THE
TUESDAY
LOCAL, PAGE 2 8 arrested on drug, firearm charges
SPORTS, PAGE 10 Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
Duck hunters hope for repeat of last season
December 18, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 148 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Voting stalled Council deadlocked on Russell decision; final vote in January By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor
Three councilmembers voted Monday night to press the brakes on a proposal for Alexander City to buy the former Russell Sales Office and consolidate all city services under one roof. However, after the regularly scheduled meeting concluded, two of the three said they can be persuaded to vote yes and approve the $9 million project at the Jan. 7 meeting. The anticipated vote on the Russell project drew a large audience consisting mainly of city employees who filled most of the pews in the council chambers, located in the 1930s-era courthouse that will be torn down if the ordinance passes. Police who work in the building plagued by black mold and a leaky roof were joined by firefighters who lined the back wall. Council president Tommy Spraggins, at the behest of Mayor Jim Nabors, asked the council to suspend the rules and immediately consider an ordinance to buy the Russell property. But needing a unanimous vote under the law to move forward, Nabors watched from one end of the table as councilmembers Bobby Tapley, Buffy Colvin and Scott Hardy voted no. Councilmembers Eric Brown, Spraggins and Tim Funderburk voted yes, terminating the motion until the next regularly scheduled meeting on Jan. 7. If the 3-3 vote persists in January, when the ordinance is brought up for a second reading, the proposed project would be killed, according to city attorney Larkin Radney. In January, however, unanimous consent will not be required to bring the ordinance to a final vote. Instead, a simple 4-2 majority will slide the proposal under Nabors’ pen for approval. “I am still confident it will be 4-2 in January,” Nabors said afterward. Hardy said he voted no to immediately consider the ordinance only because he wants more information. “My no vote was more for tonight because I didn’t feel comfortable making a decision,” he said. “I wasn’t comfortable making a See COUNCIL • Page 9
Submitted / The Outlook
The driver and sole occupant of a Toyota Camry survived a collision with an 18-wheeler in Dadeville on Friday. It took first responders about 40 minutes to remove her from the vehicle.
‘One lucky lady’ Woman survives vicious car crash By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
E
veryone who has seen the wreckage can hardly believe the driver of a Toyota Camry survived a Friday collision wi with ith an 18-wheeler in Dadeville Friday. dayy.. “She is one lucky lady,” Patterson Truck Parts and Towing ng driver Chris Deason said. “The door post had her pinned down in n the passenger seat and the truck’ss tire was on top of her.” Deason responded to the scenee to assist See CRASH • Page 3
Today’s
Jeffcoat is new executive Weather director for Main Street
61 39 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
484.04 Reported on 12/17/18 @ 4 p.m.
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laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
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54708 90050
8 USPS Permit # 013-080
By AMY PASSARETTI Lake Martin Living Editor
Stacey Jeffcoat, who has extensive experience working with nonprofit organizations, has been named the new executive director of Main Street Alexander City, effective Jan. 2. Current executive director Bre Smith will officially leave the position at the end of January, allowing a full month of transition for Jeffcoat. “Bre has done a wonderful job so far and I know I have big Jeffcoat shoes to fill,” Jeffcoat said. Smith said she is relieved to provide Jeffcoat a procedure that will make a transition much easier on everyone. See JEFFCOAT • Page 3
We Care About You
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Residents, dogs visit with Santa at The Coffee Corner Great Dane Stella gets a taste of Santa’s beard as The Coffee Corner hosted breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning. Stella belongs to Will and Stef Kinnebrew. They were joined by their other dog Angel for a photo with Santa.
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