Effort launched to change how city operates Petition started so voters can decide if they want city manager-council form of government in Alexander City
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Prompted by a laundry list of administrative issues that have hindered progress in Alexander City, the idea of changing the city’s form of government has been raised by two members of the council and countless residents. This morning at 8 a.m., a petition calling for a vote of the people will be available at the front desk of The Wednesday, February
Outlook for Alexander City residents who are eligible voters to sign, to determine if a move to a council-city manager form of government is wanted. Councilman Bob Howard raised the idea in January and Monday night Councilman Tony Goss said the idea deserves exploration. “I can’t tell you how many people have asked me about it,” Howard said. “That’s no exaggeration. There have
icy and sets the budget while a professional city manager carries out day-today administrative operations. A mayor is still elected at large and is a voting member of the council, serving as its president. According to the National League of Cities, an estimated 59 percent of the nation’s cities of 10,000 or more residents use this form of government. See MANAGER • Page 6
been a lot. They ask why don’t we try the council-city manager form of government. It may be because I was on the council when the issue came up the last time, but I think it’s because the issues we’ve been having show that we need professional guidance on so many things that we do.” In the council-city manager form of government, the city council oversees the general administration, makes pol-
3, 2016
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System spawned tornadoes to the west
County says it must prioritize all road issues Condition of some isolated dirt roads has been raised by some residents
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
A severe weather system the National Weather Service expected to arrive in the Alexander City in the overnight hours brought damaging tornadoes to Mississippi and Alabama on Tuesday afternoon. The official NWS forecast for Alexander City issued Tuesday said local residents could awaken to severe weather early this morning, but should see the weather improve later in the day. Alexander City and the surrounding area were just east of an area with an elevated threat of thunderstorms during the early morning hours, according to the National Weather Service forecast. An NWS graphic showing the timing of the approaching weather indicated that Alexander City would receive its worst weather between midnight and 7 a.m. and See WEATHER • Page 7
KINGS OF THE DAWGHOUSE Benjamin Russell takes top honors in Opelika, Page 8.
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Chance Rich reels in a lure in the Sandy Creek area Tuesday as he and his teammate Holden McBride (in the background) practice for this weekend’s tournament.
FISHING FOR A WIN CACC’s Rich, team ready for Bassmasters tourney By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Dadeville native Chance Rich likes the Central Alabama Community College fishing team’s chances in the Bassmasters College Series Southern Conference Regional despite being a new team. “This will be our first tournament out-
side of competing against ourselves,” Rich said. “It is going to be a good step for us, especially being a first-year team and our first tournament on our home lake. We should do good.” Despite it being the school’s first tournament, Rich is no stranger to Lake Martin. See TEAMS • Page 6
Tallapoosa County officials say that they have heard complaints from some residents over the condition of some dirt roads, in particular those near the Tallapoosa River and in areas around Lake Martin. While crews are able to address some issues, Tallapoosa County Engineer David Moore said that the county has to prioritize when it comes to maintaining roads. “It is always tough this time of year,” Moore said. “This is typically the wettest time of the year. Rain on dirt roads means mud. There’s just no way around it. We understand that there are issues that exist, but we have to concentrate our efforts on roads that are the most traveled, the roads that people use every day for work or roads where there are the most residents impacted when issues arise.” Tallapoosa County has about 1,000 miles of roads that county crews maintain. Of that, Moore said that 252 miles are unpaved and a majority of those often have no homes or residences on them. He said that makes them a lower priority than roads that see more traffic. “I know that there have been some issues with roads in the north end of the county – down by the river,” Moore said. “One of the issues that we see is that these roads are often See ROADS • Page 7
Camp Hill Council moves to cut its pay, but validity of vote being checked By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Camp Hill Council members Sylvia Spratling, left, Anthony Pogue, Mayor Danny Evans and Ezell Smith discuss the town’s sewage situation at Monday’s meeting.
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The Camp Hill Town Council has voted to decrease pay for council members and the mayor. The decrease will not take effect until after the election cycle this fall. “I think we as a council need to make some sacrifices,” council member Anthony Pogue said. Pogue went on to explain the thought behind his decision. “With the town’s finances the way they are, we may have to raise sewer and utility rates,” Pogue said. “We may have to lay some employees off. I do not think we can do those things if we have
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not taken sacrifices ourselves.” The new pay that was approved by two yes votes from Pogue and Sylvia Spratling, a no vote from Ezell Smith and an abstaining vote from Will York will be $100 per meeting for council members, down from $150 a meeting and $600 a month for the mayor, down from $800. The validity of the vote was being checked due to the fact that only four members were in attendance, because of an open seat. Of those members, only three voted, with two votes for the cut and one in opposition. See CAMP HILL • Page 7
Today’s
Weather
65 38 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
482.84 Reported on 2/2/16 @ 5 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
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