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December 15-16, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 247 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Vote now or January Suspension of rules needed for Monday vote on Russell By CLIFF WILLIAMS and JIMMY WIGFIELD Staff Writers
If the Alexander City City Council wants approval on Monday to buy and renovate the former Russell Sales Office for use as a new municipal complex, Mayor Jim Nabors and other backers will need unanimous consent to move past a first reading of the proposed ordinance. But while Nabors said Friday he remains confident in the final passage of the proposed $9 million project, he isn’t sure of the unanimous support needed to bring it to a vote Monday. “I don’t have a clue,” Nabors said of a vote to suspend the rules. Nabors said he expects councilmembers Bobby Tapley and Buffy Colvin to vote against the ordinance in the end but said he would be surprised if they want to delay its consideration until January. Once the ordinance itself clears the procedural process, a simple four-member majority is required to pass it. “Either way, I am fully comfortable with a 4-2 vote Monday or in January,” Nabors said. “I see no reason to delay it. All the information is out there. But if it does (get delayed to January), I am confident it will pass.” The first reading of the proposed Russell Sales Office ordinance is on the agenda for Monday’s regularly scheduled 5:30 p.m. meeting. Normally, a first reading is followed by a second reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting. In order for the council to vote on the ordinance Monday, city clerk Amanda Thomas said the following procedure must be followed: • Upon the first reading of the ordinance, the presiding officer, in this case council president Tommy Spraggins, would have to ask the council to entertain a motion to suspend the rules for immediate consideration, which would require a 6-0 vote. If the vote is unanimous, the council can then proceed to a motion to adopt the ordinance, which requires a four-person majority in a roll-call vote. • If there is one dissention or even if one councilmember abstains on the vote to suspend the rules, it would force a delay until the next regularly scheduled council meeting on Jan. 7. See VOTE • Page 3
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Jarqivas Johnson pulls a PJ Mask race car, above, from the shelf at Dollar General while shopping with cops Friday afternoon.
Shop with a Cop Program helps make holidays special, fosters positive interaction with law enforcement By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Christmas brings joy to most with time for family and fellowship. Many children also expect a visit from Santa, but those expectations can bring hardships for some families. To help fill a need for those experiencing a hardship and to foster goodwill with the community, the Alexander City Police Department has been taking part in the national Shop with a Cop program. See SHOP • Page 9
Retirement reception celebrates Cooper By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Donald Campbell / The Outlook
Retiring Alexander City Schools superintendent Dr. Darrell Cooper, center, shares a moment of conversation with Radney assistant principal Dr. Brittney Duncan, right, Radney principal Dr. John Prestridge, left, and Alexander City Middle School principal Tracie Blakely.
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The meeting room of the Alexander City Board of Education building was a busy hive of activity Thursday afternoon as city school system employees and members of the community gathered to celebrate the tenure of outgoing superintendent Dr. Darrell Cooper and wish him well in retirement. “It’s been very meaningful having this today,” Cooper said. “The biggest thing is getting to see all these people and talk to them.” Attendees came and went as they pleased, enjoying the refreshments and conversation both with Cooper and others in attendance. Those in attendance included all five principals from the city schools, current and retired district employees and Cooper’s two daughters, wife, mother and See RETIREMENT • Page 3
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