Jan 28, 2016 Eclectic Observer

Sports: Lady Panthers trounce Tigers

Opinion: State general fund woes will surface in new session.

Pet of the Week: Sally

Eclectic Observer Page 4

Page 12

The

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THURSDAY • JANUARY 28, 2016

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Vol. 27, No. 4

Will current superintendent be on ballot?

Probate judge seeks clarification from Circuit Court on eligibility of independent candidates

By JOHN PEELER Managing Editor

Probate Court Judge John Enslen, in his official capacity as the Chief Elections Officer of Elmore County, has petitioned the Circuit Court of Elmore County for an emergency declaration judgment and finding on whether Andre’ L. Harrison, current superintendent of education

Enslen

for Elmore County, can be placed on the ballot as an independent in the upcoming March 1 primary.

Harrison, who was previously disqualified as a Republican candidate due to missing a certificate of administration from the Alabama State Department of Education, sent a letter of intent to Enslen Jan. 4 indicating he would run as an independent candidate, the petition alleges.

In his petition, Enslen seeks the answers to four basic questions: Whether Harrison can appear on any subsequent ballot for an election after being disqual-

ified for that year; whether Harrison may legally be an independent candidate; whether Harrison’s name should appear on the election ballot in the event he supplies the requisite independent-candidate petition and whether any votes cast for him if his name is placed on the general-election ballot, should be counted.

Should Harrison be required to present an independent-candidate petition, the petition would have to contain not less that 625 valid signatures of registered See COURTS Page 2

Restaurant aims high with farm to plate concept

Nashville meets Eclectic

By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

A small restaurant opened in Eclectic this week run by a farming family with a vision to turn local food into a local movement of farm to table dining.

For now, Farm Boyz Eatery serves lunch, breakfast and primarily operates as a bakery and café from 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

But if the plans of Whitehill Farm Boyz’ owner, Kevin Whitehill, pan out it would eventually serve, what he called, farm to table dinners.

Located in the corner shop just down from Trustmark Bank on Kowaliga Road in downtown Eclectic, Farm Boyz operates as a working kitchen and a base of operations for projects Whitehill has in mind for the community.

His restaurant is focused mostly on baked goods.

Whitehill said he tries to use

Contributed / The Observer

Good Hope Baptist Church brought Gospel and Art to The Warehouse. The event was held Jan. 17 and brought for fun for children of all ages. The Warehouse is known for hosting community-oriented events

THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

The Warehouse in Eclectic finds ways to be a staple in the community

By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

See RESTAURANT Page 2

Today’s

Weather

57 36 High

Low

FRIDAY: HIGH 58 LOW 38

For years, The Warehouse in downtown Eclectic has been used to bring people together. The facility was once a cotton warehouse where farmers would bring their bounty to be sold. However, it was more than that. At the cotton warehouse people would come together to trade products and goods.

Today, The Warehouse is once again bringing people together, in more ways than one.

Not only does The Warehouse bring hearts together in marriage, it has become the heart of the community.

“Our marriage to the community has been the best union,” said Aubrey Hornsby, who owns and

operates The Warehouse in downtown Eclectic.

The Warehouse often hosts events specifically for the community. In October The Warehouse hosted the Auburn/Alabama Dance for the children of the town. Many of the local churches of all denominations use the facility for community gatherings.

“I think there’s a tradition of The Warehouse partnering with local churches for several years now,” Hornsby said. “Its cross is at the center of town. We love to work with the local churches.”

When the town of Eclectic decided to adopt a strategic plan last year, the goal was to envision the town 30 years into the future. In the developed plan The Warehouse is the center of town.

See WAREHOUSE • Page 2

Aubrey Hornsby is no stranger to the entertainment business. He spent many years in Nashville, which is the hub of the country music industry.

Today, Hornsby hopes to bring a little bit of Nashville right here to Eclectic.

Hornsby said he hopes the newly formed group will offer a creative outlet for women that will allow various perspectives to shine through.

“I’d like it to be uplifting, but you have to tell the truth and not every bit of the truth is uplifting,” he said. “Sometimes you have to sing the blues.”

Currently, the group hopes to meet on a regular basis at the Warehouse on Main Street in Eclectic.

“I want to inspire an ongoing women songwriters night. We call it Songs of Love and Life,” Hornsby said.

The group is in its beginning stages and Hornsby is searching for a professional female performer that will offer knowledge and experience to the amateurs See SINGERS • Page 2

Legislators sample road and bridge issues in Elmore and Autauga

By JOHN PEELER Managing Editor

Legislators representing Autauga and Elmore counties, along with Autauga County Engineer John Mark Davis and Elmore County Engineer Richie Beyer toured the two counties recently for a sampling of the road and bridge issues facing the two counties. The tour is part of the DRIVE Alabama campaign.

Beyer said he and the Davis collaborated together to highlight the positive things the counties have done through the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program.

“This was to show some of our legislators some of our needs,” he said. “Just to drive home the point to them we are doing everything we can with our resources, but we really are in need of some more road and bridge

funding. We want to take what we’ve done good in ATRIP and leverage some of that money on routes that are eligible for federal funds … which is in our case about 75 percent of our paved road system.”

Beyer said only about 200 miles of Elmore County’s 800-mile system is eligible for federal aid money to them.

“We’ve got a problem in Elmore County where we are doing anywhere from on an annual basis of 10 to 15 miles of road work and our problem is in the 200 mile range,” he said.

“We’re not really making too big a dent in it. As soon as we do 10 to 15 miles a year, we have 10 to 15 miles that fall in that same condition, so we’re not really making that much headway on it.”

Contributed / The Observer Beyer said there are 800 miles of paved roadways in the county in addi- Senator Clyde Chambliss and Representative Mike Holmes listen to tion to the 200 miles of dirt roadways. Elmore County Engineer Richie Beyer brief the two during the Autauga and Elmore counties road tour. The tour was part of the DRIVE Alabama See TOUR • Page 2 campaign.

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PAGE 2 • JANUARY 28, 2016

Courts

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

continued from page 1

Elmore County voters not later than March 1, all of which must be vetted, the petition reads.

“My main concern is following the law, that’s why I am going to ask a circuit judge to tell me, so I can follow it,” Enslen said. “I want to get some instructions from the court. I’m in a quandary here and I need the court to tell me what the law is.”

He said some of the ambiguity stems from use of certain terms within the law.

“I’m wondering if the definition of ‘candidate’ in one section applies to the word ‘candidate’ in another section,” Enslen said. “There are general rules and statutory construction, but all of that is above my pay grade. I don’t have jurisdiction as a probate judge to make a ruling on that, so I’m going to the court in my position as an administrator in the capacity as a chief elections officer.”

Enslen said it would be better for everyone concerned if the Circuit Court ruled expeditiously, but isn’t sure how long a ruling could take.

“All I can say if the court would act expeditiously, it would save the parties and me a lot of time in the event it is ruled he (Harrison) can’t run as an independent, he said. “… Then Mr. Harrison is going to continue getting signatures and filing a petition and I will have to continue vetting those signatures to make sure they are qualified voters … it will just use a lot of everybody’s time and resources, so a quick answer could avoid that possibly, depending on how it’s ruled.”

Harrison said he has his team assembled and will await the ruling, but is still pushing forward to continue benefiting the school’s and students of Elmore County.

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Warehouse

continued from page 1

“We worked with Auburn University to come up with a plan for the town,” Hornsby said. “The town was based on a cross in the center of town with circles around it, like a Celtic Cross and that has become a theme for us.”

As a member of the Eclectic community, Hornsby said he makes it a point to give back. The Warehouse often holds food drives and other events to help the citizens of Eclectic that may need assistance.

“Kris Fox is a manager and she has real heart for that,” he said. “Every three or for months we’ll have someone who brings food to the community or clothes to the community.”

The events are organized through the communi-

ty for the community. However, Hornsby said he believes that making a difference doesn’t have to be on a grand scale.

Good Hope Baptist recently held Gospel and Art at The Warehouse. During the event children of all ages were allowed to draw, paint and create art. New Hope Baptist is only one of many that often use The Warehouse to host events such as Gospel and Art. “Gospel and Art was their fourth event there,” Hornsby said. “They always do something fun and entertaining, like the Gospel and Art.”

Restaurant

continued from page 1

only natural ingredients in those goods.

Whitehill’s mother, Sandra Whitehill, oversees the bakery and prepares the baked goods.

On their first day open for lunch, Whitehill said they had two types of chicken salad and a pork sandwich on the menu.

Whitehill said Farm Boyz used the meat from his family’s heritage pork farm, Harvest River Farm.

As for the other ingredients, he said his ultimate goal is to get them from within a 40- to 50-mile radius of the area.

“We want to try to locally source as much as we can,” Whitehill said.

He said he gets some of his ingredients from local vendors and he eventually hoped to have an urban garden, either on his roof or somewhere nearby so he could grow his own lettuce.

Whitehill, 35, said he farmed along with his father out of Coosa County and personally raises fresh water lobster, and also works in harvesting some aeroponic crops.

Whitehill said his family had moved to the Alexander City area, but they were originally from Burlington, Vermont.

They chose Eclectic to start the business because of what Whitehill said was “the family-like atmosphere of the small town” compared to the bigger Alexander City area.

He said it was a good outlet for their product and also vends at farmers markets and the Auburn Food Club.

One his more ambitious goals is to establish what Whitehill called an after-school culinary program.

With the Elmore County School System nearby, Whitehill said he was in a prime position to offer the service at some point in the future.

“When I was a kid I’d give anything to do something like that,” Whitehill said. “Kids can learn skills, kids love to eat and if they grow it they’ll eat it.”

Tours

Singers

Some of the county’s most pressing needs Beyer said he showed Sen. Chambliss and Rep. Holmes during the tour were capacity issues in the Redland Road corridor where some improvements that are being planned and are coming.

“We showed them some specific deterioration of roads and talked to them about the fact a lot of them are rural and we have

Mack Daugherty Elmore County Commissioner District 2 Conservative Republican Military Veteran

continued from page 1

the added capacity and safety issues, multi-lane roads … we have roads that go from 500 vehicles a day to our highest of 12,000 vehicles a day.”

Beyer said he felt the need was now understood and now how do we solve the problem long term and how we can provide the citizens better services and infrastructure.

in the group, and together they can grow their talents.

“I need to find a professional songwriter, someone who has earned a living at it to be the host,” he said. “It could be someone like Jess Meuse. Somebody who can be host and galvanize the women and explain how you can do it successfully.”

The idea is to find a balance of skill level, he said. Some amateur and some professional songwriters would be idyllic.

Creative writing and songwriting is something Hornsby said he is passionate about and has been involved in

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for many years. Living in Nashville allowed Hornsby to meet some of the most famous country artists the world has ever known.

“When I lived in Nashville, we had the entire songwriter community hanging out at my nightclub, which was called The Exit/In,” he said. “In the audience we’d have Johnny Cash and John Prine, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.”

While the Exit/In was a relatively small venue, these great country artists would sit in the audience and listen for the next chart-topper, he said. It’s this same small intimate feel that Hornsby hopes to see form in Eclectic.

For more information contact Aubrey Hornsby at The Warehouse in Eclectic.

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

JANUARY 28, 2016 • PAGE 3

Elmore County Art Guild officially opens gallery STAFF REPORT The Herald Staff

The Elmore County Art Guild has officially opened their Gallery space at Wetumpka City Hall, Administrative Building , 408 South Main Street.

Guild member Kathy Atchison is getting the gallery ready for visitors.

There are 12 participating members that have their artwork on display and to sell until

March 31. They are Doris Bell, Bobby Carr, Libby Christensen, Shirley Esco, Barbara Fitzgerald, Judy Lea Graves, Rebecca Grice, Carol Hickman, Mary Jacobs, Manjula Kumar, Adelia Turner, and Paula Wheat. Each artist has been entering competitions and displaying and selling their work for many years.

Atchinson encourages residents to come by and enjoy the local Elmore County artists.

Kathy Atchison is busy getting the Gallery ready for visitors at the Elmore County Art Guild gallery in the City Hall Administration Building.

Contributed / The Herald

Area Calendar Community Blood Drive When: Jan. 23, 11 a.m.4 p.m.

Where: Walmart of Millbrook Details: Hosted by LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Inc. Prattville Mardi Gras Celebration and Parade When: Jan. 23, 11 a.m.

Where: Downtown Prattville Details: The celebration starts at 11 a.m. followed by the parade at 2 p.m.

From the Heart Pocket...

Letters and Music of the Civil War When: Jan. 23, 7 p.m.

Where: Tallassee High School Auditorium Details: A theatrical production that takes audiences back to the time between 1861 and 1865 when Confederate soldiers were engaged in battles, marches and the trauma of war agsinst the Union.

Advance tickets are $8 each and $10 at the door.

Call 334-283-2722 or 334283-6888 for more information.

Taste of Elmore County When: Jan. 25, 6-8 p.m.

Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Tickets are $25 each and will benefit the Elmore County Food Pantry. Purchase tickets at the food pantry.

Millbrook Relay for Life Kickoff When: Jan. 26, 6 p.m.

Where: Millbrook Civic Center Elmore County Relay for Life Kickoff Battle of the Bands When: Jan. 28, 6 p.m.

Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Applications for the bands to enter can be found at www.relayforlife. org/wetumpkaal Mardi Gras Father & Daughter Dance When: Jan. 29, 6-8 p.m.

Where: Southside Middle School Gym Details: Tickets are $30 per princess and her date and $5 for each additional princess. Tickets are $35 at the door. Tickets are available at Alabama Power, WACQ, Segrest Law, First Community Bank, Trustmark Bank,

Tallassee City Hall, Suzannah’s Photography and Turf Tastics. Call 334252-0036 for more information.

Millbrook Revelers Mardi Gras Festival and Parade When: Jan. 30, 9 a.m.

Where: Village Green, downtown Millbrook Details: Festival grounds with various rides for children and vendors will open at 9 a.m. The parade will begin at noon.

Petite and Little Miss Wetumpka Pageants When: Jan. 30, Noon Where: Wetumpka High School Commons Details: For children K-6 in the Wetumpka Public School System. Call Tracy Harmon at 334-425-0608 for more information.

The Eclectic Boys Club When: Feb. 3, 10:30 a.m.

Where: Kuntry Kitchen Restaurant in Eclectic Details: The Eclectic Boys Club winter meeting. If you are from or live in Eclectic or been thru Eclectic, you are welcome.

Come and hear about a crime committed in Eclectic more than fifty years ago that made headlines in every newspaper in the United States and headlines around the world.

Order of Cimarron Mardi Gras Celebration When: Feb. 6, 9 a.m.

Where: Downtown Wetumpka Details: Vendors will be open at 9 a.m. in Gold Star Park. The parade, which runs from West Bridge Street down South Main Street will begin at 1 p.m.

Kathleen Madigan - The

Mermaid Lady Tour When: Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Details: Tickets start at $17. Purchase them at ticketmaster.com.

FOWL present “Murder on the Menu” When: Feb. 7, Noon Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Spend the afternoon with 14 mystery authors from around the country at an annual fundraiser sponsored by the Friends of the Wetumpka Library. Registration is $40 per person and includes a catered lunch and goodie bag. Visit the library website for author line-up www. wetumpkalibrary.com Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Dinner When: Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Annual meeting and reception Roaring 20s style. Call 334-567-4811 for more information.

Wetumpka Boy Scout Troop 13 annual Pancake Supper When: Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m.

Where: First Presbyterian Church of Wetumpka, 100 West Bridge Street.

Details: Meals include pancakes, sausage or bacon, butter and syrup, orange juice and coffee. There is no specific charge, but donations will be accepted and appreciated! The money raised will go toward the purchase of a new lightweight trailer that will be used by the troop for monthly campouts.

Wetumpka Depot Players present “Steel Magnolias” When: Feb. 11-14 and Feb. 18-21 Where: Wetumpka Depot Theatre Details: Purchase tickets by calling 334-868-1440 or log on to www.wetumpkadepot.com Elmore County Relay for Life Committee and Team Camptain Meeting When: Feb. 11, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Elmore County Firefighters Association (191 Red Eagle Drive), Wetumpka Artist reception at “The Kelly” When: Feb. 12, 5:307 p.m.

Where: Kelley Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery (408 S. Main St.), Wetumpka Details: Meet and greet the artists of “Abandoned Rural America” and “The Land: God’s Gift” and enjoy an RC Cola and Moon Pie as well as other Southern delicacies made and grown in rural Alabama.

Valentine’s Day Blues Show When: Feb. 13, 7 p.m.

Where: Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery Details: Show features Betty Wright, Willie Clayton, Wyndell “B,” J-Wonn and Vick Allen.

Table seating is $45 and arena seating is $40.

Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com

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TALLASSEE GILMER AVE. – 3bd/2 ba next to DQ zoned commercial, REDUCED TO $125,000.

TALLASSEE BRICK HOME – on 1 acre with a 2 acre fish pond, 3 bd, 2 ba , large den and kitchen, garage, large screened porch, heat pump, REDUCED FROM $159,000 TO $149,000. 8 more acres also adjacent to it.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY – 8 ACRES close to Walmart on Hwy 14, REDUCED $189,000.

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WHAT DID YOUR VOTE FOR

JAMES “TREY” TAYLOR ACCOMPLISH IN 4 YEARS? * Resurfaced ~80 miles of paved roads; 19 roads in District 2 alone *Put into operation new dirt road resurfacing project with 5 dirt roads resurfaced in District 2 alone *Implemented BLUEPRINT 2020 plan totaling $36 million in road, bridge, and facility improvements including new Emergency Operations Center *Additional $9 million from ALDOT allocated for road and bridge projects *Partnered with St. of Alabama to expand water main to Madix, saving and creating new jobs in Eclectic *Partnered with Tallassee Industrial Bd. to expand GKN, saving jobs and creating new ones *Partnered with Eclectic and Tallassee on road projects within town/city limits including road widening project to Tallassee Elementary School *Allocated $100,000 to Elmore Co. Vol. Firefighter Assoc. to build training facility *Allocated funds to each District 2 school *Implemented new departmental and non-profit organization budget hearings for increased accountability and made open to the public *Began recording Commission mtgs. for improved public access and Commission transparency through Elmore County website *Maintained a balanced county budget entire term

ON MARCH 1ST VOTE TO CONTINUE

*******************PROGRESS******************* RE-ELECT

JAMES “TREY” TAYLOR ELMORE CO. COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2 Pd.Pol.Adv. By James “Trey” Taylor

OPINION

Kenneth Boone, Publisher John W. Peeler, Managing Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

PAGE 4 • JANUARY 28, 2016

“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.”

--Thomas Jefferson THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

The Observer strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and, above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

Our

Opinion

Agencies worked together efficiently to March 1 is primary election day get Elmore County to a better place The County Line By the

I

t is said, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” and in Elmore County, it doesn’t just happen when it’s tough.

The recent declaration by the president making Federal Emergency Management Agency relief funds available to the state and to Elmore ftCounty is only the latest example of how the “tough get going.”

Due to the diligence of the all the municipalities, Emergency Operations Center, Elmore County Commission, and individual departments within the municipalities, Elmore County was not only able to meet the criteria for being eligible for FEMA assistance, but also contributed to the state meeting its threshold.

The recovery process has been nothing more than extraordinary thanks to the cooperation between agencies and individual city and county entities.

But, as Elmore County EMA Director Eric Jones, who deserves a lot of credit for being able to coordinate all the recovery efforts, has said, there is still much to be done.

Qualifying for FEMA disaster relief was big for Elmore County in many ways. Without disaster

relief, rebuilding would have cost the county around $1 million, money that would have put a strain on every budget in the county — that is how important the relief funds are.

Without the behind-the-scenes work by every government official in every municipality, funding for current and future projects could have been put in jeopardy.

Today, we are in a lot better place than we were during the last week of December.

Most of the damaged roads are open again and it’s almost back to business as usual for the residents of Elmore County — but, behind the scenes, those same government officials at all levels are continuing the process of getting the relief funds Elmore County needs to be completely back to normal.

Many times we disagree with the way government works and sometimes even with the people that run our county and local governments, but, when it all comes down to getting tough in a time of need, like that one week in December when the torrential rains came and damaged parts of the county, our county and local governments have stood tall and were tough when it counted.

Eclectic Observer The

334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER (005-022) is published weekly on Thursday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010.

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ADMINISTRATION Kenneth Boone, publisher kenneth.boone@thewetumpkaherald.com Mitch Sneed, editor mitch.sneed@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS John Peeler, managing editor John.Peeler@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 302 Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 306 SALES Jayne Carr, marketing consultant Jayne.Carr@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 313

Elmore County Commission

The Primary Election March 1 is just around the corner. Anyone may register to vote if he or she resides in Alabama, is at least 18 years old on or before Election Day, hasn’t been barred from voting due to a disqualifying felony conviction and hasn’t been declared mentally incompetent by a court.

MARCH 1, 2016 PRIMARY ELECTION DEADLINES Feb. 12 — Voter registration deadline (due to Monday Holiday) Feb. 13 — Deadline to postmark voter registration form Feb. 25 — Last day to apply for absentee ballot Feb. 29 — Deadline to hand-deliver or postmark absentee ballot Voter Registration forms may be picked up at the Board of Registrar’s Office in the Elmore County Courthouse in downtown Wetumpka.

Forms can be downloaded from the Secretary of State’s website (alabamavotes.gov) and mailed to Elmore County Board of Registrars. All state

and county offices providing public assistance (Medicaid, WIC, DHR, etc.) also have voter registration forms available.

Absentee ballots may be obtained from the Circuit Clerk’s Office in the Judicial Complex at 8935 U.S. Highway 231 in Wetumpka. For questions regarding Absentee Ballots, contact the Circuit Clerk at 334-514-3116.

In order to vote, Alabama requires voters to have a valid photo ID at the polls. Any voter without photo ID is eligible to obtain a free Alabama Photo Voter ID card by visiting the Board of Registrars’ Office. For more information, visit www.alabamavoterid.com.

By law, voters who fail to present valid photo ID will be allowed to vote using a provisional ballot.

Individuals barred from voting due to a disqualifying felony conviction may request to restore their voting rights (if all terms of the felony conviction sentence have been fulfilled).

Contact the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles at 334-242-8700 for assistance.

Additional election information including polling place verification, ballot application status, sample ballots, etc. can be reviewed at alabamavotes.gov. Citizens may also contact the Elmore County Board of Registrars from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through at 334-567-1150.

General Fund woes will be at the center of new session

A

s discussed last week, several of the headline Alabama news stories of 2015 may also be the blockbusters of 2016.

The Mike Hubbard trial and the decision of the federal courts on Alabama’s legislative district lines will be determined in the first half of this year.

The biggest news and political story of this year may be a continuation of last year’s major issue and it also surrounds the Alabama Legislature. The State General Fund woes will again be front and center.

As the quadrennium began in 2015, state officials were told that in order to simply level fund the woefully funded General Fund, the legislature would have to come up with between $200-$300 million. Everyone agreed that the shortfall was a problem. Gov. Robert Bentley began his second term proposing $541 million in new taxes as a solution. His proposals were repeatedly rebuked by the legislature. That battle and wrangling over the budget lasted most of the year. It wound through the four-month session and three legislative sessions.

The final 2015 legislative solution was to raise limited revenue by increasing the cigarette tax by 25 cents per pack, which will bring in about $70 million in new revenue. They also shifted $80 million in use tax money from the Education Trust Fund to the General Fund.

Therefore, they essentially kicked the proverbial can down the road once again.

STEVE FLOWERS Guest Columnist

As the 2016 Legislative Session begins next week, the chronic problems are looming in the anemic General Fund.

In the Senate, the Finance Committee chairs have changed hats so to speak. They have swapped posts.

State Sen. Arthur Orr of Decatur, who previously chaired the General Fund Finance Committee, will head the Education Finance panel and Sen. Trip Pittman of Baldwin will leave Chairman of Education to be head of the General Fund writing committee — a good swap for Orr. Pittman will join hands with Rep. Steve Clouse, who chairs the House General Fund Committee. Clouse and Pittman have unenviable tasks. Clouse is already predicting two percent cuts across the board, including the sacred cows of Medicaid, Courts and Prisons.

Resistance to taxes is still prevalent in both chambers and Senate President Del Marsh of Anniston, who sponsored a casino/lottery bill last year, said he would not come with that proposal again this year. However, a clean pure lottery bill could be discussed. If it clears the legislature it must be approved by the people in an election.

Alabama and Utah are the only two states that derive no revenue from gambling. The casino/ lottery proposal would

raise $330 million for the state. A pure lottery would generate about $225 million.

There may be a move to unearmark some of Alabama’s taxes as the Session looms. Alabama currently earmarks more than four fifths of its tax revenue for specific purposes. This idea perpetually raises its head in times of budget crisis. Indeed legislation has been pre-filed to transfer a greater portion of wine and liquor revenues and profits to the General Fund.

This unearmarking has been unsuccessful in the past. The best historical example was a classic battle between Gov. George Wallace and Alabama Education Associations icon Dr. Paul Hubbert. Wallace went on television with two jars of pennies — one full and overflowing symbolic of the Education Fund and one half full representing the General Fund.

Wallace said he simply wanted to borrow a few of the pennies from Education and put into the half empty glass jar. Hubbert thwarted Wallace’s plan.

However, Hubbert is gone and so is the power of the AEA. It died with Hubbert.

This legislative body has shown keen interest in and indeed the propensity to raid the Special Education Trust Fund Budget. With the death of the AEA there is nobody to guard the Education dollars hen house. Therefore, the legislature sees robbing the Education Fund to pay for the General Fund as an easy solution.

During the heyday of

flush Education funding higher education benefited tremendously from the power of Hubbert’s AEA, “A rising tide sails all ships.” It may be time for higher education to step up to the plate and thwart the raid on their education dollars.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www. steveflowers.us.

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JANUARY 28, 2016 • PAGE 5

Hidden gem in Child Development Program STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Did you know that Elmore County Public Schools has served preschool children for over 23 years? We truly have a “hidden gem” in our long-standing Child Development Program provided by the Community Education Program in our system. This program provides preschool and afterschool care in a safe and caring environment that focuses on developmental learning and enrichment. It also provides afterschool care for students up to age 13 and offers academic enrichment and recreational activities.

Child Development Program facilities are located Eclectic, Holtville, Millbrook and Wetumpka, and our total enrollment is currently 428. The Eclectic Child Development Program offers K2, K3, and K4 classes as well as afterschool care. K3 and K4 classes and afterschool care are offered at the Holtville Child Development Program. We are happy to announce that we have recently added an infant class at our Millbrook Child Development Program in response to the need in that community. In addition, K1, K2, K3, and K4 classes and afterschool care are also offered.

The Wetumpka Child Development Program offers K2, K3, and K4

classes and afterschool care. All programs are open year-round from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Our Child Development Program prides itself on the strong academic foundation we provide for our students on which to begin their school career. Research-based Easy Breezy Preschool and Scott Foresman curriculums are implemented and provide instruction in reading, writing, math, science, art, and music. Our preschool teachers collaborate with our kindergarten teachers to ensure that the necessary preparatory skills are being taught to maximize children’s success in kindergarten. Year after year, our kindergarten teachers report that they can always identify the students from the Child Development Programs because of their high level of readiness for kindergarten.

While academics are the primary focus for afterschool care, we offer many enrichment activities and experiences. Children are provided time to complete homework and receive tutoring in areas of academic need. During the summer months, our preschool program and afterschool program follow a curriculum focused on academics.

Children are also engaged daily in enrichment activities and experiences such as field trips, music, arts, crafts, guest speakers, gardening, organized games, etc.

Parents are encouraged to partic-

ipate in all activities, and parenting seminars are offered during the year.

To add to our already-successful preschool program, plans are in place to apply for a grant through the Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs, Office of School Readiness, to implement a First Class Pre-K Program. This program receives a #1 quality ranking from the National Institute for Early Education Research. However, only 13 percent of 4-year olds in Alabama had access to the program during the 2014-2015 school year due to limited state funding.

Having a high-quality state-funded First Class Pre-K classroom for 4-year olds in our system would be a tremendous opportunity for our families. “The most important part of a child’s education is a good, solid foundation at a young age, and Alabama’s First Class Voluntary Pre-K Program provides that,” Gov. Robert Bentley said.

“The result is that children in the state will graduate prepared and productive citizens.”

We in Elmore County Public Schools are committed to providing the best possible educational experience for all of our students, regardless of their age. We look forward to pursuing the First Class Pre-K Program opportunity and many others in an effort to best serve our most important clients — our children.

Key indicators show lake home sales strong

By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

Key indicators show that the market for Lake Martin area homes, both waterfront and non-waterfront, is strong, according to a report by a state real estate group as well as a local expert.

Lake Martin area residential sales totaled 43 units during December, an increase of 16.2 percent from the same period last year, according to a report issued Monday by the Alabama Center for Real Estate (ACRE).

In addition, the average sales price for Lake Martin area homes in December was $370,522, down 1.6 percent from the November average of $376,553, but up by 18.8 percent over the December 2014 average price of $311,888.

Steve Arnberg, director of real estate sales for Russell Lands, said the first good news is the increase in real estate transactions.

“Normally, December sales would dip from November,” Arnberg said. “To see them go up is a real positive for the market.”

There were 24 Lake Martin waterfront residences that sold in December for an average sales price of $567,981.

That’s nine more waterfront sales than December 2014 when the average sales price was $624,500.

The 24 waterfront sales is also an increase from November’s 19 and the December average sales price represents a slight drop from November’s $573,105.

Arnberg said the 12-month rolling average of total volume of waterfront portends more good for the Lake Martin market.

“That 12-month rolling averages shows a 39.1 increase in total dollar volume,” Arnberg said.

“There were 354 waterfront units sold in 2015 as compared to 2014, so that’s a 25.1 percent increase. Even the total dollar volume for lot sales is up 10 percent.”

Arnberg said there was a rolling average of 6.78 months supply of available waterfront homes currently on Lake Martin compared to 9.67 percent last year.

Arnberg added that the current list price-to-sales price ratio on lakefront

homes is 93.8 percent.

“That’s a rolling average for the totality of 2015,” Arnberg said.

“What that means is that if a property is correctly priced, a seller can expect 93.8 percent of what he or she is asking and, conversely, the buyer can expect to pay that percentage. That, I think is the number that will really interest your readers.”

According to ACRE’s report, which takes into account both waterfront and non-waterfront lake area properties, December 2015 was by far the best month of December for home sales at Lake Martin over the past decade. Year-to-date sales through December were up 26 percent above 2014.

December sales were 48 percent or 14 units above ACRE’s monthly forecast, the report said.

The Center’s year-to-date sales forecast through December projected 495 closed transactions while the actual sales were 600 units, a rise of 21 percent.

The Lake Martin area housing inventory in December was 342 units, a decrease of 24 percent from December 2014 and 45 percent below the December 2008 peak of 621 units, the report said.

In addition, December inventory decreased by 17 percent from the prior month and there were eight months of housing supply in December, a favorable decrease of 35 percent from last December’s 12.2 months of supply, ACRE said.

The report said residential sales increased 34 percent from the prior month and the Lake Martin area median sales price in December was $250,000, an increase

of 31.6 percent from December 2014 but a 9.1 percent decrease compared to the prior month.

ACRE said historical data indicate that the December median sales price (2010-14) typically increases 17 percent from November, but pricing can and will fluctuate from month to month due to changing composition of actual sales (lakefront vs. non-lakefront) and other factors.

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PAGE 6 • JANUARY 28, 2016

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Fulfilling Dreams is important no matter where you are

G

reetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge.

The blessing of sunshine is with us as I write this week’s column.

Yes, I know rain is a blessing from God too. I simply prefer sunshine.

A week ago there was a celebration of the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. in our town. It was held on Sunday afternoon at the Wetumpka Civic Center. The event was something special, and a quick glance around the room resulted in a glimpse of the “beloved community” Dr. King spoke of so frequently in his messages.

A pastor friend in town, Rev. Bob Henderson from Words of Life Church, shared a meaningful observation. He said, “Every pastor wishes their congregation looked like this room looks right now; people of varying race, age, socio-economic status, education, and background all gathered together to give thanks to God for one another.” It truly was a beautiful thing to see.

I had the privilege of offering a brief reflection regarding Dr. King’s teach-

REV. JONATHAN YARBORO First Presbyterian Church

ing and legacy. Dr. King was the most prominent theologian of the twentieth century I studied in seminary. His prophetic witness is infectious. He shares the gospel in ways any human being can find connection with.

My family and I traveled to Disney World early in January. Alicia ran the Disney marathon on Jan. 10. We took a few days to explore and have fun as a family as well. While we were doing so, my reflection for the MLK event sat in the back of my mind.

The thought I kept coming back to was that Walt Disney and Martin Luther King Jr. were visionaries at a similar moment in time. While

Dr. King was sharing a vision of the beloved community God makes possible in the earthly kingdom, Walt Disney was sharing his vision for EPCOT, the Environmental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. The two visions shared peaceful community as something worth striving for.

Both men died before their vision became reality. Walt Disney died from cancer just two years after revealing the conceptual plan for EPCOT. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated just as the movement he helped champion was gaining momentum. Neither man would have the chance to see the fruits of their labors.

Walt Disney’s vision caught on with most who heard of it. The vision became a reality and continues to grow and thrive today. This is due to the simple fact that people were captivated by one man’s vision and they secured the resources necessary to bring the vision to reality.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of the beloved community caught on with

most who heard it. Why, then, has it not become reality? I argue it has yet to be realized because people captivated by the vision have not secured the resources necessary to bring it to reality.

Don’t get me wrong. I believe in the beloved community. I see glimpses of it on a daily basis and know many people who have committed significant resources to the continued growth of it.

It is reality, but it remains limited.

What I witnessed in Orlando reminded me that too often we willingly suspend reality in the name of entertainment but refuse to do so in daily living.

In other words, we are more willing to embrace imagination and creativity in fantasylands than we are at home.

Maybe it’s time to invest a little more into what so many in our world say is impossible.

Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka

Religion Briefs • New Home Baptist Church in Wetumpka will host SALT (Serving and Learing Together) Conference Feb. 4-5. To register and arrange lodging, contact Eric Sutton no later than Jan. 28. Call 334-567-5966 or 334-3985697.

• Mourning to Morning, a Christian growth group for mothers who have lost a child, will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. at Grace Baptist Church in Wetumpka. Dean Albritton will be the speaker and Nell Head will have a devotional message. A light meal will be served. For more information, call 334-567-8754 or email us at mourningtomorning@gmail.com.

• Calvary Baptist Church will have a Healthy Relationships Banquet at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29. The night will focus on the importance of building Godly relationships within couples whether you are married, engaged, dating, or looking for someone. Dinner is $9 per person and includes Chicken Cordon Bleu, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls, and Cheesecake. Tickets are on sale in front foyer or by calling the church office.

• Calvary Baptist Church will host a Healthy Homes Celebration Day beginning at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 30 with a

family day of fun. This will be a time of teaching Faith at home as well as spending some quality time strengthening your own families. You will go out and enjoy an afternoon for fun with just your family. At noon, there will be a Senior Adult Potluck Lunch and at 6:30 p.m.

Family Celebration Time.

• Calvary Baptist Church will host a Healthy Churches Sunday Jan. 31. Soup and Chili Potluck lunch following morning service.

• Carrville Baptist Church will host a Marriage Seminar with guest speakers, Larry and Charleen Gore from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 6. Larry Gore has a Biblical Counseling Degree from Philadelphia Baptist Institute.

He has served at Santuck Baptist Church for more than 15 years as the Associate Pastor of Administration and Biblical Counseling. The cost for the seminar is $20 per couple or $10 per person; this includes a light breakfast and lunch. If you are interested in attending call the church office at 283-2221, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. MondayThursday to sign up. Our regular Sunday Services are Sunday School at 9:15 a.m., Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. and all Sunday Evening Activities are at 6 p.m. Our Wednesday Night Activities are at 6:30 p.m.

Bible Conference at Wetumpka High School Feb. 6-7 beginning with a Prayer Breakfast at 7 a.m. Feb. 6 at Shoney’s in Wetumpka. The first session of the conference will be from 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Wetumpka High School with the second session from 6 p.m.-8:15 p.m., also at Wetumpka High School. Sunday School and worship service will begin at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 7 followed by the worship service at 10:45 at Claud IMC. The final session of the conference begins at 6 p.m. Feb. 7 at Wetumpka High School. Speaker of the event will be Dr. Gareth (Gary) Cockerill. He is the academic dean and professor of Biblical Interpretation and Theology at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi.

• Shoal Creek Baptist Church will host “Eat Healthy!

Live Healthy!” at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 in the main sanctuary.

Registered dietitian Allan Higgenbotham will be the speical guest speaker. This is a free program sponsored by the Library Team of the church. It is open to the public.

• Newsboys - We Believe, God’s Not Dead Tour will perform at 7 p.m. March 31 at Garrett Colisuem in Montgomery. Tickets start at $25. They may be purchased at ticketmaster.com or call 334-356-6866 for more information.

•Claud Independent Methodist Church will host a

Area Church Services Agapé Assembly of God Hwy. 63 North Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Evening Worship 6 p.m.

Wednesday Night Service 7 p.m.

Balm of Gilead Sunday School 10 a.m.

Worship Service 11 a.m.

Bethlehem East Baptist Church Sunday School 9:45 a.m.

Morning Worship 11 a.m.

Discipleship Training 5 p.m.

Evening Worship 6 p.m.

Wednesday Evening 7 p.m.

Beulah Missionary Baptist Church P.O. Box 130, Eclectic 36024 Sunday School 9:45 a.m.

Worship Services 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Wednesday Services 6 p.m.

Friday Services 6 p.m.

Prayer Meeting and Bible Class 1st Tuesday Prayer Meeting 6 p.m.

Central Baptist Church Sunday School 10 a.m.

Worship Service 11 a.m.

Adult Choir Practice 5 p.m.

Evening Worship Service 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Children, Youth and Adult Bible Study/Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m.

Central United Methodist Church Sunday Morning 9:30 a.m.



Chaney Creek Primitive Baptist Church Every Sunday except 2nd Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Saturday before 2nd Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Chapel United Methodist Church Services 2nd and 4th Sunday 9:45 a.m.

Sunday School 2nd and 4th 9:15 a.m.

Sunday School 1st, 3rd and 5th 10 a.m.

Claud Independent Methodist Church 81232 Tallassee Hwy Sunday School 9:15 a.m.

Worship Service 10:30 a.m.

Evening Worship 6 p.m.

Wednesday Prayer and Bible Study 7 p.m.

Eclectic First Baptist Church Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service 10:45 a.m.

Discipleship Training 5 p.m.

Wednesday: Meal 5:30 p.m.

Youth, Children and Adult Studies and Activities 6:15 p.m.

Eclectic United Methodist Church 1035 Main Street Morning Service 10:50 a.m.

Evening Service 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Meal 5:30 p.m.

Service 6:30 p.m.

Georgia Road Church of Christ 4003 Georgia Road Sunday: Morning Bible Study 9 a.m.

Morning Worship 10 a.m.

Evening Worship 5 p.m.

Wednesday: Mid-Week Bible Study 7 p.m.

Good Hope Baptist Church 1766 S. Fleahop Road Sunday School 9:15 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Discipleship Training 5 p.m.

Evening Worship 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Prayer Service 7 p.m.

TeamKID and “R.U.S.H” Youth Celebration 6:30 p.m.

Healing Waters Church of God 1639 Kowaliga Road Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Evening Worship 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Family Training Hour 7 p.m.

Kendrick Memorial Baptist Church Hwy. 9 Nixburg Sunday School 10 a.m.

Worship Service 11 a.m.

Mt. Hebron Church of Christ 4530 Mt. Hebron Road Sunday: Morning Bible Study 10 a.m.

Morning Worship 11 a.m.

Evening Worship 6 p.m.

Wednesday:

Mid-Week Bible Study 7 p.m.

Mt. Hebron East Baptist Church Sunday School 10 a.m.

Sunday Worship 11 a.m.

Wednesday: Children in Action 6:30 p.m.

Bible Study and Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m.

First Wednesday of Month Potluck supper, Bible study and prayer meeting, 6 p.m.

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Sunday: Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service 10:30 a.m.

Evening Worship 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Bible Study and Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m.

Adult Choir Practice 6:30 p.m.

Prospect Baptist Church Sunday School 9:45 a.m.

Worship Service 11 a.m.

Discipleship Training 6 p.m.

Worship Service 7 p.m.

Wednesday: Bible Study and Teen Kid 6:30 p.m.

Refuge Baptist Church 3098 Red Hill Road Sunday School 9:15 a.m.

Worship Service 10:30 a.m.

Rock Springs Baptist Church 375 Rigsby Rd, Tallassee AL 334-283-1156

Submit your church calendar items and events to: john.peeler@thewetumpkaherald.com

Rushenville Baptist Church 10098 Georgia Road Sunday School 9:45 a.m.

Morning Worship 11 a.m.

Children’s Choir 5 p.m.

Bible Study 6 p.m.

GA’s, RA’s 6 p.m.

Adult Choir Practice 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Bible Study and Prayer Meeting 6 p.m.

Salem Road Baptist Church 12 Old Salem Road Sunday School 10 a.m.

Worship Service 11 a.m.

Sunday Night Services 6 p.m.

Wednesday Evening Prayer 7 p.m.

Providence Primitive Baptist Church 4850 Chana Creek Road Bible Study 9:45 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:45 a.m.

Evening Worship 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday Prayer and Praise 7 p.m.

Union No. 2 Missionary Baptist Church PO Box 240452 Eclectic, AL 36024 Sunday School - 10 a.m.

Morning Worship - 11:15 Tuesday Bible Study - 6 p.m.

Watson Chapel Congregation 2223 East Cotton Road Sunday School 10 a.m.

Morning Worship 11 a.m.



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Meet the Winners!

Beth Turner of Tallassee won one of the two $500 Visa gift cards that Tallapoosa Publishing Inc., gave away as prizes for participation in the the Elmore County Consumer Survey. Turner said she is so happy to win and that winning this gift card took away some of the sting she felt from not winning the powerball. Above, Observer Publisher Kenneth Boone awards Tammy Brewer one of the two $500 gift cards from the survey drawing. Contributed / The Tribune

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PAGE 8 • JANUARY 28, 2016

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PAGE 10 • JANUARY 28, 2016

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City hopes to restore Tallassee Mills Bridge for use as a walking bridge

By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development has been granted permission to apply for a Transportation Alternatives Program Grant to promote renovations to the downtown riverfront. The grant proposal was offered to the city council during Wednesday’s meeting. The vote was unanimous in favor of CARPDC submitting a proposal for a grant to refurbish the Tallassee Mills Bridge that connects the east bank of the Tallapoosa River with the west bank.

Greg Clark, executive director for CARPDC brought the grant option to the city for approval.

“CARPDC, they keep their eyes open for grants and when they see something that the city could benefit by, they ask if we want to go after the grant or not,” said Councilman Rob Rygiel.

“They’re our grant writers. “That’s something that we’ve been looking at for years. We filed for the same one last year but didn’t get it.”

The city had to do some shifting of ownership before the bridge could be eligible for consideration of grant funding. In order to receive grant money from CARPDC, the project must be part of a government entity. Until recently, the bridge was not city owned.

“Now the TRA owns that bridge,” Rygiel said.

“It used to be the chamber that owned the bridge but now that the city owns it, we feel more likely that the city will get the grant.”

The bridge has not been accessible in years. It was fully functional and used to transport pedestrians, horse and buggies, as well as trains until Benjamin Fitzpatrick opened in 1940.

The project, if funded, could lead to a consecutive walking trail that will run continuous from northern portion of Tallassee to the southern Tallassee area.

Carmen Rodgers / The Observer

The Tallassee City Council approved CARPDC ‘s request Wednesday in a specially called meeting to apply for a TAP Grant to restore the Tallassee Mills Bridge that would open it to pedestrian traffic.

“That’s all part of the trails we’re hoping to get,” Rygiel said. “We’re planning on going from the boat ramp by the dam to the boat ramp behind AES. We’re trying to make a walking trail from one to the other. Hopefully, we can connect all

that to our other walking trail by going behind the high school and connecting to the river walk.”

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JANUARY 28, 2016 • PAGE 11

Getting Down with the Dawgs fast approaches HUMANE SOCIETY OF ELMORE COUNTY NEWS We hope to see lots of visitors at our booth Saturday during the Millbrook Revelers Mardi Gras celebration. We will also be marching in the parade at noon and invite our shelter supporters to join us and bring your dog to walk in our group. Now remember, dogs must be current on their rabies vaccination and excellent in public as a Mardi Gras parade is a very lively event, so that means they must be able to handle lots of loud noises, running children, people in strange costumes and just all the fun that goes with Mardi Gras.

And, for human and dog alike, the parade route is over a mile long so

By REA CORD Executive Director

please plan for comfy shoes and perhaps have carry water with you for you and your dog. If you would like to join in our dog-walking group, please contact Charlie Pope at 334202-1381 or popecharlie58@yahoo. com. Charlie will need to know how to contact you to let you know of a link up time and location so please get with her soonest.

If you would like to walk with our shelter group but cannot make the Millbrook parade (or want to join in on both), then we invite you and your dog to join us at the Order of the Cimarron’s Mardi Gras Celebration in Wetumpka Feb.6. We invite our shelter supporters who would like to dress up their pooch (same guidelines for your dog as for Millbrook) and walk with the Humane Society of Elmore County friends and supporters in the parade beginning at 1 p.m.

Please contact Pope at 334-2021381 or popecharlie58@yahoo.com.

Charlie will need to know how to

contact you to let you know of a link up time and location so please get with her soonest.

Looking ahead, if you find it challenging to come to our shelter then perhaps you can find your new best friend at the National Adoption Weekend sponsored by PetSmart Charities at the area PetSmart stores, Feb. 12-14. We will be at both the Montgomery and Prattville PetSmarts Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday from 1–4 p.m. We can always use volunteers to help us at these events, so if you can spare a couple of hours, contact Pope at 334202-1381 or email her at popecharlie58@yahoo.com.

Don’t forget to stop by the shelter to purchase one of our 300 tickets for your chance to win $10,000 at our 5th annual “Getting Down with the Dawgs” Draw Down Feb.20. We will be at the Wind Creek Entertainment Center at 100 River Oaks Dr, Wetumpka.

Meet Sally, HSEC’s pet of the week Sally is a 9-monthold hound/bulldog pup who is about 35 pounds and just a happy, playful and loving girl. She is housetrained and really likes to play fetch with the toys. Sally loves children, dogs, cats, just everyone.

She should be in the 45-pound range when fully grown.

Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old; cats over 1 year old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee completely covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vacci-

nation if old enough, 45 days of pet health insurance and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian.

To meet all the great pets at our

shelter, come to 255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL, 36092, go to our website at www.elmorehumane. org for more information, email us at hselco@bellsouth.net or

call 334-567-3377.

We are open for adoptions from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. MondayFriday and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.

With the purchase of a $100 ticket you will have a 1-in-300 opportunity to win $10,000 (you do not have to be present to win the grand prize).

Besides a chance to win big, each ticket holder and guest will also get a delicious buffet dinner/beverage and there will also be door prizes, a cash bar and much more.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. Feb. 20, cash bar will be open at approximately 5:30 p.m., dinner begins at 6 p.m. and the Drawdown starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets are on sale (and selling fast) at the shelter at 255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092 — get your ticket(s) now or buy one as a gift for a friend or for an organization, club or group you support.

We are open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, so stop by to get your ticket(s). For more information, call 334-567-3377 or email hselco@bellsouth.net .

Cory Diaz Sports Editor Phone 334-567-7811 sports@thewetumpkaherald.com

PAGE 12 • JANUARY 28, 2016

SPORTS

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Elmore County’s tough region gets tougher

By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

For Elmore County, it’s the same twoyear-old song and dance.

The release of the 2016-17 and 2017-18 Alabama High School Athletic Association reclassification kept intact the same football region the Panthers have waged war with the last two seasons, and added another rival.

Old county rival Tallassee, who advanced to the playoffs the last two years in Class 5A, dropped back down to 4A, landing in Region 3 with ECHS and back-to-back Class 4A state champion Leeds and 2015 semifinalist Munford.

“Not a whole lot of change. Coming out of our region is a hard thing to do,” Panthers head football coach Norman Dean said. “We’ve got a good bunch of kids, and I think they’re excited. That’s the way we’ll have to play it.

“Tallassee has always got a real good program, (coach Mike Battles Jr.) does a real good job with it. On top of that, it’s a rival game, and now it’s a region game.

We’ve been in region with Tallassee

before, so it adds a little more excitement.”

Childersburg, Dadeville, county rival Holtville and Handley make up the rest of 4A, Region 3.

“It’ll be a whole lot like the last few years. There’s a handful of games in there that we have to win,” Dean said.

“And some of the opponents we play, some of those games are real tough to win. The last three, four years, we’ve done well enough to be tied for the last playoff spot but lost on a tiebreaker.”

Just missing out on the postseason the last four years in a row, Dean said to buck that trend, the Panthers must avoid the tiebreak scenario, which could be easier in an eight-team region as opposed to the seven-team it faced the last two campaigns.

“This year, 4-3 in the region should get you in. We’ve got to play solid ball all year, hope we don’t get any injuries; we’ve got a big group of guys we’ve got to replace,” the coach said. “We got to look at filling holes again. We’re going to be very young again, we don’t have a large set of upperclassmen.

Elmore County head football coach Norman Dean celebrates a lategame touchdown versus Reeltown last season.

Cory Diaz / The Observer

“It’s the same old song. We’re in a super tough region, you can be a very good football team and not make the playoffs. When the regions came out, I texted Battles and I said, ‘welcome to

the SEC West.’ We’ve got to find that one more game to win in there somewhere, stay healthy and grow up fast.”

ECHS comes up short in OT loss to Dadeville

By ROBERT HUDSON Sports Editor

Elmore County wrestler David Wood (126-pound) tries to fend off St. James’ Jack Burt during Tuesday’s tri-meet at St. James.

Cory Diaz / The Observer

ECHS drops two at St. James

By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Elmore County lost both duals during a tri-meet at St. James, falling to the hosts, 60-24, and coming up short against Sidney Lanier, 30-24.

Junior heavyweight Michael Guionnaud and Noah Wood (138-pound) headlined the Panthers on the night, each earning two fall victories.

Wood, a junior, won his first match in the third period against the Trojans’ Elijah Glenn. After three near falls in the first two rounds, Wood finished Glenn off with a pin with 1:02 left.

The 138-pound junior’s second contest didn’t take quite as long as Wood picked up the pin over the Poet’s Trevon Vickers 1:04 into the first round.

Guionnaud earned two first-period falls, beating St. James’ Mitchell Wilson and Lanier’s Michael Belser.

Jacob Owens (120-pound) nearly had an unblemished tri-meet. The junior opened up with a pin over the Trojans’ Trey Gaines in the first period, the first win of the first dual.

In his second match, Owens battled for three rounds with the Poets’ Jatorrian

Spell, who led for the first 3:49 of the bout.

With 11 seconds left in the second period, Owens took a 7-6 lead with a reversal, but Spell quickly escaped to tie things up at 7 and worked to a pin over Owens with 14 ticks remaining in the third.

Elmore County failed to record any other wins for the tri-meet.

Senior David Wood (126-pound) lost his lone match on the night as St. James pinned him at the 1:27 second-period mark.

Geoffrey Murray beat Jacob Brabham by fall 26 seconds into their 145-pound bout.

Junior Panther pair Jeb Ballard (152pound) and Nathan Whorton (160-pound) dropped both of their contests by pin.

Ballard fell to the Trojans’ Mason Pattie in the second round and Lanier’s Reuben Garrison in the opening period.

St. James’ Will Prater and the Poets’ Brandon Lowery earned falls over Whorton in the first.

In his lone match, Elmore County’s Trey Fulmer (182-pound) lost to Lanier’s Lidontay Garrison by pin.

ECHS wrestlers face county foes Holtville and Wetumpka today at WHS.

It started and ended as an emotional Senior Night for the Dadeville Tigers, as they pulled out a 54-52 overtime area win over the Elmore County Panthers on Tuesday night.

Dadeville held a 42-39 lead until Elmore County’s Johnnie Jasper buried a 3-pointer to tie it up with 24 seconds left.

Dadeville had an opportunity to take the lead at the charity stripe, but Tre Johnson missed both shots. Elmore County’s Tyric Belyeu launched a 3-point attempt as time expired, but it missed to send the game into OT. The Panthers went up 43-42 to open the overtime period when Kell Floyd went 1-of-2 from the line, but Johnson scored underneath the basket to put Dadeville back up at 44-43 with 3:44 left to play.

Elmore County countered with a basket down low from big man Markel Leonard, but Dadeville responded with a corner three by Qua Tucker that made it a 47-45 game in favor of the Tigers with 2:46 left.

Dadeville extend the lead to 49-45 when Johnson added two points from the free throw line.

But Belyeu scored on a layup and Jasper scored on a shot and got fouled, but missed the free throw as the game was tied at 49-49 with 1:31 left.

On the next possession, Tucker came up big for the Tigers, scoring the layup and-one off the steal and assist by Quandarius Moss to put Dadeville up 52-49 with 51 seconds left.

However, the Panthers evened the game up again with a 3-pointer

by William Venable with 38 seconds remaining.

But on the very next possession, Dadeville’s Margarius Buchanan scored in the paint to put the Tigers up for good, 54-52. Elmore County had one more chance, but Jasper’s running shot attempt was missed as Dadeville got the rebound and secured the win.

Johnson led Dadeville with 21 points, while Tucker had 18 points for the Tigers.

Jasper led Elmore County with 14 points, while Floyd added 13 points for Elmore County.

Elmore County sophomore forward Terrence Head (11) blocks out a Dadeville defender during Tuesday night’s area matchup at Dadeville.

Robert Hudson / The Observer

Lady Panthers trounce Tigers, set up coin toss to host area

By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

For the second straight season, Elmore County’s area fate mercilessly falls on a coin flip.

With Tuesday night’s win at Dadeville, 64-47, in its regular season area finale, the Lady Panthers (117) and Booker T. Washington, who both finished 5-1 in area play, will flip to determine who will host the Class 4A, Area 5 tournament. Both teams split their regular season meetings.

In this special case, just like last year, Elmore County could lose the coin toss and still host the area tourney due to BTW not having their own facilities.

“We’re going to have our area meeting (today), and we won’t know (BTW’s) situation until then, whether or not they’ve found a location or not,” Lady Panther girls basketball coach Amy Rachel said. “Either way, we’re either going to play Dadeville or Holtville in the first round.”

But to get itself in position to call heads or tails for the area hosting duties, ECHS needed to take care of business against a much-improved Dadeville team.

Elmore County overcame a slow start on defense, what it relies on most, by shooting the ball well from the outside led by junior Hannah Traylor, who sank four 3’s in the first half.

“Dadeville has definitely improved. Of course,

we played them earlier on in the season, but they’ve come a long way and they were able to put up points quite often,” Rachel said. “Hannah Traylor, the way she shot the ball really got us going. Elissa (Brown) was having a hard time getting out on the fast break, but she hit a couple of 3’s, too.

“It’s huge. Elissa is such a huge part of our offense. Having someone step up, put points on the board, it balances it out and teams have to readjust their gameplans.”

Traylor finished with 19 points, while Brown ended with a game-high 25 and freshman guard Madison Traylor added 15.

Leading 30-21 at halftime, the Lady Panthers got back to their defensive ways after the break, holding the Lady Tigers to just eight points in the third while scoring a game-high 22 points, putting the game out of reach.

“The third quarter was really the turning point of the game. Our shooting was on and then we went cold in the second half,” Rachel said. “But we started pressuring defensively and we were able to get layups.”

Fast second-half starts, offensive production from others than Brown, plus taking care of the basketball and sound defense, Rachel said, will be key for the Panthers as they try to repeat as area champions and advance out of the 4A sub-region playoff round.

“We have to take care of the ball. Even late in this season with the experience that we have, we

Elmore County freshman Madison Traylor (10) fights for a loose ball at Robert Hudson / The Observer Dadeville Tuesday night.

still got through streaks where we get lackadaisical with the ball,” she said. “And we’ll have streaks of turnovers. We need to be doing something productive when we have the ball, and be aggressive on defense. We need five people moving to the ball at the same time.”

ECHS travels to Reeltown tonight.