBQ Sale on September 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the EMVFD Fire Station at 1785 Old Ware Road in Wetumpka.

Boston butts may be

purchased for $30 and plates for $8. The plates will include BBQ pork or ½ chicken, potato salad, baked beans and bread.

Cakes will also be available for purchase whole for $25 or $2 per slice. For information or tickets, please call 567-6077 or 567-0405.

ONGOING EVENTS CHILD FIND: The Tallassee City School System is launching its annual campaign to assist children—birth to age 21—who have disabilities and may need special services. The campaign urges parents, service providers, and concerned citizens to contact Child Find, a program to locate, identify and evaluate children with disabilities or children who are believed to have disabilities.

The Tallassee City School System wishes to notify you of the availability of special education services in our public schools.

If you have questions regarding our programs, or if you wish to refer a student, please contact Lynell Carr at (334) 283-5675 or Child Find (Alabama Department of Education) at 1-800-548-2547.”

ART EXHIBITION: There is a free exhibit of sixty-five works of art by the late Priscilla Crommelin featuring vibrant still life and floral paintings, portraits and landscapes at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery.

SATURDAY NIGHT JAMBOREE: Every second and fourth Saturday of the month is the Highway 231 Saturday Night Jamboree at the Alabama League of the South Cultural Center Building at 12814 Highway 231 North in Wetumpka.

There will be country, gospel, and rock and roll music in a good atmosphere.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

There will be line dancing, no alcohol, no smoking and no charge. Donations accepted for upkeep of the building.

Contact Ray Funderburk at R&R Music and things at 334-991-4682 or 224-8509804 with questions.

SANTUCK FLEA MARKET: First Saturday, March-December, dawn to 2 p.m in the area surrounding Santuck Baptist Church.

An outdoor flea market with booths featuring arts, crafts, antiques, novelties, imports, food and more. Free admis-

sion to the public with free parking available. For info, call 334-567-7400.

BLUEGRASS JAM: First Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. All acoustic instruments welcome - guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass, singers. Beginner, intermediate, advanced and listeners. For info, call 334578-9485.

SIT AND SEW: First Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. All sewers and knitters welcome. Bring your own sewing machine or hand-sewing project.

Assistance and encouragement to help you through your project. Ironing board and iron provided. Free. For info, call 334-578-9485 or visit www.arrac.org.

POTTERY CLASS: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka For age 16 and older. $80 for four classes or $20 per week. Taught every Saturday by Rick Bowman. Bring your own tools or use art center tools. Center provides other supplies. For info, call 334313-1646.

CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP: Saturdays, 11 a.m. at the Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. For ages 12 and older. $32 for four classes. Taught every Saturday by Cliff Wayne.

For info, call 334-300-9394.

MASTER GARDENERS LUNCH AND LEARN: Second Tuesday of each month, 12 to 1 p.m. at the Elmore County Extension Office, Wetumpka. Hosted by the Central Alabama Master Gardeners Association.

Free and open to the public. Bring a sack lunch, drinks provided. For info, call 334-567-6301 or visit www.aces.edu/counties/ Elmore/.

NAACP MEETINGS: Elmore County Branch NAACP Executive Committee meeting every 3rd Tuesday 6:30pm at MLK Center 200 Lancaster St, Wetumpka Elmore County Branch NAACP regular monthly meeting every 4th Tuesday 6:30pm at MLK Center 200 Lancaster St, Wetumpka SENIOR ACTIVITIES: “Prime Time” activities at the Wetumpka Senior Center, held at the Fain Center, 120 Cotton Street for those 55 and older: Regularly Scheduled Activities Monday-Friday - Lunch, 11:30 a.m. Cost is $1.60

donation if possible.

SilverSneakers Classic Exercise Class - M, W, F at 9:30 a.m. - total body toning and muscular strength SilverSneakers Circuit Exercise Class - Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. - cardio workout SilverSneakers Yoga Class - Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. - deep breathing, stretching, muscle relaxation Bridge Club Wednesdays, Noon to 3 p.m.

Audio Book Club- second and fourth Monday of

every month at 1 p.m. enjoy listening to a book on tape while knitting, crocheting, sewing, etc.

NEW REGULARLY SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES DIY Classes - Every first and third Monday at 1 p.m.

Do It Yourself Classes to learn to make things you can use around the house, including soap, lotions, crafts and decorations.

Uno Wednesdays - 1 p.m. every Wednesday take part in a rousing game or two of Uno. Sock Sisters - 1 p.m. every Thursday come and

make non-slip socks to give to nursing home residents.

Volleyball - Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Join us for an intense game of volleyball, using a beach ball!

Bridge - Wanted: Bridge players for afternoon Bridge Club. Meets Wednesday afternoons Noon to 3 p.m.

NOTE: For info on any Prime Time event, call 334567-1335.

ECLECTIC: The Eclectic Senior Center is open every weekday until noon.

For more info, call Deborah Rowe at 334-541-3581.

PAGE 8 • AUGUST 13-14, 2016

SPORTS

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ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND

‘DAWGS ‘DESERVE TO WIN’

By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Life’s not fair, but Hunter Adams believes his team deserves better.

Holtville has endured back-to-back winless seasons. While it may be hard to generate willingness and enthusiasm riding a 20-game losing streak -- the state’s sixth longest active mark -- that’s not what he’s seen out of the Bulldogs.

Has he seen enough to break the two-year skid? Is this the team to turn it around?

“It needs to be; they deserve to be,” Adams said.

“They’re the most consistent group, hardest working group, most diligent group that we’ve had during my tenure here. The elephant in the room when you’re talking about them is back-to-back 0-10s.

“From a work ethic standpoint, those kids don’t deserve that, they don’t deserve to have been through that. We preach all the time, life’s not fair.

You got to learn from it, you got to strive to get better, you got to work to get there. Selflessness.

You’ve got to be incredibly selfless. You’ve got check your ego at the door and be willing to do all the little things it takes to be better.”

Adams is the first to admit that Holtville is outmanned by several teams on its schedule. But the most destructive part the past two seasons has come from themselves.

“We talk about it every day, yeah, we face competition that’s above our head in terms of talent. But Cory Diaz / The Herald how many times have we played a perfect game?”

Adams said. “We haven’t. We’ve got to hold ourselves to that standard. To compete against the best, Holtville senior lineman Nathan Smith battles a blocker during the team’s first fall practice last Monday. to compete against those teams, we’ve got to out execute them. do and they’re very selfless,” he said. “What I want Billy Hacker, Cody Clements and newcomer Tyler “In that fashion, the biggest competition is not to see is a team that, no matter how ominous the Anderson. them, it’s ourselves. Last season, our two biggest schedule, is going to step up to the challenge and Defensively, leading tackler Evan Headley heads problems were turnovers offensively and third down the attack from his linebacker spot, and seniors Zach fight. defense. In both of those, we were terrible. We’ve “I think the ceiling for this team, somebody that Weldon, Jacob Nowak and Cody Gibson add to the worked really hard to address those.” can compete every Friday night. Somebody that if depth.

Coupled with playing close as a team, the you don’t play your best game can beat you on any Can this team accept the challenge? Adams Bulldogs arguably will have their most talented given Friday night. That’s what I expect out of this doesn’t want to put a ceiling on it, but said that the group. While rising sophomore quarterback Drew team.” answers to all the questions begin with pride.

Nobles is a first-year starter, he’ll take snaps behind HHS opens the season next Friday against “Regardless of record, this group is going to be a senior-laden and experienced offensive line that’s Central-Hayneville at 7 p.m. at Boykin Field. much more competitive because they’re proud. combined for 159 starts, led by Nathan Smith, Proud of what they do every day, type of work they

Cory Diaz / The Herald

Former Wetumpka standout Bradley Roney (34), shown here warming up in the bullpen for the Mississippi Braves during a game against the Montgomery Biscuits at Riverwalk Stadium earlier this season, earned Triple-A affiliate Gwinnett Braves’ Pitcher of the Month honor for July.

Cory Diaz / The Herald

Edgewood Academy senior middle hitter Kaylee Glenn (15) spikes the ball over the net against Evangel Christian Thursday at EA.

Edgewood pounds Evangel in season opener

By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Opening its fourth straight season with a new coach went off without a hitch as Edgewood Academy raced past Evangel Christian, 3-0 (25-6, 25-6, 25-13) Thursday at home.

The Sellers Dubberley era started fast as the Wildcats leaped out to large leads and gave up just 12 points in the first two sets.

After the match, senior middle hitter Kaylee Glenn, who’s been on the varsity team for the last three coaching changes, said for the past three weeks Dubberley

prepared the team to come out hot.

“It sure has been different,” Glenn said. “He’s come in and expected a lot from us. We gave him, what I think is what he expected. We didn’t know what to expect, but we’re glad that he knew what he was talking about and really helped us grow the past three weeks.

“He’s been coaching us a lot on how to keep our mental mindset straight. We’ve been all working together, working hard for this day for a while.

There’s been some hard practices, but we’ve all been together and played like a team today.”

Glenn paced Edgewood with seven kills versus Evangel, and added a block.

Edgewood limited opportunities for Evangel as the team collected 21 service aces, led by six from senior setter Madison Maddox.

Fellow senior and outside hitter Kevi Hansen recorded five kills, two blocks and led the back row with six digs.

Sophomore Avery Roberts had four kills and junior Peyton Rodie had three aces.

Glenn said the team exceeded their own expectations in its season opener.

“I feel like we did good today. We

did better than we expected to do and we worked well together,” she said.

Leading big, the Wildcats rolled out some plays against Evangel, and found some success with some disguised attacks, but Glenn said improvements can be made.

“Getting better at some of the plays we run, passing and talking more. It really is (fun running plays),” she said. “We’ve been practicing it, we really didn’t think we’d run it today, but we just felt like the time is right.”

EA travels to Chambers Academy Tuesday.

Roney earns Triple-A Braves Pitcher of the Month award

By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

With each call up in the Atlanta Braves organization this season, Bradley Roney rocketed up his game.

The former Wetumpka star and right-handed reliever moved up to join the Class Triple-A Gwinnett Braves on June 1, and after a brief adjustment period, garnered the clubs’ July Pitcher of the Month award.

In eight appearances during the course of the month, Roney, a former eighth round draft pick by the Braves, went 1-0 with a team-best 1.38 ERA, two earned runs in 13 inningspitched, while going 1-for1 in save opportunities. He struck out 21 of the 44 batters he faced, limiting

opponents to a mere .182 batting average.

After allowing eight runs in his first six relief outings in Triple-A, Roney has given up just four runs in the last 23.2 innings, and picked up his fourth save in as many attempts, this past Monday in the team’s 6-5 victory on the road at Norfolk (Virginia) Tides. The stretch dropped his ERA down from 14.54 to 3.54.

Roney began the 2016 season at Double-A Mississippi, quickly making a name for himself.

The 23-year-old compiled a 2.82 ERA with a 1-0 record in 17 appearances along with 2-for-2 on save tries. In 22.1 innings, Roney had 33 strikeouts and surrendered just seven earned runs.