OPINION: A SIMPLE HELLO GOES A LONG WAY, PAGE 4.
THURSDAY
THE SPORTS, PAGE 12 Horseshoe Bend pitcher signs.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
November 10, 2016
Vol. 124, No. 226
www.alexcityoutlook.com Drink mural gets makeover.
Harbor Freight, AT&T coming
County, state show big turnout numbers Duerr, Trump take home wins on Election Day By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
While the final numbers changed a bit, the winners in Tuesday’s elections remained the same as vote totals were finalized Wednesday. Big wins by Donald Trump over Hilary Clinton to become the 45th president of the United States and Democrat Jeremy Duerr winning the DA’s race created a buzz in the area. To no one’s surprise, Donald Trump won Tallapoosa County and Alabama big, before being declared the winner just after 2 a.m. Wednesday morning. “The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer,” Trump said in his victory speech. “Now it’s time for America to bind the wounds of division. It is time for us to come together as one united people. It’s time.” Duerr’s win over Republican Bill Harris was a rare win for the Democrats in the state Tuesday. Across Macon, Chambers, Randolph and Tallapoosa counties, Duerr received about 51 percent of the vote with 25,753 votes to Republican Bill Harris’ 24,593. After first appearing to win Tallapoosa County, Duerr trailed Harris by more than 400 votes with Harris’ 9,604 to Duerr’s 9,267 when all was tallied. Other counties in the Fifth District, including a big win in Macon County, fuelled Duer’s win. See TURNOUT • Page 3
LOCAL, PAGE 11
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
James Machen of the Alexander City Veterans Honor Guard salutes as he presents the flag at Wednesday’s Veteran’s Day program at Stephens Elementary. Below, Jiah Hunter prepares for a tribute skit.
HONORING VETERANS
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Stephens holds moving tribute to servicemen By MITCH SNEED Editor
A student-led program Wednesday at Stephens Elementary in Alexander City provided a touching tribute to the brave men and women who served their county. Local veterans, families, friends and the school’s students filled the gym for the Veterans Day ceremony. The event included patriotic songs, history presentations and skits. The ceremony began with a posting of the colors ceremony conducted by former servicemen from the Alexander City Honor Guard and ended with moving rendition of “Taps” that had some in the crowd moved to tears. “We are proud to be part of a community and a school systems that puts so much emphasis on patriotism,” said Stephens See VETERANS • Page 7
Discount tool store, wireless phone store first of several headed here
Business that includes a nationwide discount tool store, a national cellular communications company and some others that are not quite ready to be identified are committed to opening businesses in Alexander City. Residents should see activity in the coming weeks as Harbor Freight and AT&T Wireless begin work on new Alexander City locations, according to the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ed Collari. Harbor Freight has signed a lease to occupy the former Steele’s location in the Marketplace Shopping Center on Highway 280, according to Collari. The company is known for having tools of all kinds sold at affordable prices. “I think Harbor Freight is a great fit for Alexander City,” Collari said. “They will be a great addition to what we have to offer. They estimate between $2 and $4 million in annual sales so you can do the math and see what that means to the local tax base. We are excited to have them coming.” According to the company’s website, Harbor Freight Tools was founded in 1977 “as a small family-owned business” with the aim of providing “working people with great quality tools at the lowest prices.” The company sells tools of all kinds – “from hand tools and generators to air and power tools, from shop equipment to automotive tools, Harbor Freight offers more than 7,000 tools and accessories at quality levels that match or exceed competing brands, but at prices that are up to 80 percent less.” The location is also significant. “By them going in the former Steele’s space, that means that the center is 98 percent filled,” Collari said. “There are preparing to begin work See BUSINESS • Page 3
Newly elected Dadeville city leaders sworn in By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
New Dadeville mayor Wayne Smith is sworn in my city attorney Robin Reynolds Tuesday. +
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Laughs were the main order of business at Monday’s organizational meeting of the Dadeville City Council. Laughs from comments by new council member H.A. Dick Harrelson to the talk of garbage. “The only thing I don’t understand is why you elected and 83-year-old man,” Harrelson said. “But I promise you, I won’t run but two more times. I will come down at 95.” New mayor Wayne Smith joked that Harrelson had a 48-minute written out speech. “I have to write things
down,” Harrelson quipped back. But all joking aside, Harrelson is grateful for the opportunity to serve. “It is a challenge to work for the people and the city that I dearly love,” Harrelson said. “…I intend to do everything possible to make the city a better place to live.” The sentiment was similar for the other new members also. “I am elated to be here to serve my city,” Teneeshia Good-Johnson said. Roy Mathis has just returned from mission trips to the Appalachians and to Louisiana. See DADEVILLE • Page 3
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
484.26 Reported on 11/9/16 @ 6 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
Today’s
Weather
72 44 High
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Low
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