ON THE RISE Tigers look to battle with Dawgs with high hopes.
COMMUNITY COLUMNISTS INSIDE TODAY.
THE
Help Pay Our Firefighters Salaries!
WEDNESDAY
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 November 11, 2015 Vol. 123, No. 225 www.alexcityoutlook.com
Commissioners seek info on sales tax use
Coley asks for update on mandated reserves, plans for future use of funds By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
In many parts of Tallapoosa County, the implementation of a 1-cent sales tax for schools was not a popular move. By a 3-2 vote, the commissioners approved the tax on May 11, despite heavy opposition from business leaders and residents in
Alexander City in particular. The tax has now been in place since Sept. 1. District 1 Commissioner T.C. Coley joined Commissioner Emma Jean Thweatt and George Carleton in voting for passage of the tax, primarily to help the county schools get up the state-mandated level of reserves. Coley said Monday that he wants to make sure the tax funds are being used as intended.
“I would like for school officials to give us an update on where they are with the funding situation,” Coley said. “I just have some concerns that I would like to have addressed. I would like to ask for a report to the commission at our next meeting on exactly where we are and how and when they plan to get to the mandatory reserve level.” See TAX, Page 7
T.C. Coley
CELEBRATING OUR VETERANS Chamber moves
towards planned business incubator
1 St. Sgt. Fred Norris puts Stephens Elementary students through “physical training” at Stephens’ annual Veterans Day Program.
By Corey Arwood Outlook Staff Writer
David Granger / The Outlook
Stephens hosts interactive program
Railey recalls Hiroshima
By David Granger
By Cliff Williams
Outlook Staff Writer
Outlook Staff Writer
An interactive presentation on the Tuskegee Airmen and recognition of the Alexander City Veterans Honor Guard and visitors from Bill Nichols Veterans Home highlighted the annual Veterans Day program Tuesday afternoon at Nathaniel L. Stephens Elementary School. U.S. National Park Service Cliff WIlliams / The Outlook Ranger Robert Stewart taught the children about the Tuskegee J. D. Railey poses for photograph in his AlexanAirmen through a brief video der City home. Railey served in the Army in the See PROGRAM, Page 5 Pacific Theater in WWII.
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Veterans Day triggers stories and emotions for not only Veterans but for family and friends as well. Alexander City and Tallapoosa County has its fair share of veterans, some who served in World War II. “Chocolate, Chocolate,” the young Japanese boy asked for with his arms outstretched approaching a Jeep with See RAILEY, Page 2
Plans for business innovation and the crein ation of an economic hub at were discussed for the w future Alexander City fu Chamber of Commerce C building and the prospecb tive business incubator ti area. ar There was a tentative agreement reached ti among chamber board am members on Tuesday m and an an unofficial motion to move forward with the th project that will be at what is now the US AmeriBank operations A building off of Highway b 280. 2 No documents were signed but the proposal si of o the project was met by b an overwhelmingly positive response, and p a unanimous show of hands from the chamber h board members present at b Tuesday’s meeting. T There is still a final board approval needed b from US AmeriBank, fr which would illustrate w the th exact details of the property transfer and the p See CHAMBER, Page 5
Shaw to address Chamber’s Quarterly Luncheon Nov. 17 Staff Report Outlook Staff
Alexander City Mayor Charles Shaw will be the featured speaker at the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce’s fourth Quarterly Luncheon, set for noon on Nov. 17 in the Fellowship Hall of Alexander City’s First Baptist Church, located at 64 Court Square. To make a reservation to attend the luncheon, please email kdunn@alexandercitychamber or call 256234-3461. The cost of the luncheon is $20 for chamber partners and $25 for guest. Shaw, a native of Alexander City, was elected mayor on Oct. 9, 2012, defeating Mark Lanborne in a runoff after outpolling Lanborne, Mark Fuller, Garland Gamble and Tom Young in August. Shaw has also served terms on the Tallapoosa County Commission and the See LUNCHEON, Page 5
DARE Program relies heavily on United Way funding By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
485.24 Reported on 11/3/15 @ 1 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
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54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
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Cpl. Marcus Billups of the Alexander City Police Department is a familiar face at W.L. Radney Elementary School. At Radney, Billups, Alexander City’s D.A.R.E. officer and Radney’s school resource officer, teaches 30 sessions – 10 D.A.R.E. sessions to each of three sixthgrade classes – each year on issues like peer pressure, bullying, the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and other temptations today’s children often face. “For example, with regard to peer pressure, we let them know that there’s bad pressure as well as good peer pressure,” said Billups. “We all know about David Granger / The Outlook bad peer pressure where their friends try to get them Cpl. Marcus Billups, Alexander City Police Department D.A.R.E. Officer has leads the involved with drugs and alcohol and tobacco and program which teaches kids in schools about alcohol, drugs, tobacco, bullying and peer See DARE, Page 7 pressure.
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