THERE ARE STILL GOOD PEOPLE LEFT IN MONTGOMERY, PAGE 4.
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September 1, 2015
Vol. 123, No. 174
Alex City’s Howard qualifies for Olympic Swim Trials, pg. 10.
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Sales tax increase hits today By Mitch Sneed
Low
Outlook Editor
THE FORECAST FROM ABC 33/40’s JAMES SPANN: The upper low that brought the unsettled weather to the state over the weekend has lifted northeast of the state, so today will be drier with only widely scattered showers, mainly over the eastern counties. We will forecast a mix of sun and clouds with a high between 83 and 89 degrees. Nice way to wrap up meteorological summer. REST OF THE WEEK: Relatively quiet weather continues, and temperatures trend hotter. Afternoon highs will rise to near 90 degrees each day; the sky will be partly sunny, and any afternoon showers or storms will be very isolated. We could begin to see an increase in the number of showers late in the week as moisture levels begin to rise.
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Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
Consumers buying anything in Tallapoosa County will be paying a little more today as the county’s 1 percent sales tax for schools will begin being collected on all purchases. Local businesses said they were notified in writing of the change in tax beginning today. They said at their level, the change is simply making an adjustment on their cash register or point of sale system. “It’s pretty easy for us to implement,” said Daniel Yates, who owns several local busi-
favor of the tax, while commissioners John McKelvey and Steve Robinson voted no to the proposal. The resolution approved by the commissioners included a three-year provision where the Tallapoosa County Schools must work towards a property tax referendum to add a more stable source of funds. Tallapoosa County Administrator Blake Beck said Revenue Discovery Systems, the vendor used by the county for sales tax collection and distribution, handled the notification to all county businesses.
nesses in and around Alexander City. “It’s pretty much just pushing a button and we collect it. It’s a lot tougher for the customers. They are the one’s having to pay it.” The Tallapoosa County Commissioners approved the tax by a 3-2 vote on May 11. The tax plan was supported and pushed by Tallapoosa County School Superintendent Joe Windle, who was hoping that the funds would help return the system to the black as well as allow for several capital projects. Commissioners T.C. Coley, Emma Jean Thweatt and George Carleton Jr. all voted in
See TAX, Page 5
Trooper post closures among potential cuts Officials say state budget could force several tough decisions By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
LOCAL NEWS Alexander City man killed in Wilcox County crash A single-vehicle crash at 9:15 p.m. Saturday, August 29, claimed the life of a Alexander City man. Isaac Taylor, 24, was killed when the 1997 Nissan Maxima he was driving left the roadway and struck a tree. Taylor, who was not using a seat belt, was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred on Alabama 10 near the 83-mile marker, approximately five miles east of Camden. Nothing further is available as Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate.
Tallapoosa GOP sets qualifying dates The Alabama Republican Party has set the dates to qualify to be presented on the Republican primary ballot for the Alabama Republican Primary, which is set for March 1, 2016. Qualification is open from 8:30 a.m., Oct. 5, and will end at 5 p.m., Nov. 6. The Tallapoosa County Republican Party will confirm these dates for local offices at their meeting on Sept. 24. If you are interested in running for an office in the Republican Primary or have questions about qualifications, please contact Denise Bates, Chair, Tallapoosa County Republican Executive Committee at 256-749-0715.
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
488.44 Reported on 8/31/15 @ 2 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
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File / The Outlook
After news of his decision not to seek another term as the state representative from District 81, Mark Tuggle said he is still unsure of what his future may bring.
Keeping it simple
Tuggle unsure of future, won’t rule out another office By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
W
hen Mark Tuggle said last week that he wouldn’t run for reelection when his term as District 81’s representative in the Alabama House of Representatives ends in 2018, he started a lot of speculation. Why would a young man – Tuggle is only 50 – bow out of the state House after only two terms? When he went public last week at the quarterly meeting of the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, Tuggle cited his belief in term limits. He reiterated that belief on Friday.
“It’s real simple,” Tuggle said. “Sometimes I believe people lose track of the simplicity. I don’t know how else to say it. I believe in term limits. I know that some believe the voters should set the term limits and I understand that philosophy. But, for me, I think two four-year terms is right.” Tuggle won his initial term as the representative for District 81 in 2010. He defeated Shane Grimes in the Republican primary and then bested Democratic incumbent Betty Carol Graham, winning 56 percent of the vote to Graham’s 44 percent. Tuggle won reelection in 2014, easily defeating Democrat Dylan V. Oliver with 67 percent of the vote. See TUGGLE, Page 9
Despite information circulating that the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency will close several State Trooper posts including the one here in Alexander City in the coming days, ALEA officials would only say Monday that they are “preparing for the future.” On the heels of an announcement last week that ALEA has a plan in place to close several driver’s license offices throughout the state on Oct. 1 should the Legislature cut its budget, The Outlook learned that some moves are in the works to reduce posts to cut operating costs as well. In the case of the Alexander City post, it would mean that dispatch services would likely become a regional function, cutting personnel costs at the local level. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Public Information Officer Sgt. Steve See POST, Page 5
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
W While no final plans were confirmed, closure of the Alex CIty Trooper Post is possible. o
Labor Day Concert at The Amp to feature Railroad Earth By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
Lake Martin Amphitheater will host Railroad Earth, The Lonely Biscuits and The Vegabonds at its annual Labor Day Weekend Concert set for Sunday, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m. Gates will open at 5 p.m. Railroad Earth is a New Jersey-based band led by Todd Scheaffer and was formed in 2001 in Stillwater, New Jersey, after the breakup of From Good Homes, one of New Jersey’s top bands. The group consists of Sheaffer, Andy Goessling, Carey Harmon, Dave von Dollen, John Skehan, Johnny Grubb and Tim Carbone and has eight albums to it credit. With a heavy bluegrass influence, the group’s genre isn’t easily characterized. But it’s latest album, Ashes & Dust, released earlier this year on Submittted / The Outlook Concord Records, received excellent reviews. Railroad Earth is the headliner for the Labor Day Weekend Concert at the Lake Martin AmphiSee CONCERT, Page 9 theater. Opening for Railroad Earth are The Lonely Biscuits and The Vegabonds.
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