OPINION: OWENS DESERVES HALL OF FAME SPOT, PAGE 4.
TUESDAY
THE INSIDE, PAGE 5
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
Calendar of community events!
February 7, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 26 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
SPORTS, PAGE 10 Local teams head into area tournaments
Council appoints new city finance director By MITCH SNEED Editor
Alexander City has a new finance director. In a 4-2 vote, the Alexander City City Council appointed Sandy Stanbrough to the position. Stanbrough held many leadership roles in accounting for the Russell Corp. heading up cost accounting before moving over to payroll and pensions, where she over-
saw the payments to more than 10,000 employees. She has a history in working with Alexander City Mayor Jim Nabors and painted herself as willing to work tirelessly to do things the right way. “When a job has to be done, it’s going to get done – no matter what it takes,” she said during her interview. Lee Jones, an Alexander City resident who is a controller for a unit of automotive parts manufacturer See COUNCIL • Page 2
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Sandy Stanbrough, center, is congratulated by residents after she was selected as the city’s new finance director in a 4-2 vote Monday evening.
Attorney seeks bond for murder suspect
Busy session to begin for legislators Representative Mark Tuggle talks what to expect on the agenda
By MITCH SNEED Editor
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Medicaid, Education and General Fund Budgets, prisons and redistricting are going to be big items in the upcoming legislative session which begins today in Montgomery. These are not only big items for funding this year but for years to come. “We are going to be OK for Medicaid in 2018,” House District 81 Representative Mark Tuggle said. “It is “I think the because of using General the BP settlement that is for Session is the but 2018 only. And appropriate Medicare is askvenue to take ing for even more up the lottery money.” Tuggle hopes issue.” that by going – Rep. Mark Tuggle down the same road of managing expenses and trying to expand revenues will help bring the finances of the state back in line. “You have to work the budgets from both sides, both the revenues and the
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
With the parking lot on Broad Street complete, the only remaining items are making new traffic lights and lighting operational in the area. The new lights will give the streetscape a uniform look.
NEARING THE FINISH LINE Broad Street project almost complete By MITCH SNEED Editor
The parking lot and beautification in the parking lot at Broad Street Plaza is virtually complete, with just a few punch list items remaining, according to Alexander City Community Relation’s Director Al Jones. Work has been going on for parts of six months on the Broad Street Streetscape Project, so seeing it near completion is welcome news. “The last thing the parking lot and plaza
See SESSION • Page 3
Today’s
Weather
69 58 High
Low
Lake Levels
483.99 Reported on 2/6/17 @ 5 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
were waiting on was the striping and that was done early last week,” Jones said. “So that portion is done with the exception of a few punch list type items. So we feel good about that. It has been a long process and it has been decades since that parking lot has had much attention. It is a big, big improvement.” Jones said that contractors are still finishing up some of the electrical issues to get the new lights up and running. The new lights have been installed on new brown overhead standards so that the poles in the area match the lights and other fixtures See BROAD STREET • Page 3
See MURDER • Page 3
Tickets available now for Sidewalk Prophets show Saturday By MITCH SNEED Editor
Lake Martin
The two men accused of murder in the death of LaDarrell Lamar Hart remain in the Tallapoosa County Jail no bond was set which is customary in capital murder cases, but the attorney for one of the men has filed a motion hoping to change that. Edward Rashun Ponds Thomas, 20, and 20-yearold Bobby Lee Ponds Jr., were arrested Jan. 20 and charged with capital murder in the Jan. 18 shooting death of 27-year-old Thomas Hart in his Third Street home in Alexander City. Attorney Mitch Gavin, who was appointed to represent Ponds in the case, has filed a motion seeking his release on his “personal recognizance.”
A musical and spiritual experience that is getting rave reviews and packing out venues across the country is coming to Alexander City Saturday night. The Sidewalk Prophets are set perform Feb. 11 at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium and tickets are now available online. The Sidewalk Prophets Prodigal Tour is a presentation that combines music, multimedia and interaction for what band member Dave Frey calls “a totally immersive experience.” “Our Prodigal Tour is something that is unique and different than anything we’ve done
before,” said Frey. “We’ve produced a short film that is shown in conjunction with the music, and it has some interactive moments. We hope it provides the audience a totally immersive experience where they can leave finding something that touched them directly.” The show is sponsored by Marshall Street Church of God and Pastor Rick Levell said having the band here is a big get for Alexander City. “They are riding an incredible wave of success and popularity right now,” Levell said. “Their music has such a powerful mesFile / The Outlook sage and the range of people that they appeal to is amazing. We The award-winning Sidewalk Prophets will be in concert Saturday at the Benjamin See CONCERT • Page 3 Russell High School auditorium and tickets are now available online.
Hardwood Floors Ceramic Tile Carpet & Vinyl
SOLD IT FAST IN THE CLASSIFIEDS Selling your stuơ is simple with a little help from the ClassiƤeds. Let us help you place an ad today, in print or online!
Locally Owned for Over 45 Years
256-234-6071
1945 Hwy 280 • Alexander City
HOLMAN FLOOR COMPANY “WE’RE
THE PROFESSIONALS”
Call the ClassiÀed Dept.
256.277.4219