OPINION: KEYS TO HITTING THE BULLSEYE, PAGE 4.
TUESDAY
THE CHAMBER PULSE
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
Strand Sessions and local business, pages 6-7
SPORTS, PAGE 12 Area teams start the baseball season.
February 21, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 36 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Council moves ahead on positions Meeting set for Monday to interview city clerk finalists By MITCH SNEED Editor
Movement towards filling several key appointed positions was highlighted at Monday’s meeting of the Alexander City City Council, as the city clerk’s position, the police and fire chief positions were discussed. The council voted to set a meeting for next Monday, Feb. 27 to interview the two finalists for the city clerk position. Council President Tommy Spraggins indicated that the committee had narrowed the field to
five, had interviewed four and were working to get to the final two. “We plan to narrow the choices down to the two to meet with the entire council this week,” Spraggins said. “So meeting with them Monday night would be possible if that works with everyone.” The council voted 6-0 to hold the meeting at 5 p.m. in the courtroom of the public safety building. Spraggins also said he hoped to cut down on distractions, by not allowing anyone to enter the interviews after they had
started. The Outlook will carry the interviews live on its Facebook page. Because the new clerk will not be on board by Feb. 28, the council also voted to extend the contract of current Clerk Harriett Scott until March 31 to ease the transition. Scott is set to retire at that time, but has agreed to work part-time to help the new clerk settle in. The council also selected a committee to select the finalists for the See COUNCIL • Page 3
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Councilman Tim Funderburk reads a resolution at Monday’s meeting of the Alexander City City Council.
Weekend Snapshots
Alex City Police look into reports of shots fired
New AG gets high marks for action on probe
Residents tells police window of vehicle shot out on J Street
Legislator says Marshall has been asking ‘right questions’
By MITCH SNEED Editor
By MICHELE GERLACH The Andalusia Star
Alexander City Police Department officers are investigating reports of shots fired over the weekend from residents on and around J Street in Alexander City. According to Alexander City Interim Police Chief Jay Turner, the first incident occurred on Friday when a resident called investigators after he discovered a back glass in his vehicle shattered. “We had the call on Friday and other calls on Saturday, but the only one damage that we were able to find was the damaged window,” Turner said. “The resident was unsure of when it happened or what direction it may have come from. But we didn’t have a cooperative complainant so we are waiting to see what materializes.” Saturday night scanner traffic indicated that at least two more calls were taken reporting shots fired in the same basic
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
There was plenty to do this weekend. Above, Birmingham resident Benji Sokol, 8, center and others take to Lake Martin as Wind Creek State Park hosted its second annual Polar Bear Plunge while left, Sandra Carlisle puts pancake batter on the griddle as she helped out with the Dadeville Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast. For more images from the weekend turn to page 11.
See SHOTS • Page 3
Rep. Mike Jones, R-Andalusia, said he is pleased with the way Alabama’s new attorney general has handled issues related to the impeachment of Gov. Robert Bentley. In November, “He is asking the then-Attorney right questions General Luther Strange asked the and approaching House Judiciary this in the way I Committee, hoped he would which Jones have.” chairs, to cease active interviews — Mike Jones and investigation State until “necessary related work Representative of the Attorney General’s Office has been completed.” Although Strange never confirmed that his office was investigating Bentley, most concluded from that letter that the investigation targeted the governor, as the Judiciary Committee was only investigating him. Bentley appointed Strange to the See PROBE • Page 3
Wind Creek, Extension’s 4-H team up for archery park plan By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Submitted / The Outlook
The Extension Service is teaming with Wind Creek State Park with hopes of getting financial and technical support from partners in the community to build an archery range and court at the park, much like this one at Oak Mountain.
Today’s
Lake Martin
Weather Lake Levels
68 58 High
Low
484.00 Reported on 2/20/17 @ 6 p.m.
6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
If all goes according to plan, Wind Creek State Park will soon have an archery park. Thanks to a partnership between Tallapoosa County 4-H and the park, 4-Hers and campers will soon have another attraction at the park. “We are going to start with a short range,” Wind Creek’s Bruce Adams said. “At first it will be for 4-Hers but will soon be available to campers.” While the range will be hosted at Wind Creek, Tallapoosa County 4-H and others are helping out. “4-H is partnering with us,” Adams said. “They are trying to raise the funds for targets and such.” Adams explained that it is not the first time an archery range has been at a state park. “It will be similar to the one at Oak Mountain State Park,” Adams said. “We will not be renting equipment but you can bring your own
bow.” For those looking to help, Shane Harris with Tallapoosa County 4-H is helping raise funds and organizing a work day to make it happen. “4-H is organizing a workday March 14,” Adams said. “Harris is also heading up fundraising efforts.” Harris said he hopes that the archery project will have the same success as the shotgun program that began last year. “You have to be able to provide programs with a wide range on interests,” Harris said. “By doing that, you have a chance to more and See ARCHERY • Page 3
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