OPINION, PAGE 4: HOLIDAY SHOWCASES WHY OUR AREA IS TRULY BLESSED
THURSDAY
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July 6, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 133 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
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Commissioners to consider electronic poll book system Tallapoosa County Probate Court Judge Leon Archer said that Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill has sent A new electronic voters database or all counties information, strongly urging poll book that has proven to decrease counties to look at ways to implement wait time for voters at the polls has been the program. tested in 22 counties across the state and “Traditionally we have used the now may be considered for use here in old computer paper books and voters Tallapoosa County. would have to come in and wait for poll By MITCH SNEED Editor
workers to look up their name and then lay a ruler down and mark them off,” Archer said. “We have some very good poll workers who do a great job, but that just takes time no matter how good the people you have are. With this it’s as simple as a scan and you can get voters to the polls.” According to a letter from Merrill,
the system reduced wait times for voters by as much as 75 percent in testing during the 2016 General Election. He is strongly urging all counties to find a way to have the new system in place as quickly as possible. “These systems have also been shown See POLL • Page 3
Sabal Trail Pipeline is operational
Tallapoosa County escapes holiday with no traffic fatalities
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
7 of 8 statewide traffic fatalities involved failure to use seat belts
Officials with the Sabal Trail Pipeline announced in a Wednesday press release that the pipeline was fully operational as of Monday and will deliver approximately 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to the Southeast once future compression expansions occur. If 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day seems large, it is. According to the American Gas Association, 1 billion cubic feet is enough to service 4 million homes annually. The project means an economic boost for the area. Tallapoosa County Administrator Blake Beck sees the boost but wants to caution area residents about the tax revenue the county will see from it. “There is no question about the economic and employment boost from the project,” Beck said. “There are still some questions about the property tax. The $1.1 million is a number they are putting out there. We will have to wait to 2018/2019 to see what the real property value is with the correct assessment.” Even if the $1.1 million property tax number is correct, Beck says the county will not see all of that. See PIPELINE • Page 3
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
PATRIOTIC YOUTH
Audra Spears / The Outlook
Students from Jacob’s Ladder wave flags and wear patriotic colors at their annual Fourth of July parade that took place Wednesday in Alexander City.
While Tallapoosa County escaped the long holiday weekend without a single traffic fatality, the rest of the state was not as fortunate. Three words best describe the common denominator for the state’s Fourth of July holiday travel period traffic fatalities: no seat belts. Seat belts were available but not in use in seven of the eight deadly traffic crashes Alabama State Troopers are investigating from this year’s extended holiday weekend, which began at 6 p.m. Friday, June 30, and ran through midnight Tuesday, July 4. The eight fatal traffic crashes consisted of a pedestrian killed in Madison County, a 12-year-old passenger killed in St. Clair County, and six drivers killed in Baldwin, Cherokee, Escambia, Marshall, St. Clair and Talladega counties. These deaths bring this year’s Trooper-investigated traffic crash total to 328 as of July 4, which is eight more than during the same time period in 2016. This year, vehicles were equipped with seat belts for 272 of the individuals killed, but only 95 were using seat belts at the time of the crashes. In fact, more than two-thirds of those killed so far in 2017 were not using seat belts. Among the 328 fatalities were seven children ages 5 and younger, and at least two of the children were not restrained. See TRAFFIC • Page 3
Bank Walkers to headline Strand Sessions tonight So they swapped with July’s scheduled performer, Rachel Wilson, who was able accommodate the change and provided a great night of The Lake Martin Young music at the Fermenter’s Market. Professionals will host its fourth This month’s event kicks off at 6 Strand Sessions event of the season p.m. in Strand Park. tonight from 6-9 p.m. in downtown Guests are invited to bring a lawn Alexander City’s Strand Park. chair, cooler and enjoy the beautiful The live-music event will feature atmosphere of downtown Alexander Lake Martin area favorites, The Bank City while listening to some great Walkers, a five-piece rock band with live music. a set list that could cover Johnny There is no admission charge for Cash, Tom Petty and all the genres in the concert. between. Strand Sessions are sponsored The Bank Walkers are fresh off a by Bice Motors, Dark Insurance, performance at the July 4 Fireworks Distinct Home Inspections, Extravaganza at the Lake Martin Lake Martin Area Association of Amphitheater. REALTORS, Lee Marketing Group, Although The Bank Walkers Music Depot, Russell Medical – were set to perform at June’s Strand Total Healthcare, TowBoatUS Lake Sessions event, inclement weather Martin, and USAmeriBank. caused the music to move indoors.
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
File / The Outlook
The Bank Walkers will headline the free Strand Sessions concert tonight. The show is set to begin at 6 p.m.
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