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Kovash takes the helm of CACC baseball program. Page B1.
WEDNESDAY
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 September 2, 2015 Vol. 123, No. 175 www.alexcityoutlook.com
City schools weigh tax fund options By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
Alexander City Schools Superintendent Darrell Cooper says while the Alexander City School Board has tentative plans for part of the $1.4 million it is expected to collect per year through the new one cent sales tax that took effect today, the board must first pass its budget for fiscal year 2016. He also said plans for spending the additional money could be affected by the completion of an ongoing systemwide facilities assessment. “Right now, we don’t want to get too hasty and budget all of it just to spend
it,” Cooper said. “But, as it stands, we have no capital reserve funds so we’ll likely use some of it to help build that up. We’re also looking at buying some desks we need to replace and putting ourselves on a plan to replace so many desks annually.” A second reading of the Alexander City Schools’ fiscal year 2016 budget is set for Sept. 10 at 7 a.m. Cooper also said that once the system’s comprehensive facilities assessment is finalized, some of the extra tax dollars may be used to fund some of the smaller needs identified in that assessment. “We also might use some of the
money to help with our technology upgrades,” Cooper said. “We got a $250,000 E-rate grant that requires a $250,000 match and we may use some of those funds to help with that match. “We could use some of it to purchase iPads we need or iPad cases and help complete our 1-to-1 initiative where every child in the system has an iPad.” Cooper emphasized that the system would keep any expenditures of the money gained by the additional tax within the guidelines spelled out by the Tallapoosa County Commission’s resolution. “I think the language in the resolution See TAX, Page A6
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Blue Bell ice cream awaits purchase in the freezer of Foodland in Dadeville. The ice cream is back after being pulled from the shelves in April.
September is Voter Registration Month
Blue Bell returns to area freezers
By David Granger
By Cliff Williams
Outlook Staff Writer
Outlook Staff Writer
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill and other secretaries of state from around the nation are reminding citizens that September 2015 is National Voter Registration Month. Merrill is working with Alabama’s federal, state and local leaders to remind Alabamians of the importance of exercising their right to vote, as well as working to ensure that all eligible Alabamians can exercise their right to vote. “The need for public information and education regarding voter registration and related deadlines is extremely critical as Alabama voters prepare to take part in the 2015 statewide election and the 2016 presidential election cycle,” said Merrill. “Registering to vote empowers eligible citizens to exercise their right to vote on Election Day. I am thankful to all the secretaries of state who are highlighting the importance of National Voter Registration Month and Day.” Alabamiams are urged to alabamavotes.gov to register See VOTER, Page A6
You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream as Blue Bell Ice Cream reappeared in area freezers Monday just in time for the last holiday of the summer. “It’s doing really well,” Alexander City Winn Dixie Service Area Manager Monica Maples said. “We have had people take photographs with the ‘Blue Bell is Back’ sign.” Blue Bell pulled its ice cream from the shelves in April after a listeria outbreak. The recall nearly put the company out of business. Blue Bell was able to stay afloat as the company halted production and cleaned its plants thanks to a $125 million loan. Blue Bell has restarted production at its Sylacauga plant and is using social media to help reintroduce the company’s ice cream. When it pulled its product from shelves in April, Blue Bell led the way for ice cream sales trailing only private label and store branded ice creams and leading Ben & Jerry’s, Haagen Dazs, and Breyers. Locally, half-gallon tubs of Blue Bell ice cream have been spotted at Winn Dixie of Alexander City, Piggly Wiggly in Alexander City and Dadeville, and Foodland of Dadeville. Flavors seen have included homemade vanilla, Dutch chocolate, buttered See ICE CREAM, Page A7
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Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Above, students walk across the Central Alabama Community College Campus Tuesday. Below, one student works on the computer at CACC’s library.
CACC gets mixed news in rankings By Corey Arwood Outlook Staff Writer
Recent rankings for Central Alabama Community College highlight transitions and underline benefits, according to acting president, Dr. Susan Burrow. CACC was ranked 504th out of the 670 two-year institutions compared by the personal finance website WalletHub in its “2015’s Best & Worst Community Colleges.” The schools were evaluated in five areas. Of those, CACC was ranked 163rd in cost and financing, 270th in classroom experience, 579th in education outcomes and 631st in career outcomes. Burrow said that the numbers reflect recent school-wide changes to computer software, and these changes affected the college’s ability to report relevant information to the same See CACC, Page A6
Pacesetters set tone for United Way campaign By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
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Amtech and the Lake Martin Community Hospital, designated as pacesetters for Lake Martin Area United Way’s annual campaign, have both seen employees greet the annual fundraiser with giving attitudes. As pacesetters, the companies’ job was to jumpstart the Lake Martin Area Untied Way’s fall campaign by agreeing to run their own workplace campaigns early and report their results at the campaign kick-off. Both Amtech and Lake Martin Community Hospital had campaign goals of $10,000. As of Tuesday, AmTech employees had pledged
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$10,372.17. Lake Martin Community Hospital employees had pledged $7,000. Lake Martin Community Hospital got a later start in its campaign. “I still have several employees that I need to reach to discuss United Way’s 2016 campaign with,” said Stacy Deloach, Lake Martin Community Hospital’s human resources director, who is leading its campaign. “When both businesses were asked to serve as Pacesetters, they did not hesitate to say yes and they were so honored to do so,” said Sharon Fuller, executive director of Lake Martin Area Cliff Williams / The Outlook United Way. “I have heard testimonies from employees of both Amtech Human Resources Manager Mallory Padgett, right, goes over See PACESETTER, Page A7 the United Way donation form with Matt Bishop and Beverley Nickolson.