Carr resigns from Edgewood
Sports, Page 10 Wetumpka, AL 36092
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SATURDAY-SUNDAY • JUNE 18-19, 2016
THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM
VOL. 11, NO. 24
Tallassee takes no action on IDB project By WILLIAM CARROLL and CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writers
The Tallassee City Council took no action Wednesday evening regarding the proposed construction of an access road for Gulf Packaging at the southern end of the Tallassee Industrial Park as they seek to obtain more information on the cost of the project. The meeting was a joint meeting between the council and the Tallassee Industrial Development Board to determine funding for the project. Specifically, the city had originally been requested to put up $79,000 in a cash match for engi-
neering, design and general administration and costs as part of matching funds for an anticipated grant. When the grant did not come through, the IDB asked the city to provide the money anyway to help fund the project. During Wednesday’s meeting, city board members asked a number of questions regarding the project including the need for competitive bids. City officials stressed the need for bids, while Don Heacock, vice chairman of the Tallassee Industrial Development Board said that the IDB is exempt from such bidding requirements. During a later interview on the matter Heacock explained that under Alabama
statutes the IDB has never been required to have an open bid process. “That never has been in the past,” Heacock said. “In the past, when putting together building projects where we have had multiple bids, SCF has always come in low. We have never had a situation were we have taken competitive bids.” “In the case of a city industrial development board, as we are, board members are selected by the city council, but the thing that is not widely understood, is that the IDB is actually not a city department or a part of the city financial package. Because, in essence, the IDB is an independent corporation. We have
our own bookkeeping, we have our own records, we have our own audits and so forth. The only real direct tie is the fact that the city council appoints the members, but our operation is a separate entity from the city. The city of Tallassee does contribute to the IDB’s annual income. The monies received from the city are used to pay for the IDB’s administrative assistant, utilities, maintenance and other ‘normal operations’.” According to Alabama Code Section 11-54-98, industrial development boards are exempt from the provisions of Alabama’s competitive bid laws. The See IDB • Page 3
Millbrook Chamber inducts new board
Elmore County unemployment state’s second lowest
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Elmore County’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May – the second-lowest of any county in the state – increased slightly from April, but remained well below what it was in May of last year, according to statistics released Friday by the Alabama Department of Labor. The county’s May unemployment rate was measured at 4.8 percent, up from April’s 4.5 percent, but lower than last May’s 5.1 percent. The Elmore County rate was 1.3 percentage points lower than the overall state unemployment rate of 6.1 percent for May and behind only Shelby County (4.2 percent) as the state’s lowest. The state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged from both April 2016’s rate and May 2015’s rate. May’s rate represents 132,106 unemployed persons in the state, compared to 133,252 in April and 130,722 in May 2015. “These numbers show that we are continuing to see job growth in Alabama,” said Gov. Robert Bentley. “We are working hard every day to put Alabamians back to work. Though this month’s percentage remains the same, more people are working See UNEMPLOYMENT • Page 3
By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
Corey Arwood / The Herald
A team with the Wetumpka-based Haynes Life Flight show off an emergency helicopter at the Rocking with Responders event at Gold Star Park Friday.
Rocking with responders Local kids learn from first responders By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Multiple youth groups from Wetumpka and the surrounding communities gathered Friday to meet first responders and learn about the city’s fire departments, police, and ambulance services at the annual Rocking With Responders event. What appeared to be hundreds of kids from Wetumpka Boys and Girls Club, the MLK Rec Center, Crenhsaw Community Center and the local YMCA milled about Gold Star Park and visited displays set up by Wetumpka police and fire departments along with Haynes Ambulance, among others groups. They got first-hand experiences with the
equipment and tools used by the agencies, including fire trucks, a life flight helicopter and even a group of service dogs. They were having fun for a serious cause. The Elmore County Partnership for Children, described as a substance abuse prevention group, held the event. Emma Bass, a prevention specialist and a bus driver with Elmore County Public Schools, said she coordinated the event in conjunction with the Wetumpka Police Department. Bass explained the reason behind the event. “Bringing the kids together with first responders and letting them get familiar See EMERGENCY • Page 3
The Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce inducted its new board of directors Thursday as part of its 2016 annual meeting. The newly appointed board includes President Bill Myers, the executive director of Grandview Family YMCA, Vice President Kevin Kelley, service manager of Garner Electric Inc., Treasurer Rusty Smith, vice president relationship manager of Trustmark National Bank and Immediate Past President Clay McConnell of Alabama Power Company. Millbrook City Council member Michael Gay performed the induction See CHAMBER • Page 3
William Carroll / The Herald
The newly selected Board of Directors for the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce being sworn in my Millbrook city officials Thursday at the Millbrook Civic Center.
Local teen represents Wetumpka High in statewide project on governance By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
CONTACT US 334-567-7811 • Fax: 334-567-3284
A Wetumpka High School student spent a week at the University of Alabama for the American Legion Auxiliary Alabama Girls State where high school girls from around the state gathered to learn about city, county and state government. Adele Tessier, 17, said from June 5-10 she stayed in a dormitory along with 32 other girls representing their city, called “Wiregrass.” According to the American Legion Auxiliary, which sponsored the event,
the girls from across the state gathered and became “citizen(s) of an imaginary state” in which they campaigned for elected offices. In all Tessier said about 400 students attended. She said she campaigned to be governor at the event, along with about 40 other girls. Alabama Girls State, according an ALA document, “is a laboratory of practical government, and a personal application of the duties, responsibilities and privileges of being an See STATE • Page 5
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Adele Tessier, 17, pictured on the right, represented WHS at Alabama Girls State, a weeklong event held this year at the University of Alabama where students from across the state met to form theoretical city, county and state governments.
Page 2 • JUNE 18-19, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Area Calendar
Obituaries Harold Morgan
MORGAN, Harold Leverette, a resident of Wetumpka, AL; passed away Thursday, June 16, 2016 at the age of 78. Graveside services will be held Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Shepperd Cemetery with Rev. Larry Gore officiating. Gassett Funeral Home of Wetumpka directing. Mr. Morgan is survived by his wife, Ann Morgan, son, Michael (Paula) Morgan, daughters, Janna (Danny) Chavers, Nicole Boothe (Glynn Esco), sister, Linda (Ralph) Raperto, seven Morgan grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be the grandsons and son-in-law. The family and friends will assemble at graveside. Online Guest Book available at www.gassettfuneralhome. net Many a small thing has
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ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND
June
POOL OPENING DAY: Pool season runs through Saturday, July 30. Hours of operation will be MondaySaturday from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Daily pass is $3 per day and individual pass is $45, family pass for up to four in same household is $60 and five or more $75 for season. SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM: Free summer meals for kids and teens will be served in Tallassee. Meals will be provided to all children without charge. Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Call 283-6864 for location and other information. SUMMER READING PROGRAM: Summer Reading program at Tallassee City Library begins. For more information, call 283-2732.
JUNE 14-JULY 8
SWIM LESSONS: First session of swim lessons for ages 4 and up (must be 4 by time of lesson) will begin June 13-June 24, Second session will be June 27 –July 8 (closed July 4) Third session will be July 11-22. Registration fee for Tiny Tots is $55 and Levels 1-6 will be $65. You may register at Recreation Department until Thursday,
May 26 and after May 26 please register at pool.
June 18
WOMEN’S CELEBRATION: Cain’s Chapel UMC is hosting a celebration of women June 18 at 5 p.m. in Deatsville. There will be a meal. The guest speaker will be Kim Hendrix. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other “girls.” Tickets are $15 and only available before June 14.
June 20
TEA PARTY MEETING: The Wetumpka Tea Party will meet June 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of the Elmore Community Hospital. The speaker is Alabama Supreme Court Justice Tom Parker and he will be speaking on Recovering the Ancient Paths: Sir William Blackstone’s influence on America’s Founders.
June 21
SILENT AUCTION: Get a number and bid on a variety of items featuring the 11 artists from the Do You See What I See? event between June 21 and June 28 at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery. The artists are Kathy Atchison, Hope Brannon, Bobby Carr, Toska Courbon, Mary Ann Goodhue, Rebecca Grice, Carol Hickman, Manjula Kumar, Tara Sartorius, Angela Sullivan, and Melissa Tubbs. Besides art, gift baskets arranged by Judy Ruffer, Sandra Logan and Mary Alice Spear will be offered. All money raised goes to the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery. TUESDAYS WITH KELLY: Brown Bag “lunch and learn” event June 21 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery. Drinks and desserts provided. Speaker is Donny Tomlin who will share his knowledge of Japanese Maples. Mary Wolfe will play her pocket violin. Layken Morgan will recite a poem. Door prize
will be awarded. “CHIP IN FOR CHILDREN” GOLF TOURNAMENT: to Benefit The Learning Tree and The Little H.A.P.I.E. Tree Preschool. The first annual Chip in for Children Golf Tournament to benefit The Learning Tree and The Little H.A.P.I.E. Tree Preschool is planned for June 21, 2016 registration begins at 7:00 a.m. The tournament will take place at Auburn University Club, 1650 Yarborough Blvd, Auburn, Alabama 36830. Early registrations can be mailed to The Learning Tree, Inc. attention Stephanie Weldon at P.O. Box 780639, Tallassee, Alabama 36078 or emailed at sweldon@ learning-tree.org. There will also be registration the day of the tournament.
June 26
MEN’S BREAKFAST: Calvary Baptist Wetumpka Men’s Ministry will be having their monthly Men’s Breakfast on Sunday, June 26 at 7:30 a.m. All men and boys of all ages are welcome to attend.
June 27
BASKETBALL CAMP: Auburn University (Chuck Person Shooting Camp For more information call coach Hollinquest at (256) 4042657 or call the high school (334) 283-2187.
June 28
June 23
BEEKEEPING CAMP: The Central Alabama Beekeepeers and Elmore County 4-H are hosting a beekeeping camp June 23 and 24 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for ages 9 to 14. Take a look into the fascinating world of honey bees and see the role they play in our everyday lives. Registration is $30 and includes a t-shirt and snack. Participants must bring a sack lunch. For more information and to register contact Allyson Andrews at 334-799-2254 or call at allyson.andrews@ icloud.com
June 25
Complex in Tuskegee, AL. Donations are $25. For more information or to purchase tickets contact Maggie Antoine at 334-3391202 or maggieantonie@ charter.net.
OPENING RECEPTION: Rebecca Gregory and Phyllis Kennedy chair a reception June 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery in conjunction with the exhibition: Priscilla Cooper Scott Crommelin Life and Work. The exhibit features 65 vibrant still life and floral paintings, portraits and landscapes and is sponsored by the City of Wetumpka, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Ball, Dr. & Mrs. Spencer Coleman, Lt. Col. Quentin Crommelin, Jr., Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Fain, and Mr. & Mrs. Donald McConnell.
June 28-30
Central Alabama Comprehensive Health, Inc will hold the Annual Recognition and Silent Auction and Roast of the Honorable Deborah H. Biggers, District Court Judge. Supporting Honorees: The Honorable Miles D. Robinson, commissioner district 1, Macon County Commission. Dr. Fazel Martine, CEO of Prime Care Medical. This event will be held Saturday, June 25 at 2p.m. at the Tuskegee Municipal
HOOPS CAMP: The Tallassee boy’s basketball team is hosting a summer camp June 28-30. The camp is for boys and girls ages 8-14 and will be grouped in ages 8-11 and 12-14. The camp will be held from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. and will be run by the varsity coaches and players. There will be drills for shooting, ball handling and five-on-five drills. There will also be a contest for free throw shooting and a 3-point shooter contest. For more information call coach Cecil Hollinquest at (256) 404-2657 or call the high school (334) 283-2187.
July 8
WOODCARVING SCHOOL: The 31st Annual Southeastern Woodcarving School and Competition will be July 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wetumpka Civic Center. For more information or to register go to www.centralalwoodcarving. com.
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July 11 - 15
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Grace Baptist Church is hosting vacation Bible school July 11-15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. each night. For more information or to pre-register, call 334-567-3255 or email at wetumpkagrace@ gmail.com Grace Baptist Church is located at 304 Old Montgomery Highway behind the Wetumpka McDonalds and Gassett Funeral Home. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Calvary Baptist Wetumpka will be offering Vacation Bible School to children age 3 through 6th grade. The dates are July 11 – July 15 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The theme this year is “Submerged” – Finding Truth Below the Surface, Psalm 139: 23-24. For more information please contact the church office 334-567-4729 or visit our website www.calvarybaptistwetumpka.org
July 13
GIRLS CLUB: The Eclectic Girls Club will meet July 13 at 10:30 a.m. at the Kountry Kitchen in Eclectic. If you live in Eclectic or surrounding area, you are invited to make new friends, meet old acquaintances, enjoy food and fellowship. Lunch is $10.
July 31
BACK TO SCHOOL: Calvary Baptist Wetumpka will be hosting our Annual “Back -2- School Bash on July 31 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information on this event, please contact the church office 334-567-4729 or visit our website www.calvarybaptistwetumpka.org ONGOING EVENTS ART EXHIBITION: There is a free exhibit of sixty-five works of art by the late Priscilla Crommelin featuring vibrant still life and floral paintings, portraits and landscapes at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery. TENNIS LESSONS: Grassroots Tennis Association will be offering (8) Weeks of Free Tennis Lessons this Summer throughout the rural and inner city underprivileged communities. A player can become a recipient of Free Tennis Lessons by contacting this organization before (May 27th, 2016) by calling (334-439-8198). SUMMER READING PROGRAM: Readers of all age will explore all thing sports and fitness this summer as Wetumpka Public Library presents “On Your Mark, Get Set, Read” during their summer library program. The 2016 Summer Library Program is open to young people, preschool, through young adult, with programs, prize drawings, story times and more. Preschool Story Time for infant through those entering kindergarten is on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. this is a year round program. Summer program for those entering first through sixth grade will meet Tuesday afternoon from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Wetumpka Civic Center beginning June 14 – July 26. The Teen Program for those entering seventh and up will meet Thursday afternoons beginning June 16 – July 28 in the Library for movies. Registration begins May 2, 2016. You may download a registration form from our website: www.wetumpkalibrary.com or come in for a copy. For more information you may call 334-567-1308. Find us on Facebook. All programs are free.
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ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
JUNE 18-19, 2016 • Page 3
IDB
continued from page 1
conflict during the meeting seemed to revolve around the fact that the city of Tallassee is required to bid out projects in excess of $15,000, and since they were being asked to contribute funds, several of the council members wanted more specific information regarding a $120,000 bid submitted by Stacey Gunn. “The first move is to get a more comprehensive view of the confidence level of Stacey’s bid and whether there are any holes in the plan,” Heacock said. In a separate interview, councilman Rob Rygiel said he is concerned that without an open bid process there is no quality assurance. According to Rygiel, if the bids were open, the IDB would be able to compare a project’s engineering, cost of materials and other items
that would contribute to the superiority of a purposed project. According to Barbra Garnett, Tallassee’s city clerk, the city has to get bids on projects costing over $15,000. However, the IDB is not required to open the bid process. “IDB is exempt from the bid process, but the city is not,” she said. However, the IDB’s bid process has not been the topic of interest in recent years. “That is the first that I have heard that the IDB is exempt from bids,” said Garnett. Council members were also concerned that the proposed access road may be on property annexed by the
city. The council decided to get more information and revisit the issue at its June 27 meeting. Heacock also suggested that the IDB would seek financial input from the county as well, but stressed that the city needed to act first. “City support has to predate any effort before we go to the county,” he said. “The county’s first question is going to be ‘this is Tallassee’s industrial park, what is the city doing?’” Heacock stated that the project will cost the IDB approximately a quarter of a million dollars before all is said and done.
Chamber
continued from page 1
ceremony. Prior to McConnell handing over the gavel to Bill Myers he recounted the year’s activities for the Chamber, which included the creation of a strategic plan which consisted of four parts: member services, partnerships, quality of life and chamber operations. McConnell said that due to some turnover in the board the plan was not fully implemented, but that the previous board set the stage for the current board to move forward with the plan. Millbrook City Council Member Fred Watts thanked the chamber for its efforts, which he credited with improving in part the financial state of the city. “The city is financially well-off compared to what we have been in years past,” Watts said, noting that,
when he first came on the council 16 years ago, the city was borrowing money for everything and now has funds for projects. “It is because of you guys (Chamber) that we are able to do that.” Watts noted an increase in new house building permits as well as the development of area parks as a sign that life is improving in Millbrook. Watts said plans are also in the works to build a conference center in Legacy Park. After taking the gavel, Myers said he wanted to continue the pace set by the Chamber. “Millbrook is home to me,” he said. “I have chosen to raise my two boys here, and my goal, like all of you, is to make Millbrook a better place.”
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with them, and when kids get familiar and they know that everybody’s not bad they’ll talk with them,” said Bass. Coach Ron Dickerson, the recreation and leisure service administrator, was at the event meeting with several young people and counseling local athletes. “We just wanted to talk them about what they needed to do and who they needed to hang around, who they didn’t need to hang around with and just the right way of living life, doing things the right way,” said Dickerson. “They got their Wetumpka shirts on and they’ve got little kids around here that are looking up to them because they are football players.” A group from the YMCA gathered around three service dogs trained by the Dadeville based Tallaco K-9 Unit Inc.
Faye Ingram held the leash of the lead search dog, Spanky Possum. Two other dogs Ingram said were in training, Abby and Sniper, were also there. The children were able to pet the dogs and learn about the services they provided in assisting agencies on searches. Stanley Presley, a program specialist with the Wetumpka Boys and Girls Club, explained why his group was at event. “We’re basically just trying to put them with the first responders, get them to learn what the responders do, what they’re looking for when they arrive on the scene and just trying to educate the kids. It may be a career field that they want to get into,” said Presley.
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today than a month ago and more people are looking for work. This is a sign that the economy is on the right track, as we continue to work diligently to bring more jobs to Alabama.” The civlian labor force, which is made up of people who are working or looking for work, increased in Alabama in May both over the month and over the year. 40,548 more people are working or looking for work in May 2016 than in May 2015. The number of people who are counted as employed also increased over the month and year, with 39,164 more working this year than last. “Our wage and salary employment continues to show marked improvement,” said Fitzgerald Washington, Alabama’s commissioner of labor. “We’re less than 25,000 jobs away from reaching the 2 million mark, which has been among the highest number of jobs our economy has ever supported over the last 20 years. I’m optimistic that we will reach this milestone this year.” Over the year, wage and salary employment in Alabama increased 20,000, with gains in the professional and business services sector (+7,300), the education and health services sector (+5,200) and the trade, transportation and utilities sector (+4,600), among others. Wage and salary employment increased in May by
4,200. Monthly gains were seen in the government sector (+1,800), the leisure and hospitality sector (+1,700) and the trade, transportation and utilities sector (+1,300), among others. Behind Shelby and Elmore counties, Cherokee was third-lowest in the state at 4.9 percent. Counties with the highest rates are Wilcox at 13.5 percent, Lowndes at 10.7 percent and Clarke at 10.6 percent. Major Alabama cities with the lowest unemployment rates are Vestavia Hills (3.6 percent), Homewood (3.7 percent) and Alabaster and Hoover (4.2 percent). Major cities with the highest rates were Selma (10.3 percent), Prichard (9.1 percent) and Bessemer (8.4 percent). Seasonal adjustment refers to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ practice of anticipating trends in the labor force, such as hiring during the holidays or the surge in the labor force when students graduate in the spring, and removing their effects to the civilian labor force.
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Page 4 • JUNE 18-19, 2016
OPINION
“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” --Thomas Jefferson
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND
The Herald strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and, above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.
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T
he recent attacks in Orlando gave the media and national politicians a chance to show their better selves to the nation, especially in an election year, but we honestly should not be surprised that they didn’t. The sad thing about tragedies like this is immediately after they happen most of us are split down party lines. We would like to think our elected leaders would show a little more intelligence in dealing with sensitive issues, but they have once again shown that they are the biggest kids in the room. On the Democratic side, the usual call, from the President and a number of House and Senate members, for stricter gun control laws. Some even suggesting very harsh restrictions on the gun rights of American citizens. Republicans were not immune,
WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
however, with Presidential nominee Donald Trump doubling-down on the Muslim ban he backed off of just a few weeks ago, while several other Republican leaders took the opportunity to throw stones at the president. The sad reality is we never seem to be able to come together when these tragedies strike. I seem to remember a few short years ago, on September 11, 2001, that we all came together as a country. We were all New Yorkers then, we felt the pain of the victim’s
families and prayed with them as they sought solace in their hour of need. We watched the news as brave police officers and firefighters risked their lives to save others. Through all of that we were all truly Americans. The problem now is we are conservative or liberal, Democrat or Republican, and we hate and vilify those on the other side. In just 15 years we went from viewing acts of terrorism as a common evil to be thwarted to simply another political talking piece to be used to gain traction over our opponents. Sadly, I do not see things getting better. Hatred is a powerful emotion and as long as Americans hate other Americans, we will never reach a solution. Carroll is the managing editor of The Herald.
Include your name, address and phone number. Only your name and city will be printed. We reserve the right to edit or to refuse to publish any submission. You may submit one letter per month, limited to 300 words or less.
334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE WETUMPKA HERALD (681-260) is published twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 360920099. ISSN # 1536-688X. We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $.25 per word per paper. Additional $15 charge for a photo per paper. (Herald, Weekend, Observer, Tribune). •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a photo. SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes Wednesday & Saturday) One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $50 One Year Elsewhere: $75 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. ADMINISTRATION Steve Baker, publisher steve.baker@thewetumpkaherald.com William Carroll, managing editor william.carroll@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . Ext. 306 SALES Jayne Carr, marketing consultant Jayne.Carr@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . Ext. 313 Molly Brethauer, marketing consultant molly.brethaur@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . Ext. 305
Mayor says to stay postive about the city
I
n the wake of bad publicity involving an incident with the Wetumpka Police Department, Mayor Jerry Willis talked to The Herald about its coverage, what he wanted to see and the news he felt was best suited for the city. The WPD incident has been deemed a First Amendment rights matter with critics proclaiming rights abuses, and most others saying WPD safety was in question. However, Mayor Willis seemed to have First Amendment requests of his own to make to the newspaper that delivers news to the citizens of Wetumpka. The conversation came out of a phone call and were the first official comments to The Herald since the WPD articles broke. In short, Willis’ message to The Herald and its coverage was to “accentuate the positive.” The conversation was steered in that direction by Willis after he had answered a few questions in the phone interview. He replied saying Wetumpka would not always be small, and started into the conversation about the direction he took with the city, and the direction he seemed to hint that the paper should take in its reporting. He said in his mayoral capacity to attract various elements of growth to the city he only dealt in “the positives.” “That’s the reason we deal with the positives, the negatives don’t do us any good,” said Willis. He said it was important to focus on “the positives” for the economic well-being of Wetumpka and he said it would be difficult to get even those traveling through the city to stop and purchase from local
COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
businesses if these positives were not focused on. He said it would be difficult to even get someone to buy a hamburger at the Hardee’s in town if the only thing that was focused on was the negative elements of the city. “As a mayor, I ‘m nothing but a cheerleader for this city,” said Willis. Willis talked about his own experience moving to Wetumpka some 50 years ago and purchasing his barbershop from a person he said was at the time the mayor of Wetumpka. He mentioned his approach in attracting business, such as the hotel being built downtown, and the message he pushed. “This is a positive community and you can be successful here. That’s what it took to get this $8 million investment here,” Willis said. He stressed that the city had good news to release and talked about a meeting he said he had with what he said were very successful businessmen who had graduated from Wetumpka High School in the ‘60s. He described them as millionaires, one of which owned a chain of hotels, who wanted to contribute somehow to the city. In previous interviews with the mayor he has said that the success of The Herald is integrally attached to the success of the city: when the city did well, the paper did well. He said he had been in the
city a long time and had seen The Herald’s leadership change numerous times, through roughly 5 or 6 editors. He revisited that topic in the latest interview, and mentioned the approach of papers in surrounding communities in reporting incidents involving their municipality. An example, Willis gave was of a sister paper to The Herald, The Alexander City Outlook. He mentioned the incident involving the mayor and city council members and what turned into statewide coverage after a fight broke out at a city council meeting. Willis asked rhetorically how many articles had been written on that incident, and said that only one article had been published. He compared it to recent coverage by The Herald and the incident involving the WPD of which roughly four articles, and two editorials have been published. However, The Outlook has published roughly 12 total articles on the fight between Alex City’s mayor and council member, contrary to Willis’ assertion. The conversation was later directed toward the reporter. “I appreciate what you do, and I wouldn’t have your job, you know, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t have it, but anyhow somebody’s got to do it, and I appreciate you doing it. I just would appreciate you being fair with us as to how you present it,” Willis said. He then asked about my hometown and talked about personal ties and relationships to the city officials of my hometown.
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Town council member arrested By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
An Eclectic town council member was arrested earlier today by the Estes Elmore County Sheriff’s Office on what was said to be charges of criminal coercion. Eclectic police confirmed the arrest of Wanda Estes, who holds the council place 5 seat. ECSO served the warrant on behalf of the Eclectic Police Department, which went through the county cir-
cuit clerk’s office to grant the warrant. An assistant in the circuit clerk’s office said it was awaiting service charges from the ECSO, which should arrive Thursday, before it could release any information on Estes’ charges. Eclectic Police Chief Robert Head said an EPD officer signed off on Estes’ warrant. Head said he could not say much surrounding the detail involving the arrest, and the origins of the charges, however he said the investigating officer was Christopher Lindsay. Lindsay said he was only able to give limited details surrounding the incident, but said the
State
charges came from a call he had responded to last week, and which Estes at some point became involved in. Lindsay said the call was in reference to a verbal altercation at a residence on the 1100 block of Georgia Road, around June 10. He described it as a kind of “sticky situation” in which he said the victim became the victim twice. Lindsay emphasized that the warrant against Estes was signed on behalf of the victim. The account, according to Lindsay, was that Estes was not initially involved in the incident that he was responding to at the residence, the ver-
bal altercation, which he said had no connection to her criminal coercion charge. However, he said the victim in that incident was the same person who accused Estes of criminal coercion, and that Estes became involved as a result of the verbal altercation call. Estes, Lindsay said, went to the scene and got involved According Alabama Code 13A-6-25, criminal coercion is a Class A misdemeanor, which essentially deals with the act of threatening someone in a number of ways to either act in an unlawful manner or to not act in a lawful manner.
continued from page 1
American.” Tessier said they spent the week broken down into political parties as well as different branches of government, like Congress, the House and Senate, debating bills. The different halls represented different cities, she said, and it was up to a mayor to ensure everyone was ready to enact law and draft imaginary amendments. Though she did not win the gubernatorial election, she said she had a lot of good candidates as competition. Tessier said her favorite part of the process was debating the bills, the legislative session and what she said was the parliamentary procedure. She said one of her history teachers, David Rowe, recommended the event. And though Tessier said she was not intending on entering government or politics in her future she said it was a beneficial experience.
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JUNE 18-19, 2016 • Page 9
Submitted / The Outlook
Alexander City residents Cindy Amason and David McGhee spotted a bobcat on their property and were able to grab a picture before he went back into the woods.
Alex City residents report bobcat sightings By MITCH SNEED Editor
While animal control officers and conservation officers say they’ve had few reports, residents on Maplewood Lane say that they have spotted a bobcat in their area. Cindy Amason and David McGhee who live in that area say seeing wildlife is nothing new. Deer are spotted almost daily near their home and a coyote has also been spotted a few times nearby. But three separate times, they saw a bobcat, once so close Amason was able to catch a picture as the cat, that appears to be about 18 inches tall on all fours and weighs about 25 pounds, prowled around the home and even spied inside the house through windows. “In April, two Sundays in a row, this little guy paid us a visit,” Amason said. “Being a little curious and adventurous, I went out to try to get some better photos of him, but he walked off through some bushes and disappeared.” Amason said she has seen the cat. She even gave the name Bob one time since, but only at a distance. McGhee said Amason told him she has saw a bobcat, but he didn’t believe it until he saw the pictures. “I figured it was just a big neighborhood cat,” McGhee said. “But there is no doubt when you see the pictures. We see all sorts of stuff, deer, a coyote and a fox, but this was a first.” Conservation officer Michael East said that there have been reports over the years about bobcats being seen in the area, but this year he couldn’t recall another sighting being called in.
“Like in most cases, they come in close to homes looking for food,” East said. “Typically we find that the resident may be feeding dogs or cats outside or there is something that leads them to believe there may be food there. They are shy and timid by nature, but they are still wild animals, so anyone who encounters one should be careful and avoid doing anything to provoke it.” East said that there is no closed season on bobcats, but said in most cases simply seeing a human will spook the cat away. While McGhee said they don’t feed animals, he said squirrels, rabbits and chipmunks frequent their yard and he grills out on a regular basis. East said that smell of meat and the drippings that often come with barbecue grills could be a draw. Alexander City Animal Control Officer Scott Wright said they haven’t had any calls this year, but had a report in 2015. He said that a trap could be tried to capture a bobcat if one is sighted, but typically, they are pretty smart critters. “They have tried traps, but they are usually too smart for that,” Wright said. “Normally, if you remove the food source, the pet food, secure any trash that could smell of food and things like that, they will not be around long.” Mia Chandler from the Lake Martin Animal Shelter said she has had no dealings with bobcats, but agreed that any animal will hunt for food. She cautioned people who have reason to believe one may be in the area to take precautions to make sure their own pets are safe.
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PAGE 10 • JUNE 18-19, 2016
AUM joins D-II Gulf South Conference
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Carr steps down at Edgewood No interims named yet
STAFF REPORT Special to The Herald
By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
Gulf South Conference Commissioner Matt Wilson and AUM Chancellor Dr. John G. Veres III announced Thursday that the university has accepted a membership invitation to join the GSC as a member, beginning in the 2017-18 year. “(AUM) is proud to become a member of the Gulf South Conference,” said Veres. “Along with the ability to renew geographic rivalries, the Gulf South and Auburn Montgomery share a strategic focus on balancing high academic achievement with a high level of athletic competition, a characteristic beneficial to our student athletes and their collegiate experience. We are excited about the opportunity to join the premier conference at the Division II level.” AUM, as well as the University of Montevallo, earned unanimous support from the GSC Board of Directors at its summer meetings last week. The addition of the Warhawks and Falcons will give the conference 14 full-time members for the 2017-18 year. “The Gulf South Conference proudly adds AUM and Montevallo to our membership,” Wilson said. “They are natural additions bringing two more dynamic institutions with a strong commitment to Division II athletics and the GSC’s vision to compete for regional and national championships, graduate student-athletes at a higher percentage than the overall student body and impact our communities today and tomorrow.” Located in Birmingham, Ala., the Gulf South Conference is a charter member of NCAA Division II dating back to its creation in the summer of 1970. The league is currently composed of 12 active members and four affiliate members located in six states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee). Current official members include: University of Alabama in Huntsville, Christian Brothers University (Memphis, Tenn.), Delta State University (Cleveland, Miss.), Lee University (Cleveland, Tenn.), Mississippi College (Clinton, Miss.), University of North Alabama (Florence, Ala.), Shorter University (Rome, Ga.), Union University (Jackson, Tenn.), Valdosta State University (Valdosta, Ga.), University of West Alabama (Livingston, Ala.), University of West Florida (Pensacola, Fla.) and University of West Georgia (Carrollton, Ga.). GSC teams have claimed 50 NCAA Division II national championships in 13 sports. AUM is completing its first year of the three-year NCAA Division II membership process. AUM is scheduled to become a fully approved NCAA member in 2018-19. The Warhawks currently sponsor 10 varsity sports, with the addition of volleyball beginning in 2017.
Time to build another machine. After overseeing the nation’s longest active high school football winning streak at 71 games and the Alabama state record for consecutive state football and baseball championships, Bobby Carr resigned from his post as athletic director, head football and baseball coach at Edgewood Academy Tuesday. Carr confirmed his resignation to The Wetumpka Herald Tuesday. “After many hours of prayer, I have decided to step down as athletic director, head football and head baseball coach at Edgewood Academy,” Carr said. “I’ve had 15 great years here, but I think it’s time to move on and see what other options are out there. I want to thank Edgewood for allowing me to guide its athletic program the past 15 years, and I’m looking forward to seeing what God has planned for me at the next stop in my coaching career.”
Edgewood headmaster Clint Welch also confirmed Carr’s resignation and praised the coach for his accomplishments at the school. “Coach Carr is an amazing coach and has taken Edgewood athletics to an unbelievable level,” Welch said. “He will be successful in whatever he decides for his future. His legacy and success will always be a part of Edgewood athletics.” As of Thursday afternoon, Welch said Edgewood had not identified an interim athletic director or any interim head coaches but that the school doesn’t want to rush to any decisions. “We want to move forward and try to continue our athletics in the same tradition like coach Carr established. We want to find a good fit for our boys and our school,” Welch said. “As it stands right now, the biggest thing is we make sure and bring in somebody who is going to be qualified to lead our teams like coach Carr has done and keep the bar up where he set it.” During Carr’s 15 seasons as football coach, the Wildcats amassed a stagger-
Cory Diaz / The Herald
Former Edgewood Academy head football coach Bobby Carr talks with former quarterback Ryan Bottoms during the 2014 AISA Class AA state championship versus Marengo Academy at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Troy University.
ing 162-25 record, including winning the last 71 contests. On the baseball field, the coach, a former New York Mets minor league left-handed pitcher, guided EA to eight straight state titles. “It was never about the winning streak. It’s about getting our boys headed in the right direction and getting them prepared for life,” Carr said. “That’s why I put the whistle around my neck and why I’ll continue to do that.
It’s just time to move on to the next chapter in my life. However, I’m definitely not retiring. “The machine is already built. All I had to do was come in and push a button and the machine would run. I need a challenge and it’s time to move on. I have nothing but great memories from Edgewood and nothing but great things to say about my time there. But it’s time to go build another machine.”
Local archery club wins medals at state games By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
Shoot’em Straight Archery Club recorded a big day Saturday, shooting its way to nine total medals at the 34th annual Alabama State Games in Dothan. Competing at the Southeast Alabama Archery Club range, the Elmore County-based archery team took home five gold medals, two silver and two bronze in various events. For the second straight year at the State Games, Wetumpka Middle School student and Rockford native Olivia Hay captured a gold medal, this time in the 3D Unknown Distance 12-14 girls with a final score of 189/2. Her mother, Beverly, also earned gold in the Women’s 16-and-over novice category, tallying 184 points. Brynley Lewis, from Deatsville, grabbed the top spot in the 8U division, winning the Elementary Open 8-10 girls event, posting a 183/1, edging New Brockton’s Jennabeth Childers by two points. Anna Easterling tallied one of her club’s highest point totals for the competition en route to claiming gold in the 3D Hunter 9-11 girls meet. The Titus native secured a 193/3 for the victory. Elmore County High’s Dalton Maddox was the lone boy from the
Submitted / The Herald
The Shoot’em Straight Archery Club poses with their medals Saturday after the 34th annual Alabama State Games at the Southeast Alabama Archery Club in Dothan. The team is: (front row) Autumn Matthews, Braylin Lewis, Brynley Lewis, Brodie Maddox, Olivia Hay and Anna Easterling; and (back row) Terry Matthews, Dalton Maddox, Cutter Welch, Chris Welch, Beverly Hay and Keith Hay.
team to claim a gold medal as he won the 3D Hunter 15-17 boys event, scoring 181. Keith Hay and Braylin Lewis brought home silver medals in the Men’s 16-and-over Novice and the 3D Hunter 12-14 boys distance events,
Crush finishes runner up in state championship
Submitted / The Herald
The Millbrook-based Crush travel baseball team finished runner-up in the two-day 7U Alabama State Championship Tournament Sunday in Fultondale, Alabama. With the second-place showing, Crush qualfieid for the USSSA World Series in Orange Beach, beginning June 20. The team is: (front row) Colin Bowden, Eli Williams, Jacob Rawlinson, Christian Alexander and Easton Wright; (middle row) Caden Watson, Nick Frazier, Elijah Peake, Kam Smith and Asher Nobles. The coaches are: Kent Wright, Scott Watson (head coach), Michael Frazier and Brian Nobles.
respectively. Rounding out the medals for Shoot’em Straight, Chris Welch and Autumn Matthews ended up with bronze in the Men’s 16-and-over Novice and 3D Unknown Distance girls 12-14 events, respectively.
SPORTS BRIEFS PINES TO HOST SEHS BASEBALL SCRAMBLE The Stanhope Elmore High School baseball program will hold its second annual Four-Man Scramble Golf Tournament Thursday at The Pines Golf Course in Millbrook. Fees are $400 for a four-person team and $100 for an individual. Hole sponsorships cost from $100 to $200. Lunch will be provided at 11:30 a.m. and the shotgun start of the tournament will be a 1 p.m. First, second and third place finishers will receive gifts and door prizes will also be handed out. All monies raised will go toward the Mustang baseball program. Contact Mustangs head baseball coach Josey Shannon at (205) 351-2339 or assistant coach Wes Dunsieth at wes.dunsieth@elmoreco. com to sign-up.