Nov. 30, 2017 Alex City Outlook

OPINION: TRASH WALKS GREAT FOR COMMUNITY THE THURSDAY LOCAL, PAGE 9 Farmer’s Federation holds annual dinner

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

November 30, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 237 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢

SPORTS, PAGE 10 Reeltown begins brand new wrestling program

Chief and clerk OK’d for OT payments Jacksons Gap Town Council votes to pay lump sum to two employees

By MITCH SNEED Editor

FISHIN’ in the fog

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

You may not have been able to see your hand in front of your face through the thick fog Wednesday morning, but the anglers and the fish didn’t seem to mind. The fish are biting on Lake Martin and in the coves around the City Boat Ramp, Wednesday was a good day.

Anglers say fish are biting on Lake Martin

By MITCH SNEED Editor

While this time of year has many outdoor sportsmen decked out in camouflage and sitting in stands waiting for a big buck to appear, others say now is the best time of the year to be on the waters of Lake Martin.

Despite the soupy fog Wednesday morning, the comfortable temperatures on a day before rain was predicted lured plenty of anglers to the lake.

“They have been biting pretty good,” Shirell Hendon of Clay County said Wednesday as he was about to board a boat at the City Boat Ramp.

“It’s a little foggy, but we will stay in close until it burns off and hopefully it will be a good day. There’s really never a bad day when you are fishing.”

Traditionally, November is a great month for bass fishing on Lake Martin. The cooling water makes bass feed shallow to get ready for the winter. Those who fish the lake regularly say a lot of spotted bass are being caught, stripers are hitting hard and more largemouth than normal have been bagged.

A week after raising the salary of its police chief and town clerk, the Jacksons Gap Town Council voted to make lump sum payments to those employees.

In a 4-1 vote at a special called meeting Tuesday night, the council approved making a $12,171 payment to Police Chief B.C. Cooper and a payment of $3,707 to Town Clerk Kathleen Thomas. Councilmember Heather Glenn was not at the meeting and Councilman Carl Pritchard was the lone vote against the move.

Mayor Jeff Walker explained that the money was to “clean up” overtime and comp time that was accumulated before the city approved a personnel manual recently that left no doubt that the two positions were salaried, not hourly.

Walker said that he thought the council had settled the issue in January when the council approved a budget and said no See GAP • Page 3

Dadevil e council moves ahead on demolition, to hire police officers

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

David Hare of Alex City Guide Service said this is one of the best allaround runs he has seen on the lake in years.

“Since the beginning of October it has gotten better and better,” Hare

said. “This is one of the best runs for everything really that I have seen in a long time. The water is cooling down with a surface temperature of See FISHING • Page 3

The Dadeville City Council voted Tuesday to move ahead with its demolition project with a new manager and hire new police officers.

The council voted to go into executive session to discuss a contractual issue.

Upon returning to a normal meeting eight minutes later, the council voted to allow Mayor Wayne Smith to enter the city into a contract with East Alabama Planning and Development Commission to complete a demolition project started with Monroe and Associates after the contract with Monroe and Associates was terminated.

Dadeville Police Chief David Barbour informed the council two officers were See DADEVILLE • Page 3

City schools have saved $1 million in energy costs City Middle School, including new HVAC units and exterior lighting.

He also wanted to recognize city The Alexander City Board of schools Maintenance Director Bob Education welcomed a number of Nolen for his 37 years of service special guests at Tuesday night’s on behalf of the company. meeting, each giving a presentation “We are continuing to look for to the board on an important topic. ways to improve,” Smith said. “We Todd Smith from Schneider can’t wait for the future.”

Electric and several of his colChief School Financial Officer leagues at the company gave the Rhonda Blythe reported that all of board an update on where the part- the system finances were in good nership between Schneider and the order, though there was not a lot school system stood. to report at the moment, having “We have been partners for over only been in the new budget for 10 years now. Our goal is to save one month. Blythe said all school the district in utility money,” Smith accounts had been reconciled, said. “When we came in, our plan property tax revenue was up slightwas to save the schools $1 million ly, sales tax revenue was down over the course of 10 years. We some, and despite some small reached that goal two years early.” spikes in usage, utility usage and Smith talked about the recent costs were down approximately 5 improvements made at Jim Pearson See BOE • Page 5 Elementary School and Alexander

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

Today’s

Lake Levels

68 51

483.94

Low

Members of The Brainstormers FIRST Lego team at Stephens Elementary School demonstrate the device they created to help make a programmable faucet to aid in water conservation during Tuesday night’s Alex City Board of Education meeting.

Lake Martin

Weather High

Donald Campbell / The Outlook

Reported on 11/29/17 @ 5 p.m.

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Freeloading nephew needs to get help and get going

Friday

67 46 High

Low

Partly sunny

Saturday

69 46 Low

High Mostly cloudy

Staff

Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com

Postal

Information (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) The Outlook is published five times a week, Tuesday through Saturday mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.

How to Submit Obituaries

Thursday, November 30, 2017

The Outlook

Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Tabby Edwards Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Digital Marketing Coordinator, Ext. 208 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Rebecca Carlisle Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com Grant Peterson Advertising Sales, Ext. 209 grant.peterson@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com

DEAR ABBY: My husband’s nephew, “Jacob,” is 25 and always hanging around our house. He has had a hard time over the last four years. First, his mom committed suicide.

Two years later his dad died in his sleep.

My husband and I told Jacob we would be there when he needed advice about things. Well, he recently broke up with his longtime girlfriend, and he’s here at my house every day -- even days he’s not working. He calls every afternoon to see what I’m cooking and expects to eat here every night. He also expects me to drop what I’m doing to go and clean his house and wash his clothes.

I’m disabled, so it’s a struggle just to feed my husband and myself. He also sleeps here on the weekends if he doesn’t work. My husband and I no longer have any alone time because he’s always here.

DEAR ABBY Advice

I have tried to tell Jacob nicely that he needs his own life, but the message isn’t getting through. I know he has issues with being alone. He has never learned to be by himself. My husband is starting to get angry about the situation and wants me to “handle” it, but my words are not working.

If my husband decides to say something, it will end up in a heated argument.

How can I get through to this kid without hurting him? I do love him and try to treat him like one of my own kids. -- UPSET AUNT DEAR AUNT: Talk to Jacob again. This time do it in plain

English. Your nephew’s dependence on you has persisted for too long, and for everyone’s sake it needs to stop. If you haven’t suggested grief counseling for him, you should. Explain that you love him, but you and your husband need time to be alone together. Point out that if he’s unable to do his own housecleaning and laundry, he should hire someone. Do not feel guilty for speaking up. You have done more than enough for Jacob over the last few years, and for him to expect you to cook for him every night and weekend is over the top.

DEAR ABBY: My husband quit chewing tobacco, but now he chews gum constantly, three pieces at a time. If he’s not asleep or eating, his jaw is moving. His chews it aggressively, rolls it around in his mouth while talking, so that it looks bad and is irritating.

He works with the public,

and I’m embarrassed for him because I believe it’s bad manners to chew gum in that manner. I don’t know how to approach him. Please advise as to how I can help him. -EMBARRASSED FOR HIM IN CALIFORNIA DEAR EMBARRASSED: Your husband chews the way he is because he is trying to ease the pangs of withdrawal from his nicotine addiction. Because what he’s doing is unsightly, suggest he discuss it with his doctor to see if there are other options such as a nicotine patch to help him over the hump. And be sure to tell him how proud you are of his determination to quit.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Obituaries Ms. Dina Gail Thompson 1939 - 2017 Funeral service for Ms. Dina Gail Thompson, 77, of Jacksons Gap, Alabama, will be Friday, December 1, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Rev. Larry Cummings will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hillview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 30, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home.

Ms. Thompson passed away on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at Russell Medical. She was born on December 20, 1939 in Alexander City,

Alabama to Doyt Ray and Frances Smith Ray. She was a member of Calvary Heights Baptist Church. Gail was a dedicated loving mom and grandmother to her kids and grandkids. She loved working in her yards and watching Alabama football. She retired from Russell Corp. in 2002 after working there for 43 years.

She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Mann (Roy) Purvis of Jacksons Gap; son, Mickey Lee Mann of Jacksons Gap; son-in-law, Henry Colley of Eclectic; brother, Jerry Ray (Dorothy) of Alexander City; grandchildren, Krystal Cummings (Brian), Ashley Frew (Peyton), Shannon Mann (Lindsay) and Travis Mann (Kayla);

step-grandchildren, Jimmy Purvis (Jenny), Melissa Purvis, Bobby Purvis, Brandon Purvis, Brian Purvis (Kylene) and Nick Purvis (Heather); five great grandchildren; thirteen step great grandchildren; and three step great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gerald “Jerry” Thompson; daughter, Susan Elaine Colley; and brother, Larry Ray. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome. com.

Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

When life gives you lemons...

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, Kenneth Boone Photography and a commercial web printing press. © 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.

Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by e-mail at obits@alexcityoutlook.com or by fax at (256) 234-6550.

For more information, call (256) 234-4281.

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Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Trees at the home of Judy Shivers near Goodwater are loaded with lemons like this one she is holding from a Ponderosa lemon tree. She said this year has been a good one for her trees which are planted outside. She learned the craft of growing lemons from her mother who grew them in North Alabama despite people telling her they would never survive there. “My mom got me hooked on them and I’ve have these trees for years and years,” Shivers said. “I have been picking them for about a month and they are so good.”

SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law

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Thursday, November 30, 2017

Page 3

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The Outlook

Dadeville

continued from page 1

leaving the department.

“As you know we had one to resign,” Barbour told the council. “We had another turn in his retirement for December.”

Barbour said he is having difficulty in finding good certified officers and sought approval from the council to send someone to the police academy if a good job candidate could be located.

Barbour also informed the council that a police vehicle recently involved in an accident would likely be totaled by insurance. He sought permission to start the process of purchasing a new vehicle, which was already in the budget.

The council gave approval for Barbour to move ahead on both matters.

Council member Roy Mathis commended Barbour and his officers for the response to a recent gas leak.

Council member Teneeshia Goodman-Johnson is still seeking help for getting the Boys and Girls Club to return to Dadeville.

“I am trying to work on getting enough parents to commit,” Johnson said.

She explained she did not want to get the program back and not have enough children to support the program.

The council gave permission to Judy Robinson Huff to complete a historical sign for Alabama Mills to be placed in city hall. Huff gave a brief history of the textile mill. Dadeville was one of 10 locations in the state for Alabama Mills and operated under various names from 1929 until 1996.

Huff also reminded the council the site of City Hall was once a wagon factory in Dadeville.

Members of the council were reminded the city has a float in the Christmas parade Dec. 10.

The lineup starts at 2 p.m. with festivities starting at 1 p.m. There will be several bands and Storm Tracker 12 will be there. Sandra Carlisle will be the grand marshal.

The Dadeville City Council also: • approved minutes from the last meeting.

• approved one recreation center rental.

• learned the Highway 49 water extension project and the will be complete by Christmas.

• approved an employee safety meeting and Christmas dinner for Dec. 21 at noon.

• approved closing city hall Friday, Dec. 22 and Monday, Dec. 25 for the Christmas holiday.

The next meeting of the Dadeville City Council is Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. with a pre-meeting at 5:30 p.m.

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Top, this parcel of land at the corner of Herron Street and East South Street was the site of a car wash that was cleaned up with part of the demolition grant that will now be managed by the East Alabama Planning and Development Commission. Above, the Dadeville City Council members along with Mayor Wayne Smith, Attorney Robin Reynolds, left, and City Clerk Debbie Minor, right, pose for a photo at Tuesday night’s council meeting thanking the community for their support.

Gap overtime would be paid unless it was approved by the mayor first.

“I thought we had that handled, but lawyers and accountants tell me that we didn’t,” Walker said.

“We got a lawyer, CPA out of Montgomery and they took all our numbers and that is the number they came up with. They talked to the employees and looked at time sheets and came up with an estimate of what extra time

continued from page 1

they worked and this is what they came up with.

“I thought everything was handled, but they are lawyers and I’m not and this is what they said we needed to do to cover ourselves legally. They tell me it’s because there was still doubt if they were salary or hourly because we didn’t have a current personnel policy and now we have passed on. This should leave no doubt and wipe out the

Fishing

past and allow us to start fresh with everyone on the same page.”

Just last week, the council raised the salary of the city clerk to $42,000 and the police chief to $58,000, figures determined by accounting firm Jackson Thornton of Montgomery. Pritchard abstained from the votes.

In 2016 the police chief was paid at least $58,062 over his base pay of $48,253. $37,551

continued from page 1

64 degrees. That combined with the lower water levels and not having so much of that warm rainwater coming in like we did has everything biting.”

He said the temperatures have not only been good for the fish, they have been great for the anglers as well.

“We’ve had some cool nights and mornings, but it has been great out there,” Hare said. “You just can’t beat it.”

With the water level currently around 484, fish are easier to find and feeding in predictable spots. Fishermen are finding success in brush piles offshore and other wood cover along the banks.

Spotted bass are hitting hard along rocky banks and points. Large schools of baitfish are easy to find right now, too. Largemouth have been hitting along the rocks as well.

“I don’t care what you are fishing for, they are biting right now,” Hare said.

of that was in overtime and $20,510 in other pay.

The total compensation for the police chief was listed at $106,315 in one audit report.

In 2016 the town clerk was paid $57,328 which was listed as $20,559

over her previous base pay. Of that, $1,932 was in overtime and $18,627 was in other pay.

“The overtime isn’t budgeted and it does create a hole that you aren’t prepared for,” Walker said. “But the accoun-

tants and lawyers say this should handle it once and for all and there is no doubt that these are salaried positions. It’s all in the new handbook. We paid them to guide us and we have to follow that advice.”

MEDIUM DUTY TRUCK SHOP

“I’ve heard from guys who are catching a lot of crappie and we have been tearing it up with the stripes and spotted bass too. If you like to fish and catch fish, now is the time to do it.”

The recent success is good news at a time when Lake Martin will soon be the center of the bass fishing world.

The Bassmaster Elite Series will hold its season opener for the top tournament trail in the world right here on Lake Martin.

The tournament will bring the top bass fishermen in the world to Alexander City Feb. 8-11. Officials say Lake Martin, which is known for its healthy population of spotted bass, was a regular stop for Bassmaster events during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

But the last time B.A.S.S. visited the 44,000-acre lake on the Tallapoosa River for a high-level event was in November 2002.

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EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed

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Page 4

Our

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Who is more polarized, people or politicians?

View

Trash Walks are great for community A

D

o you want to do something special to help the community?

There is an effort set for Saturday that will allow you to do just that and still be done well before kickoff of the SEC Championship game.

Prosperity Again Through Health is sponsoring another Trash Walk Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Volunteers are asked to meet at the Elkahatchee Bridge on Highway 63 for supplies and assignments then set off to help rid roadsides and other troubled areas of litter that has accumulated over time.

These efforts make a difference and since they began in 2015, it has also renewed awareness of the issue. LMRA’s John Thompson tells us that in the three years that Trash Walks have been held, 1,000 man-hours have been contributed by nearly 500 volunteers resulting in the removal of more than 1,000 bags of trash and mounds of automotive tires from these important highways in the Lake Martin Community.

We applaud the efforts of agencies like PATH and Lake Martin Resource Association that act as a resource for residents to keep our area clean through trash walks or cleanup days. We encourage residents to get involved in activities that promote sustainable living. We hope you will volunteer Saturday and help.

As most mothers teach us, we should clean up what we mess up. Easier said than done when your primary focus is enjoying yourself, we know.

If you can’t help Saturday, you can help every day in simple ways.

Here are a few ways we can reduce our waste and be proactive about keeping our area clean while we enjoy ourselves: • Use refillable water bottles or tumblers while out instead of plastic • Keep a box of trash bags on your boat or in your vehicle handy so you’re able to pick up trash even if there isn’t a trash can nearby • See an illegal dumpsite? Report it to your local law enforcement agency Let’s try to leave every place we visit not just the way it was, but a little bit better.

In doing so we have the power to set the standard of behavior and treatment of our area and one step at a time help reduce pollution and illegal dumpsites that harm the ecosystems in our area, our state and our country.

Know Your

Officials Jim Nabors is mayor of Alexander City. His phone number at city hall is 256-329-6730 and his home number is 256329-1320 His address at city hall is 4 Court Square; Alexander City, AL, 35010. His home address is 1695 Magnolia Street Alexander City, AL, 35010.

s political debates over the issues heat up, you’ll find no shortage of publications that conclude that the American people are so polarized that they are blindly partisan, and have little respect for each other. Is that the case? Or is our national polarization more about the partisan rancor of politicians in Washington DC? We look at several polls to test which is the case.

“You probably don’t need to anyone to tell you this, but Americans are more polarized than ever before on the topic of presidential approval,” writes Dr. Chloe Carmichael, writing in the Huffington Post.

“According to a recent Pew Research poll, 88 percent of Republicans approve of President Trump, while just eight percent of Democrats approve.” She then goes on to explain how political polarization can be addressed by her psychology profession.

She’s hardly alone. The Pew Research Center has sounded the alarm for years, claiming that the extremes (liberal and conservative) have been rising over the last three decades, and how the median Democrat is further away from the median Republican.

What you mostly see is the collapse of the center. Like Dr. Carmichael, The Atlantic’s report presumes the presence of polarization in their question for solutions to the problem. “The American public is divided—over economic policy, social policy, foreign policy, race, privacy and national security, and many other things,” they write.

But not all are in agreement with this assessment.

Writing in the Washington Post, Professors Seth J. Hill (UCSD) and Chris Tausanovitch use more extensive data from the American National Election Studies, to find that public polarization has not recently emerged.

There are fewer liberal Republicans and conservative Democrats, the result of something known as “party sorting,” which does not necessarily lead to political

Today’s

Scripture

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him...”

—Philippians 1:29

over distribution of partisan responses, most of which were pretty centrist.

Now compare those numbers to the voting records of NAME HERE politicians in Washington DC, Columnist compiled by the American Conservative Union (ACU). extremism. “The result is Only a fraction of representamuch more homogeneous tives and senators had a modparties, even though the ideolerate voting record (based on ogy of the public as a whole a 25 vote sample), even when has not changed very much,” we expanded it to include all the authors note, even as they of those who voted between find evidence of politicians 26 percent conservative and between more extreme. The 74 percent conservative. conservative Hoover Institute You’ll find a lot more zeroes reaches a similar conclusion (pure liberal) and 100s (perfect about the public. conservative) than moderates Who is right? With help in the House and Senate in from Kelby Bibler, I posed recent years, though it was a that question to the students different story decades ago. of Vaughn May’s political Our elected officials in science course at Belmont Washington DC would like University, and challenged you to believe that Americans them to come up with some are a pretty polarized people, answers. We looked at surso they can justify their hyperveys of public opinion on polipartisan voting streaks. But tics, as well as voting records in reality, this country is of Congress, and this was dominated by moderates who what we found. have little representation in In an Associated PressWashington, DC. Perhaps National Opinion Research that’s why approval ratings for Center (AP-NORC) poll at President Trump and Congress the time, 14 percent identiare so low, and why so many fied themselves as a strong people believe our country is Democrat, while 10 perheaded in the wrong direction. cent claimed to be a strong Republican. Moderate John A. Tures is a proDemocrats made up 18 fessor of political science percent of the sample, with at LaGrange College in Democrat-leaners at 14 perLaGrange, Georgia. He cent and 18 percent of the can be reached at jtures@ sample claiming to be indelagrange.edu. The author pendent. There were 11 perthanks Vaughn May and his cent “Lean Republican” and Belmont University politianother 15 percent “Moderate cal science students, who Republican.” Just less than a researched the ACU scores of quarter of the sample claimed politicians and Kelby Bibler to be strongly linked to a for researching polls on public political party, a pretty small preferences. number compared to the

Jim Nabors

Buffy Colvin

Letters to the Editor

Do more guns mean more deaths?

Scott Hardy

Eric Brown represents District 4. His phone number is 256-3972011. His address is 1421 Parrish Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Works committee.

Eric Brown

Tommy Spraggins represents District 5.

His phone number is 256-234-3609. His address is 1539 College Street, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Finance committee.

Tommy Spraggins

Tim Funderburk represents District 6.

His phone number is 256-825-2993. His address is 1431 River Oaks, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Utilities committee.

Daily Poll Wednesday Question: Do you think area jails are secure enough?

No – 52%, 16 votes Yes – 48%, 15 votes

Thursday Question: Do you plan to volunteer at Saturday’s Trash Walk?

To participate in this daily poll, log on each day to www.alexcityoutlook.com and vote. Find out the vote totals in the next edition of The Outlook and see if your vote swayed the results.

Our

Mission

The Outlook strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

How to

Subscribe

The subscription rate is $136.00 per year in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties and $177.99 outside the area. Periodicals paid at Alexander City, AL. Newspapers are available at 100 news racks in our area at 75 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. We would love to deliver a paper to your door. Call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281, Ext. 204 or e-mail david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook. com.

Opinion?

Scott Hardy represents District 3. His phone number is 256-4962450. His address is 549 Sleepy Hollow Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee.

alexcityoutlook.com

What’s your

Bobby Tapley

Buffy Colvin represents District 2. Her phone number is 256-750-0663.

Her address is 786 I Street, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Buildings and Property committee.

Quote

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”

—Oscar Wilde

Bobby Tapley represents District 1. His phone number is 256392-0344. His address is 1821 LaVista Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Safety committee.

Today’s

Dear Editor, I am pro-gun control. I have always believed that the more guns citizens own, the more dangerous our country becomes.

Yep, I was pretty sure more guns always meant more murders, suicides, accidental deaths and Las Vegas style massacres. I was just about ready to close the book on the subject when I ran across some information about Switzerland.

“responsible gun salad,” I’d instruct the waiter “let me have what she’s having.”

Getting back to my “more guns more deaths” theory ...

I’m 70 years old. I try to stay in shape. I do some walking, swimming, even some weight lifting. Once in a while I’ll do some jumping jacks. There’s only one type of exercise I’m going to discontinue — jumping to conclusions.

Art Walker Alexander City

Distention is the problem with elections Dear Editor,

Tim Funderburk

Turns out, the Swiss are big gun fans. They own just about as many guns per capita as we do, but they are one of the world’s safest countries. For every 1,000 deaths by guns that we have, they have maybe two or three. That sure shoots (excuse the pun) the heck out of my “more guns always means more deaths” theory.

This is kind of a weird equivalency but follow me for a second. If I’m America sitting in a restaurant watching Switzerland eat the countries specialty

Distension is the problem with our elections. When approximately 50 percent of the registered voters show up

to vote that means if a candidate wins by 51 percent, only approximately 25 percent of the people elected the person to take office. Everyone’s vote does matter. I cannot vote for

someone so far to the right that he loses his moral values and was removed twice from office.

Daniel Storey Dadeville

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Thursday, November 30, 2017

The Outlook

United Way has successful Giving Tuesday drive ent and saved the client’s life in the process, discovering he had fallen two days earlier and had not been able to get up.

Following on the heels of Black “I brought a radio in to the office and Friday and Cyber Monday, the Lake we listened to it the whole day,” Fuller Martin Area United Way made a consaid. “We got a great response from peocerted effort on Giving Tuesday for part ple who heard these stories on the radio of its “Team United” 2018 fundraiser and saw us on The Front Porch.” campaign.

Giving Tuesday for the United Way “It went really great,” United Way wrapped up early Wednesday morning, Executive Director Sharon Fuller said. when Fuller returned for another visit “We collected $7,375 in either money or to The Front Porch, joined by domestic pledges yesterday (Tuesday).” violence survivor Terry Rice to tell her Fuller said this was the first year the story. local United Way had held a dedicated Still steadily cruising towards its funGiving Tuesday effort as part of the draising goal of $550,000, Fuller said organization’s annual fundraising camthe money raised on Giving Tuesday paign, though the agency did try and had brought the donation total up to 64 hold a Giveathon event several years percent of the goal, a number she hoped ago. would grow even more by Friday, Dec. Giving Tuesday for the Lake Martin 8 when the agency holds its final camArea United Way began when Fuller, paign contribution update of the season.

Campaign Chair Sandra Fuller and “There are still several businesses Wendy Wyatt went on The Front Porch who have either just started or are conwith Kenny Dean to talk about the tinuing to run their personal fundraisers,” United Way and the agencies it helps she said. provide funding for. This included For those interested in giving to the Wyatt’s story about how, after her house United Way campaign but missed conwas destroyed in a fire, she was able to tributing on Giving Tuesday, Fuller said get her life back on track through help there was still plenty of time to make provided by the United Way and the donations to the agency.

American Red Cross.

“This is the season of giving,” she The day continued with Kowaliga said. “I believe we are such a giving Country broadcasting testimonies from community. Every year, we’re blessed those who had been helped through with being able to help as much as we several of the 28 United Way agencies. can. I think we can make it.

These testimonials were powerful pieces, “If you didn’t have the opportunity including how a volunteer with Meals on to give on Giving Tuesday, you can still Wheels was out delivering food to a cli- contribute.”

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

BOE

continued from page 1

Donald Campbell / The Outlook

Representatives from Schnieder Electric recognized retiring Maintenance Director Bob Nolen for his 37 years of service to the Alexander City school system during the board of education meeting Tuesday night.

percent across the board.

Keith Lashley presented his annual technology report in order to meet federal compliance standards and keep receiving federal technology funds.

Lashley reported that some surplus funds were used to buy additional spare Chromebooks for students when repairs were needed.

“Cracked screens are the biggest problem we see, followed by broken hinges,” he said.

Lashley said a new software program had been added that would allow the school to monitor e-mails and social media posts for harmful language, while the school system had approved using Barracuda Solutions to protect data from issues like hackers. He also mentioned some carryover funds were being used to purchase new iPads at Jim Pearson, which he said was the school of greatest need with regards to technology.

The Brainstormers, a team of fourthgraders at Stephens Elementary School taking part in the FIRST Lego competition, presented a skit for their robotics competition. This year’s competition topic was water, so the Brainstormers chose to address the issue of water conservation. The solution was a programmable faucet that would only dispense a certain amount of water, based on which button combination was selected.

The team will be competing against other FIRST Lego teams from throughout the state on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Betty Carol Graham Center at Central Alabama Community College.

The following items were also considered during Tuesday’s meeting: • Minutes from the Sept. 19 and Oct. 24 meetings were approved.

• Cooper reported the most recent annual report about the city school

system was completed and will be distributed around town. He also reminded the board there was a board training session scheduled for Feb. 22 through the Alabama Association of School Boards, while the association’s annual convention will be held Dec. 7-9.

• The board approved hiring DeLisa Chambers as a system psychometrist, Loren Padgett as an English Language Arts teacher at Benjamin Russell and Tomoneisha Frederick as a special needs teacher at Stephens Elementary School.

• The board accepted the retirement of Stephens special needs teacher Jennifer Sprayberry and the transfer of Stephens custodian Arthur Daniel to the role of system custodian and groundskeeper.

• Three Family and Medical Leave Act requests were approved, as were three special contracts and five supplements, including Demetrius Fleetion to serve as an assistant coach for the Benjamin Russell girls’ basketball team.

• Six overnight field trip requests were approved, including the Benjamin Russell Drama Club to travel to the Trumbauer State Festival in Florence, the Benjamin Russell girls’ basketball team to compete in the Turkey Jamm Tournament in Huntsville, the Benjamin Russell Navy JROTC for the orienteering camp at Camp McDowell, the Benjamin Russell wrestling team to compete in the Mortimer Jordan Tournament, the Benjamin Russell boys’ and girls’ soccer teams to take part in the Southern Shootout Tournament and the Benjamin Russell baseball team for the state baseball playoffs.

The next meeting of the Alexander City Board of Education is Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 5 p.m. in the Benjamin Russell High School auditorium, beginning at 5 p.m.

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ALEXANDER CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

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CommunityCalendar Need Today is Insurance? November 30, 2017 Call me.

Today’s Events

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Haven Memorial United Methodist Church is hosting the Women’s Bible Study “War Room” Nov. 30 from noon to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: The Central Alabama Community College

Thursday, November 30, 2017

The Outlook

Concert and Community Band will host a Christmas Concert Thursday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Betty Carol Graham Cener. There will be a meet and greet from 6:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

SWEET POTATO PIE: Alex City Arts presents the female music group Sweet Potato Pie. They will be performing at the Benjamin Russell auditorium Thursday, Nov. 30. The group’s show, “A Home Grown Christmas,” will feature heartfelt renditions of many iconic Christmas

Submit calendar items:

Participate in your Outlook by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or logging on to http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/. songs. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15, while students and children get in free.

Today’s Birthdays

Laura Hargrove, Shelby Adele Thrash, Melba Joiner, April Ford, Mickey Harry, Rachel Strock, Sawyer Sapp, Dr. Kevin James, Lakisha Phillips, Eric Belyeu, Mianna Collum and Arlene Wyckoff are celebrating birthdays today.

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The new home to Heritage South Credit Union is open and it will officially cut the ribbon on its Highway 280 location in Alexander City with a ceremony at 1 p.m. Friday Sunday, December 3

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SUNDAY DINNER: Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church is hosting Sunday dinner Sunday, Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. The free dinner will be served in the clubhouse building next to the church at 3997 Hillabee Road in Alexander City. The pastor of Duncan Memorial is Rev. Wayne Hicks.

All are invited to this free, casual dinner.

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Mt. Zion East Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating its 152nd Church Anniversary Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m.

The guest minister will be Rev. Jessie Mays of Marrietta Baptist Church.

Pastor of Mt. Zion East Missionary Baptist Church is Rev. Jimmy Thomas.

INAUGURATION CEREMONY: Word Bible Church is hosting an inauguration ceremony Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. The event is located at 1050 N. Central in Alexander City. All are welcome.

December 6

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MONTHLY LUNCHEON: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have their Monthly Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Please bring a covered dish and a small donation.

December 6-10

PASTORAL APPRECIATION: House of Prayer Apostolic Church of Promise is celebrating the 24th Annual Pastoral Appreciation for Overseer Emma and Deacon Earnest Hoyle Dec. 6 and 8 and 7 p.m. and Climax Sunday is Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. The church is at 634 North Central Avenue in Alexander City.

Thursday, December 7

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL: Faith Christian Academy presents its 12th Annual Christmas musical, Christmas at Bethlehem Gulch Thursday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. in the Faith Temple sanctuary. The musical will present the FCA Cance Troupe, the second grade handbell choir, a lasso performance and an 84-voice children’s choir.

Friday, December 8

BAKE SALE: The Russell Medical Auxiliary is hosting its annual Christmas Holiday Bake Sale Friday, Dec. 8 starting at 7 a.m. in the Russell Medical Community Room. There will be cakes, pies, breads, candy, cookies and canned goods. All proceeds go toward student scholars.

Saturday, December 9

CHRISTMAS BALL: New Style Baptist Church is hosting Christmas Ball 2017, a semi-formal event, Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at The Hangout 6207 Hwy 63 South in Alexander City. Rev. Richard E Taylor is Pastor. Tickets are $10.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door. Please contact Tonya Thomas at 256-7860399, Pam Jones at 256-496-2044, Shirley Jennings at 256-496-4067, or Shelia Thomas at 256-872-1053 for tickets.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is hosting a holiday open house from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors can see luminaries along the pathways and battlefield.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: Dadeville First United Methodist Church is hosting breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 9 from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee are $5 and the breakfast a photograph with Santa and Mrs. Claus

is $10. Mrs. Butterworth will be there too. Proceeds benefit the church’s Honduras Medical Mission trip.

Sunday, December 10

CHRISTMAS PARADE: The Friends of Dadeville in concert with the Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce are co-sponsoring the 4th Annual “Spirit of a Hometown Christmas” Parade scheduled for Dec. 10 in Dadeville. This annual event features a wide variety of floats and parade participants, arts and crafts booths, a children’s venue, food booths and more importantly, Santa Claus.

If you would like to participate in the parade or need additional information, please contact the Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce at 256 825-4019.

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL: Faith Temple Church will present the timeless story of His coming in a Christmas musical, “Christmas in His Presence, “ on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 10:30 a.m. in the Faith Temple sanctuary. The musical features soloists Valerie Baty, Julie Haynes, Susan Mann and Frank Carpenter. The public is cordially invited.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM: Hillabee Baptist Church Children’s Choir will present their Christmas program at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 10 and at 6 p.m. the youth choir will present their program. Everyone is welcome.

Thursday, December 14

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: The Capitol Sounds Concert Band will be in concert Thursday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the St. James United Methodist Church at 9045 Vaughn Road in Montgomery. Admission is free.

Sunday, December 17

CHRISTMAS CANTATA: Red Ridge United Methodist Church is presenting its Christmas cantata “How Should a King Come” by Randy Vader and Rose Aspinall Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m. under the direction of Dr. Kim Walls with a full orchestra.

January 8-9

THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days January 8-9. Dumpsters will be located at at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.

Sunday, January 21

HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING: The Tallapoosee Historical Society will meet at the Historical Museum on the square in Dadeville on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 2 p.m. Dr. Charles Mitchell will be the speaker.

He will present “A Pictorial History of Alabama Agriculture.” While working at Auburn, Dr. Mitchell accumulated lots of old photographs related to Alabama agriculture. Several years ago, he began organizing them and realized that these old pictures could actually tell the chronological story of Alabama’s agriculture from the Creek Indians to modern production. He will share these photographs with the Tallapoosee Historical Society Please make plans to attend. The meeting is open to the public, there is no admission fee and free refreshments will be served.

Ben & Peggy Smith, Owners Thur & Fri 9-4 | Sat 9-1 256-675-0176 1222 Hwy 280, Kellyton, AL

April 9-10

THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days April 9-10. Dumpsters will be located at at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.

July 16-17

THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days July 16-17. Dumpsters will be located at at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.

The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow

The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for Weekend Shifts in Direct Care.

Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Brinda Bell (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 Email: bbell@learning-tree.org

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

October 15-16

THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days October 15-16. Dumpsters will be located at at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.

Ongoing Events

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Red Ridge United Methodist Church in Dadeville hosts an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting every Sunday at 6 p.m.

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS: The Bill Nichols Chapter 13 meets every third Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Charles T. “Bud” Porch Center in Alexander City. Chapter Service Officers are available every second and fourth Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m. for claims assistance.

RECYCLING: The Alexander City Recycling Facility is located at the Public Works Department at 824 Railey Road. All materials should be dropped off behind the green storage shed on the Public Works lot. The facility is always open for unassisted drop off. Assistance with drop off is available between 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call 256-409-2020 for more information.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: Every second and fourth Sunday at 5 p.m. the Trinity campus of First United Methodist Church will be a caregiver support group. Call 256-786-1685 for more information.

TOPS MEETING: Take Off Pounds Sensibly is the short name for TOPS Club, Inc., the original nonprofit, noncommercial network of weight-loss support groups throughout the U.S. and Canada. TOPS offers tools and programs for healthy living and weight management, with exceptional group fellowship and recognition. Established in 1948 to champion weight-loss support and success, we’ve helped millions of people live healthier lives.

Come out and visit us. Your first meeting is free. Meetings are held every Thursday at 6 p.m. at Comer Baptist Church, 341 E. Church St., Alexander City, AL. Call (256) 4964210 for more information.

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Thursday, November 30, 2017

The Outlook

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Tallapoosa County Farmer’s Federation holds annual dinner

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

A crowd of farmers and those who support the local farming industry gathered at the Arbor Campus of the First United Methodist Church of Alexander City Tuesday night for the annual Tallapoosa County Farmer’s Federation Farm City Banquet. Guests included Tallapoosa County Commissioners John McKelvey and Emma Jean Thweatt, Sheriff Jimmy Abbett and members of the FFA from Benjamin Russell, Horseshoe Bend and Reeltown.

“I feel blessed to live in Tallapoosa County,” TCFF President Rod Havens said during his opening remarks. “I think this is one of the most beautiful counties in the state and maybe even the country.”

Attendees had the chance to chow down on Alabama farm raised catfish and chicken before the main portion of the event began, recognizing area students who were the school and county winners of the organization’s essay and poster contests.

Jayden Siggers was the Reeltown essay winner, Mary Carol Rasbury won the Horseshoe Bend essay contest and Wilson Hays was not only the winner at Benjamin Russell, but was also declared the winner of the county-wide competition. In the poster competition, thirdgrader Waverly Chambers of Horseshoe Bend was named the winner in the kindergarten through third grade division, while Horseshoe Bend’s Lily Gracelyn Moss won at the fourth- through sixthgrade level. The two winning posters were put on display, while Hays stood before the audience and read his essay to the crowd.

Following this time of special recognition, State Representative Mark Tuggle introduced the special guest speaker for the evening, Dr. Gary Lemme, the director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service. Lemme said events like this were all about making sure everyone understood how important the co-dependence between rural farming communities and larger cities was.

“You can’t have a society without agriculture,” he said.

Lemme also cited some statistics about the population of Tallapoosa County and

Donald Campbell / The Outlook

Dr. Gary Lemme of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, Tallapoosa County Farmer’s Federation President Rod Havens and Administrative Assistant Vickie Watkins pose with essay and poster contest winners Jayden Siggers, Mary Carol Rasbury, Wilson Hays, Waverly Chambers and Lily Gracelyn Moss.

the effects this can have on the economic base of the county. With 40 percent of children living below the poverty line, less than 20 percent of the population having a college degree, and a projected 10 percent decrease in county population through the year 2040, Lemme stressed how valuable some of the pro-farming resources available in the county are.

“Shane and the rest of the people at the county extension office are great assets,” Lemme said. “The FFA and 4-H, those kids are our future. These groups teach life lessons and skills that will make them the leaders of tomorrow. Supporting them is a good way to invest in your community.”

Lemme also presented several positive statistics, including how, with the U.S. taking in $129.7 billion in annual

sales from the agriculture industry, of which $267.6 million was generated in Tallapoosa County, this is the largest trade surplus in any industrial sector in America. He also said how roughly half of the broilers (chickens raised for meat production) sent to Cuba are raised in Alabama.

“The top three national exports are soybeans, corn and tree nuts,” he said.

“Our top purchasers are Canada, China, Mexico, the European Union and Japan.”

Lemme ended his talk by encouraging everyone to continue striving for a better future, where nobody on Earth has to worry about chronic hunger.

“If we do nothing, this is not going to be a place we will want to be,” he said.

“Someone else will create our future. We need to build on our strengths, strengthen

what we have, attract allied industries and foster local entrepreneurs.”

After the talk, several door prizes were awarded to attendees, Farmer’s Federation Administrative Assistant Vickie Watkins recognized many of the sponsors who helped make the event possible, and Havens closed out the night with a few positive remarks. While the night had been successful, including a number of canned food items being brought in as a donation to the local food bank, some of Lemme’s final words reminded the crowd to keep pushing forward.

“We need to keep giving our kids things like 4-H and FFA to participate in,” he said. “We are producing enough food to feed everyone. We can shape our future.”

LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228

lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com

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Thursday, November 30, 2017

www.alexcityoutlook.com

JOE MCADORY Columnist

NEW CHALLENGE

Can AU regain its passion one week after Iron Bowl?

M

eandering through the corridors of Atlanta’s beautiful, new Mercedes Benz Stadium on Sunday afternoon, I attracted an unexpected crowd. “We’re gonna beat your (expletive)!” one man said emphatically, eyeballs popping out of his head as if I’d kicked his dog.

Seconds later, another random person points his finger and shouts, “We’re coming for you!”

Oops. Maybe I shouldn’t have worn my navy Auburn University Harbert College of Business pullover in the heart of rabid Bulldog country six days before the biggest Auburn-Georgia game in history. It was chilly Sunday morning and I don’t have cold-weather Falcons gear. Those Georgia people have fire in their eyes. They’re angry.

They’re hungry. They want payback from 40-17. They want Auburn.

The shoe was on the other foot three weeks ago at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Georgia had pretty much owned the Tigers since 2006, give or take a miracle or two. Auburn wanted revenge.

Auburn wanted payback. Auburn wanted to rip the No. 1 Bulldogs off their sudden, unfamiliar pedestal.

Three weeks after Auburn’s revenge game, a motivated Georgia team has the same opportunity to knock the Tigers out of the playoff while toilet paper from Saturday’s night’s epic Toomer’s rolling still drapes trees along the Samford Lawn. Auburn just beat Alabama. Now this? Again?

How does a team find that fire, zest and passion to win the biggest game of the season just days after emotionally knocking off your biggest rival — the team your program and fan base points toward? How do you put on your battle armor and expect to win while still savoring the sweet taste of victory?

While Auburn was busy with the most physical team in America last Saturday, the Bulldogs had an off week at hapless Georgia Tech. The Varsity across I-75 in downtown Atlanta handles Dogs far better than the Yellow Jackets.

Yes, Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, Jake Fromm and Company present huge tests for the Tiger defense (which won the first round by knockout). Yes, Georgia’s defensive front is among the best in the SEC. Yes, this Georgia team — rejuvenated since the JordanHare whipping — will enter the SEC Championship with more passion and desire than it displayed on the Plains.

And yes, Kerryon Johnson’s shoulder injury in the Iron Bowl might prevent him from playing. Those are imposing tests for Auburn. But first and foremost, Auburn must put Iron Bowl delirium in its rear view mirror.

So who will win? A lot of that depends on which Tiger team shows up, and whether or not Johnson will be a factor. Can Auburn maintain the level of intensity it showed against Georgia and Alabama? Will Auburn’s kick return defense not embarrass itself? If needed, will Kam Martin step up and more than fill Johnson’s role on offense? If the answer to these questions is yes, then I like the Tigers’ chances. I picked Georgia three weeks ago. That turned out OK. Let’s do it again. Bulldogs 24, Tigers 17.

Back to the Future: Here we are … the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry resuming with a championship game in the very city that started this annual hate-fest. Indeed, we’ve come a long way from those days at Piedmont Park. The last time they met in Atlanta (1915), Woodrow Wilson was president and the average price of a gallon gas was 8 cents. Auburn won this showdown, 12-0.

Iron Bowl mystery: It’s bizarre that Tide running back Damien Harris’ day will mostly be remembered for jumping offsides on punt coverage, giving Auburn a first down, than running the football. He had only six carries, as did Bo Scarbrough. That was really stupid, Nick Saban. Thank you.

Joe McAdory is Communications Editor at Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business.

Reeltown begins wrestling program in fifth grade at Tallassee.

Sophomore Brody Newman at 152 is another one with big expectations, as well as For the third sports season sophomore Cade Wood at 120 in a row, Reeltown is adding pounds. a new program to the arsenal.

“We have a bunch of hard This winter, the Rebels will take to the wrestling mat for the working kids, and they’re very smart in picking up the moves first time in school history.

“Probably one of the biggest pretty fast,” MacKay said.

“They get after it in the practice hurdles is getting the kids to room, so there’s not much more learn more about the sport,” Reeltown coach Drew MacKay I can ask for.”

MacKay hails from New said. “They’re definitely learning, and (the response) has Jersey and wrestled collegiately at Delaware Valley University been really positive. The kid in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, are always excited to come to and he’s actually trying to practice and wanting to learn use his Northern roots to the new moves.”

Rebels’ advantage.

The Rebels boast 16 “In my experience coaching wrestlers from seventh to 12th with Opelika (Middle School), grade, but they currently have I’ve seen a lot of what wrestlers only 11 varsity weight classes are accustomed to in Alabama, filled. But because wrestling and I’ve tried to bring in some is more of individual sport, techniques that I’ve never seen the Rebels will focus on those individual accomplishments as in Alabama,” MacKay said.

“We’ve worked on different much as possible. positions — top, bottom Senior Daniel Spain will and neutral — but as far as wrestle at 182, and he brings just a little wrestling experience technique wise, I’ve showed them stuff that worked well for to the table. He wrestled

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook

Top: Reeltown’s Cade Wood, top, and Tanner Hill battle during a wrestling practice on Wednesday. Above: Brody Newman, top, works on technique with teammate Daniel Spain.

me when I competed.”

Because of the newness of the program, Reeltown won’t host any home matches this year, but it’s hoping to add that to the repertoire next season.

The Rebels kick off the season Saturday when they head to Tallassee for a 10-team duals tournament.

“We’re just excited to get some experience and some real mat time,” MacKay said.

“The kids are looking for to it.

Seeming then go against each other in the room with their teammates is great, but you never really know how you’re going to do until you go against some other competition.”

Dadeville has high hopes despite small roster

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

For the first time in Pam Holloway’s high school coaching career, she’s going to face the challenge of having an extremely small roster. Dadeville boasts only seven players on the girls basketball team, but despite that, the Tigers’ expectations remain high.

“Even though we only have seven, I’m still expecting a lot out of the seven young ladies,” Holloway said. “If we can get the right mentality and get over the fact that we only have two people sitting on the bench, and if we stay healthy, I’m really expecting us to be able to compete in the area and be able to hopefully do well when we get to that point.”

Before the area tournament rolls around, though, Holloway’s Tigers will be learning how to gel with one another. She said they’re going to need to rely on each other more heavily this year than any other.

“You should learn every position anyway, but for us this year, we’re going to have to know everybody’s positions and really be able to count on each other as a team,” Holloway said.

Quanesha Presley, who will mostly play forward but can be utilized around the court, and Ranikia Cox, a center, are the only seniors on the team. They’ll be counted on for both experience and leadership.

Guard Jamela Moss and Nena Pearson are also returning from last year.

Makya Johnson will also

File / The Outlook

Dadeville’s Jalen Sullivan is one of three returning starters for the Tigers this season.

play forward, and Dadeville has brought up two freshmen, De’Asia Doss and Jenifer Galvan-Castillo, both of whom are guards.

Although the Tigers begin the season today at Holtville, the starting lineup is still up in the air.

“We’re trying to gel a little bit, get some chemistry and see who we will really be able to count more on,” Holloway said. “It’s hard because we don’t have anyone to really scrimmage against in practice.”

Dadeville is expecting most of its early offensive strength to come inside, but it’s looking to create more

outside opportunities as well.

Pearson, Moss and Galvan-Castillo are still competing for the job of starting point guard, and Holloway said they could end up playing a two-set.

Defensively, the Tigers will start out in mostly zone, but with experience, Holloway is hoping to add more to the repertoire.

“We’re still going to try to get to the point where we can run a combination of everything, but it’s going to take time, especially with us not being able to really consistently do that in practice,” Holloway said.

“We’re going to play zone, we’ll play some man-to-man and do a lot of half-court matchup things. We just have to get the experience and see how it goes.”

Unlike the girls squad, Dadeville’s boys basketball returns quite a bit of experience. Guards Jalen Sullivan and Qua Tucker and forward Kevin Walker are all returning starters who are back for their senior years.

Rounding out the starting lineup will be sophomore guard Jamarion Wilkerson and freshman center P.J. Eason, who stands at 6-foot8. “(Eason) has to get a little strength on him, but he has pretty good feet,” Dadeville boys coach Jesse Foster said. “I’m also looking for Wilkerson to have a pretty good year. Jalen and Qua Tucker are pretty big scorers, so we’ll be guard heavy.”

Dadeville boasts strong outside shooting and an aggressive defense.

“We’ll try to get up and down the floor a bit and do some pressing every chance we get,” Foster said.

“They’re going to be pretty aggressive, and we’ll get after it with an up-tempo game. We’ll play man-toman and press every chance we get.”

Although Foster is a first-year head coach, he’s familiar with the Tigers because he’s coached them through the program and was mostly recently coach of the JV team. He said his expectations are to see if the Tigers can get to Birmingham this year for the state championships.