Oct 1, 2015 Alex City Outlook

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COOSA COMEBACK?

FULLER: THE VIRTUES OF PATIENCE. 4.

THURSDAY

THE

Cougars try to remain on winning track following first win, page 10.

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 October 1, 2015 Vol. 123, No. 196 www.alexcityoutlook.com

Area’s drivers license offices closed By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer

Driver license offices in Alexander City and Dadeville are among 31 Alabama Law Enforcement Agency satellite offices in the state will immediately transfer all driver license examiners to ALEA district offices, effectively closing those satellite offices, according to an announcement Wednesday afternoon by ALEA. The closure of the offices means that persons taking written or on-road

driver license examinations must now travel to an office outside the county to do so. The closest offices offering the examinations are in Opelika and Wetumpka. While disappointed in the closure of the driver license offices, Tallapoosa County Probate Judge Leon Archer stressed that licenses can still be renewed in Dadeville at the probate office in the county courthouse. “It is very sad news,” Archer said. “I want to stress that this doesn’t mean that you can’t get your license renewed

much the same as you always have. We will still handle that through the probate office. But what this does mean is that if you have a teen who is getting licensed for the first time or have to get a new license after coming from out of state, you will have to travel. “This is just very disturbing that people are going to have to travel that distance. It’s just a shame that it has come to this.” The closures of the driver license offices are the results of the state Legislature’s cuts to the ALEA bud-

Commissioners OK $14.5 million budget package

Officials list five state parks to be closed Fees will be bumped for visitors to Wind Creek State Park

By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor

The Tallapoosa County Commissioners unanimously approved a $14.5 million budget Wednesday morning that relies on about $900,000 to meet spending demands. Included in the budget is a mild increase for a new community corrections program that is expected to not only fund itself, but possibly add additional revenue over time. There are no cost of living pay increases for county employees included, but $55,000 in merit increases were budgeted. “Over the last seven or eight years, local, city, county and state budgets have had some very serious funding cuts,” Beck said. “Those cuts have had a very serious impact on many of those employees in those areas. We’ve been fortunate that we haven’t had to that in the county. We’ve been able to provide the same services that we always have and we’ve maintained the same benefits as far as insurance that we have over that time. “We’ve seen some increases, about 7 percent, in health insurance again this year. We’ve been able to give cost of living increases every year but one in the last five or six years. So even though it’s not all that we would like to do, we feel good about being where we are in terms of the budget.” Beck said that one of the biggest challenges is the county’s level of debt service. The bonds owed will again force the county to use about $100,000 from reserves to pay those debts this year. “We are in a situation where some of those debts will be paid down over the next two or three years and that will help when See BUDGET, Page 5

By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer

Though Wind Creek State Park escaped the Alabama State Parks System’s closure list, it may see some increases in fees, according to a Wednesday release from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. In addition to closure of five parks and reduction in operations at several more, ADCNR also announced on Wednesday additional revenue options to be implemented in October, some of which may affect Wind Creek, including: • Increased day fees at parks will from $4 per adult to $5 per adult (smaller parks with fewer amenities may receive a different fee structure); • An eight percent increase on select base lodging rates, coupled with a new 5 percent discount for Alabama residents; • Increased marina slip rental fees; • A new resort fee to address resort maintenance costs not directly tied to other fee structures; • A new park pass program to capture the present unrealized day-use revenue in ungated parks; and • A new backcountry permit to attend to trails and related backcountry recreational services/programs. The five state parks that are slated for closing Oct. 15 are Bladon Springs in Choctaw County, Paul Grist near Selma, Chickasaw in Marengo County, Florala See PARKS, Page 5

Lake Martin

Lake Levels

487.79 Reported on 9/23/15 @ 5 p.m.

Kenneth Boone / The Outlook

The Rev. Peter Reddy, originally from the Hyderabad area of southern India, said the hospitality shown to him by the people of Alexander City has been touching.

ALREADY HOME New St. John’s priest acclimating to Alex City By Corey Arwood Outlook Staff Writer

A new priest at Alexander City’s St. John the Apostle Catholic Church has plans for greater involvement of the church within the community. The Rev. Peter Reddy has been at St. John’s for only three months but he already calls Alexander City home, even though his family home rests some 8,500 miles east of the U.S. His full name is Rayapu Reddy Thirumalareddy, and he is originally from the Hyderabad area of southern India. See PRIEST, Page 9

Daviston man injured in Friday crash near New Site succumbs to injuries By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor

Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL

Today’s

Weather

82 64 High

6

Low

54708 90050

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get for fiscal year 2016. However, the legislature did include language in the general fund bill that read, “It is further the intent of the Legislature that all driver license offices and trooper posts in operation at the beginning of fiscal year 2015 remain in operation during fiscal year 2016 and that any reductions in force implemented by the agency in fiscal year 2016 focus on areas of operation not directly impacting services to customers.” Gov. Robert Bentley, citing See OFFICES, Page 5

A man who was critically injured in a Friday morning crash near New Site has died from injuries sustained in the accident. Walter J. Willoughby Jr., 76, of Daviston died late Tuesday evening at Baptist South in Montgomery, according to Tallapoosa County Coroner Mike Knox. Knox said he got the call shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday notifying him of Willoughby’s passing, with the cause of death listed as spinal injuries sustained in an automobile accident. According to New Site Public Safety Director John McKelvey, Willoughby was injured when the car he was driving ran into the rear of a vehicle making a left turn at the intersection of Ellis Drive and Highway 22

USPS Permit # 013-080

near New Site. “He was wearing a seatbelt, but it appeared that debris inside the vehicle, possibly a propane tank that was either inside or in the trunk, flew forward from the impact and struck Mr. Willoughby,” McKelvey said. “It’s hard to say for sure, but that appeared to play a significant role in causing the injuries.” The weather was overcast with intermittent rain, so Willoughby was rushed to Russell Medical Center, where he was stabilized and taken to Baptist South. No details of memorial services were available at press time. McKelvey called the accident “tragic.” “It was just a tragic accident,” McKelvey said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

County Administrator Blake Beck explains the fine points of the new county budget.

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