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THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898

Wetumpka, AL 36092

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WEDNESDAY • JUNE 21, 2017

THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM

VOL. 119, NO. 25

Police and city put on notice over Council approves department’s religious activities Sunday sales of alcohol

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

A national non-profit is alleging “serious constitutional violations” are occurring at the Wetumpka Police Department and in Wetumpka city government because of involvement and endorsement of what are sometimes explicitly religious programs and functions. The WPD and City of Wetumpka are under scrutiny from the Freedom From Religion Foundation for programs and functions run or endorsed by the department. Both were written letters addressing a number of these alleged potential violations. Among them were a WPD chaplaincy program and an officer-involved bible study with local children held from the back of a squad car. Some of the reported instances originated in the months of August and September of last year, while others mentioned in the letters are ongoing. Letters were reportedly sent to Wetumpka Police Chief Danny Billingsley and Wetumpka City Attorney Regina Edwards. One sent to Billingsley was dated Jan. 20, regarding a “1:1 Prayer Project Program” involving a chaplain with the department and a sort of fundraising initiative involving contributions for prayers over first responders. Stated in the sec-

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By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

Wetumpkans will be able to buy alcoholic beverages at convenience stores, groceries and other locations that sell for off-premises consumption on Sundays beginning Aug. 7. The Wetumpka voted unanimously Monday night to approve an ordinance allowing the Sunday sales of alcohol at such establishments. Passage of the ordinance

brings Wetumpka in line with Montgomery on its laws regarding Sunday sales. “The law goes into effect Aug. 1,” said Regina Edwards, city attorney for Wetumpka. “So the sales can begin on the first Sunday following that.” The ordinance cannot take effect immediately due to administrative considerations. For example, the approved See COUNCIL • Page 2

Arthur to run for Alabama House District 88 Corey Arwood / The Herald

This photo was shared both by the City of Wetumpka and the Wetumpka Police Department’s Facebook pages last year and according to the Freedom From Religion Foundation it’s an example of a constitutional violation because it depicts an officer engaged in a bible study with local children. However, it is only one of numerous complaints lodged against the WPD by the FFRF of constitutional violations involving religious themes and events co-opted by the department.

ond and latest letter to Edwards, Billingsley did not respond to the FFRF’s request for a written response. Edwards’ letter from the FFRF was dated June 7 and it addressed the CJ Deputy Summer Program overseen by the WPD, which states first on its list of activities “Daily Devotionals.” Another WPD program was mentioned as well, the “People Extending

Christian Kindness,” described as a monthly dinner held at the WPD. The department describes it as a meal program for the community operated largely by local churches, and promoted by the WPD. A third issue was raised with images shared both on the WPD and the City of Wetumpka’s Facebook pages of an officer on the back of her squad car in full uniform

surrounded by children reportedly having a bible study. The source of the image was a Blue Lives Matters Facebook page, which captioned the photo, “Officer Dailey of the Wetumpka Police Department having bible study with some kids on her beat. Awesome job officer!” Social media played a prominent role in the See NOTICE • Page 3

By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

Jeremy Arthur announced today that he is running as a Republican for the Alabama House of Representatives District 88 to represent portions of Autauga and Elmore counties, including Coosada and Millbrook. Paul Beckman currently holds the House District 88 seat, but has voiced his intention to not seek re-election. Beckman has served in the seat since 2010, when he defeated Republican incumbent Mac Gipson in the Republican primary

Arthur and was unopposed in the general election. In 2014, Beckman was unopposed in either the primary or the general election. Arthur said he is the first to announce his candidacy for the soonSee ARTHUR • Page 3

‘Excited’ seniors donate to decorate deck By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

Several of Wetumpka’s senior citizens among those that frequently visit the city’s Senior Center have donated to decorate a new back deck at the facility. The deck, which was completed only about a month ago and paid for by the city, is the latest addition to the center, which has served Wetumpka’s seniors since 1947, though it has seen several remodels. It includes an exercise room, a computer room, an activity room, a kitchen and other spaces. But on Friday, all of the attention was on the deck as several of the seniors got their first opportunity to see it since it has been furnished. As the 35 or so in attendance at the center for the Father’s Day lunch filed on to the deck to see it, several sat in the chairs and marveled at their comDavid Granger / The Herald fort. Wetumpka seniors enjoy their newly furnished deck at the Wetumpka Senior Center on Scott “These are nice,” one senior was heard to say. Street. Several seniors either donated items or money to help pay for the chairs, tables and See SENIORS • Page 2 fixtures.