June 11, 2016 Alex City Outlook

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LOCAL MAN TEACHES ALL OF US THAT LOVE KNOWS NO BOUNDS, PAGE 4.

Weekend The Outlook

BUY FROM YOUR FRIENDS!

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

June 11-12, 2016 • Vol. 124 • No. 117 • www.alexcityoutlook.com

WILDCAT ATHLETES GET PHYSICALS WITH RUSSELL MEDICAL CENTER

SPORTS, page 10.

AG investigator on city funds case By KENNETH BOONE TPI President

The Alabama Attorney General’s office has confirmed that one of its investigators is currently looking into funds missing from Alexander City’s Lakewinds Golf Course. “What is going on is that an investigator has been assigned to look into it and it is currently being reviewed,” said Mike Lewis, the communications director for the Attorney General’s office.

Although the exact amount of the missing funds and many other details of the investigation have not been released, Alexander City Parks and Recreation Director Sonny Wilson said he believes it could be as much as $120,000. The Outlook has learned that the money was accounted for at the city golf course and by the city recreation department, but went missing before it was deposited at the Alexander City City Hall. Funds from a period of at least two

years are believed missing. Lewis said that Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange is “certainly aware of it” and the case is “on our radar.” On March 22, Fifth Judicial Circuit District Attorney E. Paul Jones said he believed that there was criminal activity involved in the missing funds and said that a forensic audit was needed to determine if criminal wrongdoing occurred. On April 18, Jones reported to Alexander

And the beat goes on

UW Day of Action needs more volunteers

Lineup of city office candidates growing

By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

Time is running out to help the Lake Martin Area United Way by volunteering to participate in its annual Day of Action, set for Thursday, June 16. If you want to be a part of the community effort, you need to hurry. The last day to register to participate in Monday, June 13. The United Way will accept registrants until 5 p.m. “This is an opportunity for people in the county – and in Coosa County, too – to give back and every time you have that opportunity, it’s great,” said Scott Hardy, community impact and marketing director for the Lake Martin Area United Way. “When it’s giving back to education, helping our school out, it’s even greater.” Hardy said the response from the community has been good thus far, but more volunteers are still needed. “We need more volunteers,” said Hardy.

By MITCH SNEED Editor

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

26th Annual

Jazz Fest

For 26 years, musicians have performed from the stages of Jazz Fest. Friday at Strand Park, Roman Street, above, along with Tab Benoit and Jonathan Bloom joined the long list of acts that entertained the crowds like Madison Mancilla, left, 7, of Alexander City. The annual festival continues tonight at the Lake Martin Amphitheater with Gravy taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. followed by Brass-a-holics and Wet Willie.

See VOLUNTEERS • Page 3

Weather

85 70

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

Low

Lake Martin

Lake Levels

490.66 Reported on 6/10/16 @ 4 p.m.

LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443

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

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54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080

Qualifying to run for elected offices in Alexander City doesn’t officially begin until July 5, but candidates are already making their intentions known that they would like to help lead the city in the future. Qualifying begins on July 5 and runs through July 19. Nothing is official until qualifying has closed, according to Alexander City City Clerk Harriett Scott. But a quick check has found that several prominent names have shown interest. Four candidates have confirmed that they intend to run for mayor. Current Mayor Charles Shaw, Councilman Tony Goss, local businessman and planning and zoning board member Mark Lamborne and former Russell Corp. Chief Financial Officer and Alexander City School Superintendent Jim Nabors have all confirmed they are interested in seeking the city’s highest elected office. In District 1, Councilman Bobby Tapley said he will seek another term. No other candidate has confirmed with The Outlook that they are planning to qualify, but Beverly White has expressed interest in running in that district with some at city hall. See ELECTION • Page 3

Love of ‘maters and farming keeps local business going

Today’s

High

City Mayor Charles Shaw that he had requested assistance from the Attorney General’s office. In response to previous inquiries from The Outlook during the past month, Lewis said that the Attorney General’s office typically does not comment on anything unless it has an arrest or an indictment to report and therefore had not issued any statement on the Lakewinds Golf Course investigation. See MISSING FUNDS • Page 3

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Jimmy Keel of Pa Pa’s Produce has learned the secret to business – beat your competition to market. It is a plan that has worked for the farmer who offers his produce just off Highway 280 in Alexander City. “I start my own tomato plants,” Keel said. “And I sell what I have left over. I have tomatoes by the time most are just planting them.” Keel has been growing Better Boys but last year tried something else too. “We tried heirlooms last year,” Keel said. “People have been going crazy over them.” Keel does have a slight advantage to getting his plants in the ground earlier and that’s a high tunnel, basically a greenhouse. “The advantage of a high tunnel is that you can start them early,” Keel said. “It lets me head the Cliff Williams / The Outlook market off.” Jimmy Keel of Pa Pa’s Produce talks about his tomato crop that he grows in a high tunnel. In addition to But the high tunnel has some other advantages the Better Boys he grows under the tunnel, Keel has squash, potatoes, okra, and beans. See PRODUCE • Page 9


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