THE
CLEANUP, 2
TUESDAY SPORTS, 12
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
Volunteers, officials making progress
Tournament teaches slalom to youngsters
June 19, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 121 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Council ends water fee agreement By MITCH SNEED Editor
A deadlocked council vote will end what was called a “gentleman’s agreement� that had allowed some builders to avoid a costly fee associated with water
connection to some new construction. The city approved an ordinance that instituted a water capital improvement impact fee in 2006, but despite what the ordinance said, the city had not required those individuals or contractors who had a valid city receipt for water service
tap-in fees dated prior to April 1, 2006, to pay the water capital improvement impact fee. The ordinance said that construction had to be completed within six months for that provision to apply. Alexander City Community
Development Director Al Jones explained how the practice came into play. “The ordinance states that people had to pay the tap in fee, buy a building permit and complete construction See COUNCIL • Page 3
ROPING IN FUNDS
Ivey, Maddox speak out against auto tariff plan
12th annual rodeo fundraiser huge success for local Boys & Girls Club
By MITCH SNEED Editor
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Monday Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey joined the chorus of highranking elected officials who are calling on President Donald Trump to reconsider his stance on a proposed 25-percent tariff on imported cars, trucks and Ivey auto parts. Alabama Department of Labor statistics show that an estimated 40,000 people in Alabama were employed in the automotive industry last year, many working in parts suppliers that are scattered all over the state, including several here in Tallapoosa County. Those jobs, when combined with those at plants that assemble Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Kia vehicles, the See TARIFF • Page 3
T
READING | PAGE 9
‘LIBRARIES ROCK’ Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Local children enjoy face painting, special guest at library
Hunter Shirah, above, takes a spill on the first bareback ride of the night Friday at the 12th annual Lake Martin Area Rodeo held at the arena at the Alexander City Sportplex. Kyle Arkuszeski, top, participates in calf roping. Boys & Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area Executive Director Melissa Reynolds said more than 1,500 people were in attendance and more than $22,000 was raised. For more photos, see Page 10.
he arena at the Alexander City Sportplex was a busy place over the weekend as the 12th annual Lake Martin Area Rodeo to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area was in town. “It was a great rodeo this year,â€? Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Melissa Reynolds said. “There was a very good atmosphere. The attendance was much larger than it was last year. We estimated that we had over 1,500 people in attendance.â€? There were plenty of exciting events on display for the audience, including calf roping, barrel racing and bareback riding. There were also activities for the entire family, such as a children’s area, a rock climbing wall, a petting zoo, a boot shuffle and much more. A handful of vendors were available with food and other items like jewelry. “We added more events for the kids at this year’s rodeo, including a greased pig chase,â€? Reynolds said. “Saturday night, we featured local singer Tyler Meadows from New Site.â€? With the success of these new events, including having around 10 children each night chasing after the greased pig, Reynolds said they would continue to remain a part of the rodeo program. “Everyone said they were having a good time and couldn’t wait for next year’s event,â€? she said. “I didn’t hear a single complaint at all over the weekend.â€? As the Lake Martin Area Rodeo See RODEO • Page 10
Fire leaves Scott Road home heavily damaged By MITCH SNEED Editor
LOCAL | PAGE 6
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE DHR building in Dadeville nearing completion OBITUARIES | 2 NEWS | 3 OPINION | 4 CALENDAR | 6 CLASSIFIEDS | 7 STUDENT HONORS | 11 LITTLE LEAGUE | 12
Today’s
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92 73 High
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A fire that started in the kitchen of a wood-frame home in the 2500 block of Scott Road left the house uninhabitable after being heavily damaged by smoke and flames. The Alexander City Fire Department was called to the home at 7:44 p.m. Friday after something cooking on the stove started to flame up and got into the wall and eventually into the ceiling of the house. “There were multiple attic areas inside and that made fighting the fire and accessing all the areas where flames existed very difficult,� ACFD
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
490.48
Reported on 06/18/18 @ 11 a.m.
Deputy Chief Craig Clark said. “There were also some drop ceilings and just a lot of areas that you had to get into to make sure that the fire hadn’t spread there.â€? Even though the sun was setting, the large plume of smoke could be seen almost two miles away. Three trucks responded and lines were immediately pulled into the home. One unit pulled a line from a hydrant about a quarter-mile away from the burning home. Firefighters were forced to climb atop the structure and cut holes in the roof to access some of the burning areas in the attics. See FIRE • Page 3
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Firefighters climb atop the roof of a Scott Road home Friday night after a kitchen fire escalated leaving the wood-frame home uninhabitable.
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LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443 6 54708 90050 8 USPS Permit # 013-080
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL