July 7, 2016 Alex City Outlook

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OPINION: READERS SOUND OFF ON LOCAL ISSUES, PAGE 4.

THE

THURSDAY

Horseshoe Bend’s Blasingame commits to play softball for the Trojans.

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 July 7, 2016

Vol. 124, No. 136

Sports, Page 8

www.alexcityoutlook.com

City’s Sunday sales vote set Aug. 23 Dadeville, New Site voters will also make decision during municipal elections

By MITCH SNEED Editor

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Fresh off his appearance at Hackneyville’s Fireworks Bash, Alexander City’s Rexton Lee will perform tonight at Strand Park.

While there has been plenty of talk about city elections and who will or won’t be in the races for mayor and council seats, there will be much more decided on Aug. 23 than who will lead area municipalities.

In Dadeville, Alexander City and New Site voters will be able to vote on whether they wish to allow the sale of alcohol on Sunday when they go to the polls.

City clerks in all three municipalities confirmed that Sunday alcohol sales will be on the ballot during the municipal election.

“A vote of the people would be the ultimate public hearing on the matter,” said Dadeville City Council member Mickey Tarpley at the time that the council passed the resolution allowing a vote.

The Alexander City resolution makes much the same assertion, that it is an issue that the people should decide. “(The city council) wishes to give the

citizens of Alexander City, Alabama, the right to vote on the ability to provide additional revenue to these businesses and capture sales tax revenue on alcohol that is being spent outside of the city on Sundays …

“The Mayor and the City Council believe that the citizens of Alexander City, Alabama, have the fundamental right to vote on whether to allow sales seven days a week subject to the time limitations stated herein.”

The Tallapoosa County See SALES • Page 3

Broad Street Streetscape project underway

Strand Sessions to feature Rexton Lee tonight

By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

Summer concerts prove to be popular downtown events

By MITCH SNEED Editor

Alexander City’s summer downtown entertainment sensation is back tonight as Strand Sessions will welcome Rexton Lee to the stage.

Lee is fresh off two shows in the area over the Independence Day weekend, including a 90-minute set at the Hackneyville Fireworks Bash.

Lee will play his mix of country and Southern rock and will feature some of his original tunes including “Something to Someone,” which is getting airplay on local radio.

This is the third installment in the concert series started by the Lake Martin Young Professionals, designed to “feature live music, allow attendees to socialize with friends, partake of food and refreshments and enjoy the beauty of Alexander City’s downtown area.”

The concert will begin at 6 p.m. and last until approximately 8 p.m. at Strand

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

The appearance of Broad Street Plaza will take on a vastly new look. The city is using grant funds to help pay for the $544,000 project, with the city providing just $125,000 of that as its 20 percent match. Henderson and Coker won the bid for the job which will enhance the area and make sidewalks ADA compliant.

See STRANDS • Page 3

TowBoatUS proves to be valuable asset on Lake Martin

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

Work has begun on Alexander City’s Broad Street Streetscape project, which will result in further beautification of the Broad Street corridor with the installation of new sidewalks, speed breaks, landscaping and repaving and restriping of the parking lot and spaces north of Broad Street between Clay and Green Streets.

The parking lot fronts Jake’s Restaurant, Franklin Financial and several other businesses in that area.

“Mostly what we’re accomplishing is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance,” said Randy Thomas, community development coordinator for Alexander City. “These sidewalks were installed back in the 70s, so they don’t meet the ADA requirements.

Those issues will be taken care of in this project.”

See STREETSCAPE • Page 3

Lake Martin

Lake Levels Outlook to publish 489.73 city candidate announcements Reported on 7/6/16 @ 4 p.m.

TowBoatUS Lake Martin is growing.

Over the last five summers, Jackson Dozier and his wife Nicki have been growing their business both on and off the water.

Just look at this past holiday weekend. The company responded to a boat on fire, recovered several partially sunken vessels and towed over 20 boats back home to boat ramps and marinas.

And the company sells memberships that work like AAA. The Doziers Cliff Williams / The Outlook have been successful at Jackson Dozier of TowBoatUS keeps an eye out for traffic on Lake Martin while waiting for calls from boaters needing help before the fireworks Monday night. Despite having many tows and some vesSee TOWBOAT • Page 3 sel recoveries over the weekend, Monday night was uneventful.

LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443

STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL

Candidates who qualify to run for municipal office are welcome to submit a candidacy announcement to be published in the Outlook.

All announcements are limited to 300 words and can be accompanied by a color high-resolution photograph of the candidate.

Announcements will be See CANDIDATES • Page 3

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Stepson on losing end of misspent child support

Friday

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Staff

Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com

Mia Osborn Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 mia.osborn@alexcityoutlook.com

Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com

Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Donna Jones Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 donna.jones@alexcityoutlook.com Jaylan Reynolds Advertising Sales Intern, Ext. 232 jaylan.reynolds@alexcityoutlook.com

Accounting Angela Mullins Bookkeeping, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Mary Lyman Boone Bookkeeping marylyman.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Cathy Higgins Sports Editor, Ext. 228 cathy.higgins@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210 david.granger@alexcityoutlook.com

DEAR ABBY: I have an 8-year-old stepson, “Kaden,” whom I love dearly. Kaden spends the bulk of his time with his mother on the other side of the country. When he comes to visit us in the summer, his clothing and shoes are always ragged and a few sizes too small.

My husband pays child support and buys Kaden a new wardrobe every six months.

Yet every time he comes to us, he’s never wearing anything his dad and I bought him, but what appear to be hand-me-down rags. We have spoken to the mother many times about it, but nothing changes.

We feel if we stop buying clothes for Kaden it would punish him, when it is his mom who isn’t spending the child support money on the boy. We have paid for extracurricular activities (sports) only for her to not take him there. She lies and says he doesn’t want to go, but we get a different story from the boy. He says she says, “Judo isn’t a real

DEAR ABBY Advice

sport.” He has gained weight and we don’t want him to be picked on for it.

The state where the boy lives is not good about giving fathers custody of their kids, and the mom is not necessarily unfit. How can we make her see she’s hurting her kid?

-- MOTHER DOESN’T KNOW BEST DEAR M.D.K.B.: You can’t “make” another adult do something she isn’t inclined to do.

However, what you can do is enroll Kaden in sports programs when he visits you during the summer months.

You and your husband can also talk to a family law attorney and find out at what age Kaden will be able to legally request

A recap of unusal items called into police as heard on the police scanner

Composing Audra Spears Composing Department, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Alethia Russell Graphic Artist, Ext. 231 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Asst. Circulation Manager, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, printing press.

Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011.

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Information

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

The Outlook

© 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.

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In Print & Online

July 1 9:24 a.m.: An employee at LakeWinds Golf Course alerted police who responded to the maintenance shop in regards to possible theft.

11 a.m.: Police were called to a local tire and automotive repair shop on Highway 280 after an unruly customer became abusive due to delays in getting a vehicle repair.

7:12 p.m.: A resident called police after reportedly seeing a gold Chevy Impala with a female driver holding a baby as she travelled down Highway 280. Police were able to stop the vehicle and the woman placed the child in a car seat.

July 2 11:18 a.m.: A woman called police for help after locating a snake in her bathtub.

July 3 9:24 p.m.: A woman on

Elkahatchee Street called to report that fireworks frightened her dog and that it had jumped the fence.

July 5 10:20 a.m.: A woman on Scott Road called for police assistance stating “she has a blind cat and needs help catching it so that she can take it to the vet.”

4:50 p.m.: A mother call police to ask for assistance with an unruly child who was “screaming, yelling, pulling their hair and pulling hairpieces out.”

July 6 3:05 p.m.: A mother who was at work in Opelika, called Alexander City Police to alert them that her child was at an activity at the Sportplex when they observed three adult males, and one of them had a gun. The children were taken inside, police responded, but they were unable to locate the men.

ALEX CIT Y

911

to be placed with you. While a young child may not be able to do this, I believe a teenager can make a compelling case for it. If Kaden’s mother has been depriving him, it would make a persuasive argument for a change in custody.

DEAR ABBY: I really like this guy named “Gary.” He’s super sweet, funny, cute and just incredible. He’s my brother’s friend.

I’m in sixth grade and he’s in fifth. I think he might like me back. He asked me to follow his new Instagram account, and when I told him to tell my brother hi, he stared at me for a few seconds longer (plus he was smiling the whole time).

One of my girlfriends sort of likes him, too.

What do I do? How do I tell him I like him? Is it OK for me to ask him to go to the park? His brother and my brother could go, too. Please help me. What do I do? -- GIRL IN EL PASO, TEXAS

DEAR GIRL: If Gary wants you to follow his Instagram account, it’s a pretty good sign that he has positive feelings for you. If you want to ask him to go to the park, and your parents don’t mind, go ahead and do it. But let me offer a couple of suggestions: If you ask him, DO include your brother and his brother because being with others will make it more fun. And, everybody loves a compliment. The compliment doesn’t have to be as blatant as “I like you,” which could embarrass some boys his age. A simple, “I think you’re great because (you’re really smart, you’re good at sports, you’re fun to be around, etc.)” should do the trick.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Obituaries Marie Dianne Seale Willingham 1951 - 2016 Memorial Service for Mrs. Dianne S. Willingham, 65, of Alexander City, will be Monday, July 11, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Corinth Baptist Church, Kellyton, AL. Rev. Jimmy L. Brooks, Jr. will officiate. Dinner to follow in fellowship hall.

Her ashes will be buried in West Point, GA at a later date.

Bass Funeral Home and Cremations directing.

Rev. Troy L. Holley Funeral service for Rev. Troy L. Holley, 80 of Alexander city, AL; Friday, July 8, 2016; 1 p.m.; Great Bethel Baptist Church, Alexander City, AL; Burial, Armour’s Memorial Garden, Alexander City, AL. Armour’s Memorial Services in charge.

Mrs. Mary Jones Mrs. Mary Jones of Alexander City, Alabama died July 5, 2016 and funeral service will be a Friday, July 8, 2016 at Friendship Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at New Life Memorial Gardens.

Wrights Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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Cliff Williams / The Outlook

A crew from Alexander City Light and Power responded to lines down on Semmes Street Wednesday afternoon as storms passed through the area. Crews removed a fallen limb and reconnected lines to a transformer.

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Thursday, July 7, 2016

Streetscapes

Page 3

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

continued from page 1

The project is being paid for by Transportation Alternative Program funds received from the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). Total cost of the project is $544,000 for which the city’s required 20 percent match – plus city engineering and inspection costs – is $125,000.

The great thing about this project is that we’ve got a local contractor (Henderson and Coker) on it,” Thomas said. “And it’s a good contractor. We have found that when we have local contractors that have to live here and deal with the same people that we deal with, things seem to go a little smoother. They understand the local businesses.”

Henderson and Coker’s work began on the project in May with surveying of the site, but actual project work on the sidewalks began in June.

“Since they’ve been over there, they haven’t impeded the local businesses at all,” said Richard Wagoner, director of Alexander City’s MainStreet program, of the Henderson and Coker crew.

Thomas said the project will also serve to help traffic flows by necessitat-

ing slower speeds entering and in the parking lot with speed breaks and by allowing navigation of the full lot without having to re-enter the roadway on the Clay Street end of the block. “There are raised brick areas in the middle and on each end of the parking lot that will also serve as speed breaks,” said Thomas.

“Plus, there will be an area on the Clay Street end that will allow them to go from one row of the parking lot to the other without going on to Clay Street.”

Finally, the lot will be re-paved and re-striped. The cost, which Thomas estimates at $40,000-$50,000, of the repaving and restriping is not covered by the TAP grant, but will instead be paid for through Alexander City Road Improvement Project (ACRIP) funds.

“I’ve been here 39 years and I don’t think that lot has been paved in that time,” Thomas said. “That was sort of what brought attention to this and set the stage for the streetscape project, the fact that the lot so badly needed paving.”

The streetscape project has a contracted length of 60 working days, which means that it should be completed in late fall of this year.

Sales

continued from page 1

Commissioners were the first to pass a referendum and in all unincorporated areas, the registered voters can have their say on Sunday sales during the November general election.

When the New Site Town Council passed its resolution calling for a vote on Sunday sales, Mayor Curtis Mims said that letting the people decided was the right move.

“It doesn’t mean that we are for it or against it,” New Site Mayor Curtis Mims said. “We all have our own personal opinions. All this does is say that we believe it is important enough to let the people vote on it and have their say.

I personally think that is the right way to decide an issue as important as this.”

One factor in having such a widespread movement to vote on Sunday sales is local legislation that was passed at the 11th hour of this year’s legislative session.

The bill sponsored by Alexander City’s Rep. Mark Tuggle allows municipalities in Tallapoosa County – as well as the county itself – to hold referendums on the Sunday sales of alcohol.

In the past, each municipality had to have a bill clear the legislature. The move made it much easier for councils to put the move to a vote.

Camp Hill is currently the only Tallapoosa municipality that allows Sunday sales.

Candidates

continued from page 1

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Jackson Dozier keeps an eyeon boat traffic and calls near Kowaliga Bay Monday night.

TowBoat

continued from page 1

that.

“We have been number two in membership sales for three years,” Dozier said.

“That is new memberships and does not take into account renewals.”

Jackson Dozier explained that they are equipped for most anything with four boats on Lake Martin and Smith Lake.

“We mainly do tows,” Dozier said. “But we are well equipped. Each boat has a pump on it that we can use to pump out vessels but we can also use it to extinguish fires.”

Strands

continued from page 1

Park off Tallapoosa Street and concertgoers are urged to bring chairs or blankets so they can comfortably enjoy the show.

Strand Sessions, which will bring acts to Strand Park the first Thursday of every month through August, is presented by LMYP with sponsors Anytime Fitness, Bice Motors, FireTruck Bar-

published on a first come, first serve basis.

No candidacy announcements will be accepted after Aug. 1, 2016. Announcements can be emailed to editor@alexcityoutlook.com.

For answers to questions or for more information contact Editor Mitch Sneed at 678-787-3577.

B-Que, Lake Martin Area Association of REALTORS, Lee Marketing Group, Music Depot, Satterfield Outdoor Living and USAmeriBank.

Alexander City’s FireTruck Bar-BQue will be on site at all Strand Sessions selling their BBQ nachos, pulled-pork sandwiches and rib sandwiches.

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MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213

editor@alexcityoutlook.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed

Outlook The

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 4

Get

Involved

It is time for I Sunday Sales

T

allapoosa County commissioners and the city councils in Alexander City, Dadeville and New Site have all agreed to put Sunday alcohol sales on the ballot.

Since Camp Hill already allows Sunday alcohol sales, if the new proposals pass, it would mean that alcohol could be sold on Sundays throughout the county.

We think this is a very good idea.

And the reason is simple: Our community is becoming a tourist destination with Lake Martin at its heart.

That means we are competing with other tourist destinations, like the Gulf Coast, where Sunday alcohol sales is allowed.

Why is this a big deal?

Because most restaurants make a large portion of their profit selling alcoholic beverages. The mark-up on beer can exceed 500 percent. In other words, a restaurant will buy a serving of beer for 65 cents and sell it for $4. By the way, similar profits are made in tea, soft drinks and coffee.

Forbidding restaurants from selling their highest-profit items during half the weekend in a tourist area, when most of their potential customers are here, is a dealbreaker for many national restaurant chains.

They simply will not consider opening here.

So allowing alcohol to be sold all weekend – when most people are visiting our area – is not only good business because it brings in additional tax revenue and sales, it is also a major recruiting tool for bringing new restaurants and hospitality businesses to the Lake Martin area.

And that will in turn bring more tourists and more jobs here.

Outdated blue laws do not prevent people from drinking on Sunday – anybody who has been to Chimney Rock on Sunday knows that is an absolute fact. Instead, the blue laws are harming our local economy and decreasing our potential as a tourist destination.

It is time to change and encourage new growth in our market.

The dates for when you can vote on the matter vary depending on where you live.

So check and make sure when the Sunday sales vote will be held in the area that you call home and make your voice heard.

Know Your

Officials

Charles Shaw is mayor of Alexander City. His phone number at city hall is 256-329-6730 and his home number is 256234-7395 His address at city hall is 4 Court Square; Alexander City, AL, 35010. His home address is 98 Heritage Drive Alexander City, AL, 35010.

Charles Shaw

Bobby Tapley represents District 1. His phone number is 256329-9671. His address is 1821 LaVista Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Safety committee.

Bobby Tapley

Sherry Ellison-Simpson represents District 2. Her phone number is 256329-0516. Her address is 2879 Old Dark Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee.

Sherry Ellison Simpson

Bob Howard represents District 3. His phone number is 256-2342225. His address is 241 8th Street West, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Buildings and Property committee.

Bob Howard

Billy Ray Wall represents District 4. His phone number is 256329-8060. His address is 101 Scott Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Works committee.

James Spann represents District 5. His phone number is 256-3299758. His address is 314 Auburn Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Finance committee.

Tony Goss represents District 6. His phone number is 256-7493355. His address is 647 Shady Point, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Utilities committee.

Billy Ray Wall

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Lessons learned in the garden

’ve often said that one can tell how old a woman is by the number of Cool-Whip bowls she has in her kitchen cabinets and how old a man is by the number of 5-gallon buckets he has in and around his house.

Well, I have a whole bunch of both and am well beyond my age in bucket years.

I’m using the bulk of the buckets for my garden. Bucketwise, I have tomatoes, peppers, and okra, oh my! In fact, I have 17 buckets of peppers, nine buckets of tomatoes, and four buckets of “okry,” as many of us say around here. I have plants of each in raised beds, too. I’m going to have enough for my own farmers’ market when all is said and done.

I also have cucumbers and squash, but they have required some extra TLC. Initially, I planted too many cucumbers in the same bed. I replanted one on the opposite side of the yard and within no time, it was growing like a vine.

Only one of the plants from the original bed was producing, so just this week, I moved the other two into the bed on the opposite side of the yard.

We shall see how that goes.

I had room there, because I pulled up my beets and carrots, both of which will not make the cut next year. Some people

JODY FULLER Columnist

like beets; I get that.

Some people like Alabama football, too. I don’t. No matter how you try to fancy them up, in the end, beets taste like dirt. My carrots were tiny and I don’t really care for carrots as a main vegetable anyway.

Squash vine borers decimated my summer squash. They were doing so well and producing beautiful fruit until one day, they all began to wilt.

Eggs from the pest hatch and the larvae bore into the center of the stems to feed, blocking the flow of water to the rest of the plant. I was upset, because I love squash, but a lesson was learned. Originally, I grew everything from seeds, but since I lost the squash, I had no choice but to buy small replacement plants.

If my watermelons continue to grow, I’m going to have to throw them into the back of a pickup and go park on a county road somewhere.

I’m real proud of them. I actually only have three of any size at all, but I’m hoping for the best.

Rabbits and chipmunks haven’t been able to eat the bucket crops but they

have done some damage to my beds. I don’t think there’s much I can do about the chipmunks and their holey ways, but I did put chicken wire up around one of the beds. I don’t think the Little Rascals could’ve done a finer job. It turned out to be more trouble than it was worth, so I decided to put the chicken wire along the holes and gaps in my privacy fence. It might not keep them out forever, but it’ll at least slow them down—unless I trapped some of them within the friendly confines of my backyard.

I saw a gigantic rabbit the next day that looked as if it had taken a wrong turn in Albuquerque.

Fortunately, it was on the other side of the fence, but I’m fairly certain it had spent some time feasting in my back yard.

I planted way too much of everything. As a first time gardener, I have learned a lot. Trials and errors have been plentiful, which I fully expected.

With the lessons learned this year, next year should yield much better results, in the garden and in life.

Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller. com. For more information, visit jodyfuller.com.

Letters to the Editor

Reader: Alexander City voters need to take a stand Dear Editor, I sipped my coffee on the morning of June 30th while perusing the news, from local to global – The Outlook, WSFA, AL.com, MSNBC, MSN, CNN, and Fox – just to make sure my news is well-rounded. I’d made it just to AL.com and found Alexander City to be the trending topic from the first three outlets — at least in my web browser.

It saddened me to see that our beloved city’s Mayor Charles Shaw can’t quite get a handle on how to behave in public. One would think that being arrested and now convicted of assault would have taught him a little humility. With that short snippet of video footage from Mr. Brian Henry’s camera, Mayor Shaw proved to me again why he should no longer be the mayor of our city.

When he had the platform and opportunity to display a level of leadership and professionalism when WSFA’s reporter asked for a comment regarding the ruling, Mr. Shaw again chose to display poor judgment and aggression by putting his own face into the lens of the camera and then continued with covering the lens with his hand.

Mr. Shaw missed an opportunity to truly show what it means to take responsibility for one’s actions and accept the consequences for those actions. He should have simply deferred questions and comments to his attorney. Mr. Shaw wants to be re-elected as mayor of our city and ask the citizens to continue to trust him to lead our families and our city again?

I’m sick of the double talk and I’m sick of reading about our city’s poor behavior in statewide news and media outlets.

Alexander City has seen some great and exciting things come to fruition i.e. the downtown area’s revitalization and new industry moving to the area are the two that come to mind immediately. Chamber members, business owners, and other government officials will tell you that we are looking to grow—to blossom. How can we expect to court new industry when these kinds of things are what we’re showing them.

We have experienced more issues under the current city administration than any that I can recall. We have had theft of money from the golf course which initiated an audit that cost the taxpayers money; unauthorized employee pay raises which costs taxpayers money; inadequate pay scales which initiated the hiring of a firm to evaluate the city’s pay scale which again costs taxpayers money; the city has cut services and programs from the community because of “budget issues”; our city administration has not been able to pass a budget on time since its been sworn in to office; we have had TWO sales tax increases piled on us. And these are just a few of the issues that became public. Which begs the question of what issues are there that we know nothing about?

I urge the citizens of Alexander City to take a stand. We have the chance to make a difference in November when it’s time to vote. Don’t let the same old-same old continue to give us the same old-same old. We must demand better from our elected officials. We deserve better from the people that ask us for our vote and most importantly ask us to trust them.

Joyful Walters Alexander City

City needs to probe ‘real’ economic impact of events Dear Editor, When reporting on the financial impact of the ball tournament on the local economy I would like for some research to be done on the cost to the city. I don’t disagree that the tournament brought revenue to the businesses in the city but I do question whether the city received an economic benefit. Let’s say (hypothetically, since I do not have actual numbers) that the area hotels were full for three days at $100 per night for 250 rooms.

That would be $75,000 amounting to $3,000 in tax revenue.

Likewise, let’s say there’s $75 of additional expenses per day for 300 family units. That comes to $67,500, which is an additional $2,700 of tax revenue. That is $5,700 of revenue.

How much did the city spend on labor and

overtime for Parks and Recreation, fire and security plus supplies, pizza and pool?

With the financial situation of our city, it is irresponsible to report a financial success for the city without considering the expenses. Since your editorial and article do not say who paid for these services I assume the city incurred the expense.

If the city has been reimbursed by businesses and civic organizations, then I apologize for jumping to conclusions.

Regardless, it’s time for the city to stop providing free services for Jazzfest, Octoberfest and any other events. The sponsors of these events need to step up and pay for the use of city facilities and personnel.

Paul Stanbrough Alexander City

‘I hope the majority of people can still... say the pledge and mean it’ Dear Editor,

James Spann

Tony Goss

This 4th of July weekend I was sitting on my front porch looking at my flag waving in the wind.

It took me back 60 years to when I joined the Navy and raised my right hand and pledged to defend my country in July. I also pondered about our Pledge of Allegiance. I hope the majority of people can still place their hands over their hearts, say the pledge and mean it. I know Satan has control over a lot of folks that want to take God out of the pledge. I know there are people that are born here in the United States that could

care less for the pledge, all they want is what they can get. I know there are politicians who have a façade for the public, but have their own self-interest at heart. I know there are people here that want their own form of government and do not support the pledge. I know that people from other countries that are here legally have to quote the pledge in English to become a citizen.

I know when the pledge becomes meaningless, there will be a reckoning. I pray for my grandchildren.

Billy Waites Alexander City

Today’s

Quote

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

– Jesus Christ

Today’s

Scripture “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way or the Spirit, and not in the old way or the written code.”

– Romans 7:6

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Thursday, July 7, 2016

CommunityCalendar Season Speaks

Today is

Submit calendar items:

Participate in your Outlook by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or logging on to http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/.

Today’s Event

STRAND SESSION: The Lake Martin Young Professionals are hosting Rexton Lee for the next Strand Session at Strand Park, July 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

July 7, 2016

Page 7

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

Today’s Birthdays

Diane Hodge, Dara Payne, Wesley Claybrook, Quintera Kelley and Hannah Davis are celebrating birthdays today.

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Brown Nursing and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services •Physical Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Speech Therapy 2334 Washington Street Alexander City • 256-329-9061 www.crownemanagement.com

Come Visit Us! Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing

Many a small thing has

been

made

large.. . .with the right kind of advertising.

Comer United Methodist Church is hosting a pancake breakfast July 9 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Cost is $6 a plate with pancakes, sausage and/or bacon. All you can eat dine in with to go plates available.

July 8-9

WETUMPKA DEPOT PLAYERS: Calendar Girls will be presented by the Wetumpka Depot Players July 14 - July 30. For ticket information call 334-868-1140 or go to wetumpkadepot.com.

July 9

SUMMER BOOK SALE: The Friends of the Dadeville Public Library will host a book sale in the library basement at 205 North West Street from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, July 16. The Friends will supply plastic bags for you to fill to the brim for $5 each or buy two bags and get the third one free! Books include fiction, nonfiction, classics, art, romance, cookbooks, decorating, self-help, religion, history and politics, beautiful coffee table books, and books to read to your children this summer. We also have several boxes of books recently donated for children and young readers. All proceeds go to improve the library.

Call 256-825-7820 for information.

TRADE DAY: Bibb Graves School is hosting a trade day July 16 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: God’s House Church on Highway 63 North in downtown Hackneyville is hosting vacation Bible school July 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and July 9 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. All ages are welcome.

GOSPEL SINGING: Oak Chapel Baptist Church in Goodwater is hosting a gospel singing July 9 at 6 p.m. with the McKameys.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Comer United Methodist Church is hosting a pancake breakfast July 9 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Cost is $6 a plate with pancakes, sausage and/or bacon. All you can eat dine in with to go plates available.

July 10

MEN AND WOMEN DAY: Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church is hosting Men and Women day July 10 at 2 p.m. Special guest is Rev. Dr. George C. McCulloh of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

REUNION: The Willoughby reunion will be Sunday July 10 at the Daviston Community Center. All family and friends are welcome.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Wayside Baptist Church is hosting Vacation Bible School Submerged June 26, July 3, July 10, July 17 and July 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Dinner will be served.

July 10 - July 13

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Calvary Heights Baptist Church is hosting vacation Bible school July 10 13 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There is a kickoff party and pre-registration July 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Hillabee Baptist Church is hosting vacation Bible School July 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

256.234.4281

SEE ME FOR INSURANCE

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Ray Baptist Church is hosting vacation Bible School July 10-14 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be music crafts and snacks.

July 11

CELEBRATE RECOVERY: Celebrate Recovery at Vertical Point will be celebrating its First Anniversary from 5:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a cook-out and ice cream social, followed by a special program of music, cardboard testimonies and more.

Everyone is welcome! The church is located at 860 Airport Dr, Alex City.

For more information, contact Mike at 256-496-4664 or check us out on Facebook.

July 13-15

YES I CAN: Teresa Harrell Moten is hosting a mentoring camp at Nathaniel H. Stephens School from 9 a.m. to noon. there will be a free lunch.

July 14 - July 30

July 16

July 17

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Hatchet Spring Baptist Church is celebrating its 109th anniversary Sunday July 17 at 2:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Fredrick Jemison of Tallasahatchie Baptist Church in Childersburg.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Wayside Baptist Church is hosting Vacation Bible School Submerged June 26, July 3, July 10, July 17 and July 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Dinner will be served.

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Great Bethel Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating its 136th Anniversary Sunday, July 17 at 2:30 p.m. The guest minister is Rev. Bernard Harris of Mt. Lovely Baptist Church. The pastor is Rev. Dr. Emerson Ware, Jr.

July 18

July 10-14

is hosting bingo night July 23 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

GOSPEL SINGING: The Taylor Family Gospel Singers will be at Centerview Missionary Baptist Church in Camp Hill Saturday, July 23 at 5:30 p.m.

INDUSTRIAL AUTHORITY MEETING: The Lake Martin Area Industrial Development Authority will have its quarterly meeting on Monday, July 18 beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Betty Carol Graham Technology Center Executive Board Room on the campus of CACC.

July 26-28

CHURCH REVIVAL: Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Waverly is hosting revival services July 26-28 at 7 p.m. nightly. Rev. Melvin Kelley is pastor. Guest speakers ill be Rev. Jimmy thomas, Rev. Henry Cooper and Rev. Clyde Fielder.

July 27

HEALTH FAIR: Weatherman James Spann will be at the Bibb Graves School July 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a health fair.

July 29 - July 31

BEREAVEMENT CAMP: Camp I Believe will be at Children’s Harbor July 29 - 31. It is a bereavement camp for children ages 7 - 14 that have lost a loved on. It is an overnight camp and is free for qualifying applicants. Contact Julia Bassett at Julia.

Bassett@gentiva.com.

July 30

SUMMER READING PROGRAM FINALE: Mamie’s Place Children’s Library is hosting a finale for the summer reading program July 30 at the Sportplex Gym at 10 a.m. with games and a kids lunch.

NIGHT IN PEARLS: The Gloria Boleware Show is hosting An Elegant Night in Pearls at the Passion Church July 30 at 6 p.m.

September 20

July 22

FLAG RETIREMENT: The Clay County VFW Post 9581 is holding a flag retirement ceremony July 22 at 4 p.m. at the Bibb Graves School.

MEETING: The Artist Association of Central Alabama will meet Sept. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church.

FOOT Specialties

Dr. Douglas Stewart Alexander City, AL

256-215-5596 American Board of Podiatric Surgery Certi¿ed Diabetic Shoes Hospital Surgeries Total Nail Care Hammertoes, Bunions, Corns and Calluses Sports Injuries

How to add a calendar item: Participate in your

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

By e-mailing your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or call 256-234-4281. _____ Send your news items to editor@alexcityoutlook.com

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September 24

July 22-23

RODEO: The Boys and Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area is hosting its 10th annual Lake Martin Area Rodeo July 22 and 23. Gates open at 5 p.m. with the show at 7 p.m. at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex. The PCA-sanctioned rodeo is run by Brett Woody, Bar W Rodeo Company.

July 23

July 24

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Wayside Baptist Church is hosting Vacation Bible School Submerged June 26, July 3, July 10, July 17 and July 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Dinner will be served.

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Goodwater is celebrating its 127th Anniversary Sunday, July 24 at 3 p.m.

The guest speaker will be Rev. Dr. Emerson Ware Jr. The pastor is Melvin Irvin.

Call 256-234-4281 or stop by our ofÚce at 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL

BINGO NIGHT: Bibb Graves School

WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP: The Artist Association of Central Alabama is hosting a watercolor workshop Sept.

24 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wine Emporium. The cost is $40 for members and $50 for non-members. The class is limited to 12 prepaid students.

The workshop will cover birch trees in a snow scene. You can register at Wine Emporium or by calling Dottie Holdren at 256-377-4918.

256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com

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CATHY HIGGINS SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228

sports@alexcityoutlook.com

Page 8

Thursday, July 7, 2016

www.alexcityoutlook.com

JOE MCADORY Sports Columnist

RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK

My homage to Tuberville’s top victories I

always liked Tommy Tuberville. He wasn’t brash or arrogant like some hifalutin’ coaches. No, Tommy was always a down-to-earth dude and blended in perfectly with the Auburn community.

If not for Tuberville, I might not have ever heard a running back referred to as a “rolling ball of butcher knives,” or a rainstorm called a “toad strangler.”

Like any college football coach, Tuberville had his ups and downs. The Riverboat Gambler could pull off an amazing, unexpected win, and have a few inexplicable defeats as well.

As football season draws near, I felt compelled to express what I believe might be Tuberville’s top five wins and losses during his 10-year tenure on the Plains, which delivered an SEC championship and six consecutive wins over Alabama.

Tuberville’s top five wins (in no order): Auburn 23, Florida 20 (2001): Let’s get this out of the way – Auburn had zero chance to beat the No. 1 Gators at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Several Tiger defenders were out, giving Florida quarterback Rex Grossman the opportunity for a monster game. Instead, the unranked Tigers kept with the bumbling Gators and stunned the nation on a lastsecond, game-winning field goal from Damon Duval.

Auburn 35, Ole Miss 27 (2000): This might have been Tuberville’s Oxford ‘homecoming’ after spurning the Rebels for Auburn following the 1998 season, but it served as the Tigers’ coming out party en route to the SEC West championship – giving this program the resurgence it needed.

Auburn 10, LSU 9 (2004): It wasn’t the Sugar Bowl, Iron Bowl or SEC Championship Game, but this dramatic victory in Auburn is arguably the most memorable from this unbeaten season and propelled the Tigers from good to great.

Auburn 17, Alabama 7 (2002): Let’s see … Alabama was favored and Auburn was down to its third-string tailback and second-string fullback. An easy one for the Tide, at Bryant-Denny, right? This was the first of six consecutive wins over the Tide.

Auburn 20, Florida 17 (2007): Few gave 2-2 Auburn a chance to win in Gainesville against No. 4 Florida and Tim Tebow. This upset reversed Auburn’s fortunes as the Tigers won nine games.

Tuberville’s five-worst defeats: Mississippi State 18, Auburn 16 (1999): When you lead an opponent 16-3 with three minutes to play, you are supposed to win. Instead, the Tigers allowed two touchdowns and a safety (intentional), to find a way to lose at home.

Alabama 31, Auburn 7 (2001): Coming off a dramatic win in Athens, Auburn needed only to beat a very mediocre Alabama team at JordanHare Stadium to advance to the SEC Championship Game. Instead, they were gutted defensively and confused offensively.

Georgia Tech 17, Auburn 3 (2003): Somehow, this was worse than the 23-0 season-opening defeat Auburn suffered the week earlier to Southern Cal. Georgia Tech was awful and the Tiger offense was even worse. The 0-2 start to a season that was expected to be special nearly led to a coaching change.

Arkansas 27, Auburn 10 (2006): Ranked second, the Tigers finally had a clear path to the BCS title game. All they had to do was win. Instead, they were introduced to Hogs’ running back Darren McFadden and a coordinator named Gus. Georgia 37, Auburn 15 (2006): In one of the worse efforts I’ve ever seen from a non-2012 Tiger team, a very pedestrian Georgia team came into Jordan-Hare Stadium and beat the living snot out of the fifth-ranked Tigers.

Tuberville has been head coach at Cincinnati since 2013, taking the Bearcats to a pair of nine-win seasons. I wish him well.

Joe McAdory is communications editor at the Auburn University Raymond J. Harbert College of Business and is the former sports editor at the OpelikaAuburn News.

Cathy Higgins / The Outlook

Family and friends welcome the Alexander City 10U baseball team home after the team won the state championship in Florence last week.

Alexander City 10U has days to raise funds for trip to regionals

By CATHY HIGGINS Sports Editor

With the state championship under their belts, members of the Alexander City 10U baseball team are looking ahead to their next goal of competing in the Babe Ruth Baseball 2016 Southwest Regional Tournament in Pampa, Texas next week.

“As everybody keeps telling me, it’s a really big deal,” state champs head coach David Macoy said.

That’s because this is only the sixth time since the city has been involved in the Babe Ruth League that an Alexander City team has won the state championship.

“To my knowledge, only one other team has competed on the regional level,” said Alex City Baseball board memeber Scott Meacham.

If the team claims victory in Pampa, the stakes get higher.

“If we win this tournament, we go to the World Series,” Macoy said.

That’s set for Aug. 3 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

However, it’s not a goal Macoy can even think about just now.

“I’m just trying to get through this,” he said about the regional tourney.

What has Macoy concerned isn’t the competition itself.

Instead, it’s funding the trip to get there.

“We’re trying to get $20,000,” the coach said.

Macoy estimates that the 978-mile trip to play in Pampa will cost about $2,000 per person.

“We figure it to be about twice as much as what it took us in Florence,” he said.

The timeline to raise that amount is incredibly short.

“We have to leave here next Wednesday to be out there by Thursday,” Macoy said. “So we would have to have all the money raised by Monday.”

That was originally not a problem, as the team anticipated

TO DONATE Bring cash donation to City Pawn Shop, Depot Pawn or Music Depot, mail a check to Alexander City Baseball, Attn: Tammy Lumpkin, P.O. Box 552, Alexander City, 35010, or visit the team’s Go Fund Me page at https://www.gofundme.com/2ccp5bf4

a donation from the city earlier this week but did not receive it.

“With that putting us at big zeroes, we’re really behind,” Macoy said.

At press time, the team has raised between $7,500 and $8,000. So the coach and team members and supporters have ramped up their fundraising efforts by seeking donations from area businesses and residents.

“We’ll also be at Walmart Sunday and Monday, taking up donations,” Macoy said, explaining that the team will be in front of the store 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. “There are also donation jars at JR’s and Depot Gun and Pawn.”

Plus, JR’s earmarked 20 percent of Tuesday night’s sales for the cause. The team is also using social media to generate contributions.

“We do have a Go Fund Me page,” Macoy said.

The page’s web address is https://www.gofundme. com/2ccp5bf4. At press time, it has collected $300.

In addition to all of these methods, anyone wishing to donate can contact any member of the Alexander City 10U team.

With all of these efforts underway, the state champions have just a few more days to raise the remaining funds that will secure the state champs a place at the regional tourney.

“We’ve got a long way to go,” Macoy said. “Please help us.”

Blasingame commits to Troy University

By CATHY HIGGINS Sports Editor

Although Kynsley Blasingame’s senior year at Horseshoe Bend High School has yet to begin, the softball pitcher has announced her commitment to Troy University’s Lady Trojans.

Although Blasingame officially signs with Troy in November, she made the decision after touring the university this summer and finding herself drawn to the campus’ atmosphere.

“It was really the hometown feel,” Blasingame said.

She was also impressed with the Lady Trojans.

“I like how successful their softball program is,” Blasingame said, “and they have an energetic coaching staff.”

The Lady Generals No. 7 is undecided on her major at Troy. However, Blasingame’s plan as an athlete is clear.

“Just to get better and to be a competitor,” she said.

Blasingame is an east to west pitcher and looks forward to bringing her own aspect of pitching into the Lady Trojans program.

“I throw a lot of screwballs and curveballs,” she said.

That translates to getting strikes on the top and bottom, which helps Blasingame do one thing well.

“Bring home the win,” she said. “I don’t like to lose.”

Blasingame has been

Submitted / The Outlook

Kynsley Blasingame, left, poses for a picture with Troy softball head coach Beth Mullins while touring the school earlier this summer.

developing her game for quite some time.

“She’s been playing varsity since she was in the seventh grade,” said Blasingame’s father, Phil.

Since those days, she has also been an all star.

“She’s worked very hard,” said Phil Blasingame.

“We’ve traveled all over the

country for games.”

That’s evidenced in Blasingame’s record, which shows that on average she only gave up 1.45 runs per game last year, she had two wins for the season. Plus, in the 222.1 innings she pitched, Blasingame had 289 strike-outs.

Lady Generals assis-

tant varsity coach David Caldwell expressed his pride in Blasingame. And not just for her athletic prowess.

“First of all, she’s an outstanding student,” he said.

Blasingame’s academic achievements include earning a place on Girls State and the Beta Club.

“She’s a very hard worker,” Caldwell said.

As for softball, the coach explained that pitching isn’t the only skill Blesingame is bringing to Troy’s program.

“She’s underrated as a hitter,” Caldwell said. ”She’s the power hitter.”

That power has enabled Blasingame to hit home runs and even crack the bat when on the receiving end of a tough pitch.

“She can hit the top pitches,” Caldwell said.

Still, it’s her own pitching expertise that Blasingame is bringing to the Lady Trojans.

“I know Jacksonville State and some other colleges use pitchers at the batting box,” Caldwell said. “But I know they’re going to sign her at Troy as a pitcher first.”

Before she does head to Troy, Blasingame plans to spend her senior year at Horseshoe Bend helping the Lady Generals improve on last year’s 26-20-3 record.

“Hopefully we’ll make it deeper into the state playoffs,” she said.