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November 23, 2016 Vol. 124, No. 235 www.alexcityoutlook.com
City gets free help with its finances
New Site council faces decisions on water By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Members of the New Site Town Council learned drinking water and the former New Site High School gymnasium are currently big issues they must deal with soon. “The Board of Education has indicated that they will no longer use the old gym,” Mayor Phil Blasingame said. “Risk management from the state has gone through the building on their five year review and it does not meet code for a lot of reasons and the board is leaning towards making its investment in the elementary gym at the school.” Blasingame said the board has not yet passed the gym back to the town, but the town needs to be ready for it by checking on things like insurance and bringing it up to code if the town wants to use it. Blasingame explained the building was structurally fine but things like doors and exit signs need work. “Those are the same old doors that were there when Coach Yates coached,” Blasingame said. “Even then you had to put your shoulder into them to open them. We have some estimates to replace them and bring them into code at $800 each and there are eight of them. Then there are things like the exit signs.” In addition Blasingame wants the insurance company to walk through the building to see what issues See NEW SITE • Page 7
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483.29 Reported on 11/22/16 @ 8 p.m.
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Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Members of Project: Educational Theater perform Rumpelstiltskin for elementary students gathered at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium Tuesday.
‘Straw into gold’
Elementary students get a glimpse into theater By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Six members of Project: Educational Theater traveled five-and-a-half hours to put on a Broadway-quality performance of Rumpelstiltskin for the students of Alexander City Schools Tuesday. However the company manager said it was only one of roughly 60 to 80 stops they made during their roughly four months touring on the road. Brandon Williams of Arlington, Texas said the troupe of 20-somethings traveled across the country performing for children at schools from their base in Kenner, Louisiana. He said their performers themselves
are from across the country as well. On stage Tuesday were Patrick Anderson of New York as the tricky troll, and Darby Puckett of Virginia, as the miller’s daughter and later queen. The king was played by Mark Westcott of Chicago, and the tax collector was Billy Pena also of New York. Their stage manager Bryan Roberge said it was his first year with the team, and Williams described him as their Floridian. Director of Elementary Schools Ellen Martin said it was not the first time Project: Educational Theater stopped at the school. See THEATER • Page 11
Billy Paul Austin volunteers to help city in financial transition By MITCH SNEED Editor
Alexander City Mayor Jim Nabors has turned to an old friend with a proven track record in government financial management to help clear up the city’s troubled finances. Former Alexander City Schools Chief Financial Officer Billy Paul Austin volunteered to help the city as it works to close out the previous year’s books and complete a new operating budget. Nabors said from the time he decided to seek the office, clearing up the city’s financial picture have been his primary focus. Austin immediately came to mind as a person whose experience would be valuable. “I am excited that he is here to help,” Nabors said. “He’s a great guy who in his time at the Alexander City School Board proved to be one of the best I have ever worked with. He was recognized as one of the top school system CFOs from all 127 school systems in the state. Having someone with that experience willing to help is a big, big plus for us.” Austin’s help comes at a crucial time for the city. One of the first acts by the newly installed city council on Nov. 7 was a 6-0 against reappointing Sandra Machen as the city’s finance director. Under Mayor Charles Shaw, Machen had been dismissed on Sept. 18, 2015 and again on July 22, but on each occasion she was reinstated when the city council was deadlocked at 3-3. Then she was sent home by Shaw again on Aug. 16, but was allowed to come back to work when Shaw said that he hadn’t terminated her, but had put her on administrative leave. She returned to work on Sept. 9. The city had its share of financial issues over the last three years, with budgets not passed on time, funds that were not properly accounted for, delayed audits and even a criminal investigation into missing city golf course funds. During her tenure, Machen had reported to council that her computer access had been limited, See FINANCES • Page 11
Bentley makes funds available for wildfires STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley announced Monday that he has approved $690,000 in emergency funds to support the efforts of the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) and fire departments as they fight dangerous wildfires across the state. “In recent months, Alabama has faced extreme drought conditions that have enabled a record
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number of fires to form across the state,” Bentley said. “The Alabama Forestry Commission and local fire departments are to be commended for their countless hours of service and efforts in keeping Alabamians safe. With no significant rain in sight, I know the emergency funds will help cover some of the expenses AFC personnel are facing as they are working to contain fires throughout the state.” See EMERGENCY • Page 11
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
It’s Iron Bowl Mania at Brown’s
Brown’s Nursing Home resident Eddie Moncrief speaks with members of the Benjamin Russell High School Cheerleaders Monday following an Iron Bowl Pep rally at the home. Residents of Brown’s dressed in their team’s colors for a little fun.
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