LOCAL
OPINION:
Lilly Belle Pet of the Week
You’ve got to know your pets
PAGE 4
PAGE 11
SPORTS, PAGE 12 Tigers destroy Catholic
INSIDE:
LOCAL FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS, PAGE 2.
The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
TALLASSEE, AL 36078
50¢
January 18, 2017
Higgins named Chief of Police
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Mayor Johnny Hammock and the Tallassee City Council held a work session and special-called city council meeting to discuss the two possible candidates for the city’s new Chief of Police, finally settling on Tallassee native Matthew Higgins, whose experience includes 22
years with the Montgomery Police Department. Originally, there were close to 30 applicants to choose from. The mayor and the council spent about 45 minutes with each candidate to see who would be the most qualified to lead the City of Tallassee’s police force. Through the interview process, the search pool was
narrowed to two of the most qualified to fill this important position. The city council chose Higgins over the othere finalist for the position, Leo McCall McCall has a bachelor’s degree in general counseling and a bachelor’s in criminal justice, both from Alabama State University. He is currently a patrol ser-
VOL. 118, NO. 3
geant for the Tallassee Police Department. McCall has been with TPD for over four years. He was a Montgomery Airport Authority Police Officer and he served on the Montgomery Police Department. Higgins lives in Tallassee with his wife and children. He was a bomb squad comCarmen Rodgers / The Tribune mander for Autauga County Mayor Johnny Hammock, right, congratulates See CHIEF • Page 3 Matthew Higgins after city council selected him as Tallassee’s new police chief.
Protect yourself against tax fraud
Tallassee Chamber banquet set for Jan. 26
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
As tax season approaches, the Internal Revenue Service is encouraging taxpayers to be cautious of scam artists who seek to steal personal information in order to fraudulently collect income tax refunds. Every year, there is an increase in schemes aimed at innocent taxpayers by email, by phone and on-line. The IRS and Security Summit partners remind taxpayers and tax professionals to be on the lookout for these deceptive schemes. “Whether it’s during the holidays or the approach of tax season, scam artists look for ways to use tax agencies and the tax industry to trick and confuse people,” said IRS Commissioner John See FRAUD • Page 3
Today’s
Weather
74 57 High
Low
THURS: HIGH 74 LOW 53
CONTACT US 334-567-7811 Fax: 334-567-3284 USPS 681-260
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
MLK Day marchers sang, held hands and carried a banner, which read “Tallassee Keeping The Dream Alive”, along the way over their mile long route through Jordanville to Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church on Log Circle.
‘I HAVE A DREAM’ Tallassee remembers Martin Luther King Jr. with march
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The Martin Luther King Day march set out from Gilmer Avenue on a bright and sunny Monday morning. Marchers sang, held hands and carried a banner, which read “Tallassee Keeping The Dream Alive,” along the way over their mile-long route. The march began at East Tallassee United Methodist Church. Mayor Johnny Hammock and his son, Hunter, along with councilmen Damian Carr and Darrell Wilson and his wife, Suzannah, joined the group as they gathered before the march. Tallassee’s new Police Chief, Matthew Higgins, along with Assistant Chief Ken Smith, and Cpl. Bryan Clayton escorted the group of marchers as they made their way down Jordan Avenue. The march concluded at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church on Log Circle where a ceremony was held commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. Former councilman Charles Blalock, who served on Tallassee’s city council for 29 years, opened the ceremony. Blalock explained part of the deeply rooted history of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. “This church used to be located by the train station,” Blalock said. “But they moved it because every time a train would come, everybody inside the church would run outside to see
LINVILLE MEMORIAL
F U N E R A L
H O M E
Cremations and Monuments
84632 Tallassee Hwy. [ Eclectic, AL
who was on the train.” Mayor Hammock spoke to the crowd. Hammock explained that his vision for Tallassee includes everyone, regardless of race. “I’m overwhelmed with joy to be here with you all day,” Hammock said. “I want to say a few words about Dr. Martin Luther King. In 1955 he helped organize and lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott. In 1963 he organized the march on Washington D.C. where he gave his “I Have A Dream” speech. In 1964 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1965 he helped organize the march from Selma to Montgomery. Then in 1968 on, April 4, he was cut down in his prime at the age of 39. In those 39 short years what he did for AfricanAmerican people has yet to be met by anyone else. He died as a martyr for this country and we celebrate him to this day.” Following Mayor Hammock, Chief Higgins addressed the crowd. “I am honored to be a part of this today,” he said. “I am honored to be your new police chief. I want to be more than your police chief. We’re standing in a church; if you’re a believer then there is no color. If you are a believer, we are family. I want you all to know that I am here to serve everyone in Tallassee. My job is to protect and serve all citizens and I will do all that I can to do that.” Following Chief Higgins, guest speaker Dr. Brian Pleasant, with The Faith Church See KING • Page 2
T TRUITT INSURANCE & BONDING, INC.
The annual Tallassee Chamber of Commerce Banquet will be Thursday night, Jan. 26, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Wetumpka Civic Center. At the banquet, the newly elected Chamber of Commerce officers will be introduced and the Business of the Year, Presidential and Frances Wagnon award winners will also be announced. The Francis Wagnon Award honors Tallassee’s most outstanding volunteer. “It’s for someone who gives of their self, their time, their money, their effort and their heart to help this community in any way possible,” said Michone Roye, Executive Director of Tallassee Chamber of Commerce. Frances Wagnon has been tremendously influential in Tallassee. Residing next to the First United Methodist Church, she gave most of her life to serving the church and the community. Wagnon had no children of her own but it was often said she mothered many with her compassion and love for others. Chamber members choose the Frances Wagnon and the Business of the Year award winners, while the board selects the newly elected officers.. In addition to the Business of the Year and the Francis Wagnon awards, the chamber will announce the winner of the Presidential Award. Jeanna Kervin was honored with the Francis Wagnon Award in 2016 for her outstanding community service. “Our outgoing president offers an award to someone who he thinks is deserving in the community,” she said. The banquet will be catered by Rustic Mills. From projected ticket sales, this year’s banquet dinner is on course to have greater attendance than previous years. See BANQUET • Page 2
FREE ESTIMATES!
Dolan A. Fannin Jr., LUTCF
Surety Programs Business Coverages
334.639.4730
Home & Auto
www.linvillememorial.com
Life Products
319 Barnett Blvd. Tallassee, Alabama 36078 P: 334.991.4688 Toll Free 877-787-5727 dolan @truittinsurance.com www.truittinsurance.com
Edging • Weed Eating • Trimming Fall Clean-up • Pine Straw Laid Upon Request And All Lawn Maintenance
(334) 309-4422
(334) 580-7879