OPINION: BE ACTIVE IN YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION, PAGE 4.
Segrest tops golf tourney
TUESDAY
THE
Sports, Page 9.
SUN SETS ON THE SUN FESTIVAL
See finale photos inside, Page 9.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 August 2, 2016
Vol. 124, No. 154
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Machen keeps finance director’s job After executive session, termination dies after 3-3 vote by council By MITCH SNEED Editor
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
City Councilman Bobby Tapley said he voted against the termination of the city’s finance director because despite issues, the proper steps for dismissal were not met in his opinion.
Despite being dismissed by Alexander City Mayor Charles Shaw twice, City Finance Director Sandra Machen’s termination will not stick after a deadlocked city council failed to pass the mayor’s recommendation to fire her. After an executive session that lasted 75 minutes Monday evening, council members Jim Spann, Bob Howard and Billy Ray Wall voted
for the terminations, while Bobby Tapley, Sherry Ellison-Simpson and Tony Goss all voted against it. The 3-3 vote, according to City Attorney Larkin Radney, means that Machen is not terminated and could return to work as early as Tuesday morning. “The motion didn’t pass, in my opinion that means Ms. Machen is still an employee,” Radney said after the vote when asked by Spann what was next.
Boys & Girls Fan Club, After the Friendly Bell partner Finale for school year
Tapley said he realizes that there are shortcomings in Machen’s performance, but said he felt that the due process was not given the finance director in this case. “Based on the information I was given, I don’t see a reason for termination,” Tapley said following the vote. “We do have a lack of communication in the finance department. I do think there are some inadequacies there. Those See COUNCIL • Page 3
Candidates in New Site meet with voters Mims, Blasingame, Carter, Wilson share views with town’s seniors
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
The Boys & Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area and the Alexander City Board of Education have worked with the Alexander City Parks & Recreation Department to move the Boys & Girls Club’s afterschool programs to the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex and allow third- and fourth-grade After the Bell students that had previously been bused to Radney Elementary to stay at Stephens Elementary School. The two programs offer afterschool activities for the students, an evening meal and prevent them from returning home unsupervised after the school day. Combined, the Boys & Girls Club and After the Bell serve approximately 200 Alexander City students. “Our move to the Sportplex is great for us,” said Melissa Reynolds, executive director of the Lake Martin Area Boys & Girls Club. “It’s going to be a real blessing. It will give us access to the gymnasium and to all the park areas. As a result, it will make us more marketable See PARTNERS • Page 3
Senior citizens in New Site are now better prepared to vote in the Aug. 23 municipal election thanks to a candidate’s forum Monday. Guests heard from candidates where the races are contested – mayor and council place 1 – all of whom have deep roots in the community. Curtis Mims, who has been mayor for the past eight years, is proud of the accomplishments of the city in his tenure. “I ran on three things,” Mims told the crowd. “I will bring a Dollar General to town , give us more police protection – I have accomplished both of those – and get us a small fast food restaurant. I have not been See CANDIDATES • Page 3
Today’s
Weather
Kenneth Boone / The Outlook
Sun Festival headliner Jana Kramer greets fans at Saturday night’s finale at the Sportplex in Alexander City. For more pictures from the weekend’s events, see page 9 and catch Mitch Sneed’s wrap-up column on page 4 inside.
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
489.09 Reported on 8/01/16 @ 6 p.m.
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Larry Wilson, left, and Phil Blasingame talk before a candidates forum at the New Site Senior Citizens meeting Monday.
ALDOT: Dadeville traffic pattern changes likely here to stay
92 72 High
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
The traffic light on Broadnax Street in Dadeville has been reduced to a flashing yellow caution light after decades of stopping traffic at the intersection with Lafayette Street.
Bill’s Electric
Changes to the traffics lights and traffic patterns in Dadeville are likely here to stay. Alabama Department of Transportation officials say the changes should be more efficient for drivers. “Traffic flow should move more freely with this move,” ALDOT’s Mike Corley said. “The lights were not functioning properly.” The change happened last week after the light at the intersection of Highway 49 and Lafayette Street could not be repaired. Temporarily, the intersection was changed to a four-way stop while the City
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of Dadeville decided if it could fund the $60,000 to change out the lights. “The old lights were without detection,” ALDOT’s Holly McCain said. “Meaning they could not sense when a car approached the intersection. The lights were on a timer and that is not efficient.” The city council decided it could not afford to change the lights and to go with ALDOT’s proposal – make Highway 49 a pass through roadway with side streets having stop signs. The change has created confusion for some drivers unsure what to do after decades of using the traffic light. ALDOT’s decision is based on already established criteria
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and a traffic study. “We conducted a traffic study in March with school in session,” McCain said. “Traffic did not meet the standards to install a four way stop.” Corley defended the move. “It is signed properly,” Corley said of the installed signs. “Highway 49 should be the free flowing roadway.” Officials said they would re-evaluate the change as Lafayette Street is paved and the courthouse square renovation project goes through engineering but changes are doubtful. “It depends on if traffic changes,” Corley said. “Chances are, it will stay the way it is.”
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