OPINION: SOCIAL HOSTING DURING THE HOLIDAYS, PAGE 4.
TUESDAY
THE
FOR SUBSCRIBERS Lake Martin Living inside.
A COOSA CLASSIC
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 December 15, 2015
Vol. 123, No. 249
Cougars boys, girls win Classic. Page, 12.
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Sunday sales moves towards ballot By MITCH SNEED Editor
Barring any unforeseen setbacks, county voters could go to the polls in November of next year to decide whether they want to allow Sunday sales of alcohol. The Tallapoosa County Commissioners voted 5-0 to pass a resolution asking the local legislative delegation to introduce a local bill calling for a referendum. With the timing of the session, County Attorney Thomas
Radney said the soonest a vote could come without a special election would be in the November election. “I have had discussions with Rep. Mark Tuggle and I don’t think it will be an issue for it to be introduced in the session in February,” Radney said. “Once that local law is passed, then it could be put to a vote. I think realistically, it would be November of next year when it could be on the ballot.” The commissioners have heard from two separate groups of business people in recent months asking for a Sunday
sales measure to be considered. The underlying message from businesses is that being able to serve alcohol on Sunday would even the playing field with businesses in Lee and Elmore counties. Radney said the language of the referendum will allow for alcohol to be served until 2 a.m. on Sunday. At that time, sales would stop and not be allowed to begin again until noon on Sunday. The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution and ask legislators to introduce the measure in
Two severely injured in Monday crash
Today’s
Weather
68 58 High
Low
Trustees approve Southern Union, CAAC, Chattahoochee Valley merge By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Above, local realtor Amy Clark blocks a snowball as she rides ‘Vixon’ in the Wild and Crazy Reindeer Race at Christmas in the Park, while below, Cali Ragsdale takes her turn on the synthetic ice.
CHRISTMAS CROWD
Christmas in the Park event draws a whopping 8,000 By MITCH SNEED Editor
Betsy Iler / The Outlook
Lake Levels
481.02 Reported on 12/14/15 @ 6 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
6
54708 90050
8
To say that the first Christmas in the Park sponsored by the Alexander City Parks and Recreation Department MORE was a success • See more pictures from would be an u n d e r s t a t e - weekend events. Page 11 • Our view: Event shows ment. The holiday what is possible. Page 4 themed event with carriage rides, Santa visits, skating and S’Mores was held Saturday at the See PARK Page 11
The merger of Alexander City’s Central Alabama Community College (CACC), Southern Union State Community College and Chattahoochee Valley Community College is officially a go, said Susan Burrow, president of CACC who will also serve as president of the merged colleges. “The Board of Trustees voted unanimously last Thursday to approve the resolution of the intent to merge the three schools,” said Burrow. “Now we look to the next steps.” Burrow said those next steps include informing institutional accrediting agencies of the intent to merge. In the coming months, she said, detailed documents and merger plans will be submitted as required to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges and the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees. The merger process is expected to take several months prior to receiving final approval from the Board of Trustees. Once approved, the college will follow a transition plan to ensure all operating systems are working together See MERGER Page 3
DELAYED, NOT FORGOTTEN: Lee awarded long-awaited diploma By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Lake Martin
See BALLOT Page 3
College merger gets official green light
By MITCH SNEED Editor
The Alexander City Police Department is investigating a two-car crash on Highway 22 Monday that left one of their own and a child badly injured. Officials say that a passenger car driven by Alexander City Animal Control Officer Kelly Cotney skidded on rainsoaked streets at about 8 a.m. and struck another vehicle. The crash site was near the intersection of Hillabee Road and 11th Street, not far from Buck’s Restaurant. Both Cotney and her young female passenger were transported to Birmingham for treatment of what officials described as “very serious injuries.” Cotney was taken to the University of AlabamaBirmingham Trauma Center, while the child was taken to Children’s Hospital of Alabama. The driver of the second vehicle, whose name was not released, was not transported for treatment, officials said. Details of the accident were not available, as officials said the crash is still under See CRASH Page 3
February. The commissioners also heard a presentation from Tallapoosa County Schools Chief Financial Officer Phil Blasingame that outlined the plan for use of the new 1 percent sales tax and progress on replenishing state-mandated reserves. A plan that the school board approved and submitted to the state calls for personnel reductions, reorganization of staff and money from the new tax to help
After waiting for more than 70 years, Nathan Lee finally has his Dadeville High School diploma. Lee, at the time a junior at Dadeville High and fresh off a football season that saw him score nine Tiger touchdowns and earn honorable mention all-state honors at end, decided to forego his senior year and join the service. His stint in the U.S. Navy began in December 1943, just weeks after he returned a late fourthquarter intercepted lateral 70 yards to lead Dadeville’s 13-7 win over crosscounty rival Alex City. Lee had told his son, Randy, many times his greatest regret was not having
his high school diploma. So, Monday night at the Tallapoosa County Board of Education’s December meeting, Superintendent Joe Windle introduced Lee and Dadeville High School Principal Chris Hand presented the spry 90-year-old with the long-awaited sheepskin. “I want you to know, Mr. Lee, that this is a particular honor for me as a retired military person,” said Windle. “I appreciate the recognition,” Lee said. “Thank you very much. “The reason I’m not saying a lot is that when you get as old as I am you tend to get emotional, but I do appreciate this.” After the football season of 1943, See DIPLOMA Page 3
USPS Permit # 013-080
Want to Downsize Your Gas Guzzler? Find your answer in the Outlook Classifieds – in print and online!
Call Classifieds – 2 5 6 . 2 7 7 . 4 2 1 9
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Nathan Lee, left, speaks with Tallapoosa County School Superintendent Joe Windle as the board of education awarded Lee his high school diploma.
AUTOMOTIVE 12 CIVIC. Ru ns great. 34 MPG , 30k miles. Call Ji m 555-6300.