TRUMP IS CREATING NOTIHING BUT NOISE, PAGE 4.
TUESDAY
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Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 July 21, 2015
Vol. 123, No. 144
www.alexcityoutlook.com
TWO WEEKS AND COUNTING Area teams waiting for practice, page 10.
Commissioners asked for new DHR building By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Imagine two people and their desks “in offices no larger than a broom closets.” That’s the way the building that houses Tallapoosa County offices Department of Human Services was described to the Tallapoosa County Commissioners Monday. Alabama DHR Commissioner for Administrative Services Joel Marsh made a presentation to the commissioners, making a case for a new facility for DHR.
“The current building is just not meeting our needs anymore,” Marsh said. “It’s simply too small and without some extensive renovations, we don’t think it could be something that we could continue to use long-term.” Marsh outlines a process that would allow for a new building to be constructed, without it costing the county anything. In other locations, county commissioners have set up public building authorities, then Mitch Sneed / The Outlook secure bonds using the state’s credit rating. Alabama DHR Commissioner for Administrative Services Joel Marsh explains the See COMMISSIONERS, Page 5 need for a new building to the Tallapoosa County Commissioners Monday.
FESTIVE START
Pay issue, gym equipment heard by city council
Sun Festival opens strong
Work session on public works raises set for Thursday
By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
A decision on the pay raises that were part of a reorganization plan in public works will again have to wait. The Alexander City City Council voted 4-2 to table taking action, instead setting a work session for Thursday at 5 p.m. in the conference room at city hall on the raises. It’s not the first time action was delayed on the public works reorganization. At the council’s last meeting the subject was also put on hold, but despite not having a work session as planned, the item was again placed on the agenda. Monday night, councilman Billy Ray Wall called for work session to get more information. In previous discussions, Public Works Director and City Engineer Gerard Brewer said the increases would actually save the city money and make the department more efficient. Through retirements and consolidation of duties, some employees would see increases, but the number of supervisors and actual employees would be reduced. The item is part of a group of raises that were approved by Mayor Charles Shaw, but were not approved by council, as is required according to City Attorney See COUNCIL, Page 5
Cliff Williams and Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Above, Johnson and R Ruby of Wayside Animal Clinic C share a snowcone following the DawgGawn Good Parade Monday afternoon at Strand Park where 42 animals including a hedgehog by the name of Maddie took part. Right, Jakya Leigh Sims reacts to being named Little Miss Sun Festival. The third annual Sun Festival continues today with nine events planned across the city.
From tears to cheers, the third annual Alexander City Sun Festival is off to a great start with a weekend of events in the books A Miss Sun Festival was crowned Saturday, runners took to the streets for the 5K Glow Run Saturday night and a downtown block party was the highlight of Sunday’s events. Saturday’s events could be best summed up by the emotional images the Sun Festival events produced. Even if you aren’t a big fan of beauty pageants, it’s hard to imagine anyone who didn’t get a little misty when Jakya Leigh Sims won the Little Miss Sun Festival crown in her first pageant. When her name was announced, he reaction was priceless as that big smile turned to tears as the genuine shock of what happened hit her. “I couldn’t believe it,” Simms said afterwards. “I didn’t mean to cry, but I was so surprised, because the other girls were so nice and pretty. But they said my name and I couldn’t help See FESTIVAL, Page 9
Thieves target Lake Levels 489.30 drugs and tobacco Lake Martin
Reported on 7/20/15 @ 2 p.m.
By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Heather Glenn / The Outlook
‘A Very Rich Woman’ play debuts tonight From left: Jim “Mac” Tyson, Heather Johnson, Brittany Smith, John Bowden, Patti Smith and Derrick Blythe disagree on the handling of the family fortune in the Alexander City Theatre II production of ‘A Very Rich Woman’ which opens tonight at the Central Alabama Community College H.E.A. Auditorium at 7 p.m.
Hardwood Floors Ceramic Tile Carpet & Vinyl Locally Owned for Over 45 Years
256-234-6071
1945 Hwy 280 • Alexander City
HOLMAN FLOOR COMPANY “WE’RE
THE PROFESSIONALS”
Alexander City Police, along with investigators from the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department, are investigating a series of break-ins at local businesses. While two of the businesses were hit for the same type items, in the third prescription drugs including narcotics and painkillers were the target Three separate stores, two in the city and one in the county, were burglarized late Sunday night and early Monday morning. According to Deputy Police Chief Jay Turner, the Lake Hill Chevron and Jackson’s Drugs were hit in the city. In the county, Walnut Hill Grocery was burglarized. See BURGLARIES, Page 5
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
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USPS Permit # 013-080
Bill’s Electric ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
P.O. Box 673 1814 Airpor t Blvd • Alexander Cit y, AL
(256) 234-4555 “PROVIDING QUAALITYY ELEECTRRICALL CONSSTRUUCTIIONN SINCE 196 61”