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LakeWinds Junior League hosts playoff rounds today and Friday. See Sports, Page 8.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 July 9, 2015 Vol. 123, No. 136 www.alexcityoutlook.com
Airport taxiway is final step in master plan By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Imagine being able to build a $1 million house on Lake Martin for what it would normally cost to put a doublewide on a vacant lot in the middle of nowhere. Local officials are seeing that scenario unfold here as a new parallel taxiway project at the T.C. Russell Airport is about to begin construction. The Alexander City City Council voted 6-0 Monday night to accept a $997,619 bid
from Gary Ingram Paving of Dadeville for construction of what will be known as the North Parallel Taxiway Extension. In addition to some moves that made it possible to get both phases of the work completed now rather than having to wait an extra year between initial site work and paving, the beauty of this project is that it is costing the city only 5 percent of the total cost. Cliff Williams / The Outlook Alexander City Director of Community A plane owned by Thomas Goree taxis off the runaway at the T. C. Russell Airport See TAXIWAY, Page 2 after landing following a flight from Jacksonville, Florida Tuesday afternoon.
State stats show lake safe over holiday
Hamp Lyon Stadium takes a step forward Contract for vital planning phase is now in place
By Mitch Sneed
By Mitch Sneed
Outlook Editor
Outlook Editor
Alexander City, MainStreet Alexander City and the Alexander City Schools are moving ahead with renovations to Hamp Lyon Stadium and Monday there was an important sign of progress. The council voted 6-0 to authorize the mayor to execute an agreement with Foresite for professional services related to the project which officials hope will be another sign of progress to a revitalized downtown area. Foresite will provide planning and site work which will be the foundation for the completion of the restoration, according to MainStreet Alexander City’s Richard Wagoner. “That is an important step and shows progress for sure,” Wagoner said. “All that work has to be done to set the stage for demolition and then the construction that is to come. This isn’t a project where we have a million dollars and can just come in and its done. This isn’t being done with city funds either. This is being done with donations. So far we’ve had some people who have really stepped up to help us get the ball rolling, but we know that it will take a lot more before we are done.” To date, $32,750 has been donated to the project. Tallapoosa County Commissioner and Alexander City School Board Member Steve Robinson See STADIUM, Page 7
Submitted / The Outlook
Above, a conceptual drawing shows what Hamp Lyon could be like if funding and plans come to fruition. Left, MainStreet Alexander City Director Richard Wagoner receives a donation check from Tallapoosa County Commissioner Steve Robinson. Robinson has been responsible for bringing $15,000 in donations to the project. Wagoner said that he believes the project can have a tremendous impact on downtown Alexander City and help revitalize the area even more.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol and Marine Patrol released statistics from the Fourth of July holiday travel period, which show that Lake Martin was a safer place this year than in 2014. A check of incident reports show that the Marine Patrol made just one boating under the influence arrest during the official holiday which runs from 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 3, and ran through midnight Sunday, July 5. Last year, officers made five arrests for the same infraction on Lake Martin. While the Marine Patrol reports included five minor in possession charges and one drug related arrest, the numbers as a whole were down on the lake. ALEA took steps before the holiday to bolster enforcement efforts in hopes of preventing traffic and boating crashes, injuries and fatalities. Statewide, Alabama State Troopers assigned to Highway Patrol assisted 52 motorists, made 40 DUI arrests, issued 1,646 citations for speeding and issued 224 citations for seat belt and child-restraint violations. See STATE, Page 2
Lake Martin
Lake Levels Local club hosting floating fundraiser to assist Clayton family 489.60 By Mitch Sneed
Saturday’s ‘Floating by Faith on the Tallapoosa’ fundraiser will help raise funds for the family of Chase Clayton, shown here in an earlier picture enjoying the river. The event is set for 10 a.m., leaving from Horseshoe Bend.
Outlook Editor
A group of friends is coming together to hopefully help a local family through what can best be described as a floating fundraiser. This Saturday at 10 a.m., the Skint Back Floating Club will hold a benefit float trip from Horseshoe Bend bridge to Jaybird Landing. Called “Floating By Faith On The Tallapoosa,” all proceeds from the event will go to the Chase Clayton family. “The Clayton Family has been through several devastating financial and emotional events in recent years,” said Lynn
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Thornton, who came up with the idea and is helping get the word out about the event. “In an effort to help them, we came up with this. It’s something that we all love to do and hopefully it can be a big help to them, too.” Each floater is asked to donate between $10 and $20, but organizers said no amount will be turned down. They hope to have as many as 100 people to participate. Those who want to participate will have to bring a personal floatation device, sunscreen, snacks and drinks. Organizers stressed that it is a volunteer See BENEFIT, Page 7
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