OPINION: NOW IS THE TIME TO CELEBRATE, PAGE 4.
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October 6, 2015
Vol. 123, No. 199
Lady Wildcats closing in on area volleyball title, page 10.
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Council OKs funding for pay study By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Deciding to strike while the iron was hot, the Alexander City City Council voted unanimously Monday night to allow the mayor to execute an agreement that will fund a study into the city’s pay structure for employees. The council heard a presenta-
tion from officials with the Center for Governmental Services at Auburn University on the merits of a study last week and all seemed excited about the potential. Human Resources Program Manager Maria Tamblyn told the council during the presentation that the study, if followed, will establish equities, assure equal pay for equal work and help the
city with recruitment and retention. Also at Monday’s meeting the council announced that it was not quite prepared to approve a new budget. State law requires a new budget be in place by Oct. 1, so the council voted 6-0 to continue under the terms of the existing budget until a new budget is approved. Most on the council believe that a new budget could be ready by the coun-
cil’s next meeting, which was moved Monday from Oct. 19 to Oct. 26. “We won’t be working in the budget this week because a number of the members of the council will be out of pocket for one reason or another,” Council member Jim Spann said. “But we will get back at it next week, with some work sessions. Provided all that goes well, we See COUNCIL, Page 5
Age a big factor in armory closure
Attendance up slightly in county schools Horseshoe Bend, Reeltown see dramatic jump in students By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
By Mitch Sneed
Tallapoosa County Schools enrollment for the 2015-16 school year increased by a total of 47 students from last year’s 2,863 to 2,910, according to final average daily measurement (ADM) reports provided to the Outlook on Monday. Average daily measurement is calculated annually by averaging the total attendance for each of the 20 school days immediately following Labor Day. Per-student allocations from the state’s Education Trust Fund are based on the ADM total from the last completed school year prior to the legislative session. “Oh, gosh, yes, we’re excited about it,” said Tallapoosa County Schools Superintendent Joe Windle. “What’s particularly exciting is that our two outlying schools (Horseshoe Bend School and Reeltown School) have given us the most growth.” Horseshoe Bend School saw the greatest growth over last year among the five schools in the Tallapoosa County system, with its ADM increasing from 777 students to 825. Reeltown School was next with an increase from 792 students to 824. Dadeville Elementary School’s enrollment grew from 576 to 584. The other two schools in the County system – Councill Middle and Dadeville High – both saw drops in enrollment.
Outlook Editor
Alabama National Guard officials say that Alexander City’s Mac W. Speaks Armory being among the oldest in Alabama was one of the primary reasons the facility was targeted for closure. Alabama National Guard Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Shannon Hancock said this weekend that the facility ranked low on a scale that included cost to operate and maintain the armory, condition of the armory and the armory’s ability to meet mission support. She said that the 61-year-old facility is in need of a lot of upgrades. “The Alexander City armory was built in 1954 and is in the range of our oldest armories, needing a large amount of upgrades and modernization,” Hancock said. No exact timeline for closure has been determined, but Hancock said that the possibility of being used in the public sector is still possible. She said that there is a protocol for disposition of Alabama National Guard assets. See ARMORY, Page 5
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Search dogs in area for seminar The North Alabama Search Dog Association is hosting a Canine Search and Recovery seminar this week at Camp ASCCA. About 60 dog teams from across the United States, including Alaska, are in the area going through training exercises and educational presentations. Training in live search and Human Remains Detection on land and water is part of the exercises. The group will also be training at various locations across Alexander City and the county. Above, canine Sehayle backs away from the dock at Camp ASCCA with handler Raymond Gervais as Alex City Tallapoosa County Rescue Squad’s ‘Cowboy’ Bailey drives. Left, Mojito looks for a subject.
See STUDENTS, Page 5
Flowers to sign copies of new book Friday at local library Staff Report Outlook Staff
Submitted / The Outlook
The cover of Steve Flowers’ book ‘Of Goats and Governors’ shows the color of Alabama’s political history.
Few states have as fascinating a political history as Alabama, especially in the postWorld War II era. Moving onto and off the state’s electoral stage during this time period of remarkable transformation have been some of the most interesting figures in 20th-century American government and politics. Now, the backstage intrigue of Alabama politics receives a lively treatment in “Of Goats and Governors,” the high-spirited new memoir by former Alabama Representative Steve Flowers. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s most watched and read politi-
cal columnist and commentator and he will come to Alexander City next Friday to sign copies of his book. The book signing is Flowers set for Friday, Oct. 8, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Adelia M. Russell Library. “I’m really looking forward to being in Alexander City and visiting with all the people there,” Flowers said. “People there are passionate about their politics and I hope they will come by and see me at the library on Friday.” In addition to weekly columns, he serves as the politi-
cal analyst for the University of Alabama radio and television network. His weekly radio commentary for the University is listened to statewide on Alabama Public Radio. He is also the political analyst for WAKA/the Alabama news network in Montgomery. Steve has been an up close observer and participant in Alabama politics for more than 50 years. He is considered the utmost authority on Alabama politics. Steve served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1982-1998. During his 16-year tenure he recorded a perfect attendance record. His House colleagues honored him as Outstanding Freshman member See FLOWERS, Page 5
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