OPINION: WE CAN’T IGNORE AGING SEWER SYSTEM, PAGE 4.
THE
HALLOWEEKEND Look inside to see this weekend’s festive costumes!
PLAYOFFS BEGIN
TUESDAY
Wildcats set to open playoffs with Saraland in battle of Top Ten Teams, page 10.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 November 3, 2015
Vol. 123, No. 219
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Goss: Funds Nightmare on Semmes Street needed for fiber optics New businesses, cable competition at stake By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Council reworks business licence fees Changes mean annexed property will be kept on an ‘even keel’
Imagine lightning fast internet speeds, voice over internet phone service and digital television cable service from multiple providers. If Alexander City City Councilman Tony Goss has his way, all that could be on the horizon here in our area. Goss will make an appeal to have $100,000 included in the budget to begin the process of installing fiber optic cable in the city. “I understand that the budget is tight, but this is something that could pay for itself in a maximum of three years,” Goss said. “I believe in this so strongly, that I don’t think we can afford to wait another year on it.” Goss has been studying the potential and has visited Sylacauga and Opelika where they have fiber rings in place. He said they have added new cable companies and have seen interest from high-tech industries that need fiber for See FIBER, Page A9
By Mitch Sneed
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
More than 200 Trick-or-Treaters flooded to Semmes Street for candy and chills as two homes went all out with decorations and the Halloween experience. Above, Edward Mitchell runs as Tony Pennington cranks the chainsaw. Some said it was the clown face more than the chainsaw that scared them. Below, Jessica Sneed gives out candy along with her werewolf Saturday evening. See page 5B for more.
Outlook Editor
When several island parcels occupied by manufacturers were annexed into the city limits of Alexander City, they were faced with the prospect of paying one of the highest business license rates in the state. The Alexander City City Council took steps Monday night to restructure business license rates for manufacturers so that they will be paying about the same as before they were annexed. “We looked at it and, if we had left them as they were, they would have been paying one of the highest business license fees in the state,” said Ward Sellers, who heads business licensing for the city. “By adopting this, it pretty much keeps them on an even keel, basically the same fee as they were paying before.” Councilman Bob Howard said that made sense. “We didn’t want to penalize them for being in the city limits,” Howard said. The council faced an agenda that had just four items, with all five members present also approving using federal grants funds for more work at See COUNCIL, Page A5
BRHS drama students preparing for competition By Cliff Williams Outlook Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Members of the Benjamin Russell drama class pose for a photograph. The group will present its competition show “I never saw another butterfly” at 7 p.m. tonight.
Benjamin Russell High School students are preparing for a first – a drama competition. Students in Shannon Culver’s drama performance class are set for a Saturday competition. “We are going to the Trumbauer District Competition in Opelika Saturday,” Culver said. “It is our first-ever competition that we have done with high school. We have so much talent here. I found out about the competitions when I was
researching things we could do here. I used to compete when I was in high school theatre in Texas.” Culver started the drama program last year. “This the second year for the drama performances,” Culver said. “The city council helps fund the arts in grades K-12.” The group is performing the 45-minute one act play “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” by Celeste Raspanatni. “It is based on the poetry of children in the Terezin concentration camp,” Culver said. “Terezin was
the model ghetto. Hitler had all of the brightest artists, composers and musicians sent there. Over 15,000 children went through this camp in a two-year period of time and less than 100 survived. The children were educated at night. Their artwork was buried and after the camp was liberated, the survivors dug up what they buried.” The students will perform the production here too. “We are performing it for the public today at 7 p.m.” Culver said. “Admission is $3. We have See PLAY, Page A5
Baptist Association marks anniversary with time capsule
Today’s
Weather
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By Mitch Sneed
High
Outlook Editor
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Those in attendance at Saturday’s Tallapoosa Baptist Association Time Capsule Ceremony pose for a group picture just before they began to cover the capsule that included items from several of the organization’s 49 member churches. Items included pictures, church bulletins, an Oct. 31 Outlook and an Alabama quarter. The capsule will be reopened in 10 years.
The Tallapoosa Baptist Association captured a moment in time Saturday, burying a time capsule filled with items for many of its 49 member churches to commemorate the organization’s 100th anniversary. On October 31, 1915, eight churches gathered together to form the Tallapoosa Baptist Association. Since that time, the organization has grown to 49 churches and all contribute and offer resources, training and support to their members. Tallapoosa Baptist Association Director James Smith said the time capsule is a great way to mark how things are now, so we can appreciate what the future brings. Mitch Sneed / The Outlook “I think that this is important,” Rev. Reuben Prater, left, and TallapooSmith said. “History tells us where sa Baptist Association Director James we come from. That is important. You Smith lower the time capsule into the See CAPSULE, Page A5 ground.
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Lake Levels
485.28 Reported on 11/2/15 @ 6 p.m.
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