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OPINION: UNITY PRAYER SETS A GREAT EXAMPLE, PAGE 4.

THURSDAY

THE

Maxwell aims to make senior season his best yet for the BRHS Wildcats. Sports, Page 8

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 July 14, 2016

Vol. 124, No. 141

Complete list of area happenings, Page 7.

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Bear again seen in Tallapoosa County that was here late last month. Candis Birchfield and her 4-year-old daughter Mary Alice watched in amazement as the bear that stood more than 6 feet tall on his back legs shook the seed from the feeder and then laid on the ground to chow down between 7 and 8 a.m. Wednesday. “I casually looked out my kitchen window like I do every morning to watch the birds,and See BEAR • Page ??

By MITCH SNEED Editor

Candis Birchfield / Special to The Outlook

Candis Birchfield took pictures and video of a black bear that spent an hour in the backyard of her Union community home on Wednesday.

Just when you thought the summer bear sensation had come and gone, a family in the Union community was treated to an hour-long show by a black bear making a meal from bird feeders and hanging out in the shade of their backyard. Officials say it is most likely the same bear

Sen. Whatley leads roundtable discussion

City could host museum exhibit

Assures group things are ‘getting done’ in Montgomery

By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

For the second time in eight years, the Smithsonian may be bringing an exhibit to Alexander City. Representatives of Alexander City’s MainStreet, Lake Martin Resource Association and Middle Tallapoosa River Basin Clean Water Partnership met with Thomas Bryant, grants director for the Alabama Humanities Foundation, about being a stop in the Museum on Main Street initiative’s next project titled “Water/Ways,” which is scheduled to begin touring Alabama in mid June 2017. Bryant discussed the project in a meeting Wednesday morning with Richard Wagoner, director of Alexander City’s MainStreet, John Thompson, president of the Lake Martin Resource See MUSEUM • Page 3

State Senator Tom Whatley hosted a roundtable discussion in Auburn Wednesday. Whatley told a group of community leaders and business leaders that despite the state of politics in the state things are getting done in Montgomery. “We have had some distractions here in the district and Alabama over the last few years,” Whatley said. “I want to make sure that you know that your elected officials are working hard for you. We have a plan going forward. And we are not going to let the job creation and economic development stop.” Part of that plan is to protect the See WHATLEY • Page 3

Kenneth Boone / The Outlook

The cast of ACT II’s production of ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ pose for a photo at a dress rehearsal Tuesday evening. The curtain will go up tonight at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at BRHS for the first of three stagings of the play.

PICK YOUR POISON ACT II premieres ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ tonight

STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

The Alex City Theatre II premiere of Arsenic and Old Lace, the insanely funny play about spinster sisters Abby and Martha Brewster, who have developed the very bad habit of poisoning their lodgers, is tonight at 7 p.m. at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditiorium. Tickets are $10 and are available at the

following locations: Carlisle’s, Cloud Nine, A Second Act, Little Black Dress, Emporium Wine, MainStreet, Alexander City Chamber of Commerce and at the door or call Karen Jennings at 256-496-2424. The play will also be performed Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., also at the BRHS Auditorium. The production features local actors Patti Smith, Doug Roberts, Rodney Meadows, See PLAY • Page 3

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Sen. Whatley speaks at roundtable discussion in Auburn.

Reynolds hopes to take passion for helping others to new level By MITCH SNEED Editor

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Charmika Reynolds poses in a utility closet that holds the wares that she donates to the needy through her Heavenly Missions Ministry . She has outgrown the space and is looking for a bigger space in the Alexander City area.

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Charmika Reynolds is the kind of person who can’t stand to see another person struggle. That desire to help others has led the Alexander City resident to start an outreach ministry called Heavenly Missions in hopes of helping those facing difficult times get back on solid ground. “There are so many people who need help, but often they don’t know where to turn,” Reynolds said. “In the space of about a month about four years ago, I had several conversations with people who found themselves in situations where they felt like there was nowhere to turn. Most of them were temporary problems, but they just were overwhelmed and didn’t know where to go or anyone who could help.” From that realization, Reynolds took it upon herself to get involved and find a way to help anyone she could. She helped one family find furniture, another clothes after they had lost most of their belongings and a young mother get a month’s supply of diapers to help her get through a rough financial time after See MISSION • Page 3

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Wedding guests perplexed by toasts that turn to roasts

Friday

91 73

DEAR ABBY: We have been attending the weddings of our friends’ children and work colleagues. We enjoy them, but we have noticed a change in some of the traditions. The best man’s and maid of honor’s toasts to the bride and groom seem to have devolved into telling stories about their past escapades. This includes tales of all-night partying, how drunk they were, other embarrassing incidents and “digs” at the bride and groom. Some of these speeches can go on for more than 10 minutes! Abby, many guests attending these celebrations really don’t care to hear these kinds of things. I’m sure the couple’s new boss or their grandparents are quite shocked at some of the revelations they hear. Has this occasion turned into a roast? -DON’T KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF IT DEAR DON’T KNOW: It appears that some of the weddings you have attended have. There are occasions when sometimes the less said the better, if only to protect the guilty,

Low

High

Partly sunny, 50 percent chance of thunderstorms

Saturday

91 73 Low

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Mostly cloudy, 50 percent chance of thunderstorms

Staff

Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com

Mia Osborn Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 mia.osborn@alexcityoutlook.com

Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com

Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Donna Jones Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 donna.jones@alexcityoutlook.com Jaylan Reynolds Advertising Sales Intern, Ext. 232 jaylan.reynolds@alexcityoutlook.com

Accounting Angela Mullins Bookkeeping, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Mary Lyman Boone Bookkeeping marylyman.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Cathy Higgins Sports Editor, Ext. 228 cathy.higgins@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210 david.granger@alexcityoutlook.com

Composing Audra Spears Composing Department, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Alethia Russell Graphic Artist, Ext. 231 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com

John Paul Scherer

Circulation Linda Ewing Asst. Circulation Manager, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com

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and this is one of them. DEAR ABBY: I am a 22-yearold woman who enjoys achieving things in life. For example, I recently bought a house and paid for all the remodeling with my own money. I have been with my boyfriend for seven years (on and off). He was my first boyfriend, first kiss, etc. and because of that, I have always felt a deep connection with him. My problem is he doesn’t have goals for the future and just lives his life a day at a time. He’s comfortable with his low-income job and doesn’t plan on going to school. He moved into my house six months ago, which makes our relationship that much more serious. Something I absolutely adore about him is his loving

John Paul Scherer, 90, of Montgomery City, MO, died at 10:21 p.m. on Monday, July 11, 2016 at his home surrounded by family. John Paul Scherer was born April 9, 1926 in Anniston, AL to Paul Eugene Scherer and Bertie Amelia Collins Scherer. He finished high school in Alexander City, AL and received a degree in forestry at Auburn University in 1948. He was a Veteran of the United States Infantry serving at Camp Shelby, MS in 19451946. John Paul married Annie Sue Farrington at the Dadeville, AL Methodist Church on December 21, 1949. Paul was a textile finishing manager in Alabama, Texas, Georgia, and Missouri including Ardco in Wellsville, MO. He also owned a Save-A-Lot Grocery Store in Vandalia, MO, in the 1980’s. Paul enjoyed gardening and restoring his 1890’s Victorian home. He camped with his family in 48 states, Canada, and Mexico. He was a lifelong Presbyterian. He and Sue made two trips to Eastern Europe with a Missouri Union Presbytery Mission group. Mr. Scherer is survived

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by his wife of over 66 years, Sue Farrington Scherer; four children: John Scherer and wife, Mary Beth, of Concordia, MO; Fred Scherer and wife, Glenda, of Richmond, TX; Carole Harness of Montgomery City, MO; and Adam Scherer and wife, Cathy, of Raleigh, NC. Also surviving are his grandchildren: Mallory Scherer, Meredith Scherer, Collin (Sarah) Scherer, Carson (Katie) Scherer, Alex (Shannon) Harness, John Harness, Ross Harness, Craig (Melissa) Scherer, Don Bethel, and Sydney (Erik) Schettig; and one great-grandchild, Ingrid Schettig; and many friends. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2016, at the Schlanker Funeral Home in Montgomery City, MO. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Honorary casketbearers include David Barker, Kerry Dowling, Jim Krattli, Don Gardner, Ken Finke, Walt McQuie, and Bob Schlanker. Interment of ashes will be in the Middleton Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery in Ohatchee, AL at a later date. In Lieu of Flowers memorial may be made to the Montgomery City Library, Habitat for Humanity, or to

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nature. He drops whatever he is doing to be there for me emotionally, and everyone who meets him tells me how lucky I am to have found such a great guy. My question is, should I stay with my loving, caring boyfriend or is it time to find someone with the same goals I have? -CONFUSED IN FLORIDA DEAR CONFUSED: Ask yourself which is more important to you -- a loving and emotionally supportive spouse or a hard worker who may be less so. Only you can decide the answer to that question. DEAR ABBY: I am the mom of three wonderful little girls, but as of late not so wonderful. My husband and I work hard to teach them manners and respect, but we can’t seem to get across to them to be grateful for what they have. We don’t have a lot of money because we live on one income, and we don’t spoil them often because we can’t afford to. Twice now, one of my girls has been unhappy with a gift she

received. The first one she threw away; the second she refused to even accept! This isn’t how we raised her. I thought about doing some volunteer work with them, but I fear they are too young for it (4, 7 and 9). I want to raise kind, caring and giving girls. Your thoughts on this matter would be great. -- GRATEFUL MOM IN COLORADO DEAR GRATEFUL MOM: Your 7- and 9-year-olds are NOT too young to learn that many children have far less than they do. Sometimes people need to see with their own eyes the challenges that others have to cope with in order to appreciate how fortunate they are. I think your idea of having them do some volunteer work with you is an excellent one, and it is not too early to start. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Obituaries

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, printing press. Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

The Outlook

the Montgomery County Senior Center, c/o Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, MO

63361. Condolences may be made to www.schlankerfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Ruth Mann Barnes 1923 - 2016 Funeral Service for Mrs. Ruth Mann Barnes, 92, of Alexander City, AL, will be Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Bro. Lester Parrish will officiate. Burial will follow in the Alexander City Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Mrs. Barnes passed away on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at the Chapman Healthcare Center. She was born on November 28, 1923 in Tallapoosa County, Alabama to LeeAnder Mann and Mammie Lee Mann. She is survived by her son, Ronnie (Pam) Barnes of Cumming, GA; grandchildren, Brian Barnes, Rhonda Honikel, and Dawn Gravette; great-grandchildren, Nolen Honikel, Eli Honikel, Julia Barnes, Cody Gravette, Trevor Gravette, and Lindsey Gravette; and special Friends, Lillian Stephens and Nancy Price. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Barnes; daughter, Wanda Driver; son, Charles Barnes, parents; sisters, Laverne Nelson and Mary Lagrone; and brothers, Henry Lee Mann, Howard Mann, Bennie Frank Mann, and John Will Mann. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Regina Queen and the staff at Chapman Nursing Home for their care. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www. radneyfuneralhome.com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Public Meetings  Alexander City Board of Education meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the board office at 375 Lee St. or local school at 5 p.m.  Alexander City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in the courtroom at the old city hall at 5:30 p.m.  Camp Hill Town Council meets the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6 p.m.  Community Action Agency of Chambers, Tallapoosa, Coosa will holds its regular board of directors meetings every other month at the Central Office in Dadeville.  Coosa County Board of Education holds called meetings at least once a month.  Coosa County Commission meets on the

second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the Coosa County Courthouse in Rockford at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday and at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday.  Coosa County Industrial Development Board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room in the courthouse in Rockford. All meetings are open to the public.  Dadeville City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. in city hall.  Daviston City Council meets the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Daviston Fire Department.  Goldville Town Council meets the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the town hall.

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Thursday, July 14, 2016

The Outlook

Museum

continued from page 1

Association, Denise Walls of the Middle Tallapoosa River Basin Clean Water Partnership and Larry Tuggle. “You guys are the kinds of groups we want to bring alongside with this exhibit,” Bryant told the group. “Our past exhibits have been more looking at history – local history, that kind of thing. Of course there’s a historical component, but here we’re tying in science, too. And social awareness. So this is fantastic. This is exactly the kind of thing we hope the host sites will do is bring in water conservation and protection organizations.” Bryant said the final decision on Alexander City’s inclusion would likely come next week, but if his reaction at the meeting was any indication, the city’s chances are good. The Alabama Humanities Foundation, which is the state offshoot of the National Endowment for the Humanities, was pleased with the city’s efforts, which Wagoner led, seven years ago when the city participated in another Museum on Main Street exhibit called “Journey Stories.” The 2009 exhibit focused on tales of how Americans and their ancestors came to America, from Native Americans to new American citizens, regardless of ethnic or racial background. “That was a great experience for everyone who came through to see that exhibit,” Wagoner said. “You have to remember: this is the Smithsonian and the Smithsonian does things first class.” If Alexander City is one of the six cities selected for “Water/Ways,” the exhibition will come to town between June 2017 and April 2018. The exhibit will be in town for six weeks. “It will be great for tourism,” said Wagoner. “When we had ‘Journey Stories,’ not only did we host all the schoolchildren in the city, the county and Coosa County, but

there were a lot of individuals who visited, too.” In addition, the city will receive $2,000 from the Alabama Humanities Foundation to use toward the exhibition in any way it sees fit, Grant said. Wagoner plans to write a letter to the Alabama Humanities Foundation asking that Alexander City be included among the six Alabama sites for the “Water/Ways” exhibition by week’s end. The Alabama Humanities Foundation has partnered with the Smithsonian in the Museum on Main Street program since 1997. The program is designed to bring to rural Alabamians and those living in small cities one-of-a-kind access to prestigious exhibitions and first-rate educational programs in conjunction with the AHF and one of the world’s leading museums – the Smithsonian. Museum on Main Street exhibitions give host organizations the opportunity and guidance to create their own educational programming, cultural activities and complementary exhibits that center on local heritage and tell the local story alongside the national narrative. Past Museum on Main Street exhibits have centered on fences (“Between Fences”), barns (“Barn Again”), roots music (“New Harmonies”), World War II posters (“Produce for Victory”), past visions of the future (“Yesterday’s Tomorrows”), American workers (“The Way We Worked”) and American food (“Key Ingredients”). Currently, a Museum on Main Street exhibit titled “Hometown Teams,” detailing the role sports have played in small-town America, is touring the state. The exhibit is currently in Brewton and has already stopped in Gadsden and Haleyville with stops in Anniston, Livingston and Enterprise remaining.

Play

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Skye Walker, John Bowden, Adam Tucker, Mia Osborn, Mac Tyson, Scears Barnes, Mark Shafer, Keith Garrett, Larry Jennings, Randy Adair and Bobby Boone. Joseph Kesselring’s farcical black comedy, written in 1941, won national acclaim with the 1944 release of the film starring Cary Grant in the role of Mortimer Brewster, the nephew who discovers a dead body in his aunts’ window seat. Though Mortimer assumes his crazy brother – who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt – killed the man, the aunts explain that Mr. Hoskins is a victim of their charity, which is to alleviate the misery of lonely elderly men by serving them poisoned wine. The plot grows thicker when another brother, the criminally insane

Jonathan Brewster, shows up with his madscientist accomplice and a stiff in the rumble seat. Directed by Betsy Iler, Arsenic and Old Lace is the second production of ACT II, a non-profit, all-volunteer community theatre company founded last year. The City of Alexander City this spring leased the Old Bama Theatre in downtown Alexander City to the organization, which is making plans to renovate the building near Strand Park. For information about this production, or to participate in future ACT II projects, visit the Alex City Theatre II Facebook page, email actheatreii@gmail.com or call ACT II President Betsy Iler at 256-509-6791.

Page 3

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Whatley state’s traditional industries like farming while helping some of the new ones like aerospace where many jobs are being created. “We have to protect our agriculture industry.” Whatley said. “It is seven times larger than our aerospace industry.” Whatley explained that some of things being looked at for agriculture are things like a seed bill and helping farmers when issues arise because their property stretches across political boundaries like county lines. Whatley also wants the state to be proactive and looking into the economic impact of things like self-driving cars. Whatley highlighted several things from this past session that he is proud of like Ava’s Law, which increases maximum penalties for aggravated child abuse leading to the death of a child, and passing the largest education budget in eight years that provided raises for teachers. Whatley also said the state needs to do some things to help fund Medicaid. Whatley likes the idea of building new prisons. “We have a prison commissioner that is doing an awesome job,” Whatley said. “He came to us last year with

Mission the birth of her child. That was just the start. She has been doing all that she could to help, collecting items that could make a difference in the life of another. “I have been able to do a lot of things and I hope they made a difference,” Reynolds said. “But there is such a need out there. I just wish that I could do more.” Reynolds said even though Heavenly Missions has been her dream for four years, she said it has been a one-woman crusade up until now. “So far it’s been on a case-by-case basis,” Reynolds said. “It has been a situation where someone needs help and I knock on doors, work the phones and try to get them to people who can help or find a way to get them what they need.” Most of what she has been able to do has been done out of her home, which she admits looks more like a warehouse at times as she stockpiles items that she has found a large need for by others. Organization has been the key, but even then, there is only so much space. “Right now, I really need space,” Reynolds said. “I’ve grown and done all I

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a plan to build four new prisons. He would be able to do this because he could fund (the bond issue) not with an apportions increase but with savings from reduction in staffing and expenses. If we can plug a hole that is leaking now and increasing every year, we should do it. If we can keep that at a static number, we can shift some of those savings over to Medicaid which is an ever growing issue.” Another topic of discussion was the BP settlement from the oil spill. Whatley explained that if the state sold the settlement and lawmakers could agree, Tallapoosa County could see $1.9 million from the agreement. If that happened, Whatley would like to see it used for roads. Whatley also talked about the road tax, its use for just road projects and the effect it can have on the economy. Whatley even used a project in Alexander City as an example. “I think that it will come back in some form or another this year,” Whatley said. “Anytime you build roads, you create jobs. In Alexander City, one mile of access road created three new businesses on the access road.”

continued from page 1

can with the space I have at home. I need a place to store and warehouse things so that I can have them as they are needed. We find a big need for furniture. But I have no place to store it now. If I did, as I was able to find some, I could hold it until it was needed. “If there is someone out there who has any suggestions or has a place that is empty, it would be such a blessing if they would consider what we are doing and consider giving us a chance to talk to them about using it.” Reynolds said she has been amazed at the how community here shows it has a big heart. She hopes that someone will hear about her work and want to share in the joy of helping others. “This is my passion so I’d love to talk to people about what I am doing and hopefully that will lead to a network of people helping people,” Reynolds said. For more information on Heavenly Missions or if you can help, you can reach Reynolds by phone at 256-307-9404 or by email at heavenlymissions1416@icloud. com.

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MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213

editor@alexcityoutlook.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 4

View

Prayer for unity H a great first step

here are times when it seems that the world is going down the tubes and the people in it have lost sight of what is right and how to treat our fellow man. Look at the recent headlines where seemingly innocent people being killed in shootings by police, senseless attacks on first responders that left five officers dead and people enjoying a night out systematically gunned down in a mass murder in a nightclub. If there was ever a time when the world didn’t make sense, the time would be now. It’s easy to question why these things happen and play the blame game, but as we have seen, that only creates a divide and a new kind of tension that some say is ripping our country apart. With that in mind area religious and government leaders, first-responders and residents decided that instead of talking, it was time unify and ask for God’s help. Tuesday night nearly 200 people crowded into the lobby of Alexander City City Hall to pray for unity. “There is no doubt that we as a city, a nation and we as people, need God and to lean on his promises,” Bro. Wayne Cowhick of Alex City Methodist Church who helped organize the event said. “Think about what is happening in the world. We need the Lord to show us the way so that we can be an example for the rest of the state and our country.” The hope was that by working together, thinking of one another and seeking answers through Christ, strength would again be found through unity. The heartfelt words and the feeling that came from people getting down on bended knee together should serve as an example that we all can make a difference. We applaud the organizers and the participants who took it upon themselves to try to make a difference. We challenge our community to keep the positive vibe alive and not wait for another tragedy to show kindness to others and lean on a higher power to lead us to be the best we can be.

Know Your

Officials

Charles Shaw

Bobby Tapley represents District 1. His phone number is 256329-9671. His address is 1821 LaVista Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Safety committee.

Bobby Tapley

Sherry Ellison-Simpson represents District 2. Her phone number is 256329-0516. Her address is 2879 Old Dark Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee.

Sherry Ellison Simpson

Bob Howard represents District 3. His phone number is 256-2342225. His address is 241 8th Street West, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Buildings and Property committee.

Bob Howard

Billy Ray Wall represents District 4. His phone number is 256329-8060. His address is 101 Scott Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Works committee.

James Spann represents District 5. His phone number is 256-3299758. His address is 314 Auburn Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Finance committee. Tony Goss represents District 6. His phone number is 256-7493355. His address is 647 Shady Point, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Utilities committee.

The

Thursday, July 14, 2016

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Our

Charles Shaw is mayor of Alexander City. His phone number at city hall is 256-329-6730 and his home number is 256234-7395 His address at city hall is 4 Court Square; Alexander City, AL, 35010. His home address is 98 Heritage Drive Alexander City, AL, 35010.

Outlook

Billy Ray Wall

James Spann

Tony Goss

ardly a day goes by that I don’t get a message from a random lady telling me that someone is using my photos in online romance scams. These photos are lifted from open sources such as Facebook and then used to create fake profiles on social media and dating sites. Military men are often the photo victim. I’ve tried to laugh about it and sometimes still do. Most of the time, they are so blatantly fake, I can’t fathom how someone could fall for them. I mean, do I look like a guy named “Tope?” Is it possible that I’m the first Captain General in the history of the U.S. military? Is there even a town named Texas City, Alabama? It’s simply ridiculous. Although anyone can be a victim, the scammers target women who seem vulnerable: older, divorced, disabled, etc. There is just about always a sad story on the scammer’s end. Oftentimes, they are widowed with a child, and more times than not, they are deployed to some remote part of the world. Fairly quickly, the scammer “falls in love” with the victim. The scam can last for weeks, even months, until finally, a request for money is made. For many potential victims, that’s when the red flag is raised, but it should never get to that point. With respect to Facebook, there should be

JODY FULLER Guest Columnist

a red flag the moment you receive a friend request from someone you don’t know, particularly if there are no mutual friends. Don’t just click on the accept button. Take a look at the profile. If they only have a picture or two and the rest of the information on the page are life events, then it’s most likely a fake. If they only have a handful of friends, it’s most likely a fake. If their relationship status is widowed, that’s a dead giveaway; it’s a fake. If they are in the military, it’s most likely a fake. If you do start chatting with them, be advised, they are very good at what they do. If you are vulnerable, they will exploit that. If they start telling you how much they love you, it’s most likely a fake. If they won’t Skype with you, then it’s most likely a fake. If they say they can’t Skype, have them record a video saying something you told them to say. If they can’t, don’t, or won’t, it’s a fake. I’m very passionate about this, because I currently have a lady from Mexico harassing me online, because she was scammed out of $1,500 by a “James” Fuller using

my photos. She thinks it was actually me. It blows my mind that anyone would send that amount of money to someone they don’t know. Furthermore, it blows my mind that someone would think I’d be dumb enough to use my own photos if I was trying to scam them. Although most of the messages I get are from women in foreign countries, I sometimes get them from Americans, too. I had a show for a church in Troy in January with a victim in the crowd. I think she’d already figured it out before that night, but it freaked her out. Heck, it freaked me out even more. We live in a scary world where we have to remain vigilant at all times. Many people are looking for love in all the wrong places. Be careful who you speak to online. If you don’t know them, don’t talk to them. If you have a loved one involved in an online romance, then I encourage you to get involved and help your loved one before they get hurt emotionally or financially. Lastly, for good measure, stay away from the free dating sites. Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller.com. For more information, please visit www. jodyfuller.com.

Obama’s intemperate remarks stoke racial divide

n spite of all the facts, the media are again taking a hit off the bong of the Black Lives Matters lies in pursuit of their political agenda – and higher ratings. In the wake of Ferguson, the left seems to wonder what sort of country we live in. Michael Brown, who had just committed a strong-armed robbery and assaulted a store owner, then threatened the policeman arresting him and, with drugs in his system, tried to take the officer’s gun during the arrest – and it was the police’s fault he got shot? The very event that launched the Black Lives Matter movement, “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot,” turned out to be a lie. Obama has fueled the racial divide he was so well positioned to extinguish. He has stoked the fires of misplaced anger among African Americans by speaking out prematurely in every case involving race – and has been proven wrong. When he said “The Cambridge Police acted stupidly” in the Professor Gates case, it turned out he was wrong. Ditto for the cases of Trayvon Martin and Ferguson, Missouri’s Michael Brown. Now the courts in Baltimore have vindicated those police officers so far tried in the Freddy Gray case. This contrived “police war on black males” is a demonstrable lie. Even a black Harvard professor concluded there is no bias in police shootings. In her new book, “The War on Cops: How the New Attack on Law and Order Makes Everyone Less Safe,” Heather MacDonald cites simple FBI crime statistics which disprove the lie on which Black Lives Matter is based. First, black and Hispanic cops are far more likely (3.3 times) than a white cop to shoot an

RON HART Columnist

unarmed black suspect. While they are only 6 percent of the population, black males make up 40 percent of all cop killers. Thus, she determines that a police officer is 18.5 times more likely to be killed by a black male than an unarmed black male is likely to be killed by a cop. One other inconvenient truth in the stats: 6,000 blacks died of homicide last year, 93 percent of whom were killed by another black person. Blacks commit homicide at a rate eight times higher than whites and Hispanics combined. Blacks are 13 percent of the population, but commit 52 percent of all murders. This puts them into more tense and regular contact with police; it is understandable why occasionally there are problematic shootings. To save innocent black lives, police have to aggressively patrol problem neighborhoods. Blaming the police, instead of condemning criminals, has led us to what is being called the “Ferguson Effect.” Police officers daily risk their lives in crime-ridden neighborhoods, only to be vilified and secondguessed, so they naturall y slow their efforts. The result: crime is up 17 percent in major cities. Another Ferguson effect is that property values are down 30 percent; not only has crime increased, but businesses have left. The St. Louis Rams fled to Los Angeles. The decline of dysfunctional cities like Ferguson, Mo.; Baltimore; Chicago and Flint, Mich. has accelerated

under Obama. These cities have in common longtime, socialist/liberal, Democratic rule; inept and race-obsessed government; teachers’ unions whose members get paid more for poorer student outcomes; and high local taxes that run businesses out of town. Obama has turned our Midwest into the Middle East, with gun violence climbing in places like Chicago. He blames Republicans, not the thugs and gang-bangers shooting each other in the streets of these “gun free zones” he so loves. Chicago is now saying it will be a sanctuary city for Syrian refugees. Haven’t those people suffered enough? Mindless celebs feel the need to support the lie that is BLM. Kanye West, Quentin Tarantino and Samuel L. Jackson are big supporters. So if thieves break into their gated L.A. homes, they should be provided a police escort to the pawn shop. Obama praised BLM leaders when he invited them to the White House. Hillary Clinton, afraid she will not own the blind loyalty of black voters like Obama did, tweeted a “BlackLivesMatter” hashtag the day before Dallas. Afterward, she lectured white Americans on race. Then, out of habit, she asked for $300,000, her normal fee for lecturing a big audience of white folks. The admirable police chief of Dallas, David Brown, summed it up for these misinformed protesters: “If you really want to do something to make things better, we are hiring.” Ron Hart is a libertarian op-ed humorist and awardwinning author, Ron is a frequent guest on CNN. He can be contacted at Ron@ RonaldHart.com or @ RonaldHart on Twitter.

Today’s

Quote

“Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who’ll argue with you.” – John Wooden

Today’s

Scripture “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14

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Thursday, July 14, 2016

CommunityCalendar tia education, resources and support will be July 14 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lake Martin Area United Way Conference Room. This meeting is open to the community.

Today is

Season Speaks

July 14, 2016 Today’s Event

PATH FINDERS MEETING: The next meeting of the local Alzheimer’s Group for individuals needing demen-

Today’s Anniversary

Dru and Charlotte Mattox are celebrating their anniversary today.

Page 7

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Mark Ballard works on clearing the debris caused by a 70-plus old pecan tree at the home of Linda Hunt on Washington Street Wednesday. Hunt said the storms that rolled through the area on Tuesday caused the tree to fall. Luckily the tree missed her house. She said it was sad to see the tree gone and remembered playing marbles in the shade of the tree as a child.

July 14-15

Brown Nursing and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services •Physical Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Speech Therapy 2334 Washington Street Alexander City • 256-329-9061 www.crownemanagement.com

Come Visit Us! Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing

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YES I CAN: Teresa Harrell Moten is hosting a mentoring camp at Nathaniel H. Stephens School from 9 a.m. to noon. There will be a free lunch.

July 14

PATH FINDERS MEETING: The next meeting of the local Alzheimer’s Group for individuals needing dementia education, resources and support will be July 14 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lake Martin Area United Way Conference Room. This meeting is open to the community.

July 14 - July 30

WETUMPKA DEPOT PLAYERS: Calendar Girls will be presented by the Wetumpka Depot Players July 14 - July 30. For ticket information call 334-8681140 or go to wetumpkadepot.com.

July 16

SUMMER BOOK SALE: The Friends of the Dadeville Public Library will host a book sale in the library basement at 205 North West Street from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, July 16. The Friends will supply plastic bags for you to fill to the brim for $5 each or buy two bags and get the third one free! Books include fiction, non-fiction, classics, art, romance, cookbooks, decorating, self-help, religion, history and politics, beautiful coffee table books, and books to read to your children this summer. We also have several boxes of books recently donated for children and young readers. All proceeds go to improve the library. Call 256-825-7820 for information. TRADE DAY: Bibb Graves School is hosting a trade day July 16 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. OWL LADY: The Owl Lady will do a live bird of prey educational demonstration at the Camp Hill Town Library

Saturday, July 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Come see the owl and learn about other raptors. This is part of an ongoing series of library summer activities. It’s free for all ages. Free cookies and punch. The Camp Hill Library is at the corner of Main Street and Holley Avenue in downtown Camp Hill.

July 17

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Hatchet Spring Baptist Church is celebrating its 109th anniversary Sunday July 17 at 2:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Fredrick Jemison of Tallasahatchie Baptist Church in Childersburg. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Wayside Baptist Church is hosting Vacation Bible School Submerged June 26, July 3, July 10, July 17 and July 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dinner will be served. CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Great Bethel Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating its 136th Anniversary Sunday, July 17 at 2:30 p.m. The guest minister is Rev. Bernard Harris of Mt. Lovely Baptist Church. The pastor is Rev. Dr. Emerson Ware, Jr.

July 17-21

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Comer Baptist Church is hosting Submerged Vacation Bible School July 17-21 from p.m. to 8 p.m. for ages 4 through the 6th grade. For a van pick up call 256-234-2236 or 256-749-1926.

July 18

INDUSTRIAL AUTHORITY MEETING: The Lake Martin Area Industrial Development Authority will have its quarterly meeting on Monday, July 18 beginning at 10 a.m. in the Betty Carol Graham Technology Center Executive Board Room on the campus of CACC.

July 19

RETIREES MEETING: The Tallapoosa County Education Retirees Association (TCERA) meeting will be Tuesday, July 19 at the Alexander City Board of Education at 10 a.m. The program will be “Safe Driving.” Please bring school supplies. CIVITAN CLUB: The Alexander City Civitan Club is hosting an organizational meeting July 19 at the Lake Martin Area United Way building with a social at 5:30 p.m. and meeting at 6 p.m.

July 22

FLAG RETIREMENT: The Clay County VFW Post 9581 is holding a flag retirement ceremony July 22 at 4 p.m. at the Bibb Graves School.

July 22-23

RODEO: The Boys and Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area is hosting its 10th annual Lake Martin Area Rodeo July 22 and 23. Gates open at 5 p.m. with the show at 7 p.m. at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex. The PCA-sanctioned rodeo is run by Brett Woody, Bar W Rodeo Company.

July 23

BINGO NIGHT: Bibb Graves School is hosting bingo night July 23 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. GOSPEL SINGING: The Taylor Family Gospel Singers is celebrating 23 years of gospel singing at Centerview Missionary Baptist Church in Camp Hill Saturday, July 23 at 5:30 p.m. BACK TO SCHOOL JAMBOREE: Free school supply starter packs will be given to area children July 23 at 10 a.m. at DARE Power Park. You must attend to receive your packs - Only 1 pack per child. This event is hosted by Adams Chapter OES #685 and Community Sponsors. Everyone is invited!

Bear was shocked,” Birchfield said. “It was incredible. My 4-yearold was especially amazed.” Birchfield, a former journalist, grabbed a camera and her phone to shoot photos and video of the bear’s antics. She said while they didn’t do a lot to startle him, he seemed quite content to have a place to eat and rest. The Birchfields live in Indian Shores subdivision in Union where there is a lot of wooded areas that are close to the water. Obviously, it was a spot the bear found inviting.

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continued from page 1

“He stayed at my feeder for about an hour, before hobbling off,” said Birchfield. “The bear had tags in both ears so he is already being tracked by the Department of Natural Resources. He has definitely been wounded though – it was pitiful to watch him walk. He was really limping.” She said the bear didn’t ever appear to be aggressive or agitated, but she was relieved that she broke her normal routine Wednesday. “Usually I get up and imme-

diately let the dogs out because they are bugging me to get out the door,” Birchfield said “This morning they were either worn out from our long walk yesterday afternoon or they knew something wasn’t quite right, because they stayed in bed. I am so glad they did, because I wouldn’t have seen the bear before letting them out.” A bear was recently tagged after making a trek across Coosa, Tallapoosa and Chambers counties and into Lee County before being tagged in Opelika in late

June. Shortly after the bear was tagged and released, there were sightings near Tuskegee and reports of a bear being hit by a vehicle as it crossed Interstate 85. The bear managed to make its way off into the woods beside the expressway. Alabama Conservation Officer Sgt. Michael East said that he is almost certain it is the same bear. There were pictures and sightings reported in Liberty City and near Tallassee Sunday, East said.

“It’s the same bear,” East said. “They tagged it and took it several counties away, but from everything we are seeing it is the same bear. It’s the one that was here and the one that was tagged and the one that they say got hit on I-85. “It’s not acting like any of the others we’ve ever had come through here – that’s for sure. I don’t know why he likes it so well here, but it seems like he does.”

CATHY HIGGINS SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228

sports@alexcityoutlook.com

Page 8

Thursday, July 14, 2016

www.alexcityoutlook.com

JOE MCADORY Sports Columnist

I predict Auburn will have 6-5 season

ow many games do you think Auburn will win this season? Some hopefuls believe nine or 10. Some pessimists believe five or six. Against this brutal schedule, the Tigers will be hard-pressed to challenge for the SEC West title. However, this team has a great chance to be better than last year’s 7-6 bunch, but I don’t know if the win total will reflect that. Below are my game-by-game chances of Tiger victories for 2016. I’ll follow up next week with Alabama’s odds. Sept. 3 Clemson: The nation’s most heralded dual-threat quarterback, Deshaun Watson, invades JordanHare, fresh off of an amazing national runner-up finish in 2015. Clemson is a sexy pick to win it all, but the Tigers lost a lot of talent on defense. Auburn’s chance to win: 35 percent. Sept. 10 Arkansas State: Don’t sleep on the Red Wolves. This team returns 14 starters from a group that went 9-4 last season and TCU transfer and former Auburn High standout Cameron Echols-Luper. Plus, this game is sandwiched between Clemson and Texas A&M. Auburn’s chance to win: 80 percent. Sept. 17 Texas A&M: The Aggies have never lost at Jordan-Hare Stadium (2-0) and bring arguably the SEC’s best receiving corps into town. Auburn’s chance to win: 60 percent. Sept. 24 LSU: Many believe LSU will knock off Alabama this season and win the West. You can’t argue about the number of athletes these Tigers have. And then there’s Leonard Fournette. Auburn’s chance to win: 35 percent. Oct. 1 Louisiana-Monroe: Finally a breather. After that September schedule, Auburn deserves it. Auburn’s chance to win: 95 percent. Oct. 8 at Mississippi State: How is life without Dak Prescott? We’re about to find out. This Bulldog team should take a step back, but Scott Field isn’t always the friendliest venue for the Tigers. Auburn’s chance to win: 50 percent. Oct. 22 Arkansas: The Razorbacks are often a thorn in Auburn’s side, winning five of the last nine meetings at Jordan-Hare. Auburn’s chance to win: 60 percent. Oct. 29 at Ole Miss: The Rebels lost a handful of talent to the NFL, yet many believe they will contend in the SEC West. A rough early schedule could knock Ole Miss out of contention by October. Still, quarterback Chad Kelly is the best in the league. Auburn’s chance to win: 40 percent. Nov. 5 Vanderbilt: The last two times Auburn met Vandy (2008 and 2012), it had losing seasons. Not a good omen. But those games were in Nashville. This isn’t. Auburn’s chance to win: 75 percent. Nov. 12 at Georgia: The Bulldogs are a mystery team. What about Nick Chubb? Will freshman QB Jacob Eason be the savior in his first season? Plenty of talent here, but they might be a year away from moving to the next level. Georgia has owned Auburn for the last decade. Auburn’s chance to win: 30 percent. Nov. 19 Alabama A&M: You’ve got to fill the schedule with somebody. Why not an in-state school not named Jacksonville State? Auburn’s chance to win: 95 percent. Nov. 26 at Alabama: This figures to be the Tigers’ toughest test on the schedule, mostly because it’s in Tuscaloosa and Clemson/LSU are at home. But … defending national champs, stonewall defense, winning mojo, etc. … Auburn’s chance to win: 20 percent. There you have it, a projected six wins, five losses and a toss-up. But teams often win or lose games they weren’t expected to. We’ll find out for sure in just a few weeks. Joe McAdory is communications editor at the Auburn University Raymond J. Harbert College of Business and is the former Sports Editor at the Opelika-Auburn News.

POWERFUL PREPARATION

BRHS running back Necolby Maxwell invests hard work into upcoming season By CATHY HIGGINS Sports Editor

When opponents go head to head with Benjamin Russell High School this fall, preventing the Wildcats from reaching the goal line could be a problem when Necolby Maxwell is on the field. “He’s a great running back,” said head football coach Danny Horn. “He is a very powerful runner.” The running back who wears No. 3 combines that power with focus. “He has great vision and good speed,” Horn said. That combination makes Maxwell quite a problem for the other team’s defense. “He does not let the first tackler bring him down,” Horn said. That commitment earned Maxwell the BRHS Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2015 and an All-State selection for Alabama 6A the same year. It’s no wonder. In his junior year Maxwell had 294 rushes where he rushed 1,841 yards — an average of 6.26 yards per carry. As the 2016 season closes in, Maxwell plans to continue doing what he does best. “I’m just going to go out there and work hard,” he said. Maxwell believes he and his teammates have a formula for making this a winning season. “We’ve got this little plan,” he said. “TLC — toughness, love and commitment.” Maxwell hopes that plan takes Ben Russell even further than in 2015. “Last year we made it to the fourth round,” he said of playoffs. “This year we need to get to the fifth round.” Maxwell’s plan has another focus, as well. “This season it’s all about the seniors,” he said. As one who has been playing foot-

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Benjamin Russell High School senior Necolby Maxwell plans to make his last year with the Wildcats count.

ball since eighth grade, Maxwell explained that he and his classmates intend to use their experience both on and off the field as examples for newcomers to the team to follow. “The sophomores are going to be looking at us,” he said. With Maxwell’s power, speed and sense of leadership, it’s no wonder at

least 13 college programs are giving him consideration. “He’s being recruited by Auburn, Southern Miss, UAB, Furman, Samford, McNeese State, West Florida, Montana, Lehigh, Bucknell, Savannah State, Jackson State and Jacksonville State,” Horn said.

Cathy Higins / The Outlook

PGA Juniors Blue team includes, front, coach Shane McCord, on bench from left, Brian Thompson, Sam Jones, Kole Caylor, Lily Johnston, Olivia Tinoco and Kennedy Tate. Members not pictured are Camden Shockley, Jesse Lankford and Sandlin Pike.

PGA Juniors All-Stars announced Alex City youth golfing league completes 2016 season By CATHY HIGGINS Sports Editor

The Alexander City PGA Juniors 2016 season drew to a close Tuesday with the Blue team winning for the season over the Green team by a score of 5.5-3.5. About 13 youth came out under skies filled with dark clouds threatening rain at any given moment. Individual team results of the match are as follows: Kole Caylor and Brian

Thompson of Blue Team won 2 -1 over Spencer Gilliland, Anna Corley and Lexi Robinson of Green Team; Lily Johnston and Sam Jones of Blue team won 2 -1 over Benton Stegall and Leighton Stegall of Green team; Olivia Tinoco and Kennedy Tate of Blue team tied Grayson Weithoner and Nathan Jones of Green team. This was the Blue team’s fifth consecutive win of the

season. To commemorate their accomplishments, Blue team members each received an engraved bronze statue following Tuesday’s match. That same afternoon, PGA Juniors head coach Jim Gunnells announced the 10 league all-stars who will go on to take part in postseason play. They are Jacob Scott, Kole Caylor, Jesse Lankford, Johnston, Tinoco, Jones, Camden Shockley, Benton Stegall, Gilliland

and Weithoner. Alternates are Sandlin Pike and Tate Reynolds. A schedule of all-star play was not announced at press time. Before the young golfers dispersed, Gunnells announced PGA Juniors Appreciation Day set for Monday. The day will include a morning of golf, a pizza lunch, and afternoon play on a slip-and-slide.