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Band issue shows need for appointed superintendents
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THURSDAY • JULY 28, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 27, No. 29
Special town council meeting slated for tonight By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
A special called town council meeting is scheduled for Thursday night at the Eclectic Senior Center to discuss an issue which has been discussed at multiple council meetings and resulted in heated arguments over the use of a local ball field. At the last council meeting three items dealt solely with Aaron Park. Representatives of the Eclectic Youth Ball League
spoke to council members about details involving the lease of the park, which was soon to expire. The council decided to table the issue for Thursday’s special meeting, where members from “both sides,” the ECYBL and a traveling softball team, could be heard, said Eclectic Mayor Gary Davenport. “Basically what we’re going to do is discuss redoing the contract for the ball park, Aaron Park, listening to both sides of the story from the travel ball and ball league and then decide how we’re going to pursue on that,” said Davenport in a phone call on Wednesday.
At the council meeting on July 11 to the other two items relating to the park on the agenda, one was called only “Thunder Cats” while the other was regarding lighting issues that were said to be at the park. Team officials and members alike from the Thunder Cats travelling team were present to discuss their desired access to the park, which was denied by the ECYBL. Davenport said at the meeting it was not a public
Hymn to remain in football lineup
Commission approves courthouse annex bid By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
The Elmore County Commission sprinted through its regularly scheduled meeting Monday completing the work and business sessions of the agenda in about eight minutes, however they did take time to award a bid for the annex to the Elmore County Courthouse to the tune of $2,749,089. Five bids were submitted to perform work on completion of an annex to the Elmore County Courthouse. The bids were Bear Brothers, with a base bid of $2,474,000; Construction One, with a base bid of $2,377,096; Central Contracting, with a base bid of $2,530,000; Holley Henley Construction, with a base bid of $2,655,000 and See COMMISSION • Page 3
Today’s
Weather
96 74 High
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FRIDAY: HIGH 96 LOW 74
See COUNCIL • Page 5
Decision met with criticism, approval by lawyers, advocates
Corey Arwood / The Observer
It was nearly standing-room-only at the first Wetumpka Unity Forum, where Elmore County residents met on Tuesday to ask questions to law enforcement officials regarding policing policies and procedures, as well as to discuss universal issues with local agencies.
UNITY MEETING Mutual respect despite brief exchange between PD chief , NAACP By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
A community forum convened Tuesday in which Elmore County residents and citizens of Wetumpka stood before representatives from nearly every agency of local law enforcement to ask questions and voice their concerns regarding policing policies at home and across the nation. A number of people took to the microphone before the panel and directed their comments and questions to the officials throughout the nearly three-hour event. There seemed to be an overall atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding between the audience members themselves, who, at times, seemed to go out of their way to make themselves understood, both to other audience members as well as the panel of officials. Despite the sensitive nature of the subjects discussed, there were even minimal outbursts between audience members. A local man spoke who said his brother was killed by local law enforcement in 1966 and talked about the fears of “driving while black.” The local family of Gil Collar, who was shot and killed by police in 2012 at the University of South Alabama, asked that lethal force be a last resort, while at the same time expressing their gratitude to local police in a tearful exchange. The event began around 10 a.m. and was largely directed by Wetumpka Police
Chief Danny Billingsley. Early on, Elmore County School Board Superintendent Andre Harrison made a brief announcement, and spoke about the importance of education, mentioning what he called his own recent “fights,” saying it was important to have a strong leader in place. Shortly after, Billingsley talked about some of the programs the WPD sponsored, looking for ways to do more and said the WPD was open to talk at all times. He then passed the microphone to Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin, who admitted he had not necessarily come prepared to speak, but then launched into what he said made the ECSO successful in its efforts to reach out to those in its jurisdiction. He said his method was to have an “open door policy,” in which he directly handled communications. “Well I felt like that’s what I had signed See MEETING • Page 3
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In a recent switched decision and with a newly aggressive tone The Elmore County Schools superintendent put “Amazing Grace” back on the Holtville High School band’s lineup and has vowed, in a recent statement, to defy “adversaries,” even at the risk of future legal actions to keep the 18th century hymn playing at football games. Asked whether HHS students could possibly fall into the category of “adversary” Andre Harrison would only say he stood firmly with his decision, and when asked whether it was worth it the risk of costly legal actions he said it was “worth it to fight.” He said his decision was confidently swayed by learning more about the law through the school board’s attorneys, regarding the issue of playing one of the most See HYMN • Page 2
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Enslen account of events verified by attorney By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
An area attorney has confirmed the version of events told to the Wetumpka Herald last week, further bolstering the testimony of Elmore County Probate Judge John Enslen. Attorney Bob Morris, who represents Elmore County School Superintendent candidate Richard Dennis, said that the version of facts presented by Enslen and former Chief Clerk of the Probate Office Brent Helms to the Wetumpka Herald last week was accurate, further calling into question the veracity of a recent television news story See JUDGE • Page 3
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Hymn seminal Christian hymns at a school sponsored public sporting event. Harrison had originally decided that the song should not be played before changing his mind. When asked if this was a political move in relation to upcoming elections for Elmore County School Board superintendent, Harrison exclaimed, “Heavens no … I would do this anyway, regardless.” He prepared a statement regarding his latest decision, which was delivered by Jill Corbin, a media representative and spokesperson with Elmore County Schools, who was responding on his behalf Monday. His full statement read, “I fully support religious liberty secured by our first amendment rights.
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That is why I consulted the attorney again as I pushed to protect this important freedom of our students. A fight over this issue is exactly what the adversaries want. I refuse to give that to them and will take every step necessary to stop them from winning.” Religious rights advocates have spoken for the move, while constitutional rights groups have spoken against it. Corbin stressed that the decision had “weighed on his (Harrison’s) heart,” and along with his own research and a vocal public outcry spurred the reversal. She said they had worked with their legal representation, the firm of Hill, Hill, Carter of Montgomery, over the weekend on the issue. Efforts were made
to reach an attorney from the firm, who was thought to have worked with ECBOE on the decision, however by the time of publication no calls had been returned. A religious rights group has spoken for the move, while a constitutional rights group, regarding separations of church and state, spoke against. The latter has said it is currently drafting a letter to the school on the issue to encourage the song’s removal, while the former welcomed its reinstatement. Headquartered in Montgomery and founded by Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, a senior counsel member, John Eidsmoe, from The Foundation for Moral Law, spoke in favor of the song’s inclusion. In an interview, Eidsmoe, said a school board member had talked with the FML, however, “informally,” and not in the capacity of a board member, he said. Harrison’s latest statement, which had formerly been one of reluctantly bowing to legal caution, seemed largely in line with the FML’s response to comments on the matter. Eidsmoe said they saw it as a positive development, and were “very glad” Harrison had decided to include the song again, after initially resolving to have it removed. He said it was a First Amendment issue which did not require the pro-
IF YOU HAVE COLLATERAL, WE HAVE YOUR LOAN.
hibition of all displays of religion material, such as a hymn at a football game. It was a matter of a minority respecting the wishes of the majority, Eidsmoe said. However, Annie Lauri Gaylor, cofounder of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, strongly disagreed. “That’s the opposite of our Bill of Rights. Our Bill of Rights is not set up for a majority, it’s set up to protect the minority. Majorities don’t need protection,” said Gaylor. Corbin gave a brief background on the issue, and said that a woman had called the central office of the school board and raised concerns about the constitutionality of playing the song. She would not indicate who the person was, or whether she was a parent, but said as a result the ECBOE had a duty to look into the matter. Gaylor said she had been told that the FFRF, which is headquartered in Wisconsin, had received calls from the area. She said it was an instance where a parent had complained, “a parent in the minority,” and said a Christian song of salvation was inappropriate for a high school marching band, and was an instance where a public school official based a decision upon what a “majority” wanted. “And then the superintendent gives in to them, well so this is why we have a Bill of Rights the superintendent should have not backed down,” Gaylor said. “This isn’t protecting the students because at least one of them was offended by having to play this song and this is what hap-
pens.” Eidsmoe said not only the student who objected, but those who wanted to hear or play the song should be considered. “If he wants to be excused I would defend his right to be excused,” Eidsmoe said. He said the performance of one hymn in a generally secular program was not an issue, and mentioned the playing of popularized Christmas songs as a example of legality. However, Gaylor said what was of more concern was the song itself, and it’s language and message within it’s religious context. “So you are subjecting somebody who doesn’t believe in something to a devotional song and you are subjecting the entire audience to it, so that’s what you would expect at a Christian school,” Gaylor said. “Anybody who wants to sing Amazing Grace can do so in their own home, to themselves or they can go to church. They don’t go to a public school to sing Amazing Grace or hear it sung. It’s one of the more proselytizing hymns, Christian hymns out there, it’s like a signature Christian hymn.” The legal director with the Alabama branch of the American Civil Liberties Union, Randall Marshall said context is key. He said the use of the song would be more “permissible” if there was a secular reason for including the song such as, he said, if it contained chords which helped develop, or display, the band’s abilities. “It does feel to me if you look at a spectrum between at the
one end, we chose this song because it had an A capella chorus, or we chose it to inculcate religion into 3rd grade classes, (it) falls more along the permissible rather than the prohibited (side),” said Marshall. However, after hearing of Harrison’s latest response regarding, and the language he used, “adversaries” Marshall said the question was a matter of whose religious liberty was really at stake in this issue. If it were a matter of one or more parents, which were concerned about the song then, Marshall said, it was their religious liberties which were. He reiterated Gaylor’s statement about it being a matter of a majority influencing its will on a minority. And regarding Harrison’s statement Marshall said, “If he’s saying there’s some religious freedom of the school I think he’s dead wrong.” Even Eidmsoe seemed to have reservations about Harrison’s use of words and said that “adversary” does not mean enemy, and said he thought those people are wrong who think so. He called for civil discourse, and asked for the opposing sides to sit down and read the Constitution to see what it says regarding religious clauses. Regarding that idea, Gaylor said, “It’s a godless and secular document. There’s no god in it. The only referencse to religion are exclusionary, that there should be no religious test for public office. The oath of office for the president is given and there’s no put your hand on the Bible say so help me God. The preamble says sovereignty is invested in “We the people” not a divinity and we were first among nations, and it was a revolutionary act, to put the power to the people not to a god and not to claim to have a pipeline to a divinity.” Being secular was one of the reasons the Constitution has existed for this long, she said. Gaylor asked that the song be once again removed, and offered as a patriotic substitute, “The Star Spangled Banner.” She said playing the hymn before the “captive audience” is not only unconstitutional, but offensive to non-Christians, and non fundamentalists due to its message of original sin, and “wretches” in need of salvation through Jesus. “The Bill of Rights protects the minority and freedom of conscience from the ‘tyranny of the majority’. “We don’t decide what government should do about religion based on majority will but on the Constitution,” Gaylor said.
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Judge
continued from page 1
on the matter. Morris said that he provided information regarding paperwork filed by current Elmore County Schools Superintendent Dr. Andre Harrison to Brent Helms on Dec. 9. Morris said that he had only discovered the issues in Harrison’s filing a few days earlier himself. “I actually just discovered it a few days before,” he said. “I was doing the normal due diligence one does when working for a candidate and it struck me when I was looking at the paperwork that something was missing there.” Morris said he noticed that a document which his client had to complete from the Department of Education was missing and so he conducted research on the matter and then presented his findings to Helms. “I brought the information in and gave it to Brent,” Morris said. “In fact I never even talked to the judge about
it. The only time I talked with him at all was day of the hearing (December 16) and then only to say hi.” Morris said there was absolutely nothing insidious about the process and that he did not in any way attempt to influence the probate judge in his decision-making process. Enslen has previously stated that he became aware of the issue with Harrison’s filing on Dec. 10, when the issue was brought to his attention by Helms. Helms stated that he had received the information from Morris on Dec. 9 and that he provided the information to Enslen the next day. The television story challenged the judge’s recollection of facts based upon a contract between Enslen and Helms dated Nov. 13. Helms said he mistakenly backdated the contract to the November date, but was unsure of why he made the mistake.
Meeting
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up for, and I can tell you this, there’s going to be problems, there’s going to be headaches. You can run from those, you can try to let one of your people like the chief or one of our deputies handle those situations, but that’s not who the people want to talk to,” said Franklin. “That’s part of what you signed up, you’ve got to be accessible to people, accessibility is the key, I really believe, in trying to build a relationship. If you don’t have that accessibility I guarantee you that sooner or later you’re going to suffer for it.” After the introductions from local police, sheriff’s, District Attorneys office, and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, along with Wetumpka Fire Department, the forum began in earnest. The most contentious discussion erupted from Billingsley in response to the first public statement to the panel made by Elmore County NAACP President Bobby Mays. Mays made comments concerning his group’s recent efforts to set up a discussion with Billingsley. “Speaking of the forum I must say in all candor that I’m disappointed that the city chose to have this forum, which I requested over two weeks ago,” Mays began his statement. He talked about trust, which he said was required for community relations versus how it looked regarding the circumstances surrounding the forum and its being set up by the city. However, he transitioned into the issues almost immediately after the comments, and said, “The Elmore County NAACP, we strongly condemn the senseless killings that have gone on throughout this country against law enforcement … but by the same token and at the same level of condemnation we condemn the killings of African Americans at the hands of police,”
Mays said. And he directed to Billingsley a line of questioning about lessons, and procedures from recent events, which the WPD had implemented recently. Billingsley replied and spoke only about recent circumstances with the NAACP, and the contents of an earlier article by The Herald. The conversation devolved into an almost personal attack on the group. “Yes sir, I think you pretty well directed it to me, I set up a meeting a couple of weeks ago to meet with you and one other individual and the next email I got was you wanted the media present and the next thing I heard was in the newspaper the next day that you had set up a meeting with all city officials. I’m not in the political arena, I’m taking care of the citizens of Wetumpka,” said Billingsley. He said he felt it was “out of line,” and said he would meet with Mays but without a media member present. However, he then proceeded to publicly question Mays about the NAACP. “As far as anything else, can you tell me anything, anything in the last 18, 19 months that I’ve been here that the NAACP has done for the citizens of Wetumpka, can you answer that for me?” Billingsley said. Mays mentioned food drive efforts, and then talked about the timeline of events regarding their planned meeting, and said he was trying to prevent the very appearance of a media ambush. Lastly he said Billingsley was wrong about the details, and “chronology” of the discussions, which were largely recorded in a recent article by The Herald. Afterwards, a local pastor spoke, along with numerous residents, some mentioning their desire to havemore events like the forum.
Commission Upchurch Construction, with a base bid of $2,464,500. It was recommended that the commission accept the bid of Construction One, specifically what is known as the “limestone option,” which also includes electrical work in the existing courthouse, limestone base and limestone in lieu of stucco in the annex and an elevator cab for the new building. This brings the total construction cost
JULY 28, 2016 • PAGE 3
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to $2,749,089 for the project. Commission chair David Bowen asked Elmore County Administrator Grace McDuffie to confirm that funds existed to pay for the project. McDuffie assured the commission that the money would not be coming from general fund dollars, but would be coming out of a capital improvement fund. “That is a fund we have been saving up for
quite a number of years to do a project like this,” McDuffie said. McDuffie added that funds would also be available from the public building fund and Bowen made a point to tell the commission that the Poarch Band of Creek Indians had also contributed $300,000 to the project. The commission ultimately voted 3-1 in favor of the bid with no discussion. Bowen and commissioners Trey Taylor and
Stephanie Daniels Smoke voted in favor of the measure, commissioner Mark Hragyil voted against.
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OPINION
“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” --Thomas Jefferson THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
The Observer strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and, above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.
Honest, blunt, but sound advice Band issue shows need for appointed superintendents
I
received this message from a fellow stutterer last week. Hey Jody! I was wondering if you’d be willing to chat with someone here at the American Institute for Stuttering (AIS) about stuttering life in the military. She’s interested in pursuing officer training school with the Marines but has had some notso-great experiences related to stuttering so far and is interested in speaking with someone who has been through it. Any tips/advice would be appreciated. When I first started my military journey 24 years ago, I had no idea I’d be able to influence others with issues relating to stuttering and the military. It is such a privilege to be in this position. I sent her the following message: My name is Jody Fuller. Sara from AIS asked if I’d reach out to you. While I’m not affiliated with AIS, I do appreciate their commitment to the stuttering community, so I’d be happy to help you in any way. Just a little background on me. After four years as an Army medic, I returned home, went to school, and graduated one month before 9/11. Shortly after, I applied for Army Officer Candidate School (OCS.) One of the recruiters overheard me talking and made an insensitive comment saying I’d never be more than a staff officer because of my stutter. Before OCS, I had an officer mock me to my face. In OCS, I had an officer tell me I couldn’t be an officer because I stuttered. After all that nonsense, as a second lieutenant, I was assigned as the platoon leader of the third largest platoon in the United States Army and deployed them to Iraq—not bad for a stuttering guy who’d never be more than a staff officer. I tell you all of that for a reason. Those three incidents occurred within a year of each other, and in 24 years of service are the only three negative incidents I ever experienced regarding my stutter. All my
evaluations have been stellar. Ultimately, it’s about what you do, not what you say or how you say it. I deployed to Iraq two more times with the National Guard. In 2014, I transferred to the Army Reserves Jody Fuller and was promoted to major, which again, not trying to sound arrogant, is not bad for a poor, stuttering kid from Alabama who started out as a private. If you want to serve, then I encourage you to serve, but here is the blunt truth. Whether they will accept you or not depends on the severity of your stutter. Some might think that’s wrong, but it does indeed matter. The severity of a “disability” directly impacts a unit. Imagine being on guard duty and the enemy is breaching the compound. You have to be able to effectively communicate, as it can literally become a life or death situation. The same thing can be said of those with poor vision, hearing, etc. I know people who weren’t allowed to serve in uniform for a variety of reasons, but those who wanted to serve found other ways to serve. In many cases, they are doing and giving back far more than they likely ever would have done in uniform. I’m not sure if this is any of the stuff you wanted to hear or not. If you have any specific questions, please let me know and I’ll be happy to help. If someone asks you for advice, I encourage you to give it but to also be honest and blunt, if necessary. We should consider it an honor and privilege when others seek our counsel. After all, they could’ve asked anybody. Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller.com.
Eclectic Observer The
334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER (005-022) is published weekly on Thursday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Eclectic Observer, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099. ISSN # 1536-688X. We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $.25 per word per paper. Additional $15 charge for a photo per paper. (Herald, Weekend, Observer, Tribune). •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a photo. SUBSCRIPTION RATES One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $25 One Year Elsewhere: $38 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. ADMINISTRATION Steve Baker, publisher publisher@thewetumpkaherald.com William Carroll, managing editor william.carroll@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . Ext. 306 SALES Jayne Carr, marketing consultant Jayne.Carr@TheWetumpkaHerald.com . . . . . . Ext. 313 Molly Brethauer, marketing consultant molly.brethaur@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . Ext. 305
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tarting last week and continuing into this week is the ongoing issue relating to the playing of the song “Amazing Grace” by the Holtville High School Band. Initially, Elmore County Schools Superintendent Dr. Andre Harrison made the decision to remove the song from the halftime show based upon advice of counsel. However, after a public backlash against the decision, some of which was directed at the superintendent’s door, he made an aboutface and changed the decision. As the story appears on the front page of our paper today, I will not spend the time here to rehash all of the facts, nor will I get into what is actually a complex legal discussion about whether Harrison made the right or wrong decision. What concerns me is the political aspect of these types of decisions. Currently, only Alabama and Florida have elected superintendents, and not in every county. There are significant areas of the state that actually have appointed superintendents. At one point, many other states also had elected superintendents, but the common decision has been to eliminate such positions as overly political and fraught with a number of issues. Last year for instance, Mississippi became the 48th state to abolish elected superintendents and move to a full appointment-only system. As a Mississippi native myself, knowing that my home state normally finishes last in every-
WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
thing, it makes me feel good to know we’ll at least beat Alabama in something. The reality is the CEO of a school district should be held to a performance-based standard dictated by law and the decisions of an elected school board. The problem with elections for such an important position is that a candidate effectively gets four years even though they maybe doing a poor job managing the school from the outset (oh don’t we wish we could remove other elected officials so easily). In many districts that have appointed superintendents the superintendent often faces an annual review, similar to all other staff, where decisions can be made as to his or her competency and whether such a superintendent shall retain their position. Board members, elected by the people, can act as the buffer between the superintendent and the system and ensure that the supers perform their job up to the standards set by the board. More than that though is eliminating politics from the decision process. While politics will never completely be eliminated, it at least reduces the possibility of politics playing a
major role. Take the current situation. It seems odd that the superintendent would make a decision to not allow the song, then when a large number of people (i.e. voters) voice their concern the decision changes. Superintendents should be making decisions based upon what is best for the students and district overall and not concerned about winning favor with a contingent of the voters. This is not specifically a knock on Harrison, but a knock on the system. Interestingly, the Alabama legislature took up the issue of appointed superintendents but it eventually ended without the law being changed. At least one of the reasons was that it would require changes in a number of districts that already have elected superintendents. Basically the oh-well-this-will-take-toomuch-work-so-never-mind defense. Here is the problem. Every other state practically has already changed this provision to appointed superintendents. They have done so because the overwhelming weight of evidence supports moving to such an arrangement and yet here is Alabama, in a fight with Florida to see who can be last. Lets not be last. Our legislature needs to change this situation during next year’s session. Lets urge them to eliminate this now outdated practice. William Carroll is the managing editor of The Observer.
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Election's effect on Supreme Court could be crucial
A
s we have watched and participated in the presidential foray this entire year, an equally important event occurred. The death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in February is an important event in American government. Scalia’s unexpected death at 79 could affect the ideological tilt of the Supreme Court and could essentially have a profound impact on our nation’s public policy. Our founding fathers created a three-pronged government triumvirate. The three branches – executive, legislative and judicial – are designed to balance each other and work congruently to give us a functioning democracy. In the past eight years we have experienced a dichotomy of acrimony and thus gridlock between our extremely liberal president and very conservative U.S. House and U.S. Senate. The liberal Democratic president and conservative Republican legislative branch have been at polar extremes, which has created havoc and stalemate between the two branches. President Obama has attempted to circumvent constitutional restraints to get around the congressional roadblocks to his agenda. In the meantime, Congress has evolved into a partisan quagmire that leaves it without decisiveness, which leads to nothing being accomplished. This partisan divide has rendered the Congress and presidency powerless. Therefore, the U.S. Supreme Court has become the benchmark and pivotal decision-making and public policy setting entity in the nation. Scalia was the Court’s most reliably arch conservative. His death leaves the Supreme Court tilted to the left. The
STEVE FLOWERS Guest Columnist
Constitution provides that the president is to appoint vacancies to the Supreme Court with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. The Republican majority Senate, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), has vowed to block President Obama’s appointment to replace Scalia for the remainder of the year. This is unprecedented. However, they can and will thwart Obama’s nominee. The Republicans are hopeful that a Republican will win the White House and that they will retain their control of the U.S. Senate. Both of these occurrences may be wishful thinking. Scalia’s death is a major loss for the nation’s conservatives. The Court is now evenly divided four to four between liberals and conservatives. However, Justice Anthony Kennedy, who has been considered the one moderate middle swing vote on the Court, has swung more to the left in recent years. Thus, for the remainder of the year the Court has a liberal tilt and there are numerous major decisions set to be made this year. On course to be decided are landmark issues regarding abortion rights, affirmative action, voting rights and immigration. Under ObamaCare religious and non-profit schools and hospitals are mandated to pay for contraceptives. These groups are essentially pro-life and want to be exempted from the Obama mandate. With Scalia on the Court they would have probably won. However, the likely outcome is a
4-4 tie. The long standing University of Texas affirmative action case was decided a few weeks ago. Scalia had already shown his hand against affirmative action in oral arguments. He suggested from the bench that African Americans may do better at “less advanced” or “slower track” schools. With Scalia gone the Court ruled against Texas and in favor of affirmative action. In a case regarding voting rights, Alabama is front and center. The Court will consider changing the way state districts are drawn based on the number of eligible voters rather than total population. A favorable decision would be a major victory for Republicans. It would enhance the power of more rural and mostly white districts. In oral arguments in December with Scalia leading the charge it appeared the conservative justices may have had the edge. It is uncertain now. President Obama’s immigration plan would prevent deportation for four million undocumented immigrants. An appellate court had ruled this unconstitutional. With Scalia on the Court the appellate court ruling would have been upheld. Now it is totally up in the air. The bottom line is this election is extremely important when it comes to where the country is heading philosophically because the presidential race as well as senatorial races around the country will significantly affect the makeup of the Supreme Court. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
JULY 28, 2016 • PAGE 5
Obituaries Lewis Watwood
Mr. Lewis Watwood, 94, of Eclectic, passed away July 25, 2016. He was born July 25, 1922. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Linville Memorial Funeral Home. Graveside service will be Wednesday, July 27 at 9 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Cemetery with Rev. Chris Whittington officiating, Linville Memorial Funeral Home officiating. Mr. Watwood honorably served our county in the U. S. Army during World War II and received a Purple Heart. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Nell Watwood; daughter, Erma Schlotzhauer (Marty); son, Tim Watwood (Pam) grandchildren, Kahdra Emfinger Lambert (John David), Chad Watwood (Carolyn), Lauren Harpe (Will) and Matthew Hall; and great grandchildren, Micah Emfinger, Brendan Emfinger, Caitlin Emfinger, Grace Harpe and Makenzie Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family
requests donations to any service related organization. Online condolences at www.linvillememorial.com. Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama
Frances Barnes
Mrs. Frances Louise Barnes, 98, of Tallassee, passed away July 20, 2016. She was born May 26, 1918. Funeral service will be Saturday, July 23 at 2:00 p.m. at Linville Memorial Funeral Home with Rev. Michael Smith officiating. Visitation is from 1:00 p.m. until time of service. Burial will follow at Good Hope Cemetery, Linville Memorial Funeral home directing. She is survived by her son, Charles Lambrecht (Lois); sisters, Mary Nell Gravelin, Leila May Wadsworth (Jack) and Bertha Whetstone (Walton); grandchildren, Christine Drost (Duane), Tony Gardner
Council
(Jane) and Robert Lambrecht (Tracy); ten great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. She is preceded in death by her husbands, Frank Lambrecht Jr. and J. D. Barnes; and a daughter, Frances Gardner. Flowers accepted or donations may be made to United Methodist Children’s Home, 1712 Broad St, Selma, AL 36701. Online condolences at www.linvillememorial.com. Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama
continued from page 1
park, and that the ECYBL maintained and paid for “everything” regarding the park. With the details of the lease up for discussion, the director of the ECYBL, Patrick Burkett, made the proposal that the league resume control of the field, including maintenance for months which are not covered in the current contract. Team leaders with the Thunder Cats spoke, along with members of the team, and said they would be willing to pay even for their use of the field and had
taken care of upkeep when they used it in the past. The line from the ECYBL was that if one travelling team could use the facilities then they would be obligated to allow all travelling teams to play there. The discussion quickly turned combative between the two sides of the room where each group sat, prompting one council member, Inez Gates, of Council Place 3, to appeal to the crowd asking why it could not be worked out as Christians.
We have the most awesome litter Pet of the Week- Airedale mix puppies of Airedale/Hound mix puppies – all seven of them! There are six boys and one girl, about 14 weeks old and they should be in the 50-60 pound range when fully grown. The only trouble with these pups will be deciding who to take home. They are ADORABLE! Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs & $50 for cats under 1 year old; cats over one year old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee completely covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough, 45 days of pet health insurance and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian. To meet all the great pets at our shelter come to 255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL, 36092, go to our website at http://www.elmorehumane.org/ for more information, email us at hselco@bellsouth.net or give us a call at 334-567-3377. We are open for adoptions this week Mon–Thu 10-5, Fri from 10-4 and Sat 9-3.
Need CPAP?
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ADVERTISING DEADLINE: MONDAY, AUG. 15 Contact your advertising representative or call the advertising department at 334-567-7811
PAGE 6 • JULY 28, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
What really happened to Andy Griffith
G
reetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge! It is hot in central Alabama. I am not sure if the heat is normal, a byproduct of global warming, or runoff from our nation’s political process. In any case, it is hot, so do whatever you can to stay cool! There is a persistent rhetoric in our nation. It is not new. It has been around for quite some time, but it is enjoying resurgence as of late. I am sure you have heard it. The rhetoric reflects a desire to return to better times in our nation’s history. This return would help us emerge from our current state of divisiveness. Regardless of the actual time period being presented, the desire is the same. If only we could go to back to a simpler
time. The television show I hear touted as the gold standard in terms of the relationship between law enforcement and the community is The Andy Griffith Show. I love that show. The simple, small town way of life is very alluring, especially when the lawman in charge doesn’t even carry a gun and no one gets shot. As it turns out, I am actually completely in favor of returning to Mayberry in regards to the relationship between law enforcement and the community. Of course, I know this is impossible, because real life and television life are two different worlds. Still, I think the idea is worth exploring. It isn’t enough to simply lift up the virtue of the Mayberry way, however. Taking a snapshot of the past
REV. JONATHAN YARBORO First Presbyterian
and trying to recreate it is a lesson in futility. If any of us want to return to what we value from the past, we must understand what caused it to disappear in the first place. Even though The Andy Griffith Show is not real, there was a time when the relationship between law enforcement and the community resembled what was on the screen; at least in most parts of our nation. What happened? What caused the relationship to deteriorate to the place it is now on a national level? There is more than enough blame to go around, as it
turns out. I do not have the time or space to try and mention all the contributing factors. I have come to one conclusion that is present in every explanation, and it applies to every member of every community. Mutual respect and the lack thereof is behind the divisiveness and violence we find in our national and global community. I maintain the lack of it has yet to reach majority status, but it is on its way. In other words, I truly believe most members of our national community hold mutual respect as a vital value for society, but it seems more and more people are opting out. I was blown away recently when a colleague of mine was asked how he felt about the relationship between law enforcement and the community these days. His simple
response was, “I abhor police brutality. I abhor violence against police. That is all there is to say.” I was blown away because his response is what every member of our national community should be saying. While it is certainly true that respect is something that must be earned and can easily be lost, there is more to it. Each citizen, regardless of title or situation, has to be willing to respect the lives of others if there is any chance of it becoming reality. Do unto others as you would have done unto you. This command results in unifying respect each and every time it is embodied. Rev. Yarboro is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Wetumpka
Area Churches AME ZION Mt. Zion Chapel AME Zion 2340 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-4413 Rogers Chapel AME Zion 709 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8144 Jackson Chapel AME Zion 4885 Coosada Rd., Coosada Jones Chapel AME Zion 2414 Ingram Rd. (Co. Rd. 3), Elmore ABUNDANT LIFE Abundant Life Church 9301 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-9143 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Agape Tabernacle Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic 541-2006 Bethel Worship Center 11117 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 5675754 Crossroads Assembly of God 2534 AL Hwy 14., Millbrook 285-5545 First Assembly of God 3511 Shirley Ln., Millbrook New Home Assembly of God 5620 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 5692825 BAPTIST Abraham Baptist Church Millbrook Antioch Baptist Church 1115 Antioch Rd., Titus 567-2917 Beulah Baptist Church 2350 Grier Rd., Wetumpka 514-2881 Blue Ridge Baptist 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 5674325 Brookwood Baptist Grandview Rd., Millbrook Calvary Baptist 504 W. Osceola St., Wetumpka 567-4729 Central Baptist 3545 W. Central Rd., Wetumpka 541-2556 Coosada Baptist 20 Kennedy Ave., Coosada Deatsville Baptist 184 Church St., Deatsville Eclectic Baptist Church 203 Claud Rd., Eclectic 541-4444 Faith Baptist 64 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 567-4417 First Baptist Church 205 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-5191 First Baptist of Elmore Hwy. 14 Co. Rd. 74, Elmore Galilee Baptist 95 Old Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-4178 Good Hope Baptist 1766 S. Fleahop Rd., Eclectic Goodship Baptist Hwy. 143, Millbrook Grace Baptist Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-3255 Grandview Pines Baptist Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville Green Ridge Baptist 288 Turner Rd., Wetumpka 567-2486 Harvest Baptist 2990 Main St., Millbrook
Hillside Baptist 405 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka Holtville Riverside Baptist 7121 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 514-5922 Lake Elam Baptist 4060 Gober Rd., Millbrook Liberty Hill Baptist 61 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-8750 Lighthouse Baptist 2281 Main St., Millbrook Living Water Baptist 1745 Grass Farm Rd. (Co. Rd. 80), Weoka Millbrook Baptist Millbrook 285-4731 Mitts Chapel Baptist 935 Cold Springs Rd., Deatsville 5691952 Mt. Hebron West Baptist 150 Mt. Hebron Rd., Elmore 567-4441 Mountain View Baptist 1025 Rifle Range Rd., Wetumpka 5674458 New Harmony Baptist 3094 New Harmony Rd., Marbury 3121878 New Home Baptist 1605 New Home Rd., Titus 567-0923 New Hope Baptist 6191 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 569-1267 New Lily Green Baptist 6504 Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville New Nazareth Baptist Hwy. 143, Deatsville Pleasant Hill Baptist Pleasant Hill Rd., Eclectic 541-3460 Prospect Baptist Prospect Rd., Eclectic 567-5837 Redland Baptist 1266 Dozier Rd., Wetumpka 567-8649 Rehoberth Baptist 8110 Rifle Range Rd., Tallassee 567-9801 Rushenville Baptist 10098 Georgia Rd., Eclectic 541-2418 Saint James Baptist 1005 Nobles Rd., Wetumpka 567-6209 Saint James Baptist 101 Gantt Rd., Deatsville 569-3006 Santuck Baptist 7250 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 567-2364 Seman Baptist Seman, Alabama Shoal Creek Baptist 13214 Holtville Rd., Deatsville 569-2482 Springfield Baptist Hwy. 7, Millbrook Thelma Baptist 810 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 567-3665 Titus Baptist 6930 Titus Rd., Wetumpka 334-531-2120 Tunnell Chapel Baptist 210 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 567-2589 Victory Baptist 5481 Main St., Millbrook Wadsworth Baptist 2780 Hwy. 143, Deatsville 569-2851
BAPTIST - MISSIONARY Atkins Hill 565 Atkins Rd., Wetumpka 567-1141 Cathmagby Baptist 3074 Mitchell Creek Rd., Wetumpka 567-4787 First Missionary Baptist at Guilfield 412 Company St., Wetumpka 567-7455 Goodhope 1389 Willow Springs Rd. Wetumpka 567-7133 Lebanon 17877 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 514-1097 Mount Canaan 1125 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 567-2141 Mount Pisgah 16621 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 567-3668 Mt. Zion 371 AL Hwy. 14, Elmore, 567-2613 Mt. Zion #3 1813 Luke Paschal Rd., Eclectic New Home 5130 Elmore Rd., Wetumpka 567-5966 Second Missionary 760 N. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8601 Spring Chapel Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 567-6493 Sweetwater 163 Michael Lane, Wetumpka 334-5389415 Tabernacle Baptist 1020 W. Tallassee St., Wetumpka 5670620 BAPTIST - PRIMITIVE Bethel Old School 4625 Jackson Rd. (C.R. 103), Wetumpka Providence 4850 Chana Creek Rd., Wetumpka CATHOLIC Our Lady of Guadalupe 545 White Rd., Wetumpka 567-0311 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ of Elmore 470 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 567-6670 Church of Christ Grandview Pines 165 Deatsville Hwy., Millbrook Cold Springs Church of Christ 5920 Alabama Hwy. 143, Deatsville Georgia Road Church of Christ 4003 Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-2804 Lightwood Church of Christ 251 New Harmony Rd., Deatsville 5691510 Redland Road Church of Christ 2480 Redland Rd., Wetumpka 514-3656 Wetumpka Church of Christ W. Bridge St. At W. Main St., Wetumpka 567-6561 CHURCH OF GOD Elmore Church of God 10675 Rucker Road, Elmore Gethsemane Church of God 705 Cotton St., Wetumpka 567-9886 Church at the Brook 2890 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Maranatha Church of God
2621 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 567-6786 Victory Tabernacle AOH Church of God Hwy 143, Millbrook Wetumpka Church of God Hwy. 9 N. Wetumpka 215-3091 CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN Cedarwood Congregational Christian 10286 US Hwy 231 N, Wetumpka 5670476 Seman Congregational Christian 15970 Central Plank Rd., Seman Union Congregational Christian 8188 Lightwood Rd., Marbury 569-2122 EPISCOPAL The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2602 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee 252-8618 Trinity Episcopal Church 5371 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-7534 St. Michael & All Angels Church 5941 Main St., Millbrook HOLINESS New Beginnings Holiness 865 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-9211 Summit Holiness 2050 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Temple of Deliverance Holiness 620 Alabama St., Wetumpka 514-3114 JEHOVAH’S WITNESS Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 9235 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-8100 LATTER DAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1405 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 567-8339 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Cobbs Ford Rd., Millbrook LUTHERAN Christ Lutheran Church 2175 Cobbs Ford Rd., Prattville PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church 100 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8135 Millbrook Presbyterian Corner of Main St. & Coosada Rd. Valley View Presbyterian - PCA 4125 Rifle Range Rd. Wetumpka 3862386 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST First Elmore Seventh Day Adventist 210 Lucky Town Rd., Elmore 514-1020 INDEPENDENT METHODIST Claud Independent Methodist Church 81232 Tallassee Hwy, Eclectic 541-2552 UNITED METHODIST Cain’s Chapel United Methodist 96 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 569-2375 Central United Methodist Church 11721 Central Plank Rd. Central Elmore United Methodist Church
40 Hatchet St., Elmore 567-8653 First United Methodist Church 306 W. Tuskeena St., Wetumpka 5677865 First United Methodist Church 3350 Edgewood, Millbrook Harmony United Methodist Church 8000 Titus Rd., Titus Mulder Memorial United Methodist 3454 Fire Tower Rd., Wetumpka 567-4225 New Style United Methodist 64 Old Georgia Plank Spur, Wetumpka 567-9840 Oak Valley Station United Methodist 162 Parsonage Road, Tallassee 541-3924 Pierce Chapel United Methodist 1003 Pierce Chapel Rd., Santuck 2656099 Providence United Methodist 1540 Providence Rd., Titus Robinson Springs Methodist Church 5980 Main St., Millbrook Trinity United Methodist 135 Little Weoka Creek Rd., Equality 567-9997 Union United Methodist 691 Central Rd. Eclectic Wallsboro United Methodist 11066 US Hwy. 231, Wetumpka CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Millbrook Church of the Nazarene 3251 Browns Rd., Millbrook PENTECOSTAL Faith Deliverance Church 475 Jackson St., Elmore 567-9209 OTHER Central Bible Chapel 3630 Edgewood Rd., Millbrook Chapel of Praise Hwy. 14, Millbrook Cornerstone Full Gospel 9301 US Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-9143 East Chapel MP Church Airport Rd., Millbrook Grace Bible Church 2251 Main St., Millbrook Gracepoint Community Church 78223 Tallassee Highway, Wetumpka 514-9292 New Life Church - Millbrook Sanctuary Worship Center 1688 Ceasarville Rd., Wetumpka Servant Fellowship Church P O Box 1423, Wetumpka 567-2190 servantfellowshipchurch@windstream.net The Worship Center 2705 Williams Rd., Wetumpka Time of Refreshing Fellowship 117 E. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-7750 Victory Temple (Pentecostal church) 1173 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-7779 Words of Life Church 105 Cousins Rd., Wetumpka 514-2730
Religion Briefs • First Baptist Church Reeltown
Reeltown’s Real Prime Timers (also Known as Community Seniors) will celebrate Christmas in July at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27. Please bring your favorite holiday food to the Fellowship Hall and then gather in the sanctuary for inspiring Christmas music. Return to the hall for delicious food and wonderful fellowship with community-wide friends and neighbors! You are always welcome at FBCR!
• Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
On Sunday, July 31 a Morning Prayer worship service will be held at 10:30 a.m., with coffee hour to follow. For more information, visit the church website: http:// epiphanytallassee.org/
• St. Vincent de Paul
OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY is a service of St. Vincent de Paul Church and airs weekly from 8-8:30 a.m. on 580 WACQ and FM 101.1 in Tallassee. Listen Live on www.
wacqradio.com or the TuneIn app on your smartphone. The pastor of St. Vincent de Paul is Monsignor Charles Troncale. July 31 - Marriage and the Eucharist part 2 Aug. 7 - Making Catholic Moral Decisions (Jim Toner) Aug. 14 - Making Catholic Moral Decisions (Jim Toner) Aug. 21 - By Faith Alone part 1 Aug. 28 - By Faith Alone part 2 Sept. 4 - Which Came First part 1 Sept. 11 - Which Came First part 2
• Elam Baptist Church
4686 Notasulga Rd, Tallassee, AL 36078 Hwy 14 announces a big back to school fun time for all the school age children. The event will be Sunday, July 31, beginning at 3 p.m. with games, waterslide, water balloons, kiddy wading pool, food and lots of fun.The watermelon cutting will begin at 5 p.m. for everyone of all ages. Everyone is invited to support back to school and encourage these youngpeople
as they return to school. The WOM ladies of Elam have an Outreach Ministry ongoing through July 31. They are honoring the local police and firemen in the area to show appreciation of their work. You are asked to help supply snack foods (individual wrapped or boxed): cookies, candy, chips of all kinds, raisins, popcorn, brownies, etc. and all type snack items. The WOM will deliver them to the appointed stations. Thank you for helping honor these who serve so well and diligently. Mark you calendar for Saturday, Aug. 31, 6 p.m. for a GOSPEL SINGING at Elam Baptist Church featuring the Holy Destiny Quarter with Mark and Jeff Lanier and two others. An offering will be taken for them. You do not want to miss this singing. You will be greatly blessed. Mark Lanier has performed and recorded in Nashville. Please attend and bring someone with you. Kevin Lanier, their brother, is the minister of music with Elam. Hope to see you there!
• Carrville Baptist Church
Community
Join us for our Blessing of the Backpack on Sunday, July 31 at 10:30 am and then our 5th Sunday Outreach Dinner at 6 p.m. On Tuesday, Aug. 2, 6-9 a.m, we will be hosting a free Community drive-thru breakfast. So please come by on your way to work and pickup a sausage, bacon or butter biscuit to enjoy. Our regular Sunday Services are Sunday school 9:15 am, Morning Worship 10:30 am and all Sunday Evening Activities are at 6 p.m. Our Wednesday Night Activities are at 6:30 pm.
• Faith Foundation Holiness Church
Monday, Aug. 1 through Saturday, August 6 at 7 p.m. each night. Climaxing on Sunday, Aug. 7 at 3 p.m. Pastor: Bishop Marvin Freeman and Overseer: Apostle Quentin Freeman. For more information contact Mot. Gloria Freeman at 334-9914026 or Sis. Shannetta Daniels at 334-4155019.
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
JULY 28, 2016 • PAGE 7
ALL ABOUT NURSES
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A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS!
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PAGE 8 • JULY 28, 2016
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JULY 28, 2016 • PAGE 9
Area Calendar July 30
BENEFIT SINGING: An evening of music a benefit concert for the Old Red Hill School Saturday, July 30, 2016 in the Red Hill School Auditorium on Alabama Highway 229 in Red Hill. Acts include Cecil Malone & Montgomery Junction at 3 p.m., Cowboy Bill and Company at 5 p.m., and The Kevin Adair Band at 7 p.m. Donations will be welcomed at the door to help replace the roof the old school building. Food, soft drinks, coffee and a family atmosphere will be offered.
July 31
BACK TO SCHOOL: Calvary Baptist Wetumpka will be hosting our Annual “Back -2School Bash on July 31 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on this event, please contact the church office 334-5674729 or visit our website www.calvarybaptistwetumpka.org CATHMAGBY BAPTIST CHURCH: The Cathmagby Baptist Church will be honoring the life of Pastor John W. Smoke, husband of Commissioner Stephanie Daniels Smoke at 10:00 am.
August 1-4
iPad Distribution Days 5:30 p.m. at Southside Middle School Aug 1st- 5th grade Aug 2nd- 6th grade Aug 3rd- 7th grade Aug 4th- 8th grade $50 technology fee per student/yr.
August 4-7
SUMMER REVIVAL: Summer revival at 7 p.m. nightly August 7 11 a.m.
only at First Missionary Baptist Church located at 5021 Airport Road Millbrook. Guest speaker will be Bro. Cliff Stever pastor from Yarbrough Street Baptist Church in Montgomery. Special singing nightly: Thursday – Christopher Gregory, Friday – The Dennis Family, Saturday – Calvary’s Call. Congregational music will be led nightly by Micky Conway and also on Sunday morning. Everyone is welcome. For more info, contact: Rex Weldon 558-6349.
Tallassee Elementary will hold open house for Kindergarten beginning at 11 a.m. and 11:20 a.m. First grade Open House will be at 12:20 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. Second grade open house begins at 1:40 p.m. and 2:20 p.m.. Third grade open house begins at 3 p.m. Fourth grade open house begins at 4:20 p.m. and 5 p.m.
August 7
Freshman Orientation 6 p.m. at Tallassee High School.
CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: The Wall Street AME Zion Church, 71 Zion Street of Tallassee, Alabama, will celebrate 136 years of ministry August 7. A homecoming program is being prepared to commemorate this joyous occasion. Members, former members, family, and friends are cordially invited to attend. The program will begin at 2:30 p.m. The speaker for the occasion will be LaBrian Stewart, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Keith Stewart. LaBrian is one of our own. He is an accomplished student athlete and professional educator and currently serves as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Northview High School, Dothan, Alabama. CONCERT: Lebanon Baptist Church in Titus will host Heartline in concert at 6 p.m.
August 8
Southside Middle School Open House
August 8
August 8
Open house for the 2016-2017 school year from 12 -7 p.m.
August 8
August 13
TEACHER’S LUNCHEON: Beulah Baptist Church will hold the Annual Teachers Luncheon on August 13 at 1 p.m. In order to honor the Reeltown School Teachers and Aides and some other teachers from surrounding school systems.
August 16
TUESDAYS WITH KELLY: What You See, Is What You Get at the next Tuesdays with Kelly meeting when Jason Powell of Petals from the Past will give a Container Gardening Demonstration. Come to this “lunch and learn” event at noon on the third Tuesday of each month at The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery 408 South Main Street in Wetumpka, Alabama Bring a sack lunch, drinks and desserts provided. Free, Open to the Public, Fun, Music and Door Prizes.
August 26-27
The Tallassee High School Class of 1981 is planning its class reunion, to be held August 26 and 27 in Tallassee. If you are a member of the class and have not been contacted by a classmate, please call Suzy Solomon Wilson at 334-283- 8172.
ONGOING EVENTS POOL SEASON: The Tallassee Pool season for 2016 will end Saturday, July 30. Hours of operation will be MondaySaturday from 1pm-5pm. Daily pass is $3 per day and individual pass is $45, family pass for up to 4 in same household is $60 and 5 or more $75 for season. First session of swim lessons for ages 4 and up (must be 4 by time of lesson) will begin June 13-June 24, Second session will be June 27 –July 8 (closed July 4) Third session will be July 11-22. Registration fee for Tiny Tots is $55 and Levels 1-6 will be $65. You may register at Recreation Department until Thursday, May 26 and after May 26 please register at pool. WATER AEROBICS: Water Aerobics classes will go thru July 28th. Classes will be each Tuesday and Thursday night at 7:00 pm at the City Pool. No need to register...just pay $3 each day you exercise. Lap swimming will also be available during that time if you do not want to participate in the aerobic class. SWIM LESSONS: First session of swim lessons for ages 4 and up (must be 4 by time of lesson) will run through
June 24. Second session will be June 27 –July 8 (closed July 4) Third session will be July 11-22. Registration fee for Tiny Tots is $55 and Levels 1-6 will be $65. You may register at Recreation Department until Thursday, May 26 and after May 26 please register at pool. CHILD FIND: The Tallassee City School System is launching its annual campaign to assist children—birth to age 21—who have disabilities and may need special services. The campaign urges parents, service providers, and concerned citizens to contact Child Find, a program to locate, identify and evaluate children with disabilities or children who are believed to have disabilities. The Tallassee City School System wishes to notify you of the availability of special
education services in our public schools. If you have questions regarding our programs, or if you wish to refer a student, please contact Lynell Carr at (334) 283-5675 or Child Find (Alabama Department of Education) at 1-800-548-2547.” ART EXHIBITION: There is a free exhibit of sixty-five works of art by the late Priscilla Crommelin featuring vibrant still life and floral paintings, portraits and landscapes at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery. TENNIS LESSONS: Grassroots Tennis Association will be offering (8) Weeks of Free Tennis Lessons this Summer throughout the rural and inner city underprivileged communities.
PAGE 10 • JULY 28, 2016
SPORTS
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NORTH DEFEATS SOUTH IN RAIN SHORTENED ALL-STAR FOOTBALL GAME
Cory Diaz / The Observer
Above, Elmore County star running back Kell Floyd (17) runs with the football during kickoff drills at the South team’s practice at Trinity Presbyterian School Monday in preparation for the 57th annual North-South All-Star Game. By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
Elmore County’s Kell Floyd didn’t get a chance to play for the South in the North’s rain-shortened 14-0 victory Thursday in the AHSAA North-South All Star Football Game at Cramton Bowl. The 57th annual playing of the showcase was called at 8:16 mark in the second quarter due to lightning and heavy rains. Quarterback Zach Cupps of Gardendale was 5-of-6 passing for 96
yards and a 51-yard touchdown pass to Sheffield wide receiver Aaron Pride to earn MVP honors for head coach Frank Tucker’s North squad. The score came at 5:19 of the first quarter and just 3:30 minutes after Minor’s David Mitchell’s 14-yard TD run. It was Mitchell’s only run of the night. Morgan Coston of Leeds kicked both extra points. Mitchell’s score capped a six-play, 40-yard march the North’s first possession of the game. The South, head-coached by Theodore’s Eric Collier, drove to the North 29-yard line on its second pos-
Forever Wild Land Trust board to meet in Millbrook Aug. 11 STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
The Board of Trustees of the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust will hold its third quarterly meeting on Aug. 11 at the Alabama Wildlife Federation NaturePlex in Millbrook. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. At this meeting, updates on Forever Wild program activities and tract assessments will be presented. This meeting will also provide an opportunity for any individual who would like to make comments concerning the program to address the board. The public is invited to attend this meeting and is urged to submit nominations of tracts of land for possible Forever Wild Program purchase. Written nominations may be made by letter addressed to the State Lands Division, Room 464, 64 N. Union St., Montgomery, Alabama 36130. Nominations can also be emailed to
fwlandtrust@gmail.com. Quarterly meetings of the Forever Wild Board are held to maximize public input into the program. Only through active public participation can the best places in Alabama be identified and protected in order to remain forever wild. If Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations are needed, please contact Jo Lewis at (334) 242-3051 or Jo.Lewis@dcnr.alabama.gov. Requests should be made as soon as possible, but at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www. outdooralabama.com.
session of the game but McGill-Toolen quarterback Parish Chambers was sacked for a 6-yard loss back to the 35 by Leeds defensive lineman Josephus Smith. The South turned the ball over on downs at the 31. The North finished with eight first downs, 49 yards rushing on 12 carries and 163 yards passing for 212 total yards. Cupps also rushed for 10 yards on one carry and finished with 106 total yards. Edwards was 3-of-5 passing for 67 yards. Leeds’ Smith had four tackles, including two for losses, to lead the North
defense. Justin Little of Tuscaloosa County added two tackles and Blake Stidham of Hamilton was in on three stops. The South had three first downs, had a net of zero yards on six rush attempts and completed 7-of-12 passes for 75 yards. Chambers was 3-of-6 passing for 52 yards, and Montgomery-Lee quarterback Shaquille Johnson was 4-of-6 for 23 yards. Kahlil Traywick of UMS-Wright, the South MVP, had four tackles and two assists and Quantravis Kelly of Lee had two tackles and three assists for the South defense.
Game checks become mandatory this fall STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Mandatory reporting of all deer and turkey harvests through Alabama’s Game Check system goes into effect this fall. Hunters will have 48 hours to report their harvest through a mobile app, online or by phone. Long-term harvest data will be used to guide the state’s deer and turkey management programs. This spring, Alabama’s Conservation Advisory Board (CAB) recommended mandatory reporting via the Game Check system if the statewide deer season was extended to Feb. 10, with no closed period in December, and a bucks-only archery season was implemented in the South Zone (Zone B) from Oct. 15-24. These changes will be in effect this fall as Alabama joins 47 other states with a mandatory harvest reporting system. “We live in a data-driven world,” said Chuck Sykes, Director of the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF). “That applies to wildlife management as well. Over time, the information collected though Game Check will give us a better understanding
of Alabama’s deer and turkey populations, which will ultimately benefit hunters for generations to come.” There are three ways to Game Check a harvested deer or turkey: through the Outdoor Alabama smartphone app available at www.outdooralabama. com/mobile-apps, online at www. outdooralabama.com/gamecheck, or by calling 1-800-888-7690. Information required to Game Check a harvest includes the date of harvest, the type of animal (deer or turkey), sex of deer and age of gobbler (adult or jake), county of harvest, public or private land and a hunting license or H.E.L.P. (Hunter Exempt License Privilege) number. Hunters are encouraged to utilize Game Check via the Outdoor Alabama mobile app or go online to report their harvest. Reporting via the mobile app can be completed offline regardless of cellphone or data coverage. “It’s a very simple process and takes just a few minutes to use Game Check,” Sykes said. “With multiple reporting options and a reasonable time frame to input the data, there are no barriers to using the system.”
Elmore County High QB Club offers season ticket packages By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
With kickoff to the 2016 Elmore County High School football season a little over a month away, fans and supporters looking for reserved seats to all Panther home games still have a chance to reserve them. The ECHS Quarterback Club is selling reserved season ticket packages for $50, which includes one ticket to all five Panther homes games at a discounted admission rate and one parking pass (valued at $10) in the preferred parking lot behind the home side stands that has easy entrance/exit access to the bleachers. There is a limit, so reserved spaces are first-come, first-serve.
All reserved seats are directly in front of the pressbox near midfield. Desired location of the seats are on a first-come, first-served basis. Back for the second straight season is the $25 concession stand combo package, which contains a meal at all five home games. Fans will have the choice between a hamburger or a hot dog, fries and a drink (valued at $6, separately). The Club would like to have all reservations in before Elmore County’s first home game, the season-opener on Aug. 19 versus Montgomery Academy. For more information about reserved seating, contact Renae Venable at (334) 541-2131.