LOCAL, PAGE 2
SPORTS, PAGE 12
‘Shoot that thang!’ Team motto leads Tallassee to victory over Notasulga.
Life for Lunch to benefit women seeking life changes.
COMMUNITY, PAGE 11
Pet of the Week, inside.
OPINION
THE OPTIONS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ‘JR.’
The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
TALLASSEE, AL 36078
50¢
December 16, 2015
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 116, NO. 46
Judge: Tuskegee water fee illegal
Planning commission appoints new officer Local business owner to hold position By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
A new city building official was introduced at last week’s city planning commission meeting. Mayor Robert Payne appointed the position to John Stonaker, who took up the active role Stonaker as building official Dec. 7. Stonaker said he owns a local business, a barbershop called Gameday Clips, and he is a Tallassee native who graduated from Tallassee High School in 1988. Stonaker said that among other duties, his job as building official would consist of inspecting new structures, working along with See OFFICIAL Page 7
Judge Martin rules 5 percent ‘franchise fee’ is excessive and has been applied improperly
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Under the direction of Jerry Cunningham who is choral director at Tallassee High School, students and faculty members performed side by side along with members of the McCottle-Craney Arts Council to deliver harmonious melodies Friday, Dec. 4.
Lift every voice
TCS, Mcraney-Cottle Arts Council present ‘The Sound of the Season’
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Following the annual Christmas tree lighting, the festivities shifted to the First Untied Methodist Church where a packed house enjoyed the sounds of festive Christmas music. Under the direction of Jerry Cunningham, choral director at Tallassee High School, students and faculty members performed sideby-side with members of the McCottle-
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Craney Arts Council to deliver harmonious melodies to those in attendance. This year’s performance showcased many talented members of Tallassee’s choral department. Together the group delivered a flawless performance after weeks of practice. “Jerry Cunningham, our director, did months of planning before the production,” said Jessica Day, choir director See SOUNDS Page 2
In a ruling handed down Dec. 9, Macon County Judge Ray Martin ruled the City of Tuskegee and Utilities Board of the City of Tuskegee (UBT) illegally charged utility customers, both inside and outside of the municipality, a 5 percent “franchise fee.” According to Martin’s Dec. 9 ruling, UBT customers have been paying a 5 percent “franchise fee” in addition to payment for services rendered. Because the proceeds from the “franchise fee” were going into Tuskegee’s general fund, Judge Martin declared it a tax, not a “franchise fee,” and ruled it to be an illegal taxation on the people of Macon County. This “franchise fee” was a gross receipts tax on the utility company. Therefore the UBT should be accountable for paying these taxes. See TUSKEGEE Page 7
Hart assumes command of Friendship Fire Dept. By WILLIE G. MOSELEY Staff Writer
Willie Moseley / The Tribune
Joel Hart has been named by his peers as the volunteer firefighting unit’s official chief for a three-year assignment.
After a tenure of approximately 10 months as interim fire chief at the Friendship Fire Department, Joel Hart has been named by his peers as the volunteer firefighting unit’s official chief for a three-year assignment. “The last chief resigned, and I was named interim chief in March by a majority vote of the members,” Hart said, noting that the firefighters themselves were the voting body. “The by-laws state that a new chief needs to be elected at the December
business meeting for a term of three years.” Hart said he has been a firefighter with the FFD for over nine years. He is a former officer with the Tallassee Police Department, and is now a State Trooper, working out of Montgomery. As the interim fire chief, Hart said he pretty much maintained the status quo with the organization of the FFD, but said during those 10 months, wetter-than-usual weather lowered the number of calls for his department. “We’ve probably had less wood fires this year than any year I recall,” he said.
Hart said he looks forward to a positive and responsible relationship with his organization and the community it serves. He also acknowledged an ongoing cooperative relationship with the Tallassee Fire Department, since the FFD is often called to the same emergencies as the TFD. “There are some changes I’d like to make within the department,” he said. “I’d like to focus on teamwork and training with other nearby departments, as well as putting more pride back into our team. I’d also like to get more in touch with our community regarding public relations.”
Hooks reflects on year as head of Senior Center By WILLIE G. MOSELEY Staff Writer
Longtime community stalwart Jahazel Hooks is completing her first full year as head coordinator for the Tallassee Senior Center, and is upbeat about the programs offered to participants. Hooks is originally from the Kowaliga area, but has resided in Tallassee for over 50 years. She retired from Neptune
Technology Group after 36 years of employment, and her extra efforts regarding employees’ health helped to earn her the 2010 Greater Tallassee Area Chamber of Commerce Frances Wagnon Volunteer of the Year award. One of Hooks’ notable achievements at Neptune was overseeing a health and exercise initiative for employees. “That came out of the Wellness Fair that we had every year,” she
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said. “I helped to reorganize it when I came into the Human Resources Department. We also got a walking track constructed while I was there.” Hooks was hired as senior center manager at the Tallassee facility by director Mike Woodall, who retired late last year. Woodall passed away in late August. She assumed the duties of the director as well, but has retained the “senior center See SENIORS Page 7
LINVILLE MEMORIAL
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H O M E
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Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Jahazel Hooks has been the head of the Tallassee Senior Center for a year.
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