OPINION: CLEANUP SHOULD BE EVERYDAY PROCESS, PAGE 4.
END OF AN ERA
TUESDAY
THE
Reeltown’s Jackie O’Neal reflects on legendary coaching career. See page 10.
COURT RULES Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
VictoryLand asset case gets stay, page 9.
November 10, 2015
Steve Thomas of CDG Engineers & Associates talks with commissioners Monday about grant possibilities to make improvements around the courthouse in Dadeville.
Vol. 123, No. 224
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Commissioners hear about grant possibilities By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Tallapoosa County Commissioners heard a presentation of how they could seek grant funds to help beautify the area around the courthouse. Steve Thomas of CDG Engineers and Associates made the
presentation of the possibility of a Transportation Alternative Program grant that would be similar to one awarded to the city of Dadeville and would allow for a total transformation of the area, rather than just the outside perimeter. “It would be a situation where you would be eligible, if approved, for up to $400,000 in funds, with a
20 percent county match,” Thomas told the commissioners. “It’s not a situation where we are asking for approval today. I will be glad to get a cost estimate together based on what we have talked about and get back to you at the next meeting. “But this would be a great See COMMISSIONERS, Page 5
Saturday night fights Employees
CACC may merge with other area colleges
ask council for correct pay levels
Southern Union, CVCC could join forces By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Is Central Alabama Community College about to become the centerpiece of a cluster of fellow community colleges? On the agenda for the Thursday work session, the trustees have an item that calls for Alabama Community College Board of Trustees to initiate a planning process designed to consolidate Alexander City’s CACC with Southern Union State Community College and Chattahoochee Valley Community College. If the board were to approve the consolidation, it would combine the two CACC campuses in Childersburg, Alexander City and the Talladega Center with Southern Union’s campuses in Wadley, Valley and Opelika, with Phenix City’s CVCC. Officials said details are not finalized, but that could allow for the combining of sports leadership and administrative personnel, See MERGE, Page 5
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
A crowd of about 250 people turned out at the Sportplex Saturday night for the Brawl for a Cause professional wrestling card. Fans saw legendary Bullet Bob Armstrong chop the Super Assassin and take a win for he and tag team partner Action Mike Jackson. Fans of all ages, including, Cannon Gregg, got into the action. The event raised money for 18-month-old Natalia Ibarra who has been battling cancer.
Firefighters and other city employees who have been denied step increases over the years appealed to the city council to make adjustment to get pay to where the personnel manual says it should be. The plea came at Monday’s budget work session and even though it will mean more cuts, the problem was heard loud and clear. Fire Department Capt. Chris Queen spoke passionately about the 18 fire employees that are several steps behind. “Individuals have been employed here for a number of years,” Queen said. “But even though we have a personnel manual that says what they should be paid, they aren’t being paid at a step in accordance with their years of service.” Alexander City Fire Department Chief Kem Jones said the corrections have been put off repeatedly. “We are told that we don’t have the money,” Jones said. “We hear that, but if it’s a secretary we can pay them $36,000, but when it comes to paying these guys just what the book says they are supposed to be paid, we don’t have money for that. “We have to do it like the book says it should be.” In most cases, Queen said being behind in steps will drastically impact retirement funds. “I have a hard time understanding why I’m paid seven steps below what the book says I See COUNCIL, Page 5
Lake cleanup draws 290 volunteers despite weather By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
An estimated 290 volunteers braved the messy weather that pestered the area Friday and Saturday to participate in the Seventh annual Renew Our Rivers Lake Martin Cleanup, according to John Thompson, president of the Lake Martin Resource Alliance. “We had a total of 290 volunteers including Camp Fire Girls, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other youth groups who removed trash from roadways, the Lake Martin shoreline and the Tallapoosa River,” said Thompson.
Thompson said organizers were unable to get an accurate weight on the trash collected yet. “Without the ability to get an accurate weight, I would estimate 5.5 to 6 tons of total trash were removed,” he said. “Four dumpsters located at three locations – Wind Creek State Park, Kowaliga public boat ramp and Coley Creek public boat ramp – were each one-half to threequarters filled. In addition more than 100 volunteers disposed of approximately 125 bags of trash at Real Island Marina, Kiwanis Girl Scout Camp and New Site.” See CLEANUP, Page 9
Today’s
Weather
71 47 High
Low
LLake k M Martin ti
Lake Levels
484.61 Reported on 11/9/15 @ 12 p.m.
Submitted / The Outlook
Volunteers work along the banks of Wind Creek during Saturday’s seventh annual Renew Our Rivers Lake Martin cleanup campaign.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
6
54708 90050
8
USPS Permit # 013-080
1720 Dadeville Road • Alexander City, AL
Call Spencer or Dax Today!
256.234.5331
DOWN PAYMENTS
As Low
500
$
As...........
MONTHLY PAYMENTS As Low
250
$
As........... *Upon Kerley Motors Approval
Hardwood Floors Ceramic Tile Carpet & Vinyl
Bill’s Electric
Locally Owned for Over 45 Years
256-234-6071
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
P.O. Box 673 1814 Airpor t Blvd • Alexander Cit y, AL
(256) 234-4555 “PROVIDING QUAALITYY ELEECTRRICALL CONSSTRUUCTIIONN SINCE 196 61”
1945 Hwy 280 • Alexander City
HOLMAN FLOOR COMPANY “WE’RE
THE PROFESSIONALS”