OPINION: GET OUT AND VOTE TODAY
THE
TUESDAY
SPORTS, PAGE 10
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
LOCAL, PAGE 2
Luke Holt finishes fine career
December 12, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 245 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Holiday open house held
Archer remodel, employee request snubbed By MITCH SNEED Editor
Tallapoosa County Probate Court Judge Leon Archer asked the Tallapoosa County Commissioners for permissions Monday to spend money raised by indexing fees in his office to hire a new employee to help while others are out and to revamp the offices in the courthouse in Dadeville. The commissioners didn’t say yes or no, they didn’t even make a motion to bring it to a vote. The snub made Archer as mad as hornet in a Coke can and he told them so. “Can I ask why?” Archer asked. “”It’s no money out of the county budget at all. This is money out of our indexing fees. I have checked with the state auditor and they say
it’s fine to fund the renovations with that money. They say it’s fine to pay an employee from those funds. I just don’t get it.” Commissioner T.C. Coley said he thought it seemed to be a little early for another renovation when one was done about 10 years ago. Commissioner Emma Jean Thweatt said she was concerned about hiring an employee with those funds and what could happen when a new probate judge takes office. Commissioner John McKelvey asked if the commissioners could visit and get an idea of how the renovation plans would help efficiency. Archer said he didn’t have time to wait, because the Department of Corrections would be doing the work and he feared they would See COMMISIONERS • Page 9
Tallapoosa County Probate Court Judge Leon Archer presents his proposal to the county commissioners Monday morning. The answer was neither yes or no. Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
SN-OMG 2017 Winter Storm Benji will long be remembered in Tallapoosa County
Senate race, property tax vote on the ballot
By MITCH SNEED and CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writers
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Nearly 8 inches of snow, hundreds of issues on area roads, forecasts that were far from reality, thousands without power, cable and internet and angst over school closings is how SNOMG 2017 or, Winter Storm Benji as it is properly known, will be remembered in Tallapoosa County. Friday’s winter storm caught many off guard as the National Weather Service See SNOW • Page 3
40 8
tons of sand put on troubled area roads to keep motorists safe
2,400
inches of snow
without power
45
students stranded for a brief time
91 61 motorist assists, accidents, etc. in a 26-hour period
calls to 911
Important elections held today
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Winter Storm Benji created some postcard quality images, but plenty of road and power issues too.
Tallapoosa County voters are asked to go to the polls today to help select a new U.S. Senator and decide whether they will support a 3 mill property tax hike for those living in the Tallapoosa County School District, which will help fund education. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. so that voters can cast their ballot for Doug Jones, Roy Moore or write in a candidate for U.S. Senator. In a race that has seen record spending and an all out barrage of political ads on television, radio and the Internet, experts say turnout is the key in the race. Tallapoosa County Probate Court Judge Leon Archer said that poll workers have been trained and voters will us electronic poll books for the first time. “We trained everyone on the new process on Thursday and we are anxious to see how it goes,” Archer said. “We think See ELECTION • Page 9
Third-graders take trip on Polar Express
JazzFest art contest accepting entries
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Students in Jeri-Lynn Martin’s third-grade class at Stephens Elementary School took a special trip Monday to the North Pole via the Polar Express. Her students were allowed to wear their pajamas to class and were treated to hot chocolate and a showing of the 2004 film “The Polar Express.” While Martin gave her students the chance to enjoy some of their time in the classroom, she also used the movie as a way to reinforce some of the lessons she has recently covered. “Ever since I put the book out See EXPRESS • Page 9
Even though the 2018 Alexander City Jazz Fest is still six months away, the Jazz Fest committee has already started planning for the event, including spreading the word about the annual art contest to select a design for the 28th annual Jazz Fest posters and t-shirts. Robert Gunn, who helps head up the art contest, said this competition has been going on for as long as he can remember. “This is a great way to get the community and the students in the schools involved in creating the design,” he said. “We encourage See JAZZFEST • Page 2
Today’s
Donald Campbell / The Outlook
Dressed as one of Santa’s elves, third-grade teacher Jeri-Lynn Martin leads her students in a group discussion comparing and contrasting the book and movie “The Polar Express” Monday morning.
Lake Martin
Weather Lake Levels
483.89
50 25 High
Low
Reported on 12/11/17 @ 5 p.m.
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