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Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
August 15 -16, 2015 • Vol. 123 • No. 163 • www.alexcityoutlook.com
AUG. 17, 1952:
This image of Hank Williams as he left the Alexander City Jail after being arrested for disorderly conduct and public drunkenness on Aug. 17, 1952 has become an iconic photo for collectors. Some say it serves as a preview of the way his life would end.
By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Hank Williams will always be one of Alabama’s favorite native sons. His music created a legacy that is still treasured today. His death at the age of 29 on New Year’s Day in 1953 in a hotel in Oak Hill, West Virginia left Nashville saddened for the loss of a musical giant. But just four and a half months before Hank’s passing, Alexander City got a glimpse of the downward spiral brought on by alcoholism and prescription drug abuse
Special / The Outlook
The night Hank Williams was locked up in the Alex City Jail
that began as Williams struggled to cope with years of back pain. Aug. 17, 1952 is a day that will live forever in the history of Alexander City. That was the day that Williams was arrested and spent some time in the Alexander City Jail. The original citation was unearthed several years ago as the Alexander City Police Department was going through old files. That citation has been duplicated and a now hangs in the office of Deputy Chief Jay Turner along with the now famous photo of a bare-chest-
Recently annexed property on the agenda
By Mitch Sneed
By Mitch Sneed
Outlook Editor
Outlook Editor
See COUNCIL, Page 3
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Jeremy Bazinaw in his garage studio in Hackneyville. The Clay County native picked up the paint brush five years ago to add to his music writing and finally feels he has enough work for a solo art show.
From garage to garage
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
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If you have driven down Highway 280 in Alexander City this week, you may have noticed that a new building has appeared virtually overnight. The prefabricated building that will serve as home for a new branch of River Bank & Trust was put in place Monday at the corner of Central Boulevard and Highway 280. “I know people have been saying, ‘where did that come from?’” said River Bank’s Randy Dawkins. “They had been preparing the site and getting it ready for the building and it See BANK, Page 3
Local artist trades garage band for garage painting studio By Cliff Williams
A
Outlook Staff Writer
rtistic people often find their talent and flair crosses many platforms and Hackneyville’s Jeremy Bazinaw said he has found that painting is an extension of the jazz music he has loved and played for years. “I have always been into jazz music,” Bazinaw said. “The improvisational
aspects of jazz have influenced my painting, and the rhythm. Like jazz, my painting is more abstract and in the moment.” Bazinaw says he will make a few conscious choices before letting the right side of his brain take over. “I will consciously pick things like colors and a brush,” Bazinaw said. “Then being left-handed, I believe in See ART, Page 5
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
River Bank’s new modular building is in place at the corner of Highway 280 and Central Blvd.
Alex City native Scott Hardy joins Lake Martin Area United Way
488.69 Reported on 8/14/15 @ 4 p.m.
ed Williams standing outside of his Alexander City Jail cell. “Everybody who has lived here has heard the story of him being in jail here,” Turner said. “But to find that paperwork, it shows a lot about what was happening in his life.” The charges were public drunkenness and disorderly conduct and the paperwork shows an 11:25 arrest time. The 6-1, 150pound Williams had been at the old Russell Hotel, which is near where Piggly Wiggly sits today, See JAIL, Page 3
River Bank has building in place for new branch
Council to consider zoning for 53 parcels So called island parcels that were recently annexed into the city limits will have initial zoning designations set at Monday’s meeting of the Alexander City City Council. The 53 parcels were annexed into the city by a vote of the legislature, after the council sought the move with a vote on Feb. 3. Some of the property owners involved in the annexation were Russell Corp., Parkdale Mills, Dudley Lumber Company, Curtis Wellborn, Roy Granger, Robinson Iron and Robinson Foundry. Preliminary zoning recommendations show no significant changes from the way the properties are currently used. The council will also vote on calling for a public hearing on three properties that
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE? Vote in the 2015 Reader’s Choice Awards, page 7.
By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
Alexander City native Scott Hardy has accepted the position of community impact and marketing director for the Lake Martin Area United Way, according to Sharon Fuller, executive director. “Our board is excited to have Scott join our United Way team,” Fuller said. “We had a lot of good applicants and we’re proud to have Scott on board to help us grow.” Hardy expressed gratitude to the United Way board and to his predecessor, Stephan Tomlin, for the opportunity his new position affords him. “I’m grateful to Sharon and the board for this opportunity and to Stephan Tomlin for laying such a great foundation for me,” Hardy said. “I’m excited to be able to share with the community what’s available to them through United Way and excited for the chance to be able to
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serve my hometown and the rest of the Lake Martin area through this unique agency.” Hardy comes to United Way from Tallapoosa Publishers Inc., where he worked in the advertising department. Prior to his two years at TPI, Hardy worked with the Alabama Sports Festival Foundation. “I think that my previous two jobs have prepared me well for this new position with the United Way,” Hardy said. “TPI helped me become more familiar and better initiated among business people in the area and I think that will help me be more successful in this position. My time with ASF helped me become familiar with how non-profits operate. “Hopefully, I can be successful in helping better bridge the communications gap between the United Way and the people, its member agencies serve and in helping with additional initiatives for the agency.”
I ran a classißed ad to sell my car and it only took four days and my car was sold! Classißeds work! – John
David Granger / The Outlook
Scott Hardy has joined the United Way as community impact and marketing director.