OPINION: 4-H PROGRAM HELPS OUR CHILDREN GROW, PAGE 4.
TUESDAY
THE TIS THE SEASON!
SPORTS, PAGE 12 BRHS wrestlers medal at Swede Umbach
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
Christmas in the Park and more, page 11.
December 13, 2016 Vol. 124, No. 249 www.alexcityoutlook.com
Wastewater initiative shows big savings By MITCH SNEED Editor
In a time when stories of waste in governmental spending are common, Alexander City has a refreshing success story where employees led an initiative that will save the city as mush
as $94,000 a year. Early last year, Alexander City’s Wastewater Services Department under the direction of Superintendent Shelby Richardson voluntarily launched an Energy Management Initiative for Alabama Water and Wastewater Utilities. See WASTEWATER • Page 3
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Residents ask county to revisit landfill permit
New bond hearing for McDaniel set for Jan. 27 By MITCH SNEED Editor
Matthew Clate McDaniel will have to wait until after the holidays to have a judge reconsider his release pending trial in the murder case against him. A new bond hearing has been set for Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Tallapoosa County Courthouse before Judge McDaniel Kim Taylor. McDaniel, who is charged with murder in the Jan. 17 shooting death of Norman Dean Crayton, had been free on a $250,000 bond until Oct. 26 when Judge Taylor ordered McDaniel back to jail following his arrest in Auburn on misdemeanor criminal mischief charges. Since a revocation hearing on Oct. 26, McDaniel has remained in the Tallapoosa County Jail. As part of the revocation, Judge Taylor said that if legal issues in Auburn were handled and other safeguards were set up, he would reconsider the revocation. See BOND • Page 3
Today’s
Weather
65 48 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
483.33
Reported on 12/12/16 @ 5:30 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
Alexander City Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager Shelby Richardson poses in front of the aeration basin at Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment plant Friday. Through several tests and new procedures, the plant was able to find cost savings by cutting electricity use without impacting the quality of their treated water.
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Hometown Christmas
Alexander City parades in the holiday season Monday’s rain stopped just in time for the Alexander City of Commerce’s Hometown Christmas Parade and thousands lined the streets to catch a glimpse of everything from classic cars and Santa Claus to “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.” Lake Martin Resource Association President John Thompson served as the grand marshal for the event. Entries and floats from more than 40 different groups made the night one to remember. For more photos from Monday’s parade, see page 10 inside.
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Citizens claim conditions around Stone’s Throw are unhealthy By MITCH SNEED Editor
Residents living near the Advanced Disposal’s Stones Throw Landfill asked the Tallapoosa County Commissioners to revisit its decision to allow the landfill to operate as a renewal of its permit is under review. Rev. Leon Henderson and Sam Alexander attended Monday’s regular commissioners meeting. Henderson said that residents near the landfill, most of which are poor and African-American, have endured trash, damaged roads, an awful smell, truck traffic and noise at all hours of the day and night and unhealthy living conditions for more than a decade. “When this landfill came, the county gave the approval,” Henderson said. “I know it’s a poor area, an African-American community, but I wish you would go back and revisit that decision. ...I feel you have a moral obligation, if not a legal obligation, to monitor the landfill and that’s not being done at this point.” The landfill is located at 1303 Washington Blvd. in Tallassee, began accepting waste See LANDFILL • Page 3
Animal shelter warns against suprise pet gifts for holidays By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Almost everyone loves to cozy up to a pet. Many remember having a childhood dog or cat. Some are thinking of giving an animal as a Christmas present. Before giving someone an animal as a surprise gift, Lake Martin Animal Shelter’s Mia Chandler has a give a few tips. “A surprise gift of a pet is never a good thing,” Chandler said. “A pet is a lifelong commitment. The person getting the pet needs to be involved in the process.”
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Chandler says there are several factors the person gifting a pet may not realize. “Different pets require different needs,” Chandler said. “Some require more time than others. Some require more exercise than others. Some may require more grooming than others. But all require some finances, some more than others.” Chandler says that if you want to give the gift of a pet let them get involved. “There is chemistry between a pet and owner,” Chandler said. “That is unknown until they meet.” Chandler does offer some See PETS • Page 3
Submitted / The Outlook
Alabama Power’s Marshall Griffin, chair of the board of directors for Camp ASCCA, takes part in the second annual Jingle Jump at the camp Saturday. The effort drew 53 jumpers in 32 teams to raise money for the Campership Fund. So far, nearly $38,000 has been collected enough to support 51 full camperships next summer. A full campership is $725 however, many campers only need assistance with a fraction of the cost.
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(On Right Past the River Bridge)