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Auditor explains city’s financial issues revolve around the monthly reconciliations,” Harte said. “Everything revolves around keeping your records After over 20 months reconciled monthly and up to without an audit of 2014 financial statements, Alexander date. If you every let that get City leaders now have a better out of hand, it is hard to catch up.” picture of the city’s financial Harte explained the idea position from 2014 following using a personal bank account. a presentation of an audit by “It is like if you started to Carr, Riggs and Ingram’s Jason not record or reconcile your Harte. Harte presented his findings personal checkbook and then try to go back there and get to Mayor Jim Nabors, the city caught up,” Harte said. council and other department Nabors stated the city does heads in a council work session have an idea of where it is and they centered around at based on what the bank internal controls. says its balances are and “The findings mainly By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Jason Harte presents his findings from an audit to members of the Alexander City Council.
what it is currently doing to keep the 2017 records in order – something Alexander City Finance Director Sandy Stanbrough agrees. “Until it is caught up, we do not have a clean starting place,” Stanbrough said. “We don’t know where the beginning balance is so we cannot figure if the ending balance is reflecting the situation.” Harte explained that the predicament the city is currently in, can be seen in the water and sewer funds and the See AUDIT • Page 3
Escaped inmate captured just hours later
Forever Hope opens doors to county foster families
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
The Forever Hope Foster Care Association of Tallapoosa County celebrated the grand opening of its new facility on Thursday, June 27. Located at 641 13th Avenue South in Alexander City, the center is a place that provides assistance for foster children and their families in a variety of ways. The program officially began in September 2016 as the brainchild See FOSTER • Page 3
MUSIC IN THE PARK
Throw Away Day to be hosted next week By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Once again the Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are hosting a Throw Away Day Monday and Tuesday and it comes at a great time. “The event will follow the Fourth of July holiday, which is always a busy time in our area,” Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Top: The Bank Walkers’ David Sturdivant plays the drums at Thursday’s Strand Sessions. Middle, Steve Forehand and Roger Holiday perform with The Bank Walkers. Bottom left: Twoyear-olds Cooper Russell McCants, left, and Jack Meacham of Alexander City play in the lawn at Strand Park during the live music event. For more photos, see page 7 inside.
See THROW AWAY • Page 7
State inmate Terry Lee Stokes walked away from a job site in Dadeville Wednesday after and was taken back into custody eight hours later. Stokes According to a release from Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett, Stokes, 43, was assigned to the Alexander City Work Release Center when he walked away from a job site in Dadeville without permission. “A search of the area was conducted by the Department of Corrections personnel, Department of Corrections K-9 Unit and the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department,” Abbett said. Stokes was recaptured by a Tallapoosa County Deputy near a business on Highway 49 South near Dadeville without incident. Stokes was then transported to the Tallapoosa County Jail and then turned over to the Alabama Department of Corrections. Stokes has been charged with escape 1st degree. Stokes was serving time from a Pike County burglary where he plead guilty in August 2014. Stokes also has other burglary convictions according to court records.
Caving causes Midway Estates Road closure 86 72 Today’s
Weather
High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
490.52
Reported on 07/06/17 @ 1 p.m. 6
54708 90050
noted on the road, which McKelvey said raised some fears and concerns Midway Estates Road in that a vehicle driving Jacksons Gap was closed on down the road could hit that Wednesday, due to a portion section and cause portions of the road’s shoulder caving of the road itself to cave out, off and collapsing. sending the car plummeting. “Around 50 to 60 feet “I’m certain that all of this of shoulder caved off,” is due to the weather we’ve County Commissioner John had recently,” he said. McKelvey said. “It created a County engineers have drop of 25 feet.” been on site, examining The section of Midway the roadway and the Estates Road in question sits collapsed shoulder in order on top of a dam for a fish to determine what the best pond near the Lakewinds course of action to repair Golf Course. In addition the damage would be. Their to the collapsed shoulder, inspection also revealed fissure cracks have been See CLOSURE • Page 3 By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
8
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Starting Friday: Despicable Me 3 – PG-13 Transformers: The Last Knight– PG-13 Spider-Man: Homecoming 3D– PG-13
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
The culvert under the road on Midway Estates Road is washing out. The county has closed this portion of the road but no residences are cut off.
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Bluesman’s wife feels no love after festival incident
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Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.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 Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Tabby Edwards Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Advertising Sales, Ext. 208 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Rebecca Carlisle Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com
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.
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Friday, July 7, 2017
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How to Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by Submit e-mail at obits@alexcityoutlook.com by fax at (256) 234-6550. For more Obituaries or information, call (256) 234-4281. Obituaries Joseph “Joe” Simmons 1941-2017 Joseph “Joe” Simmons of Wetumpka, Alabama was born in Muncie, Indiana on December 1, 1941 and passed away in Montgomery, Alabama on July 5, 2017. He was 75 years old. Mr. Simmons proudly served 6 years in the United States Navy as a Boatswain Mate. He was a Member of the Tin Can Sailor and the VFW. He was also still a current employee of Rheem Manufacturing. Joe was a very hard working man in tool and die. He always had a great sense of humor, an amazing smile with a contagious laugh. He has a great love for his family and his dog “Buddy”. Everyone who knew him knew how big of an Alabama Football Fan he was. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Mary Conroy Simmons and brother, Tom Simmons. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Linda Simmons; Children, Scott Simmons and wife Shawn, Doug Simmons, and Angie Yarbrough and husband Wayne; 12 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren and sister, Marilyn Nicewander. Visitation will be held in the Parlor at FrederickDean Funeral Home Chapel Saturday, July 8, 2017 from 11:30 until 12:45 p.m. Funeral service will be Saturday, July 8, 2017 in the Chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. with Father Norbert Jurek officiating. Interment will follow at Town Creek Cemetery. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is directing. www.FrederickDean.com Funerals & Cremations Since 1900
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DEAR ABBY: My husband, “Ray,” and I have been together for 10 years and, like most couples, we have had our ups and downs. Ray is a professional musician, so a lot of my time is spent supporting this, either by promoting his endeavors or accepting the fact that I will always come second to his first love -- the blues. A couple of gigs ago, Ray played at an outdoor festival. So there I sat, in the rain, in the dark, watching the show. Three men approached where I was sitting and stood in a circle around me watching the show. Attendance was sparse due to the weather, so it seemed strange they stood so close to me. It made me uneasy, but I have been in similar situations since being with Ray, so I didn’t think much about it. At home later that night,
256-329-1313 217 Madison Street, Alexander City, AL “We are a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 under the Bankruptcy Code. Alabama State Bar requires the following in every attorney advertisement, “ No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”
Advice
while I was unwinding and listening to Ray complain about his fingers, I mentioned the three men. He said he had witnessed it and thought it was a little odd, too. This led me to ask, hypothetically, what he would do if he were on stage and I was being attacked in front of him. He said he would put his guitar in its stand, go to the microphone and ask for assistance for me. He wouldn’t throw the guitar down and rush to my aid! I couldn’t believe his response. I feel completely
DEAR ABBY: My daughter graduated more than two
years ago. I offered to help her with her thank-you notes, but I dropped the ball and never got them completed and sent out. I feel terrible and guilty. Would it be wrong to send out letters to everyone and explain what happened? Or how else can I resolve this mess and put my conscience to rest? -PROUD MAMA IN OHIO DEAR PROUD MAMA: The task of writing thank-you letters was your daughter’s responsibility from the start. She should send them out right away, with her apologies. Better late than never. 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.
Police Reports Alexander City Police Department July 5
• Brandon Louis McDowell, 27, of Equality was arrested for four counts of bail jumping. • Orlandia Cepdia Howard, 49, of Alexander City was arrested for driving under the influence alcohol. • Demetrus Lamont Moon, 42, of Alexander City was arrested for assault. • Harassment was reported on Highway 22 West. • Criminal mischief was reported in the 1200 block of Watson Place. • Domestic violence was reported in the 1700 block of Summer Street. • Harassment was reported in Alexander City.
July 3
• Toniyas Kidell Gopher, 24, of Alexander City was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. • Joshua Kane Zajaczkowski, 20, of Alexander City was arrested for minor in possession of alcohol. • Grace Lynn Lewis, 20, of Alexander City was arrested for possession of marijuana and possession drug paraphernalia. • Criminal trespass was reported on Tallapoosa Street. • Theft was reported on Highway 22 West. • Domestic violence was reported on K Street. • Domestic violence was reported in the 2300 block of County Road.
July 2
• Andrea Tonetta Floyd, 30, of Alexander City was arrested for possession of marijuana and possession of drub paraphernalia. • Prather Alexandrea Blackmon, 20, of Alexander City was arrested for possession of marijuana. • Kennyatta Shacree Russell, 26, of Dadeville was arrested for two counts
of possession of a controlled substance. • Giburk Marshall, 29, of Alexander City was arrested for two counts of possession of a controlled substance. • Tunita Monique Mckinzie, 32, of Alexander City was arrested for assault. • Katrina Yvonne Russell, 26, of Kellyton was arrested for harassment. • Domestic violence was reported on Sturdivant Lane. • Domestic violence was reported in the 100 block of 9th Avenue. • Harassing communications was reported on Coley Creek Road. • Domestic violence was reported on Saxon Street. • Unlawful breaking and entering was reported in the 1200 block of Roosevelt Drive.
July 1
• Scotty Joe Woodard, 40, of Valley was arrested for public intoxication. • Obbie Lee Davis, 46, of Kellyton was arrested for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and a failure to appear. • James Marsellis Taylor, 24, of Alexander City was arrested for possession of marijuana. • William Christopher Hill, 38, of Opelika was arrested for public intoxication. • Burglary was reported in Alexander City. • Domestic violence was reported on Saxon Street. • Theft was reported on Highway 280. • Theft was reported on Warren Street.
June 30
• Tiffany Lacette Joseph, 29, of Alexander City was arrested for two counts of failure to appear. • Keith Desean Hopkins, 18, of Alexander City was arrested for carrying a pistol unlawfully. • Harassment was reported on Highway 280.
• Theft was reported on Highway 63 North.
Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department July 5
• A resident of Germany’s Ferry Road in Daviston filed a theft report.
July 4
• John Pogue a resident of Rock Springs Road in Jackson’s Gap was arrested for driving under the influence.
July 3
• A resident of Ogletree Road in Auburn filed a report for property damage. • A resident of College Street in Newnan, Georgia filed a report for private property accident. • A resident of Dark Corners Road in Tallassee filed a report for private property accident. • A resident of Blueberry Drive in Alexander City filed a report for property damage.
July 2
• A report for was filed for Harassing Communications that occurred on Old Millers Ferry Road.
July 4
• An Alexander City man, age 29, was arrested on a warrant for Failure to Appear.
July 3
• An Alexander City woman, age 28, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication. • A Jacksons’ Gap man, age 31, was arrested on a warrant for Failure to Appear. • A report was filed for Theft of Property that occurred on Royston Street. • A two motor vehicle collision occurred on Highway 280 with minor property damage and no injuries, one driver was cited for failure to wear a restraint device. • A report for Domestic Violence was filed that occurred on E. Lafayette Street.
July 2
June 30
• A report for Theft of Property was filed that occurred on Russell Plant Drive. • A one motor vehicle collision occurred on Highway 280 that resulted in minor property damage and no injuries.
June 29
• A Dadeville woman, age 36, was arrested on a warrant for assault.
• A resident of Brazell Road in Camp Hill filed a report for criminal mischief.
July 1
• Terry Kelly of Ensley was arrested on an active probation violation warrant. • A resident of Ashland Avenue in Wadley filed a report for harassment. • A resident of Cobb Road in Tallassee filed a report for dog bite.
June 28
• Jason Jaques of Highway 22 East was arrested on an outstanding warrant probation violation. • Heather Tucker of Highway 63 North was arrested on an outstanding warrant harassment.
Dadeville Police Department July 5
July 1
June 30
• A report was filed for Criminal Trespassing that occurred on East Lafayette Street. • A report was filed for an altercation that occurred on N. Broadnax Street. • A Kellyton man, age 22, was arrested on two warrants for Failure to Appear. • A two motor vehicle collision occurred on N. Broadnax St resulting in minor property damage and no injuries.
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
“It’s not the end ... It’s a new beginning”
DEAR ABBY
alone and unloved. I don’t know what to think or what to do. Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated. -- FACE IN THE CROWD DEAR FACE: You are neither alone nor unloved, and I seriously doubt your husband’s response to your hypothetical question was an indication that he doesn’t love you. It’s possible that he was afraid he would not be able to adequately protect you, and that Security could deal with the three men more effectively than he could. Bear in mind that if the real thing were to happen, he might react very differently. Because you are fearful, plan ahead. Carry pepper spray when you attend his performances.
month.
Department.
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.
Goldville Town Council meets the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the town hall.
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. Dadeville City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. with a pre-meeting at 5:30 p.m. in city hall.
Goodwater City Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held at the Caldwell Center at 6:30 p.m. Jackson’s Gap Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6:30 p.m., all Jackson’s Gap citizens are encouraged to attend. Kellyton Town Council meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the community center in Kellyton.
Daviston City Council meets the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Daviston Fire
New Site City Council meets the first and third Monday of the month at 5 p.m. in the Conference Room in the Town Hall.
SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON
Ray Water Authority meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Ray Water Authority Office. All customers are invited to attend.
Attorney at Law
135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL
825-9559
No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
Rockford Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 7 p.m. Tallapoosa County Board of Education meets on the second Monday of each month. Meetings are held in the new central office at 679 East Columbus Street, Dadeville, AL 36853. Tallapoosa County Commission meets the second Monday of the month at 9 a.m. in the courthouse in Dadeville, with a pre-meeting also open to the public 30 minutes before each regular session. Tallapoosa County 911 Board will meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the 911 Administrative office at 240 West Columbus Street, Dadeville. Call 825-8490 for more information. Walnut Hill Water Authority meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited. Call 8259841 to inquire about the agenda.
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The Outlook
Audit
continued from page 1
golf course. Harte referenced a transfer from the water fund to the sewer fund. “You have a good bit of equity in those, but if you look you have a pretty big net loss in the water fund and a net income in the sewer,” Harte said. “What has happened historically is that the water fund supports the sewer fund. “Back to timely financials, should there be a rate increase, but that cannot be talked about until the financials are up to date.” Harte says the same goes for the golf course, where in 2014 the city transferred $225,000 to subsidize operations there. In both situations, Harte says leaders cannot make a decision until things are cleared up. “Should there be a rate adjustment? Are we losing money in operations? Is the city willing to subsidize?” Harte suggested as questions that have to be answered. Harte also suggested a rate study for utilities with the last one from 2006. The other internal control Harte noted was the lack of a policies and procedures maual. “A big recommendation is creating an accounting policies and procedures manual,” Harte said. “I don’t know that the city has ever had one.” Harte says the reason behind one is simple. “If something happens to key employees, can someone come in and pick right up and keep going?” Harte asked. “And if you don’t have it, nobody knows what anybody’s responsibilities are and you can’t hold anyone accountable.” Harte noted other things that are showing up on the books for the city, but it is not because of what the city has done. It is because changes have been made that make municipalities give a true reflection of all the liabilities. Harte noted those include unfunded
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Alexander City Mayor Jim Nabors listens as Jason Harte with Carr, Riggs and Ingram presents the city’s audit from financial records ending Sept. 30, 2014.
pensions and insurance for retirees and would correct themselves over time. In the discussion, Tim Funderburk asked about the previous transfer of $2 million from utilities to the general fund. Mayor Nabors explained he might ask the council for a transfer again. “It is something that we are looking at,” Nabors said. Harte stated the audits were requirements from the Securities andExchange Commission to meet bond requirements. Since the city has not borrowed money in the last few years they have been able to work around it. “We have put information out there that can be used,” Harte said. “It is just
not an audit.” The council is set to approve the 2014 audit Monday but the audit has already been submitted to the Electronic Municipal Market Access (EMMA), where municipalities file such statements. Another goal Harte wants the city to work towards is the 90 days of operations funds in the General Fund, explaining that Alexander City currently has just shy of two months of funds but it is not as bad as it could be. “We currently have 1.8 months,” Harte said. “We need to push to get to the three months. I have seen cities with much less, down to five to seven days of funds.”
Several of the council members asked about the status of the other audits and said work on 2015 had just started. “We started yesterday,” Harte said on the 2015 audit. “And we hope to finish it as soon as possible. It would love to say by September 2017.” Harte stated that he hoped the city would be back on track and auditing 2017 in the spring of 2018 like most municipalities. Even though the city is still behind, Stanbrough was happy with the progress. “I am glad that we have this one behind us and are moving on to the next,” she said.
Foster of four Christian foster mothers, and they were able to acquire their current location in February, according to Forever Hope Treasurer Mary Lou Arnold. “There were a lot of things we had to do to get it set up,” she said. “We went from room to room, painting and cleaning it up.” Several church youth groups came by and helped clean the house. Once the house had been cleaned and the rooms were ready to be set up, a handful of local businesses donated equipment, including clothes hangers and racks. Forever Hope’s services are wide-ranging, giving foster families items to meet their needs
continued from page 1
and opportunities to gain information to become even better foster parents. The center allows active foster families to come by and pick out up to 15 clothing items per month for their children, as well as obtaining groceries at a very low cost. They also offer classes on a wide range of subjects, including water safety, and support groups that can help prepare both children and adults for things like being in the courtroom for hearings. So far, only two foster families have taken advantage of the services Forever Hope provides, but Arnold said she felt more people would be stopping by once everything settles down following the holiday.
Closure that, while Midway Estates Road has a caved out shoulder and fissure cracks, the dam it sits on remains structurally sound. “They were in meetings this morning, but I should be hearing back from them by Monday,” McKelvey said. Should more sections of the shoulder or parts
“Starting next weekend, we’re really going to be getting the word out that we’re open, so that we can help get the children clothing to be ready to go back to school,” she said. She also said that, in the future, Forever Hope wants to expand the services they offer to foster families, and are also looking at trying to branch out into Coosa County, giving foster families there the same kind of assistance Tallapoosa County foster families can receive. For those who want to help Forever Hope in their mission, the center accepts donations of items such as clothes, shoes, furniture, diapers and toys. Forever Hope also accepts monetary
contributions. Those who wish to volunteer their time with the organization, helping out with a variety of daily tasks are welcome to do so.
“We’ll accept volunteers any time,” Arnold said. “We have a Facebook page, and our contact information is there. If we don’t answer, just leave a message.
“Any help is appreciated. We’re grateful for any help, as well as the people using our facility.”
Celebrating a
Milestone
continued from page 1
of the roadway start to cave out, McKelvey said that the county engineers would continue to assess the situation and update their repair plans. If the worst-case scenario- the road being in imminent danger of complete collapse- comes true, those living downstream would be notified. Once the area has
plenty of dry weather in the forecast, crews will be out repairing the roadway, making it usable once again. Until then, the road remains closed, leaving local residents no alternative but to take an alternate route. “We’ll inform the public as soon as we re-open the road,” McKelvey said.
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
The culvert under the road on Midway Estates Road is washing out. The county has closed this portion of the road but no residences are trapped.
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Opinion
Our View
A
Know Your
Officials Communication with elected officials is the key to good government. To let your most local representatives know how you feel about state or local matters, contact any of the following. Governor Kay Ivey represents the state of Alabama and its 67 counties. She was sworn into office on April 10, 2017, and can be reached at 334-242-7100. Her office is located at the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.
Kay Ivey
Luther Strange was elected Alabama’s 49th Attorney General first elected in 2010, and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement officer. He can be reached at 334-242-7300, and Luther Strange his office is located at 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery. Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256-3922006 or by email at tughd81@gmail.com. Mark Tuggle His office is located at 110 Calhoun Street, Suite 108, Alexander City. Tom Whatley represents the 27th District covering Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa County. He was elected to the Alabama Senate on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334Tom Whatley 242-t7865. His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.
The
Our testimony lives on after us
We want to hear A what you think re you looking for a way to voice your opinion on the current events? Are you tired of only being able to air your opinion with friends and family? Why not try the public? The Outlook is looking for well thought out letters of opinion. It does not matter if anyone agrees with you. Get involved and make your opinion on issues you feel strongly about known. We will even let you do that through the newspaper. What do you think about the way our city government is being run? What do you think about Alexander City’s progress on its financial records? What do you think of this past week’s holiday celebrations? How about the changes made to this year’s Sun Festival lineup? Or how about the approval of expansion of the inert landfill to a site close to a residential area? Do you have any praise or concerns regarding our country’s leadership or current administration? Do you have thoughts on how the influx of summer tourists to the Lake Martin area may or may not affect you? Have you been on the receiving end of a good deed and would like to give credit where credit is due? Do you have a bone to pick with any of the stories in this newspaper? If you have something to say about any of these questions, then the answer is a letter to the editor or a guest column. This newspaper’s editorial page is an open forum for our community and we encourage you to write us and make your opinion known. It’s free. If you need help writing, our editors will be happy to help you craft a letter. Our rules are simple: no cussin’, no libel, no slander. Basically, if you’d say it around the dinner table with your grandmother, it’s probably acceptable as a letter to the editor. So let’s get the conversation started. What’s on your mind? Write us at editor@ alexcityoutlook.com or Editor, The Alexander City Outlook, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 25011.
Outlook
few nights ago I was doing my usual good job of channel surfing the TV when I ran across an old program called “Crossing Over.” Normally I would have run through the other 100-plus channels just to make sure I wasn’t missing something good, such as a western or war movie. However, this program caught my eye because there was a man standing in front of an audience claiming he could talk to dead folks! Next to the nightly news networks, I thought this might be the weirdest thing on TV. Anyway, this guy commences to tell these gullible people that he has a message from some long departed friend or relative. You can expect a con man to say things like this in any situation, but the rapt attention of the audience was what got me. They sat there soaking this nonsense up like it was reality. Barnum Bailey was right, “There is a sucker born every minute.” I knew from experience how hard it is to communicate with dead folks because every Sunday morning I see spiritually dead folks sleeping in the presence of the Almighty. I assure you they ain’t hearing a thing I’m saying, or their wives, as they poke them in the ribs. As I watched this guy, I
I wonder why between this guy and the Dr. Phil show they haven’t cleared up all the mysteries of the universe? I guess having to take commercial breaks interrupts DR. GERALD their psychic powers. HALLMARK The Bible says that it is Columnist appointed for man once to thought maybe I ought to invite die and then the judgment. Remember the one person in him to preach a revival. He scripture to call up a spirit was could call up all those dead King Saul and God condemned folks that didn’t want to hear about Jesus and the church and him. The only way the dead speaks after death is in their they could tell him what fools testimony of faith and this is they were while they were communicated in the hearts alive. Then again, most folks of those they loved. Anyone don’t want to hear anything that believes that a person negative so they would turn can speak to the dead is being him off. Somehow it sounds foolish. Yet, people had rather better on TV, doesn’t it? If this guy really could tune believe a lie than the truth. That is why the Book of his ears to the graveyard, he Hebrews reminds us “that might be able to tell us what they being dead yet speak.” the beloved departed did with This was in reference to the God’s tithes and offerings. faith testimony of those that You know, all the money they never got around to giving the had gone before. Their good church, but claimed on the tax testimony was still alive in the church through believers. Now forms. As a preacher I would that is the way to speak from be interested in hearing how accumulating God’s money has the grave! On second thought, I have helped them on the other side. How important do you suppose heard some dead folks speak. Every Sunday one of them will money was one second after walk out the back door of the death? church, rubbing sleep from his While I had this old boy eyes, and say, “I really enjoyed in this meeting, maybe he could answer some interesting the services today.” Dr. Gerald Hallmark is a questions like; Who killed Kennedy, is Elvis still alive, do retired minister from Alexander dogs go to heaven and why do City whose column appears here each Friday. ghosts always speak English?
Friday, July 7, 2017
Today’s
Quote
“Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it.” – Stephen Hawking
Today’s
Scripture “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” —James 4:7
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Happy 200th birthday, Henry David Thoreau
M
ost of the luxuries and many of the so-called comforts of life are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.” Henry David Thoreau. Maybe a hectic lifestyle has prevented you from marking it on your calendar; but July 12 is the bicentennial of the birth of essayist, poet, abolitionist, philosopher, naturalist, surveyor and historian Henry David Thoreau. Many of you may have only dim, foggy memories of high school American Literature discussions of this Concord, Massachusetts native and Harvard College graduate. If so, you probably think the “transcendental movement” had something to do with either (a) driving a golden spike at Promontory, Utah or (b) translating a Greek tragedy about dietary fiber. One of Thoreau’s two most famous books is “Walden, or Life In The Woods,” which recounts the author’s two-year experiment with living the simple life in a small house he had built near Walden Pond. (Of course, this adventure has been memorialized via Walden Puddle in the “Doonesbury” comic strip.) As my son Gideon points out, people are mistaken when they think that Thoreau was a total hermit during his stay at Walden. He entertained many visitors, although I have to wonder about the quality of the games he used to entertain
and “I have been to the mountaintop…and I have seen 15 men on the dead man’s chest, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!” “Civil Disobedience” has been highly influential in DANNY TYREE recent years, even if some Columnist disobedience hasn’t been particularly, well, CIVIL. (“Aw, them. (“I spy with my little c’mon, officer — I burned eye…um, er…wish I hadn’t the innocent bystander’s car simplified my belongings BEFORE any little kids could QUITE so much.”) see all the F-words I sprayBoth during and after his painted on it.”) stay, Thoreau was fascinated From approximately 1980 to with the study of flora and 2000, I kept a detailed journal, fauna. He was a proponent so I am impressed that Thoreau of conserving natural recorded 2 million words resources on private land during his lifetime. This feat is and of preserving wilderness marred only by the fact that the as public land. However, he journals end with “If you are was NOT particularly fond one of my REAL friends, you of the messenger-pigeons will make longhand copies of that constantly interrupted his mealtime with handbills stating this and share it with 10 other people.” that he had won a free home Thoreau realized that too security system. many people are afraid of Thoreau’s other main book being alone with their own was “Civil Disobedience.” thoughts and analyzing the Thoreau’s ideas were ignored by many of his contemporaries, truly worthwhile things in life. but some of the biggest movers Pay homage to him with a little and shakers of the 20th century introspection. But don’t let your mind drift were fans. Both Gandhi to his entertainment options. and Martin Luther King, (“Wait! I can do shadow Jr. were inspired by “Civil puppets of a squirrel waterDisobedience.” skiing. Although it sort of just Good thing they didn’t sinks into Walden Pond…”) draw their inspiration from competing 19th century Danny Tyree welcomes authors. We might have had email responses at proclamations such as “It tyreetyrades@aol.com and was the best of times, it was visits to his Facebook fan page the worst of times…it was a “Tyree’s Tyrades.” Danny’s display of passive resistance weekly column is distributed against British troops, it was exclusively by Cagle Cartoons a long line to get Winston Inc. newspaper syndicate. Churchill’s autograph…”
The subscription rate is $136.00 per year in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties and $177.99 outside the area. Periodicals paid at Alexander City, AL. Newspapers are available at 100 news racks in our area at 75 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. We would love to deliver a paper to your door. Call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281, Ext. 204 or e-mail david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook. com.
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Friday, July 7, 2017
The Outlook
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The Outlook
Friday, July 7, 2017
Friday, July 7, 2017
The Outlook
Throw away Partnership Coordinator Sabrina Wood said. “Sadly, it is also a time for large amounts of trash and illegal dumping along our creeks, river and lake.” The Throw Away Day has not been around long but it has been productive in helping clean up Tallapoosa County. “We did one last year to see how it would work,” Wood said. “It was great. We started in January this year and started having them quarterly. This will be the third time this year.” The first two events this year have collected over 86 tons of garbage. “Our hope is that by offering these dumpsters to the public at no cost, it will decrease what is thrown along the roads and water,” Wood said. “Our plan is
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to keep them quarterly for now.” Wood explained that the dumpsters would be delivered to five locations in the county Monday morning and would remain there through Wednesday morning and certain items could not be accepted. Items that cannot be accepted are liquids, appliances with compressors, tires, batteries, light bulbs, televisions, computers, propane tanks and hazardous or medical waste. The dumpsters will be at the Alexander City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Eagle Creek Fire Department at 90 Old Shepard Road, the Camp Hill Town Hall at 309 Holley Avenue and at the Highway 49 entrance to StillWaters.
File / The Outlook
Left: The first Throw Away Day was a success., so much so that it is held on a quarterly basis. This dumpster was placed in the Double Bridges area and was quickly overflowing.
Live music from The Bank Walkers at Strand Sessions
A crowd gathered in Strand Park to listen to The Bank Walkers perform at Strand Sessions Thursday night.
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
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Today is July 7, 2017 Today’s Events
Friday, July 7, 2017
The Outlook
Today’s Birthdays
MOVIE NIGHT: River of Life Worship Center is hosting a movie night July 7. God’s Not Dead will start at 7:30 p.m.
Laci Garrett Gordon, Rebecca Hutcherson, Edwina Owens, Rhonda Beasley, Kelley Wills, Margaret Alford, Kenny Hughes, Tommy Veazey, Tom McCoy, Avery Madison Long, Todd Hayes, Barbara Branch Parker and Ziyun McCowan are celebrating their birthdays today.
The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow
The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for Weekend Shifts in Direct Care.
Harold Cochran 256.234.2700
Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Brinda Bell (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 Email: bbell@learning-tree.org
haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com
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GIFTS & MORE Monogramming onogramming Boutique outique Clothing Clothing Jewelry ewelry Submitted / The Outlook Bathing athing S Suits uits Cain and Mae Pridgen take part in the Sunday Service at the Church of Living Waters where Jamie Langley delivered the sermon & More More 10147 County Road 34 Dadeville, AL
256-496-4017
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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this past week. Services are held every Sunday through Labor Day at 9 a.m.
Saturday, July 8
NIGHT HIKE: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a night hike July 8 at 7:30 p.m. under the light of the full moon to learn about nocturnal animals and how they survive in the dark weather permitting. YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP: Bridge Builders will be hosting a youth football camp for grades first through eighth July 8 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Sportplex. For more information contact Hudson Hinton at 256-750-1140 or Tommie Kelly at 256-786-0542.
Sunday, July 9
WELLNESS DAY: The Beacon of Joy Seventh Day Adventist Church is hosting a community health and wellness day at Strand Park July 9 from 3 -6 p.m. There will be live performances, family fun and healthy snacks. For more information, call 256-749-5943. FAMILY REUNION: The Willoughlby Reunion will be Sunday, July 9 at the Daviston Community Center. All family and friends are welcome.
July 10-11
THROW AWAY DAY: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership is partnering with the Tallapoosa County Commission to provide dumpsters for public use at the following locations on Monday, July 10 through Tuesday, July 11. The dumpsters will be at the Alexander City Annex– 395 Lee St., Double Bridges– Highway 63, Eagle Creek Fire Department– 90 Old Shepard Rd., Camp Hill Town Hall– 309 Holley Ave. and StillWaters Entrance– Highway 49 Items that can not be placed in the dumpsters include: liquids, appliances with compressors, tires, batteries, light bulbs, TVs, computers, propane tanks, hazardous or medical waste.
July 10-12
CHURCH REVIVAL: Liberty United Methodist Church in Hackneyville is hosting revival July 10-12 at 7 p.m. Rev. Mike Densmore, Rev. Josh Sammons and Rev. James Long will be delivering messages. Everyone is welcome.
School July 13-14 from 6-8:30 p.m. and July 15 from 9 a.m. to noon with a parents program July 15 at 11 a.m.
July 13-16
KIDS AND YOUTH CAMP: The Tallapoosa Baptist Association camps will be held July 13-16 at Camp Alamisco on Lake Martin. Youth Camp is for those who have completed grades 7-12. Kids Camp is for those who have completed grades 3-6. The theme is “Following Jesus.” Jeremy Simpson of FBC, Alex City will be the camp pastor. Campers will enjoy playing crazy games, kayaking, swimming, “the blob,” crafts, skits and much more. The cost until June 23 is $85 per camper. After that, the cost is $95 per camper. The final deadline to register is June 30. Registration forms can be downloaded at www.tallapoosabaptist.org under the Resource tab. For more information, please call 256825-4441.
Friday, July 14
MOVIE NIGHT: River of Life Worship Center is hosting a movie night July 14. God’s Not Dead II will start at 7:30 p.m. Concessions will be sold.
Saturday, July 15
TRADE DAY: Bibb Graves High School Alumni Monthly Trade Day in Millerville on Highway 9 between Ashland and Goodwater will be held on July 15 from 7:00 until 2:00. Refreshments are also available. BOOK SALE: Friends of the Dadeville Public Library is having its summer book sale July 15 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can fill up a bag of books and get it for $5. Hardback books are $1 and paperbacks are 50 cents.
Sunday, July 16
HISTORICAL SOCIETY: Tallapoosee Historical Meeting on Sunday, July 16 at 2 p.m. features talks about the restoration of Smith Mountain Fire Tower and the proposed Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association education center at the Tower. The meeting will take place at the Society’s museum on the town square in Dadeville. Refreshments will be served. Public is invited.
July 10-14
ART CAMP: The Kitty Dark Kids Art Camp will be July 10-14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Radney School for children in grades 1 through 6. The cost is $125 and includes all supplies, lunch, snack and t-shirt. For more information contact Jamie Dark at 256-794-0688.
Tuesday, July 11
USHER MEETING: There will be an Early Rose District Usher meeting July 11 at 5 p.m. at the Early Rose District Center.
July 11-14
ANNUAL SESSION: Early Rose District Congress of Christian Education is holding its 58th Annual Session July 11-14 at 9 a.m. daily at the Great Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.
July 16- 19
CHURCH REVIVAL: God’s House Church on Highway 63 is holding revival July 16 at 6 p.m. and July 17-19 at 6:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Bro. Ton Harris. The pastor of God’s House Church is Bro. Roger Green.
July 19
FIELD AND FOREST HIKE: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a field and forest hike July 19 at 9 a.m. The walk is for all ages. Meet at the outdoor classroom across from the beach.
Friday, July 21
MOVIE NIGHT: River of Life Worship Center is hosting a movie night July 21. The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry will start at 7:30 p.m. Concessions will be sold.
Thursday, July 13
FRIENDS OF LIBRARY: The next meeting of the Friends of the Dadeville Public Library will be July 13 at 1 p.m. All are invited to see how they can be involved in our community library.
STARGAZING: The Auburn Astronomical Society will set up telescopes to look at the night sky July 22 at 6 p.m. on Hospice Point near the silo at Wind Creek State Park.
July 13-15
Sunday, July 23
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Family Worship Center on Sewell Street is hosting Vacation Bible
Saturday, July 22
CHURCH HOMECOMING: Rock Springs Baptist Church in Jacksons Gap is hosting homecoming July 23
at 10 a.m. Pastor Jamey Williams will bring the message and The Dyes will provide the music. Dinner will be served and everyone is invited.
256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com
Wednesday, July 26
FIELD AND FOREST HIKE: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a field and forest hike July 26 at 9 a.m. The walk is for all ages. Meet at the outdoor classroom across from the beach. Hardwood Floors Ceramic Tile Carpet & Vinyl
Thursday, July 27
GOSPEL QUARTET: The Carolina Boys Quartet will be at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium July 27 . Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. The concert is presented by Radney and Langley funeral homes and admission is one non-perishable food item donation to benefit the Tallapoosa Christian Crisis Center and Loaves and Fishes.
Friday, July 28
MOVIE NIGHT: River of Life Worship Center is hosting a movie night July 28. WWJD II The Woodcarver will start at 7:30 p.m. Concessions will be sold.
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Saturday, July 29
$500 GIVEAWAY: The Goodwater Disable Veterans Organization is having a $500 giveaway July 29 at 2 p.m. at the Goodwater Disable Veterans Organization, 7882 U.S. Highway 280 in Goodwater. First prize is $250, second is $150 and third is $100. Donations are being accepted by calling Richard McElarth at 256-2764776, Renell Hill at 256-839-6915, Wade McElarth at 256-749-9100 or Willie James Gaddis at 256-861-6177. Proceeds will be used to help feed Veterans. YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP: Bridge Builders will be hosting a youth football camp for grades first through eighth July 29 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Sportplex. For more information contact Hudson Hinton at 256-750-1140 or Tommie Kelly at 256-786-0542.
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Wednesday, August 2
OPEN HOUSE: Horseshoe Bend School is hosting an open house for high school students. Time is to be determined.
Thursday, August 3
OPEN HOUSE: Horseshoe Bend School is hosting an open house for elementary school students Aug. 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. OPEN HOUSE: Dadeville Elementary School is hosting an open house for elementary school students Aug. 3 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. OPEN HOUSE: Reeltown Elementary School is hosting an open house for elementary school students Aug. 3 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. OPEN HOUSE: Reeltown High School is hosting an open house for high school students Aug. 3 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
tent For Consising Advertis at call the Advertising Dept.
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Friday, August 4
ALZHEIMERS CONFERENCE: The 15th Annual Alzheimer’s Professional and Family Caregiver Conference will be Friday, August 4 at Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery. UAB research specialist Dr. Rita Jablonski-Jaudon will be discussing strategies to deal with dementia patients with non-drub interventions. For more information call 334-3994342 or 334-233-2139. $20 general admission or $55 for professionals needing CE credit.
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LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Friday, July 7, 2017
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2017 All-Area Baseball Team Player of the Year Timmy Lawson makes BRHS go Lawson finished the season with the second-highest batting average on the team, hitting .418 against When talking to opposing coaches, some of the top competition in the most of them would tell you Timmy area. He led the Wildcats in all three Lawson was the catalyst for much of extra-base hit categories, smacking Benjamin Russell’s success. 11 doubles, seven triples and six Batting in the No. 2 or 3 hole for home runs. He racked up a total of most of the season, Lawson, in many 51 hits, scored a team-leading 56 ways, is who made the Wildcats go. runs and was second on the team He is the 2017 Outlook Baseball with 33 RBIs. Lawson also boasted Player of the Year. a staggering slugging percentage of “I came through for the team in .770 and a .497 on-base percentage. big situations, and I think I hit the “He has a lot of experience, ball real good,” Lawson said. “My number one, because he’s started batting average was real good this with us since his sophomore year,” year. I was just working real hard all See LAWSON • Page 10 season, and I thought it paid off.” By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
Coach of the Year Milestone season for Richy Brooks By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
For the last 25 seasons, baseball coach Richy Brooks has called Benjamin Russell his home. He’s dedicated his life to baseball and committed two-and-a-half decades to the Wildcats. This season was full of milestones for Brooks, including winning his 600th career game and having the varsity field at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex renamed in his honor. Now, he is the 2017 Outlook Baseball Coach of the Year. “This is all I really know how to do,” Brooks said as he reflected on his career at BRHS. “I’m doing what the good Lord put me here to do. I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. I don’t really want or know how to do
anything else.” Inducted into the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014, Brooks now has 619 career wins and likely isn’t going to call it quits anytime soon, either. Although his middle son, Connor, just graduated, Brooks’ youngest, Cade, just finished his freshman year. This season, the expectations weren’t all that high for the Wildcats. Although they boasted seven seniors, their starting lineup had a handful of underclassmen. Brooks said each game, the Wildcats had at least one or two freshmen and usually three, if not four, sophomores on the field. During BRHS’ blowout series victory over Blount in the first round of the AHSAA Class 6A playoffs, the See BROOKS • Page 10
Outfield: Raymond Graham
Outfield:
Graham h was one ooff the h top players for the C Cougars this season,, boasting bo a team-high batting ting average of .318. He led the ssquad with 12 stolen bases aand played both centerfield and catcher. Graham was also the 2016 Outlook Football Player of the Year.
Shep Flurry Reeltown l Flurry l boasted b d the h bbest bbatting i average of the season for the Rebels, hitting .395. He scored 34 runs and finished the season with 86 hits, including six doubles, two triples and nine RBIs. He also led the team with 11 stolen bases.
Infield:
Utility:
Joby Newman man
Brett Pitt Pitts itts
Cade Giddens ns Reeltown
Benj Benjamin Russell
Infield: Landon Tidwell i Dadevi Dadeville At shortstop, h Tidwell id ll hhad d one off the h top fi fielding ldi per ppercentages er for the Tigers thhis season, season finishing with .927. 927 27 7. At the plate, Tidwell was alsso the top batter with a battin attin ting average gee oof .408,, a .451 on-baase percentage and sluggin ggin ging p percentage e of o .59 92. He collected nine doubles, 15 5 RBIs R and 15 runs sc scorred.
Despite i bbeing i jjust a freshman, freshman Pitts was a strong force for the Wildcats at bot both bo catcher and sho hortstop. ho He led the te team with 129 putou outs and had out j sev just even errors for a fiel fielding percentage of .954. At the plate, Pitts boasted a .412 batting average with 40 hits, 31 RBIs and 19 runs scored.
Catcher::
Austin Elliott
Noticed iced d bby ccoaches h throughout h h the area, Worthy hy was one of the Generals’ top playerss this season. He finished with the highest hest batting average and led the team am in hits. “He was great defensively at first base and also pitched for us and threw a lot of good innings,” coach Jason Johnson said. “He was a good team leader.”
Benjamin Be Russell
Reeltown n
Designated hitter:
Cade Worthy Horseshoe Bend
Centrall Coosa sa
As a senior i third hi d bbasemann, Newman sm smacked sma a team-leading 89 hits, h including eight htt do doubles d and a triple. He plated p 12 runss and finis nished ishe the season with a batting avera eraage of .370.
Infield:
First Team
Coming i off ff an iinjury, j Elliott lli had the top batting average (.444) for the Wildcats this season. In 54 at-bats, he hit seven doubles and a home run and collected 16 RBIs. Elliott also returned to the mound late in the season, earning one win and striking out five in just 4 2/3 innings of work.
Pitche er: Brock Ellliottt Benjamin Ru Ben ussell lll
An All-State ll selection, Giddens batted .318 on the season and had an on-base percentage of .413. He smacked ed d seven doubles and nd a triple and was wa one of the Rebels’ Ree R top pitche cher hers. her On the mound nd, Giddens had d a 6-3 record wi a 2.63 ERA. In wi with 69 1/3 innings, he struck out 49 and walked just 11.
Elliott lli wass th the h Wildcats’ ild to op pitcherr this th thi season, boasting bo g a 2.515 2 ERA in 55 2//3 innin nnin nings pitched. He struck ou ut 43 batters and gave up juust ju usst 20 earned runs. Elliott finished with a 4-4 record and two saves. At the plate, he had a batting average of .275 and racked up 12 RBIs.
Infield: Landon Wilson Dadeville Wilson il was a heavy-hitter h hi for the Tigers this season, leading the way in both RBIs (27) and runs scored (26). He had 12 doubles and a triple and finished with a .366 batting average and .480 on-base percentage. At first base, Wilson had a fielding percentage of .917.
Honorable Mention: Benjamin Russell: Connor Brooks (1B/P); Dadeville: Justin Meadows (P), Jeff Rice (utility); Horseshoe Bend: Lee Norrell (SS); Reeltown: Cal Burton (SS), Trent Thrash (P); Central Coosa: Dillon Nail (SS/3B)
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Friday, July 7, 2017
The Outlook
Water skiing a family affair for Schoutens JOE MCADORY Columnist
Offense built around one position is risky
W
hen an offense is built around the success of a quarterback, the end result will be either one for the highlight reel or the garbage can. Cam Newton was the centerpiece of Gus Malzahn’s offense in 2010 (and he should have been) and Auburn’s offense pretty much did what it wanted to when it wanted to. Newton was the greatest athlete I’ve ever seen on a college football field, and I’ve seen a lot of great athletes on college football fields. Take Newton off the field and you’ve got an eightto nine-win team instead of national champions. Speedy and elusive Nick Marshall ran the show in 2013-14 and the Tigers lit up the scoreboard. Auburn ran the most beautiful, flawless offense in 2013 I will probably ever witness. No wonder the Tigers nearly won the BCS Championship. They ran right, left, right, left, faster, faster – and half the time I didn’t know who had the ball. Why? Because Marshall was a freaking magician and made Tre Mason, Cameron ArtisPayne and Corey Grant more dangerous than they already were. But what happens when the quarterback – the man a wide-open, hurry-up, razzledazzle offense must depend upon – isn’t that shifty, quick, speedy runner with a strong arm? Ask Barrett Trotter or Clint Moseley in 2011. Ask Jeremy Johnson in 201516, who was anything but quick and had appeared to have trouble checking off on covered receivers. Ask Sean White in 2015-16, who was an accurate passer, but not a running threat and spent too much time in a sling. To sum: Auburn flourishes when it has a fantastic quarterback to run Malzahn’s offense, and struggles when it does not. Is it worth the risk? Must the offense always revolve around the man taking the snap from center? Even the New England Patriots won big games early last season without Tom Brady. This brings me to Auburn’s newest superstar, Jarrett Stidham, a transfer from Baylor. Stidham had a solid spring game (pinpoint accuracy, excellent decisionmaking, and plenty of moxie in the pocket) and has pretty much been heralded as a savior of sorts. If his passing makes Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson even more dangerous, then Stidham will meet or surpass expectations. This guy might have the best arm to walk out of the AU locker room and onto the field since Pat Sullivan, though I’d rather have Newton for obvious reasons (Cam ran like the wind with bulldozer tendencies in a crowd). I don’t know what new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey has up his sleeve. Defenses might be so keyed up on the hyped Stidham they get stepped on by Pettway. Come to think of it, that would be fun to watch. But – and I’ve asked this question before – what if Stidham doesn’t turn out to be the next Joe Montana the preseason magazines have already proclaimed him to be? What if he is the next Kiehl Frazier? OK, that’s pretty much impossible. But what if he turns out to be no better than Johnson? That’s when you hope the Tigers’ offense is built around the strength of 11 instead of one. Joe McAdory is Communications Editor at Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business.
By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
For more than 60 years, Bill Schouten and his wife, Doris, have dedicated their lives to the sport of water skiing. They’ve passed it on to their son, Bob, and their grandsons, Will and Joseph. This weekend, the whole family will be together as all four of the Schouten men will compete in the Alabama Water Ski Championships. Despite Bill Schouten now being 88 years old, he exudes confidence and certainty. “I’m gonna win it,” he said. He has good reason to be so confident, as he’s won nearly 20 national championships and, despite his age and health issues, still continues to be a force in his sport. “He’ll do well for his age, but he naturally had to ease up for the last couple of years because of his health issues,” said Doris, who drives the boat for Bill while he skis. “We haven’t practiced as much this year, but it’s still kind of an everyday thing for us.” Bill suffers from a few back issues and Doris had a knee replacement that now keeps her off the skis, but she said the pair continue to get out on the water between four and five times a week. Originally from Michigan, Doris said water skiing is the reason they moved
File / The Outlook
Joseph Schouten, pictured, will be joined by his grandfather Bill, father Bob and younger brother Will at the Alabama Water Ski Championships this weekend.
to Lake Martin. “He’s still out several times a week, but he isn’t able to go out and keep at it,” Doris explained. “He just goes out and runs his runs and comes back, but we live on the lake and (the whole family) comes out and skis here.”
Brooks Wildcats had the opportunity to play every single player on the roster. “I think that gives them a lot of experience,” Brooks said. “We’re still going to be extremely young (next) year; we only have two seniors. But we were putting freshmen and sophomores on the field this year, and at a lot of 6A schools, that’s their JV team. While we’ll still be young (next season), I hope they gained valuable experience.” Despite going through a series of injuries midway through the regular season and into the playoffs, Benjamin Russell finished the season
Lawson Benjamin Russell coach Richy Brooks said. “He has a lot of experience and he’s a good athlete. He did a lot of different things for us. He hit in the top of the lineup and him getting on base was crucial for us scoring runs.” Defensively, Lawson was also a key factor in Benjamin Russell’s success. Starting the year as a shortstop, Lawson moved into the outfield near the end of the season due to injuries throughout the lineup. He finished with a .873 fielding percentage, scoring 96 putouts, 14 assists and four double plays. “I can play anywhere on the field,” Lawson said. “Wherever you put me, I’ll play, but I do prefer shortstop.” Brooks said, “He’s a good kid, and he’s always done what I’ve asked him to do.” Recruited as a centerfielder, Lawson is headed to Tuskegee University in the fall. While he played three sports during high school, Lawson will focus solely on baseball at the collegiate level, which Brooks thinks will bode well for the future. “I see a chance for vast improvement as a baseball player by focusing only on basketball,” Brooks said. “Knocking it down to one sport for him should be beneficial if he
The state tournament will take place on Clearwater Lake in Huntsville, and Bill Schouten will compete in both the slalom and tricks events. Usually, he participates in the jump as well but this year, he’ll just keep it to two of the three. The Schoutens’ water ski
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with a 24-16 record. Although it lost in the second round of the state tournament, it went toe-to-toe with Chelsea, dropping the third and decisive game, 5-3. “I think you’re always gonna win a few you probably shouldn’t and lose a few you probably shouldn’t,” Brooks said. “I thought we reached about as high as we can reach. I always ask myself, ‘Did we reach our potential?’ We might’ve been capable of doing just a little bit more, but it wasn’t a lot more. We reached our potential, so I felt good about the year.”
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accomplishments don’t end there. In addition to all four competing in the tournament on Saturday and Sunday, Bob Schouten has also recently been named the U.S. Team Coach for the Can American Championships that will take place at the end of August.
Correction: Shay Johnson earns All-Area Team spot STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
The biography for Benjamin Russell’s Shay Johnson was incorrect in Thursday’s Outlook. Johnson was picked as the All-Area second baseman. She had a phenomenal .410 batting average with a .444 on-base percentage. In 100 at-bats, Johnson hit 36 singles, four doubles and a triple. She was second on the team with 30 runs scored and third in RBIs (18). In the field, Johnson had a .828 fielding percentage, contributing 87 putouts.
Youth football registration begins next week
Registration for Dadeville’s youth football and cheerleading opens next week. Registration begins July 10 and runs through August 5. Locations to register include the Summer Sports Training Camp, which take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at the Dadeville Elementary School, and at the football building in Dadeville from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. The league is open to anyone ages 5 to 12. The cost for football is $80 for the season and $110 for cheerleading.
File / The Outlook
Timmy Lawson was named 2017 Outlook Baseball Player of the Year.
continues to work just because of the development. He was a good player for us, but we didn’t get him until two or three days before the first game of the year and he was never a big guy for us in the summer because of football, so I see a lot of areas where he has potential room to improve.” Lawson was also a star football player and started on the Wildcat basketball team.
LakeWinds to host championship
On July 29 and 30, LakeWinds Golf Course will host its 2017 Alexander City Championship. The cost is $90, which will include green fee and cart. The forward tee division tournament will be flighted and will also include a skins game and closest to the pin contest each day, as well as tee gifts and lunch each day. The overall champion will receive an exemption for the 2018 tournament. For more information, contact Jim Gunnells at 256-825-9860.
Show us your big catch
Submitted / The Outlook
Last month, Benjamin Russell’s junior varsity cheer squad placed first in the sideline competition and second in extreme routine at an Auburn University camp. Team members included, front row, from left, Mary Grantleigh Hamby, Anna Riley, Regan Ashworth, Carson Ray, Maddy Waters; back row, Teegan Yates, Morgan Simmons, Macy Daniel, Jaida Russell, Sydney Vardaman and Rena Minnifield. For the varsity squad, Ali Richardson also cheered; she was not listed in last week’s Outlook photo.
Submitted / The Outlook
Lola Popov caught this 23-pound striped bass on Lake Martin earlier this spring. For your chance to be featured on our sports pages, send us your biggest catches, whether they be fish, turtles, snakes or other wildlife. Email your photos to sports editor lizi.arbogast@ alexcityoutlook. com with name, size and location of the catch.