LOCAL, PAGE 2 Tallassee Alumni Association inducts three new members.
INSIDE, PAGE 8.
SPORTS, PAGE 12
Homecoming on the mats!
Tallassee High readies for Capitol City Classic
OPINION
AGENCIES WORKED TOGETHER TO REBUILD ELMORE COUNTY
The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
TALLASSEE, AL 36078
50¢
January 27, 2016
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 117, NO. 4
City to pay for road to keep business Design and administration components of construction amount to almost $80,000 By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
The Tallassee City Council voted to pay roughly $80,000 dollars for the extension of Hanil Road to aide in the relocation and expansion of a business, in a move that was said would keep jobs in Tallassee. Greg Clark, executive director of Central Alabama Regional and
Development Commission, proposed the resolution to the council at a special session Jan. 20. He said a state grant was being sought that would cover all of the construction fees associated with the building of the road through a grant from the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Industrial Access Road and Bridge Program. However, design and administration
components of the construction are not paid for by the grant, which is why the city was asked to cover the remaining fees for those services, which are expected to come to $79,874.34. Upon the grant approval by the state, the city would be expected to match the cost of the design and administration areas of the construction.
Richard Dorley, chairman of the IDB, presented a check to Jerry Chang, E&I president and owner. The grant funds of roughly $21,000 dollars were delivered to E&I through the IDB upon the completion of the warehouse, which according to Chang, had been See IDB• Page 3 functional for about three months. Submitted / The Tribune
New venues could give Tallassee a revenue boost
Neighborhood Watch seeks committee members
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Last month the Tallassee Mat Cats held the Tallassee TMC Takedown Wrestling Tournament inside Tallassee High School’s gym and collected over $4,000 in revenue in one day. “That was just with the concession admissions fees,” said Brent Tennyson, a coach for the Tallassee Mat Cats. The Takedown Wrestling Tournament hosted 22 teams from around Alabama with 170 wrestlers. “That was a small tournament,” he said. As the wrestling program in Tallassee continues to flourish, one issue remains problematic – lack of facility space to hold a state or regional wrestling conference. If a smaller area tournament like the tournament held in December can See REVENUE • Page 3
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
The Tallassee City Council approved CARPDC ‘s request Wednesday in a specially called meeting to apply for a TAP Grant to restore the Tallassee Mills Bridge that would open it to pedestrian traffic.
A STRUCTURE RENEWED
City hopes to restore Tallassee Mills Bridge to use as walking bridge By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development has been granted permission to apply for a Transportation Alternatives Program Grant to promote renovations to the downtown riverfront. The grant proposal was offered to the city council during Wednesday’s meeting. The vote was unanimous in favor of CARPDC
submitting a proposal for a grant to refurbish the Tallassee Mills Bridge that connects the east bank of the Tallapoosa River with the west bank. Greg Clark, executive director for CARPDC brought the grant option to the city for approval. “CARPDC, they keep their eyes open for grants and when they see something that the city could benefit by, they ask if we want to go after the grant or not,” said Councilman Rob Rygiel. See BRIDGE• Page 3
Recently, the Tallassee Neighborhood Watch announced it was working in coordination with local police and other city officials to create a neighborhood watch group. Since then, the community has rallied around the initiative, and has taken steps to promote safety. Several block captains have been designated and assigned duties. The next step in the process for the watch group is to form a board committee; three positions on the committee have already been filled. “We are forming the group as a non-profit 501c3,” said James Martin, president of the Tallassee Neighborhood Watch Group. “I’m the president and Wanda Jones is vice president. The advisory board has seven seats which (school) superintendent Mr. (Wade) Shipman, Andrus Love of east Tallassee and Sheryl Hutchinson of the housing authority are already See NEIGHBORHOOD Page 3
Tallassee Chamber banquet a raving success By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
This year’s Tallassee Chamber of Commerce annual banquet delivered a great turnout. With a variety food and drinks, catered by The 1220 Café, inspirational speakers and great company, the years banquet was a great success. “I thought it turned out really nice,” said Michone Roye, executive director of the chamber of commerce. “I was really pleased with the turnout, especially considering the weather. We sold more than double the number of tickets sold the previous year.” Jeannea Kervin was awarded the Francis Wagon Award, James Bush took home the President’s Award and Hornsby and Son won the Business of the Year Award
for 2016. Erik Creswell is the 2016 President, Barry Parker is now the 2nd vice president and John David Lambert is the 2016 treasurer. The 1220 Café went so far above and beyond. Roye wanted something unique that the café didn’t serve on a regular basis. “Noah (Griggs) helped make the banquet really special,” she said. “I cannot thank them enough for the help they gave me.” The event was a group effort and Roye said she appreciates everyone who helped make the banquet a success. “The chamber members all worked so hard. I want to thank Godwin’s Flowers, The Wetumpka Civic Center and Corporal Brian Clayton,” she said.
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Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Erik Creswell (Tallassee Automotive), Barry Parker( First Community Bank), Alisha Tennyson (Prime South Bank), Jennie Grant (Servpro of Montgomery), Kat Raiford (Turf Tactics), Penny Sorrell ( Trustmark Bank), Susanna Fillingham (Sizemore & Sizemore), Whitney Hester (The Learning Tree), Laurie Rygiel (HR Management). Back Row: John David Lambert (Neptune TG), Ben Taylor (Alabama Power) and Michone Roye ( Executive Director: Tallassee Chamber of Commerce) pose for a photo during the chamber banquet.
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