OPINION:
LOCAL
PAGE 5 Be thankful for fruitful family and friends
Meet Poppy Pet of the Week
SPORTS, PAGE 12
INSIDE:
MOYERS TAKES TOP SPOT AT STATE
PAGE 7 LOCAL FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS, PAGE 2.
The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
TALLASSEE, AL 36078
50¢
August 2, 2017
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 118, NO. 31
Board of Education discusses goals for superintendent
Communication, school presence, facilities among listed goals By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The Tallassee Board of Education meet Thursday at the Tallassee Career Center to discuss goals for the superintendent. “These are the issues that I think the board wants to see me to do a better job of,” said Tallassee Schools Superintendent Wade Shipman. “I have made some improvement in these areas but there is further improvement that I would like to make. Some of the things that I tried last year turned out that they didn’t work as well as I wanted it to. Scheduling had a lot to do with me being able to accomplish some of these things.” Shipman explained that he would like to establish weekly communications with the entire
board to keep members up to date with happenings in the schools as well as the central office. “Perhaps something like the SSA (School Superintendents of Alabama) has set up,” he said. “Monday starters or Friday roundups. Certainly, one of those two would be something like that I would want to do with our board.” As far as school presence, Shipman says he plans to adjust his schedule to allow for more school presence. He plans on leaving his schedule clear until 10 a.m. each morning to allow him to give attention to school presence. Shipman also plans establishing biweekly meetings with school principals. “Again, it’s about scheduling,” he said. What began as the topic of a new school quickly shifted to academics. See SUPERINTENDENT • Page 2
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Members of the Tallassee Board of Education listen as superintendent Wade Shipman discusses personalized learning and how it can assist in improving student test scores. Left to right are Ruthann McCaig, Don Bryant, Rex Ledbetter, Sandra Patterson and Lacey Brewer.
Back to school means taking safety measures
Higgins six months in New police chief making changes, more to come
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The summer is coming to a close and another new school year is just beginning. Classes begin on Tuesday, Aug. 8, and for students this means the excitement of meeting new teachers, making new friends and the opportunity to learn new things. However, for drivers it means more traffic on city roadways. Drivers are reminded not to text or talk on cell phones; to slow down in school zones; to be aware of students; and to always pay attention to school buses. According to the National Safe Routes to School program, cars near schools hit more children than any other location. When you are in a school zone remember, to always be cautious and See SAFETY • Page 3
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
File / The Tribune
Seven Gables has long been a local landmark. Built in 1939 by commissioned architect George P. Turner, the Guesthouse at 650 Gilmer Ave. could soon be up for sale. The City of Tallassee is also looking into the sale of the guest house, another historic home that was donated to the city.
City can sell Seven Gables and the Guesthouse By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
It was announced early in July that the City of Tallassee was considering their options on the House of Seven Gables and the Guesthouse. Currently, the city owns both historical houses and rents them for special events. However, after taking office, Mayor Johnny
Hammock decided that the city should look into selling these historic homes, as the cost of upkeep on the two properties was considerably more than profits generated from rentals. However, because the two properties were donated to the city years ago, Hammock was unsure of the actions that could be taken. After further review, John Smith, Tallassee’s city See HOUSE • Page 2
Tallassee Police Chief Matthew Higgins took time from his busy schedule to speak at the Tallassee Rotary Club meeting on Thursday. The chief has been in position for just over six months now. In these six months TPD has seen many changes, but Higgins says more changes are to come. “Aug. 11 will be seven months for me,” Higgins said. “I promised myself that I was not going to change things too much for a couple of months so I could evaluate things. I don’t think it’s a good thing to come in and change a lot of things that there may not be anything wrong with.” After a few months of See HIGGINS • Page 3
Summer reading program ends as school year approaches STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Submitted / The Tribune
The summer program wrapped up with its traditional pizza and water party. The water was supplied by the Tallassee Fire Department. The event was held behind City Hall and included about 75 kids and adult chaperones.
Today’s
High
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THURS: HIGH 70 LOW 86
See READING • Page 3
LINVILLE
Weather
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The 2017 summer program, “Build a Better World!” has come to an end. This year, there were 130 children registered with 93 readers with 831 books turned during the last three days. “We have had a lot of fun doing crafts, learning and being entertained,” Margaret Lumpkin, library director, said “We had 15 youngsters who read over 100 books each.”
The 93 children read a total of 5,336 books in seven weeks. Prizes were awarded to the top readers. First, second, and third, place received a backpack filled with goodies, with first and second also receiving a T-shirt. The ones who read more than 100 books received a special prize bag. Everyone received a prize sack and a glowing necklace and bracelet along with a certificate with how many books they read.
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