OPINION: CITY GOVERNMENT MAKES PROGRESS, BUT . . . PAGE 4.
THE EBTC ROBOTICS TEAM WINS GOLD. PAGE 7
TUESDAY
AREA CHAMPS! Horseshoe Bend takes home tournament trophy, page 12.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 May 10, 2016
Vol. 124, No. 93
www.alexcityoutlook.com
New DHR site moves toward purchase By MITCH SNEED Editor
A big step in the process of finding a site for a new Tallapoosa County Department of Human Resources building and plans for the public vote on Sunday alcohol sales tipped the action items for the Tallapoosa County Commissioners Monday. The commissioners voted 4-0 to authorized Commission Chairman Steve
Robinson to execute the documents needed to purchase land for a new DHR building. The only thing lacking is an appraisal to make sure the projected cost is inline with the actual value of the property, according to County Administrator Blake Beck. Tallapoosa County Administrator Blake Beck updated the commissioners on the progress at Monday’s meeting. “As I mentioned at the last meeting,
we have identified a piece of property, had discussions with the owner and it has now been surveyed,” Beck said. “Once the appraisal is done, we can have the purchase documents drawn up. “That will clear the the way for us to set up a building commission and get the construction plans in place.” It has been a yearlong process compounded by one failed attempt on a parcel
Stephens students get hands on at community garden By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
In a matter of moments third graders from Stephens Elementary School were going from holding worms and compost to tasting fennel straight from the garden as the students helped PATH plant their spring garden. “We found a worm,” one student said. “There’s a spider,” another said. “I found a centipede,” yet another said. The students were looking through compost that is used in the garden near the First United Methodist Church. “That looks like an egg shell,” another student said. “That looks like a pumpkin seed.” “Compost is nature’s way of recycling,” PATH Board member Ashley Hoppers explained to the students before they planted vegetables. “We want to start where it all begins. It comes from healthy soil. This stuff under your feet is full of life. It is full of animals and stuff you cannot see. It is these underground organisms that help us have
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
near Highway 280. The Alabama Department of Human Resources asked the commissioners to help identify a site for a new building and secure the property last July. The city of Dadeville has also been active in the search. The city had suggested property it owns near Highway 280 behind the Subway across from Highway 49, but it was found to be See COMMISSION • Page 3
Judge in Shaw assault case recuses himself
Left, PATH Board Member Ashley Hoppers talks about what happens when soil is tilled too much and what good soil should look like. Bottom left, PATH volunteer Joe Martin shows third-grader David Barnett how to help a root bound sweet potato plant before planting it in one of the raised beds at the PATH Community Garden. Bottom right, Alese Pike pushes soil onto the roots of a bell pepper plant.
As of now, date for bench trial remains May 24 By MITCH SNEED Editor
GARDEN PARTY
The judge assigned to the misdemeanor assault case against the Alexander City mayor and his wife has recused himself from the proceedings. Mayor Charles Shaw and his wife Lavern turned themselves in on third-degree assault charges on April 26 following a post-meeting physical altercation with councilman Tony Goss on Monday, April 25. The case was set for a bench trial on May 24 before Circuit Court Judge Kim Taylor. But last week Taylor asked to be removed from the case. “For good and sufficient reason, (Judge Kim Taylor) hereby recuses himself from any further proceedings in this action and respectfully requests the Presiding Circuit Judge, Hon. Steve Perryman to assign another judge to preside over this matter,” the request reads. Court records do not list any new judge assignment or change in the court date as a result of Taylor’s recusal. The news was the latest in an incident that has kept Alexander City talking since the fight occurred. After the specially called work session had
See GARDEN • Page 11
See RECUSE • Page 3
Accident victim seeking information on lost dog By MITCH SNEED Editor
Having a violent, rollover auto crash is a harrowing experience, but Jennifer Oxford saw the experience become even more troubling when she realized that her dog was missing after a Saturday crash. Oxford was traveling on Highway 280 near Coosa County Road 89 near Kellyton when her vehicle left the roadway and began to roll. “We rolled five times,” Oxford said Monday. “It was at about 6 p.m. Saturday. We were so fortunate that we both only ended up with some minor buries and scratches.” Oxford said that in the process of rolling, the vehicle’s sunroof popped out and her 5-month-old Shepherd-Hound mix named Finn was ejected from the vehicle. “Once the car came to a stop and we realized that we were okay, our first thought was for Finn,” Oxford said. “We looked around, but a witness told us that they saw him run-
ning away. I can only imagine how scared he was after that ordeal.” Oxford took to social media to spread the word and is hoping that someone will see this and come forward with information about her beloved Finn. “Maybe someone has found him and they haven’t heard about the accident and know that we are desperate to find him,” Oxford said. “We are reaching out for any information that may help us find him.” Finn is a tri-colored pup with white, brown and black markings. At the time of the crash he was wearing both an orange collar with blue paw prints and a black with teal trim harness. He was also wearing tags that had Oxford’s information inscribed on them. “If anyone has him or has seen him if they could contact me I would be so appreciative,” Oxford said. “He weighs 33 pounds and is super sweet. He is my world and I would do anything to get him back.” Oxford can be contacted via email at joxford22@gmail.com
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
P.O. Box 673 1814 Airpor t Blvd • Alexander Cit y, AL
(256) 234-4555 “PROVIIDING QUAALITYY ELEECTRRICALL CONSSTRUUCTIIONN SINCE 196 61”
Weather
81 63 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
490.63 Reported on 5/9/16 @ 6 p.m.
Submitted / The Outlook
Finn, a 5-month-old Shephard-Hound mix, has been missing since his owner’s car accident Saturday evening.
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54708 90050
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