SPORTS, PAGE 12
Tallassee 6U Girls get ready for World Series
INSIDE
LOCAL, PAGE 10
OPINION, PAGE 4
Wind up the summer and gear up for back to school with our area calendar.
Give honest, blunt, but sound advice
LOCAL FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS, PAGE 2.
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July 27, 2016
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VOL. 117, NO. 28
Payne withdraws from mayoral race
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Mayor Bobby Payne announced Tuesday that he would no longer seek reelection. “It has been my great privilege to serve the City of Tallassee since 1976, first as councilman and then as your mayor from 1988 until 2008 and again from 2012 until now,” Payne said in a press release. This announcement comes just weeks after announcing that he would seek reelection. “Earlier this month, I declared my intention to seek
another term as mayor and qualified to run for that office. However, after much reflection, I have withdrawn my name effective July 19, 2016 and my time as a public servant will conclude this fall when my current term expires.” Payne expressed his appreciation and gratitude that he has for everyone in Tallassee. “As I move into a new phase of my life, I would like to thank each and every Tallassean for the support they have given me both as a candidate and as an elected official,” Payne said.
During his time as mayor, Payne witnessed many changes to the city. “We have, together, seen Tallassee transition from strictly a “mill town” to a community with multiple industries and business,” he said. Payne is also appreciative of the members of the city body that worked along with him over the years. “I also express deep appreciation to Payne See MAYOR • Page 7
Summer reading program produces ready readers
Fire fee to be added to the 2016 ballot
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
As students prepare to go back to school, Tallassee’s community library is wrapping up the summer reading program. While class sizes were down a bit from last year, this year’s participants read a great amount of books. In all, 17 children read over one hundred books. Several children read over two hundred books and one child read a total of 327 books over the course of the summer reading program. There were 153 children registered with 104 of them registered readers. The library saw 1,043 books read Thursday and Friday, which brought the grand total to 6,186 books read in seven weeks. Ansley Cullars placed first in the 2-5 age group with 327 books read. Charity Priest came in second place with 273 books read and Jonah Cleveland came in third with 251 books read. Honorable mention in the 2-5 age group goes to Brooklyn See READING • Page 3
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By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
SHE’S YOUR QUEEN Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Regan Rebekka Hagans is the 2016 Miss Tallassee. Hagans is a 2016 Tallassee High School graduate. She is currently enrolled at Southern Union and plans on attending Auburn Montgomery to pursue a career in sports journalism.
Hagans takes the crown at Miss Tallassee Pageant By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The Tallassee Athene Woman’s Club hosted the Miss Tallassee Pageant Saturday in the Tallassee High School auditorium. The day of pageantry began early with the first pageant beginning at 9 a.m. The younger
See FEES • Page 7
Uncontested officials and safety issues addressed at council meeting By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The seven uncontested city delegates were acknowledged during Monday’s regular City Council meeting. This includes three councilmen. Councilman Darrell Wilson of Ward 4, Councilman Bill Godwin of Ward 6 and David Stough of Ward 7 were uncontested candidates. The uncontested Board of Education candidates are Lacey Brewer for Ward 7, Sandra Patterson for Ward 6, Michael Don Bryant for
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girls took the stage first and the school-aged girls took to the stage Saturday evening at 6 p.m. There were a total of twelve age groups in this year’s event. Lea Claire Clark is the 2016 Baby Miss Toddler Tallassee. Emmalyn Danielle Patterson is the First Alternate, Paislee See PAGEANT • Page 3
The Tallassee City Council recently passed a motion to add SB384 to the 2016 ballot. Alabama Senator Tom Whatley, District 27, and Alabama Senator Clyde Chambliss, District 30, originally drafted the bill. If passed, this bill will greatly benefit local fire departments by offering increased funding for equipment and training. According to the bill, “This fee would provide for support of volunteer fire protection services and an emergency medical services fee on certain
Ward 2 and Jennifer Jelks for Ward 7. The next two items on the agenda included altering the wordage of a 2010 city gas and water ordinance. Removing a lock from a gas or water meter is illegal. However, the current ordinance does not state such. Councilman Bill Godwin informed the council of the upcoming finance committee meeting. According to Godwin, the bond issue will also be addressed at the upcoming meeting. See COUNCIL • Page 7
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Tallassee uncontested city officals were announced Monday during the regular city council meeting. (Left to right) Lacey Brewer, Ward 7, Don Bryant, Ward 2, Sandra Patterson, Ward 6, Jennifer Jelks, Ward 7, Councilman Bill Godwin, Ward 6, Councilman David Stough, Ward 7 and Councilman Darrell Wilson, Ward 4.
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BOBBY PAYNE WISHES ALL CANDIDATES GOOD LUCK! Paid for by Friends of Bobby Payne • S. Weaver, Treasurer • 1010 Burton Road, Tallassee, AL 36978