OPINION: CONGRATULATIONS TO TEACHERS FOR GRANT EFFORTS, PAGE 4
THE CHAMBER PULSE Sun Festival deadlines and more! Pages 6-7.
TUESDAY
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
SPORTS, PAGE 12
March 21, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 56 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Tigers lose to Eufaula
Turner named police chief in Alexander City By MITCH SNEED Editor
A man who has been training to become the Alexander City Police Chief for 25 years will now get the opportunity to lead the department of a permanent basis. The Alexander City City Council appointed Jay Turner to serve police chief Monday night, after serving as Interim Police Chief since January. “I am thankful to the council for giving me
the opportunity to serve as chief,” Turner said. “I’m glad this part of the process is over and I look forward to getting to work tomorrow for the people of Alexander City, just like I have for the last 25 years.” Turner, 49, joined the police department in 1992. He served six years in patrol, before being assigned to the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force in 1998. In 2004, he became the commander in charge of the Narcotics Task Force. He became the sergeant in charge of detectives and the burglary See CHIEF • Page 3
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Newly appointed Alexander City Police Department Chief Jay Turner is congratulated by residents following Monday night’s city council meeting. Turner is a 25-year veteran of the department and had been serving as interim chief since January.
City Council removes $99K salary cap for some employees
United Way kicking off 2018 campaign with quail fry By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
The United Way is hosting a quail fry Saturday, April 1 to kickoff the 2018 campaign season at The Stables at Russell Crossroads and while it is relatively new to the United Way, it is not new to the community. “This is the second annual United Way Quail Fry,” United Way of the Lake Martin Area’s Courtney Layfield said. “The Red Cross did if for a bunch of years and we got permission from their board to take it over when they stopped doing it.” Last year at L.D Benton’s farm the group was able to raise about $12,000 and hope the change in venue will be as successful if not more. “It is a new venue and we hope it will attract some new people,” Layfield said. “At LD’s farm last year, we had a lot of his friends come out and we hope they will come with us to the Stables. Hopefully we will also draw some people from Willow Point and that area to come out and support the United Way.” The menu is simple and stated in the name of the event but it also offers other things for the $30 ticket. “There is going to be fried quail with See UNITED WAY • Page 11
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Billy Pope / Special to The Outlook
Alexander City’s own John Denney, pictured below, is the winner of this year’s Alabama Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest with this painting of an American Green-winged Teal.
THREE-PEAT WIN
Local artist wins waterfowl stamp art contest for third time STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Alexander City’s own John Denney is the winner of this year’s Alabama Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest with his painting of an American Green-winged Teal. This makes Denney a three-time winner, having previously won the 2014-15 and 2009-10 contests. Artists are ineligible to submit an entry for three years after winning the contest. “I am very honored to become a three-time winner,” said Denney. “There are only a few other artists that have done it. I consider myself in good company.” See AWARD • Page 3
The Alexander City City Council approved a change in the city’s pay grid, removing a provision that capped the maximum salary for a city employee at $99,000. The move now means that the city engineer and public works director position could max out at $122,468. Two other positions, the finance director and the community development director, could also earn more than $100,000 if they stay long enough and reach the top step. The cap was instituted in 2015 after revelations of unapproved pay raises first surfaced. Led by then council president Jim Spann, the cap was put in place and it was agreed that until a wage study by Center for Governmental Services at Auburn University was complete all salary moved should be on hold. That study was supposed to be complete last July, but Council President Tommy Spraggins said Monday they don’t expect it now until May or June of this year. See COUNCIL • Page 11
Horseshoe Bend FCCLA among best in state programs By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Once again the Horseshoe Bend High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) program is among the best in the state. The program was recognized at the state FCCLA Convention earlier this month with awards for its outreach projects in the community and school. Horseshoe Bend High School FCCLA Advisor Felicia Williams said it is due to efforts of the students. “I think it means our kids are very dedicated to helping the community,” Williams said. “It think it also shows we run a good program here too.” As a group, the HBHS FCCLA was recognized as a Golden Chapter for its accomplishments – See FCCLA • Page 3
Today’s
Lake Martin
Weather Lake Levels
82 58 High
Low
488.16
Reported on 3/20/17 @ 7:30 p.m.
Submitted / The Outlook
Members of the Horseshoe Bend Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) were recognized at the state FCCLA Convention earlier this month. The group was recognized as a Golden Chapter for its accomplishments.
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54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
Locally Owned for Over 45 Years
Bill’s Electric ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
Hardwood Floors Ceramic Tile Carpet & Vinyl
“PROVIDING QUALITY ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION SINCE 1961”
(256) 234-4555 1814 Airport Blvd • Alexander City, AL
256-234-6071
1945 Hwy 280 • Alexander City
HOLMAN FLOOR COMPANY “WE’RE
THE PROFESSIONALS”