OPINION, PAGE 4: ALABAMA HAS IMMEDIATE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS
TUESDAY
THE SPORTS, PAGE 10
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
Alex City brings home 3 district titles
June 20, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 121 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
LANDFILL MOVES AHEAD
Lawsuit filed over constable vote bill By MITCH SNEED Editor
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
The Alexander City City Council, top, voted 4-2 to proceed with expanding the current inert landfill. Alexander City native and Birmingham attorney Amanda Hardy, bottom left, raised legal concerns over the proposed usage over covenants. Public Works Director Gerard Brewer gave a presentation that included aerial photographs of other cities with inert landfills near residential areas through out Alabama.
A lawsuit was filed Monday on behalf of the Tallapoosa County Commissioners seeking to have a portion of the recently passed legislation giving the people of the county the right to vote on the future of constable positions struck down. The suit, filed in the Circuit Court of Tallapoosa County in Dadeville, cites a portion of the bill that is allegedly unconstitutional. The suit names Sen. Tom Whatley and Attorney General Steven Marshall and cites the 1975 Officials Code of Alabama, Section 6-6-20 and Rule 57 of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedures. The suit, which was filed by County Attorney Thomas Radney, says that because the clause that calls for a vote is different than what was legally advertised, it should be removed and the positions should be abolished accordingly. The suit reads in part: “On or about the third day of May, 2017, House Bill 569 in the form that was published passed the Alabama House of Representatives. On or about the 17th day of May, 2017, House Bill 569 passed the Alabama Senate. This bill is See LAWSUIT • Page 3
Alex City Council votes to allow permitting process to begin Ms. Thomas goes to Washington
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Despite impassioned arguments and hints of lengthy legal action from three Birmingham lawyers representing landowners who do not want the city’s inert landfill expanded into their backyards, the Alexander City City voted to move forward with the proposal. With Tommy Spraggins, Tim Funderburk, Scott Hardy and Eric Brown
voting in favor of the plan and Bobby Tapley and Buffy Colvin voting against it, the city will now move forward with expanding the city’s existing landfill to 140 acres adjacent to the current landfill and the Westfield subdivision. The city has an agreement in principle to pay $1,400 per acre for the property which is 10 times the size of the current active facility. The owners of the property are McGill Timber Company who holds 40
acres, while Clay Service Corporation owns about 100 acres that was planned to be another phase of the Westfield subdivision. Attorney Amanda Hardy, who owns property near the proposed site, spoke on behalf of three property owners in Westfield subdivision. She cited several legal issues including covenants that exist on the property. One of the covenants cited, was a See COUNCIL • Page 3
Lake Martin Area Rodeo a smashing hit By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Approximately 3,000 people made their way to the horse arena at the Alexander City Sportplex over the weekend to witness the exciting spectacle that was the 11th annual Lake Martin Area Rodeo, held by the Boys & Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area. Cowboys from the National Cowboy Pro Rodeo Association competed in various events, working to qualify for the NCPRA finals in November. “We had around 1,000 people through the gates on Friday, and about 2,000 on Saturday,” the Marketing and Development Manager for the Boys & Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area Shelby Boswell said. “It was a pretty significant crowd.” In the two hours between the gates opening at 5 p.m. and the rodeo itself kicking off at 7 p.m.,
attendees were able to browse around and see what all the vendors who were also on hand had, as well as those serving up plenty of tasty concessions. From funnel cakes and kettle corn to traditional fare like hamburgers and hot dogs, there was something available for everyone. At the same time, a number of the participants mingled with the crowd before their performance, talking with guests about what being part of a rodeo is like. “It was good, letting the kids get to go up and see the horses. Of course, they couldn’t get too close, but they still got to see them,” Boswell said. Not only was the event a popular outing, but it also was a good fundraiser for the local Boys & Girls Club. “It brought in roughly $6,000 for us,” Boswell said. “Some of this, See RODEO • Page 3
Today’s
Lake Martin
78 69
490.61
Weather Lake Levels High
Low
Reported on 6/19/17 @ 2:00 p.m.
Jessica Sneed / The Outlook
Taylor Wesson is shown riding during the saddle bronc portion of the Lake Martin Area Rodeo.
Thomas takes part in Legislative Week By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Representatives from the Association of Builders and Contractors of Texas will be in Washington, D.C. between June 19 and 23 for the ABC Legislative Week. Over the course of these five days, attendees will take part in a variety of events designed to demonstrate how jobs in construction and other similar fields are not only necessary, but very important and highly valuable in today’s society. Among those attending ABC Legislative Week is Alexander City native Holley Thomas, who has made a name for herself in the field of welding and works for Houston-based firm KBR, Inc. “I’m a Certified Welding Inspector,” Thomas said. “I’m a member of the quality control group, which means that I make sure projects follow the necessary quality procedures.” Some of the numerous projects Thomas has been a part of includes a Southern Company power plant in Juliette, Georgia; a waste management facility in West Palm Beach, Florida and most recently at a site in Ingleside, Texas. One of the key events she will be taking part in will be addressing a group of government officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos See WASHINGTON • Page 3
“PROVIDING QUALITY ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION SINCE 1961” FIRMLY ROOTED IN LAKE MARTIN AND HERE TO STAY.
Bill’s Electric ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
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