OPINION: THINK SAFETY FIRST WHEN ENCOUNTERING WILDLIFE. PAGE 4.
MEET THE COACH
THURSDAY
THE
Summer readers get to know Coach Hines. Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 June 23, 2016
Vol. 124, No. 126
Sports, Page 8
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BEARS SPOTTED ACROSS AREA
Multiple reports of black bears come in to animal control and conservation officers By MITCH SNEED Editor
Three separate reports of black bears being spotted in the area kept animal control and conservation officers busy Wednesday. Alexander City Animal Control Officers Ken Vernon and Scott Wright were called to Elkahatchee Baptist Church Wednesday afternoon after a member of the church saw a bear digging through trash outside
the building. Upon arrival, Wright and Vernon saw what they called a large black bear in the edge of the woods. “This wasn’t a honey bear, this was a large adult black bear,” Wright said. “On all fours it was more than waist high and on its back legs he would have been at least 6 feet tall.” Vernon, who said they had never had a call of bears before Wednesday, estimated the bear to be at least 300
pounds. Alabama Conservation Officer Sgt. Michael East was called to the area, but wasn’t able to immediately locate the bear. He was armed with a shotgun loaded with bean-bag shells and planned to remain in the area in case the bear returned. “We just want to convince him that he isn’t wanted here,” East said. “In a case like that you want to relocate See BEARS • Page 3
Cpl. Michael Howell / ACPD
Authorities spotted this black bear multiple times Wednesday, including here near Elkahatchee and Lamberth Road.
Man arrested after shots fired towards area home
Former Goodwater town clerk sentenced in theft case
By CLIFF WILLIAMS and MITCH SNEED Staff Writers
STAFF REPORT Staff Writer
The former city clerk in Goodwater entered a guilty plea in a theft case against her Wednesday. Leslie S. Parker, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of property in the first degree. The Coosa County Circuit Court sentenced her to 46 months in prison, suspended, and Parker five years of probation. Under the plea agreement, Parker must pay $264,181.44 in restitution to the City of Goodwater. Parker’s conviction was based on evidence that she manipulated the city’s payroll system to pay herself more than her salary, from 2013 until December 2015. Although she was entitled to sick leave, holidays and vacation time, she was not entitled to convert those to pay, and she was not entitled to overtime pay. The indictment alleged that Parker entered false hours in those categories into the city’s payroll See GOODWATER • Page 2
David Granger / The Outlook
Top, Aquavious Marbury, Jamarcus Calhoun and Rob Alvarado admire their motorized Lego creation at Wednesday’s installment of this year’s Summer Reading Camp at Stephens Elementary. Stephanie Shuford of Montgomery’s Bricks 4 Kidz helps Serenity Floyd and Jay Knight with their Lego model of a Pacman ghost.
LEGO LEARNING Reading campers learn with 70-year-old toys
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
In 2015, one magazine tapped the toys that captured the attention of the 210 participants at Wednesday’s installment of the Summer Reading Camp at Stephens Elementary School as “the world’s most powerful brand.” The plastic building bricks called Legos (from the Danish leg godt, which means “play well”), invented by Danish carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen, have been See LEGOS • Page 2
Lake Martin
Man convicted of abuse, murder of stepdaughter dies in prison
Dadeville PD Lake Levels 490.41 gets equipment Reported on 6/22/16 @ 3 p.m.
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
murderer Harold Junior Guy, sentenced to life in prison in 2010 for leaving his stepdaughter in his burning New Site home in 2006, died May 15 in the health care facility at Easterling Correctional Facility Guy in Clio, according to a spokesman for the Alabama Department of Corrections.
Convicted
See INMATE • Page 3
A man suspected of shooting multiple times in the direction of a local home was arrested Wednesday by Alexander City Police Department officials. Officials say that Stefan McFarland was arrested just before 3 p.m. on charges of shooting into an occupied dwelling, according to Cpl. Michael Howell of the Alexander City Police Department. Officials say that McFarland is suspected of firing a firearm multiple times while walking down a residential street, with two shots striking an area home. Officers from the Alexander City Police Department responded to shots fired Wednesday afternoon on 9th Avenue. Residents along the street told investigators a black male with short dreads and a limp fired about seven shots towards a home in the 100 block of 9th Avenue before running away. At the scene, officers could be seen picking up shell casings and interviewing witnesses. According to neighbors, two See SHOOTING • Page 2
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Two 1990 model Humvees were recently acquired by Dadeville Police Department. The vehicles will be used when normal patrol vehicles cannot.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
Do you remember ever looking out the window the morning after a snow or ice storm and seeing white everywhere? Do you remember thinking next how would you get help if something happened? The Dadeville Police Department is now prepared to deliver that help with two Humvees it has recently acquired with the help of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. “They are going to be used for See EQUIPMENT • Page 3
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Staff
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 Accounting Angela Mullins Bookkeeping, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Mary Lyman Boone Bookkeeping marylyman.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210 david.granger@alexcityoutlook.com
Mia Osborn Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 mia.osborn@alexcityoutlook.com Cathy Higgins Sports Editor, Ext. 228 cathy.higgins@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Audra Spears Graphic Artist, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Graphic Artist, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Graphic Artist, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Alethia Russell Graphic Artist, Ext. 231 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Asst. Circulation Manager, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com
Information
continued from page 1
system in order to increase her paycheck. The state made the case that Parker also wrote and cashed checks to herself from the city’s account and wrote a check to a third party for her own benefit, according to a release from the office of Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange. The AG’s Special Prosecutions Division presented evidence to a Coosa County grand jury, resulting in Parker’s indictment on April 29. Parker was previously arrested on a related charge on Dec. 17, 2015, following a citizen complaint and subsequent investigation by the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Division. “This defendant has been held accountable for gross misuse of her public position for personal gain, and she is now required to pay back the money she stole from the taxpayers of Goodwater,” said Strange. “This case arose from the vigilance of a concerned citizen and was completed through the dedicated hard work of those in our Special Prosecutions Division.” Strange commended those involved in bringing this case to a successful conclusion, noting in particular Assistant Attorney General Megan Kirkpatrick and special agents of his Special Prosecutions Division. He also thanked the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office for its assistance.
of the shots made it into the walls of the home and officers could be seen investigating the wall of the home. According to police
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radio traffic, the home was occupied at the time by several children and an adult. No one was reported injured.
Funeral Service for Rev. Phillip Myron West, 45, of Auburn, will be Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church. Rev. Matt Haines will officiate. Burial will follow in the Equality Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, June 24, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. The family requests no flowers and that memorial contributions be made to The Myron West Memorial Fund @www. fourcorners.org.or 715 Ave A Suite 206, Opelika, AL 36801. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.
Funeral Service for Mrs. Bonnie Jean (BJ) Jones, 82, of Alexander City, will be Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. at the Radney Funeral Home. Rev. Scott Jordan will officiate. The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 25, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Mrs. Jones passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at her residence. She was born on July 26, 1933 in Goshen, Indiana to Frank Zimmerman and Fonica Zimmerman. Mrs. Jones enjoyed crocheting and cooking for her family. She was known for her fudge pies, peanut butter fudge and cheeseburger pies. Mrs. Jones loved her grandchildren
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and her dog Ebb. She is survived by her sons, Amos C Jones, Jr. of Kellyton, Ted F (Shirley) Jones, Sr. of WA, Edward A Jones of Alexander City, and James A Jones of Alexander City; daughters, Barbara J (Randy) Sewell of Alexander City and Christie (James) Stinson of Dadeville; son, Travis Jones of Dadeville; 19 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; 4 great great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Amos C Jones, Sr.; daughter, Connie Sue Becker; daughter-in-law, Debra D Jones; and parents. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome.com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
and architects. “Today, we grouped the campers by grade levels to make sure the activity was developmentally appropriate for each child,” said Jeri Lynn Martin, the coordinator of the camp and a third-grade reading teacher at Stephens. Each age group was provided with instructions on how to build their particular model. While most campers had only paper guidelines, the older groups were provided with computer tablets with the instructions preloaded. The older the campers, the more complex the instructions. Most of the older groups were provided with plastic organizers that featured inserts telling the campers which compartments held which parts, making it easier to find and ensure the correctness of each part as the models were built. Still, there was often confusion and some disappointment, particularly when motorized models failed to work. “I don’t know what we did wrong,” said one camper, frowning as she scanned the lunchroom in search of Shuford for help. “We did everything the instructions said.” Other campers, like Dadeville Elementary School rising fourthgrader Georgia Hawkins, took things in stride. Of course, Hawkins, at only 8 years old, is a Lego and robotics veteran. “I like Legos and robotics,” Hawkins said. “Me and my brother (10-year-old Matthew,
who attends school in Roanoke, but was among the campers on Wednesday) did robotics at the VEX Robotics Championships. That was back in 2012. I was three at the time.” Vex Robotics makes construction kits much like Lego, but out of metals instead of plastic. Vex construction kits are specifically intended for the construction of robots. Though the campers had plenty of available help in the Benjamin Russell High School Men and Women, nursing students from Central Alabama Community College, some parents and others, like with video games and other 21st century technology, the campers often knew more than the volunteers. And superior knowledge of the young campers went beyond the Legos to the post-session photo opportunities. “Take a picture with my phone,” one young camper, sporting a shirt that read “Chick Magnet,” said to his grandmother as he knelt in front of a table filled with the session’s completed models. “I don’t know how,” Grandma replied. “I’ll show you,” the camper said. After a brief lesson, Grandma got the picture. And the young man turned his attention back to the Legos.
For Subscriptions • Call 256-234-4281
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soups. I gave many of these away as gifts. My dilemma is, most of the time no one gives me the jars back. Canning jars are the most expensive part of canning. Would you please help me get the word out to return the jars when they are empty? -- DEBBIE IN DERBY, N.Y. DEAR DEBBIE: I’m glad to put out the word. But don’t you think it would be more effective if you simply asked that the jars be returned if the recipients want to continue receiving these generous gifts from you? Attaching a “Please return to (blank)” label might help.
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around since 1949. On Wednesday, led by Bricks 4 Kidz of Montgomery’s Stephanie Shuford, the campers at Stephens demonstrated that, nearly 70 years and 600 billion Legos later, the plastic blocks and all the parts that complement them in the digital age have lost none of their allure to children of all ages. With all of the campers gathered in the Stephens lunchroom, Shuford shepherded them through the use of Legos to construct the elements of what she called “a classic arcade,” featuring twoand three-dimensional versions of the Mario Brothers, Mario and Luigi, Pacman and Ms. Pacman and motorized versions of the alien from the popular Alien Invader arcade video game and the ghost from Ms. Pacman. According to Shuford, while the effort is fun, it’s not just fun. “My hope is that they become stronger at math,” Shuford said. “I think this helps them to be pay attention, to build working partnerships with others and, not least of all, I hope these exercises help them develop a love for hands-on play rather than spending so much time with the video games or the television.” Through Bricks 4 Kidz children build and play with Lego bricks to learn the fundamentals of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education using proprietary model plans created by engineers
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out loud, I started to cough to try to muffle the sound of her voice. It worked, but then she acted irritated because of my coughing, so she repeated it loudly. I was very embarrassed, to say the least. When the doctor saw me, I was afraid to say anything as I didn’t want to get anybody in trouble. I graduated from a medical assistant school many years ago and I remember the registered nurse who was our instructor taught us to never say out loud somebody’s weight when you weigh him or her. It only makes common sense. I no longer want to go back to that doctor’s office.
Rev. Phillip Myron West 1970 - 2016
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Do you have any advice for me when this happens again? I say again because it happens at other doctor’s offices I visit as well. I am at a loss here. I would appreciate your input. -- STILL STINGING IN NEVADA DEAR STILL STINGING: The first time it happened, you should have quietly mentioned to the medical assistant that she embarrassed you, and asked her please not to do it again. When it happened a second time, you should have spoken to the doctor about it. You are far from the only person who is sensitive about weight. If I were that physician, I’d certainly want to know why patients were disappearing from my practice. Wouldn’t you?
Legos
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DEAR ABBY: I have fought obesity all of my adult life, and my weight has yo-yoed over the years. My problem is, when I go to the doctor’s office and I am taken to the exam area, the scale is right out in the open where other patients come and go as well as all the office personnel. Mind you, I don’t care if I am weighed in the presence of people walking around -- if they don’t peek. However, when the medical assistant is done weighing me, she reads the scale out loud. I have felt humiliated when other patients are walking past. I have put up with this for years. Recently, this medical assistant weighed me and I just knew she was going to “announce” my weight. This time there was a man I could tell was a patient, standing nearby at the reception window staring intently at me getting weighed. Because I was sure the M.A. was going to say it
Obituaries
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, printing press. Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
The Outlook
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Thursday, June 23, 2016
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Bears
continued from page 1
the bear to a more isolated area, especially one of that size.” That was just the latest sighting in a string of resident reports of bears in and around the area. Wildlife management officials say they aren’t surprised. Earlier on Wednesday, two women driving along Carlton Road off Highway 22 said they were surprised at what they found coming out of an overturned trash can in the middle of the road. “I thought there was a dog or something in the trash can,” said Cynthia Trammell Wednesday just after the encounter. “There was trash all over the road so we slowed down and then he poked his head out and it was a big ol’ black bear. “He came out of the can and ran over to the fence and just rolled right over it and took off into the woods.” Tara Daniel was with Trammell and said the bear had a mouth full of something from the can when he made his getaway. “He had something in his mouth,” Daniel said. “We tried to get a picture, but he got out of there quick. We saw over in the edge of the woods that he had already dragged one bag of trash over there before we saw him.” The women called the Alexander City Police and Animal Control Officer Ken Vernon and another unit responded. Unlike the afternoon call, they were not able to put eyes on the bear on Carlton Road. There was also a similar report Wednesday afternoon by a resident on Campground Road. There the bear was also rummaging through trash after overturning a large trash can. Monday, Coosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Eddie
Inmate
Burke spotted a large black bear near Weogufka Baptist Church on County Road 2297. Jennifer McKeel Waldrop reported seeing a larger bear and a cub in a swampy area near their Red Barn Road home in recent weeks. While bears being seen in our area is unusual, there are some that roam this area regularly. Sightings seem to have become more and more common. Last summer, the area was abuzz after a small black bear was spotted in Jacksons Gap and again near Willow Point and in Coosa and Elmore counties. East confirmed that they have had numerous reports over the year of bears being spotted in virtually all areas of Tallapoosa County. In November, Johnnie and Adelia Warren saw a black bear rummaging through their trash on the back deck of their home on Fish Pond Road. According to the Alabama Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website, “while Alabama has had a resident black bear population for many years in southwest Alabama, during the last decade, an expanding population has been established in northeast Alabama. The bears have gradually migrated from northwest Georgia following the preferred habitats of the Appalachian foothills as they extend into our state.” East said when bears are “acting like a bear and not becoming aggressive or being a nuisance,” they typically just “leave them alone. “ “Black bears are typically shy animals that will avoid human interaction.” East said. “Most of the time they are coming around to find food. If you remove any food source, chances are they won’t come around. That’s typically what they are after – something to eat.
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Bob Horton, public information manager for ADOC, said a state report on Guy’s death indicates he died of natural causes. The report was not more specific, he said. The death brought back memories from the time of the crime and Guy’s sentencing. Circuit Court Judge Ray Martin sentenced Guy, who admitted to police he had left his 13-year-old stepdaughter Amanda Moler in his burning home on Church Street to die on Aug. 3, 2006, to a life sentence on the murder conviction. Guy also was sentenced to the maximum of 10 years for the conviction of willful abuse of a child. Before sentencing Guy, Martin had just one question to ask the convicted murder: “At the time you were standing outside, what was more important, your stepdaughter in that burning home or your want for a cigarette?” Guy told Martin, while family members wearing T-shirts with a picture of
Amanda Moler on those shirts stood within 15 feet of Guy, that he wanted a cigarette. “This case is highly unusual,” Martin said before announcing the sentence within the C.J. Coley Tallapoosa County Courthouse Annex in Alexander City. “There has not been a case like this within this circuit and quite possibly this state.” Guy showed little to no reaction after Martin delivered the sentence, which is consistent from the probation report. “The report says that he has shown absolutely no remorse,” District Attorney E. Paul Jones said shortly after sentencing. “The only time he showed any emotion was when the pictures of Amanda’s burned body was shown on the screen. And that was just to sit up and put his glasses on to see.” Easterling Correctional Facility opened in 1990 and is a custody level five maximum security prison.
“People also need to remember that they are protected. There is no open hunting season for black bears in Alabama. So if you see one, it’s best to call us and try to avoid it.” The Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries offered these tips to help lessen the likelihood of a visit from a bear at your home: • Never feed or approach bears. • Store garbage and recyclables in sealed containers or dumpsters in a secured area. • Place trash outside on pick-up days, not the night before. • Do not feed birds or animals between April and January when bears are most active. • Always keep pet foods in a secure location. Feed pets a portion size that will be completely consumed during each meal. • Do not add food to compost piles. • Keep grills and smokers clean and stored indoors when not in use. • Keep windows closed when cooking so the smell doesn’t escape outdoors. If those tips don’t work, what should you do if you do see or encounter a black bear? Experts offer these suggestions: •Do not be frightened. •Do not approach the animal. •Do not run from the bear; back away slowly. •Stand tall and upright and make loud noises. •Avoid direct eye contact with the bear. •Make sure the bear has an unobstructed direction to escape. •Never purposely feed a bear.
Equipment extreme weather from an ice storm or snow storm to hurricanes and tornadoes,” Dadeville Police Chief David Barbour said. “When we need to get over or around something, these military vehicles can do it. These vehicles can go into places that a regular patrol unit cannot get into.” An added bonus is the vehicles will help clear the roads if need be. “They both have a good winch on the front,” Barbour said. “They are strong enough to pull hell off its hinges.” The best part of the Humvees, it only cost the department time for the paperwork. “They were no cost to the city,” Barbour said. “ADECA has the 1033 program. It is something you fill out a lot of paperwork for. It gives you the ability to go online and shop for
continued from page 1
things the military has in surplus.” The Humvees are in good shape and will eventually not look so military. “They are in great shape for a military vehicle,” Barbour said. “They are 1990 models with only 18,000 miles on them. The tires are in great shape and they have been serviced on a regular basis. With that said, we are working on moving them from the military paint scheme to something else. We just have not gotten that far yet.” In addition to getting the Humvees from ADECA, the state agency awarded the department a $2,544 grant for equipment. “That is for lights, holsters and other equipment,” Barbour said. “I want to thank Rep. Mark Tuggle for his help in getting this through and ADECA for the grant and help with
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3617 U.S. HIGHWAY 280 ALEXANDER CITY, AL 35010 256.329.0500
MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213
editor@alexcityoutlook.com
EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed
Outlook Taking away guns, freedom won’t win ‘war on terror’ The
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Page 4
Get
Involved Think of safety first when encountering wildlife
A
lexander City is, for all intents and purposes, a small town. We have small-town businesses, small-town politics and, for the most part, we like it that way. There’s not a true urban area within 54 miles and that’s Montgomery, which isn’t really urban. Birmingham, a little bigger city, is 71 miles away and Atlanta, still bigger, is 143 miles distant. We have beautiful Lake Martin nearby, replete with all of its natural wooded surroundings amid very little development. And, obviously we now have bears. There have been several sightings of black bears in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties recently, as reported on the front page of this newspaper. The largest was spotted Wednesday afternoon at Elkahatchee Baptist Church on Elkahatchee Road. Others have been spotted Carlton Road, Campground Road and Coosa County Road 2297. In most instances, black bears are seen when they are in search of food, often pillaging trash cans in their hunt. They are not known to be aggressive, but they are wild animals and there are certain things experts suggest you should do if you encounter a bear: • Don’t be frightened. • Don’t approach the animal. • Don’t run from the bear; back away slowly. • Stand tall and upright and make loud noises. • Avoid direct eye contact with the bear. • Make sure the bear has an unobstructed direction to escape. Heed the advice of experts. It seems clear the area’s black bear population is on the rise. The lake probably adds to their attraction to the area. Meanwhile, if you should see a bear, try to get a photo. You’ll have a keepsake and proof of your experience and, hopefully, you’ll send it to us for publication. We would certainly welcome it. It’s shaping up to be a fun and interesting summer, complete with new and abundant wildlife. But we’re used to it. And we’re smart enough to deal it. Just be careful. Who needs the city life, anyway?
Know Your
Officials
Charles Shaw is mayor of Alexander City. His phone number at city hall is 256-329-6730 and his home number is 256234-7395 His address at city hall is 4 Court Square; Alexander City, AL, 35010. His home address is 98 Heritage Drive Alexander City, AL, 35010.
Charles Shaw
Bobby Tapley
Sherry Ellison-Simpson represents District 2. Her phone number is 256329-0516. Her address is 2879 Old Dark Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee.
Sherry Ellison Simpson
Bob Howard represents District 3. His phone number is 256-2342225. His address is 241 8th Street West, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Buildings and Property committee.
Bob Howard
Billy Ray Wall represents District 4. His phone number is 256329-8060. His address is 101 Scott Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Works committee.
James Spann represents District 5. His phone number is 256-3299758. His address is 314 Auburn Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Finance committee. Tony Goss represents District 6. His phone number is 256-7493355. His address is 647 Shady Point, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Utilities committee.
RON HART Guest Columnist
strongest, have the worst gun violence. Most of the recent violent acts, from Fort Hood, Sandy Hook, the Washington Navy Yard, San Bernardino, to the recruiting station in Chattanooga and now Orlando were committed in gun-free zones. 3) Guns harm their owners more than they protect them. It’s a lie. In 2013 there were 505 accidental gun deaths in America. But surveys clearly show that, each year, 100,000 to 2 million Americans use a gun for self-defense, including chasing off a potential robber or rapist. Having a gun provides immeasurable peace of mind for those of us not protected by the Secret Service, as Obama and Attorney General Loretta Lynch are, or by the private, gun-toting security of Hollywood celebs or the corporate security of the New York Times front desk. If you are in a dangerous trailer park or ghetto, a gun provides comfort. Banning “assault rifles” is stupid. According to the FBI, rifles kill only 323 people a year; knives and blunt objects kill more than 2,100. U.S. gun laws are stiff. O.J. Simpson went to jail for 15 years for using a gun in a Las Vegas robbery. He should have stuck with a knife. It reminded me of when Michael Jordan tried to play baseball: Stick with what you know. Sen. Tom Coburn’s op-ed last week in the Wall Street Journal was entitled “Why Does the IRS Need Guns?” We may need to defend our-
selves against our growing government. The IRS has spent $11 million on AR-15s, guns and bullets; that’s $5,000 per each of 2,316 special agents. I guess when you target folks, you need a gun to shoot at them. Or maybe it’s to protect Lois Lerner’s “lost” emails? Much of the growth in mass shootings can be laid at the feet of the Left’s entertainment industry buddies. Hollywood desensitizes young men to killing via its violent movies and video games. In the James Bond movie franchise, Bond has shot about 400 bad guys and slept with 70 women. I’ll concede one thing: This is proof that guns reload quicker than James at this age. Even leftists know guns are important. Rachael Maddow shoots a gun, and Brad Pitt, citing his Missouri roots, spoke up for the Second Amendment. Or it might be that he doesn’t feel safe at home with all those kids, since he probably doesn’t know half of them. Hillary Clinton said we need a new approach to the left’s new, favorite, focus group-tested phrase, “weapon of war.” She maintains we need her “woman’s touch” to deal with terrorists. Maybe she’s right; we’ve tried everything except the silent treatment. Bill Clinton gets it; he’s historically been progun. He realizes that guns don’t kill people; husbands armed with a gun who come home early kill people. A libertarian op-ed humorist and award-winning author, Ron Hart is a frequent guest on CNN. He can be contacted at Ron@ RonaldHart.com or @ RonaldHart on Twitter.
Billy Ray Wall
James Spann
Tony Goss
Letter confirms many long-time stereotypes Dear Editor, This is a response to a recent letter by Dr. Billy Sellers. Do you really believe “being a democrat is a form of mental illness”? I have been a Democrat for over 45 years, but I have never been diagnosed with a mental illness. Are all democrats depressed, paranoid, bipolar or what other DSM IV diagnosis do you think we suffer? All of the illnesses you describe, that in your opinion, are wrong with America cannot be laid at the feet of Lyndon Johnson and Democrats. President Johnson, at great personal and political sacrifice passed the Civil Rights Act. By doing so, famously stated, the democrats have lost the South
for the next thirty years. He was wrong, the South is now solidly Republican. All because President Johnson did the right thing for our country rather than himself or the Democratic Party. Your letter states; “Now, after 50 years of this socialist philosophy, the black middle class has been decimated”. I was only 12 years old when the Civil Rights Act was passed, but I do remember “colored” water fountains, “colored” bathrooms, and “colored” schools. Separate, but unequal was the law of the South. Blacks were lynched, civil rights workers killed all in the name of keeping the South white only. Your quote is cal-
lous if you believe blacks were better off in the fifties’ and sixties’ than they or we are now. Look to the future, be positive, we are all God’s children, even us democrats. Friends ask me ‘Why do so many white Alabama natives hate President Obama?’ Your letter confirms my answer to their question. The majority of Alabamians cannot stand the fact that our president is black and is not serving as a butler or shoeshine boy like in the 50s and 60s. Sincerely, Charles R. Gillenwaters Alexander City
Reader: Sellers remarks on poverty off base Dear Editor, I want to address Mr. Billy Sellers, better known as Dr. Sellers. Can you imagine in 2016 that people are still racist? Dr. Sellers still refers to people as black middle class thanks to Lyndon Johnson, not Lyndon B. Johnson talking about his change on the war on poverty. There are many families out here in poverty and it is not just black people. There are white families, too. And it is an ugly way of speaking on any issue that is as important as poverty. Because there are too many people that have the mindset as you do that keep barriers in the way of a person moving up to better themselves. As long as they stay below minimum wages, the “Tea Party” people can continue to talk about the middle class as
black. You should get out more often and take a good look around. You will find out you have been living in a bubble. You will see this recession that we are trying to come out of affected a lot of people. It was when you refused to take anymore Medicaid patients that you started hurting because you cut your living off, not the black middle class. It was the children the government was helping. Those are the people that have made you successful and now you don’t have it and want to talk about the middle class. We know who we are and keep moving forward praying everyday for things to get better. It is going to take some cleaning out down there in the statehouse and Washington to make the laws apply for everyone. Then and only then will
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Bobby Tapley represents District 1. His phone number is 256329-9671. His address is 1821 LaVista Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Safety committee.
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he Orlando gay night club shooter was on the FBI watch list. He was turned in to the FBI again by a gun shop owner for trying to buy 1000 rounds of ammunition and a bulletproof vest. And he swore allegiance to ISIS-- in Arabic during the shooting. Obama’s feds are still trying to find his motive. Obama’s folks would only care to investigate this hard if the shooter wore a Confederate flag. The only emotion Obama shows is his contempt for the GOP and for the Second Amendment. He will tear up talking about non-issues the same way Bill Clinton teared up when he spoke about his women issues — until Bill developed a tolerance for pepper spray. Full disclosure: I have a concealed weapons permit and ten guns. I feel even the blind should have guns so they also have a way to express themselves in nightclubs other than just the jazz piano. No laws Democrats want to pass would have kept Omar Mateen away from a gun. But the liberal premise? Yes, murderous terrorists who kill 49 innocent people will always fill out the right government paperwork for their guns. Murder, yes, but monkey with government forms? Never! Obama makes this about guns, dodging his terrorism foibles. After the kid at Disney World died, Obama was quick to blame the alligator’s teeth. Among the gun myths perpetuated by the Left: 1) Gun violence is “skyrocketing.” Yet according to Pew Research, it is down about 50 percent since 1993. The more guns, the fewer homicides. 2) Gun control works. Cities like Chicago, St. Louis, Baltimore, etc., where gun controls are
Thursday, June 23, 2016
the people see changes. These are God’s people that are being mistreated and talked about. They are hanging on a job by prayer to keep their family intact. This is real. This is no joke. These are real people that are struggling to stay above water. And you of all people want to lash out at them for doing the best they can with an ugly situation. It is not the middle class. You should be talking to the people in power that have the middle class restrained so they can’t move. So let’s stop blaming people and take on some of these power people that are working for the special interests and demand change to let the middle class grow. Arlean Wyckoff Alexander City
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June 21 - 23
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Great Bethel Missionary Baptist Church is hosting Vacation Bible School June 21 -23 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Bring a family member or friend. The van will be running. Just call ahead of time at 256-234-5513 or Sister Walker at 256392-4360.
June 24
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: River Road Baptist Church at 148 Dean Road is hosting vacation Bible school June 24 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for ages 3 to 11. A meal will be provided.
June 24-25
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Kellyton Chapel United Methodist Church is hosting vacation Bible school June 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and June 25 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please join as we enjoy Joy in Jesus.
June 25
LAKE FEST: New Water Ministry is hosting Lake Fest June 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with arts and crafts, food vendors and more. The event will be at New Water Ministry, 460 Camp Civitan Road, in Dadeville. WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP: The Artist Association of Central Alabama is hosting a watercolor workshop June 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wine Emporium. The cost is $40 for members and $50 for non-members. The class is limited to 12 prepaid students. The workshop will cover dogwoods, pink and white. It is good for beginners or advanced watercolor artists and is led by Dottie Holdren. Supply list is given on payment of workshop. Call 256-377-4918 with questions. FAMILY GAME NIGHT: The Bibb Graves School is hosting a family game night June 25 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. CHOIR ANNIVERSARY: Peace and Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church in Kellyton is having a combined choir anniversary June 25 at 5 p.m. MUSTER DRILL: Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is hosting a muster drill June 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors will get a front row seat to what it was like for militia members during the Creek War of 1813-14 and the War of 1812. At 11 a.m. Michael Seibert from Southeastern Archeological Center will provide a presentation on the many techniques used to identify the location of Creek barricades used during the battle of Horseshoe Bend. RABIES CLINIC: Dr. Caldwell of Animal Care Center in Dadeville is hosting a a rabies clinic at the Daviston Fire Department from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15a.m. in New Site at Hall Propane from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and in Perryville across from East Building Supply from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
June 26
MANN FAMILY REUNION: All descendants of John Branch Mann will meet the fourth Sunday, June 26, for the 99th family reunion at Rocky Mountain Primitive Baptist Church. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. with a covered dish lunch to follow at noon. There will be more fellowship to follow in the afternoon. The church is located three miles southwest of Daviston on County Road 79. For more information contact Judy Burgess at 256-216-6108. FRIENDS AND FAMILY DAY: GAP Fellowship Church at 1600 Highway 22 West is celebrating Friends and Family Day June 26 at 2:30 p.m. with special guest Pastor Curtis Seals of Lily Hill Missionary Baptist Church. PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY: Centerview Baptist Church in Camp Hill is celebrating the 10th pastoral anniversary of Pastor Gary and First Lady Petrena Hardy June 26 at 2 p.m. Pastor Shawn Jones Sr. of The New Thing Empowerment will be the guest minister. PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY: Word of Truth Ministries is hosting 10th anniversary services for Pastor and Elect
Lady John L. Cook Jr. Sunday, June 26, at 2:30 p.m. Guest speakers are Bishop and Elect Lady Larry Johnson of Temple of God Church. Please RSVP by June 15.
June 27
MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION: The next meeting of the Alexander City Ministerial Association will be Monday, June 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Haven Memorial United Methodist Church. The church building is at 354 Christian Street. All Christian ministers are invited. There will be a report from the nominating committee. Plans will be made for a prayer vigil to be sponsored by the association. Renewing a prison ministry will be considered. At each meeting there is time for sharing news from churches, mutual encouragement, and intercessory prayer. For more information contact Bill Middlebrooks, secretary at 256-2343371.
June 27 - July 1
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Faith Temple Church and Faith Christian Academy present Vacation Bible School 2016 “Barnyard Roundup” Monday June 27 through Friday July 1 fro 8 a.m. until noon each day. The children will explore five Bible accounts that show how Jesus graciously gathers us together to be with Him – with His abundant provision and saving protection now and forever. For ages K-4 through 6th grade.
June 29
OPEN HOUSE: Bodyworks Massage and Spa is hosting an open house June 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 2828 Dadeville Road in Alexander City.
July 2-3
ARTI GRAS: Russell Lands is hosting Arti Gras at the Russell Lands Town Green July 2-3.
July 7
ment at 205 North West Street from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, July 16. The Friends will supply plastic bags for you to fill to the brim for $5 each or buy two bags and get the third one free! Books include fiction, non-fiction, classics, art, romance, cookbooks, decorating, self-help, religion, history and politics, beautiful coffee table books, and books to read to your children this summer. We also have several boxes of books recently donated for children and young readers. All proceeds go to improve the library. Call 256-825-7820 for information.
July 17
CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Hatchet Spring Baptist Church is celebrating its 109th anniversary Sunday July 17 at 2:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Fredrick Jemison of Tallasahatchie Baptist Church in Childersburg.
July 22-23
RODEO: The Boys and Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area is hosting its 10th annual Lake Martin Area Rodeo July 22 and 23. Gates open at 5 p.m. with the show at 7 p.m. at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex. The PCA-sanctioned rodeo is run by Brett Woody, Bar W Rodeo Company.
July 29 - July 31
BEREAVEMENT CAMP: Camp I Believe will be at Children’s Harbor July 29 - 31. It is a bereavement camp for children ages 7 - 14 that have lost a loved on. It is an overnight camp and is free for qualifying applicants. Contact Julia Bassett at Julia.Bassett@gentiva. com.
July 30
SUMMER READING PROGRAM FINALE: Mamie’s Place Children’s Library is hosting a finale for the summer reading program July 30 at the Sportplex Gym at 10 a.m. with games and a kids lunch.
September 20
STRAND SESSION: The Lake Martin Young Professionals are hosting Rexton Lee for the next Strand Session at Strand Park, July 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
MEETING: The Artist Association of Central Alabama will meet Sept. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church.
July 9
WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP: The Artist Association of Central Alabama is hosting a watercolor workshop Sept. 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wine Emporium. The cost is $40 for members and $50 for non-members. The class is limited to 12 prepaid students. The workshop will cover birch trees in a snow scene. You can register at Wine Emporium or by calling Dottie Holdren at 256-377-4918.
GOSPEL SINGING: Oak Chapel Baptist Church in Goodwater is hosting a gospel singing July 9 at 6 p.m. with the McKameys. PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Comer United Methodist Church is hosting a pancake breakfast July 9 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Cost is $6 a plate with pancakes, sausage and/or bacon. All you can eat dine in with to go plates available.
July 10
MEN AND WOMEN DAY: Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church is hosting Men and Women day July 10 at 2 p.m. Special guest is Rev. Dr. George C. McCulloh of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church. REUNION: The Willoughby reunion will be Sunday July 10 at the Daviston Community Center. All family and friends are welcome.
July 10 - July 13
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Calvary Heights Baptist Church is hosting vacation Bible school July 10 - 13 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There is a kickoff party and pre-registration July 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
July 14 - July 30
WETUMPKA DEPOT PLAYERS: Calendar Girls will be presented by the Wetumpka Depot Players July 14 - July 30. For ticket information call 334-8681140 or go to wetumpkadepot.com.
July 16
SUMMER BOOK SALE: The Friends of the Dadeville Public Library will host a book sale in the library base-
Call 256-234-4281 or stop by our ofÚce at 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL
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September 24
September 29 - October 15
WETUMPKA DEPOT PLAYERS: Young Frankenstein will be presented by the Wetumpka Depot Players Sept. 29 - Oct. 15. For ticket information call 334-868-1140 or go to wetumpkadepot. com.
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October 18
MEETING: The Artist Association of Central Alabama will meet Oct. 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church.
October 22
CHRISTMAS CARD WORKSHOP: The Artist Association of Central Alabama is hosting a Christmas Card Workshop October 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wine Emporium. The cost is $40 for members and $50 for nonmembers. The class is limited to 12 prepaid students. The workshop will cover dogwoods, pink and white.
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November 15
MEETING: The Artist Association of Central Alabama will meet Nov. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church.
256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com
CATHY HIGGINS SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228
sports@alexcityoutlook.com
Page 8
Thursday, June 23, 2016
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Young readers meet the coach By CATHY HIGGINS Sports Editor
Alexander City children learned about basketball Wednesday morning during the Summer Reading program at Mamie’s Place, as Benjamin Russell High School boys basketball coach Jeff Hines served as guest speaker. With the program’s theme, “On Your Mark, Get Set… Read” in mind, Hines read two picture books, one that focused on sportsmanship and the other that introduced young readers to the game of basketball. Helping Hines to present the program was the Wildcats’ tallest player, rising senior Jakorian (Tay) Johnson, who comes in at 6 feet, 6 inches tall. Hines and Johnson displayed uniform pieces the Wildcats wear and explained their purpose. Hines also gave attendees bracelets the BRHS teammates wear, which contain words designed to help them remain inspired and focused throughout the season. The morning also gave attendees a taste of coaching advice from Hines, as he helped them take turns dribbling and shooting a basket. Hines and Johnson closed the morning with a regular Wildcats ritual, in which they asked attendees to join them in a huddle, raise their hands in a high clasp and shout “Family!”
After the Summer Reading program, Hines explained his motivation for inviting Johnson to join him for the event. “I want our guys to understand you have to give back,” he said. Johnson, in turn, said he enjoyed having the opportunity to help children learn more about basketball. “It was fun,” he said. The Wildcats had tryouts the first week of June, and most of the positions will be filled by returning athletes. “We’ve been very blessed,” Hines said. “We’ve got 10 of our guys coming back.” The coach is hoping that with the addition of four new faces, the team will improve over last season’s 15-16 record. “”It’s no secret we’ve got some improvement to do,” Hines said. Efforts to do that started with summer practices that began June 6. “We’ve been practicing four days a week,” Hines said. That’s with a coaching staff that includes assistant varsity baskeball coach Louis Daniel, junior varsity coach Jeremy Phillips and freshman coach Shannon Benefield. The Wildcats also had play dates in June against Jefferson Davis, LaFayette, Coosa and two against Auburn. “We’re 3-3,” Hines said. Now the team will take a hia-
Cathy Higgins / The Outlook
During Wednesday’s installment of the “Meet the Coach,” which is part of the Summer Reading program at Mamie’s Place, Benjamin Russell High School boys basketball coach Jeff Hines, far right, instructs participants in how to dribble the ball, as Wildcats center Jakorian (Tay) Johnson, center background, waits to assist.
tus until the fall. “We’ve finished for the summer,” Hines said. But with just those few weeks under his belt, the coach is already feeling confident about the 2016-2017 season. “I’m real excited about the team,” he said. “It’s the best
we’ve had since I’ve been here, and I’ve been here six years.” Johnson agrees. “I think we’re going to be pretty good,” the center said. “I want us to go to regionals this year. Anything less will be a let down.” The Wildcats’ basketball sea-
son begins in November. Hines invites fans to follow the team at BRBasketball.com. As for the next installment of Meet the Coach, which begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 29, Benjamin Russell High School softball coach Jessica Johnson will be the guest speaker.
Torpedoes swim meet results
By CATHY HIGGINS Sports Editor
Cathy Higgins / The Outlook
Hadleigh Tidwell of the Alexander City Torpedoes swims the 11 and 12 100meter IM during Monday’s meet.
Hailey Tubbs, 10, 1:20.22; Alese Pike, 9; Sarah Brown, 10; Hailey Tubbs, 10; Ansley Ansley Lewis, 10, 1:21.19; Reagan West, 10, 1:31.88 Lewis, 10
The Alexander City Torpedoes Swim Team hosted Auburn and Girls 11-12 200 Meter Prattville Monday at Russell Medley Relay Pool. The meet was the team’s 3:14.31 largest home meet of the season. Chloe Davis, 11; Carley The team next meet is in Forbus, 11; Hadleigh Tidwell, Talladega on Thursday, June 30. 12; Bella Arami, 12 Below is a partial list of Monday’s results for the Alex Mixed 11-12 200 Meter City team: Medley Relay 3:13.31 Girls 8&U 100 Meter Chloe Davis, W11; Carley Medley Relay Forbus, W11; Hadleigh Tidwell, 2:30.55 W12; Bella Arami, W12 Kendall Mann, 6; Ava Barrett, 8; Natalie Durden, 7; Halle Girls 8 & U 25 Meter Davis, 7 Breaststroke Kendall Mann, 6 1:06.28 Girls 9-10 200 Meter Medley Relay Girls 9-10 50 Meter 4:18.38 Breaststroke
Boys 11-12 50 Meter Breaststroke Parker Daughtry, 12, 57.81; Deacon Russell, 11, 1:39.31 Girls 11-12 50 Meter Breaststroke Bella Arami, 12, 53.35; Carley Forbus, 11 53.37; McKayla Mulkey, 12, 1:14.03; Bailey Knox, 11, 1:23.97; Sydney Kelly, 12, NS Girls 15-18 50 Meter Breaststroke Kaylee Munsey, 15, 1:08.56 Boys 6&U 25 Meter Freestyle Jack Lewis, 6, 45.13
NASCAR legend Bobby Allison treats fans with respect and dignity I t was long like a motorboat, baby blue and had its share of rust spots. Didn’t matter. I loved my first car. And when my Monte Carlo’s odometer approached 100,000 miles, this 17-year-old had to stop somewhere and take a photo of the momentous occasion. Strolling along A-1-A (Beachfront Avenue for the obligatory Vanilla Ice reference) in Daytona Beach, Florida, I spotted the Bellair Shopping Center parking lot, where I rolled to a stop. As the sports reporter/photographer for the Port Orange Observer, a nowdefunct bi-weekly newspaper in metro Daytona Beach, my 35mm camera was always in the backseat. I’d just taken photos of the Spruce Creek at Seabreeze high school basketball game, so the old Canon was loaded. Too bad the film was black and white. As a rinky-dink newspaper, we weren’t about to splurge on color Fuji film. The newspaper didn’t splurge on young reporters either — it paid me $55 a week, which wasn’t bad for a high school senior back in 1986. At Bellair, I strategically positioned my car beneath a light pole (night photos are tough) with other vehicles nearby, and snapped away. This probably would have been much easier with a cell phone. Speed weeks in Daytona Beach was one of my favorite times of the year. I loved NASCAR — especially when the
time favorites. Why? Because it’s Bobby me. circuit came to play in my backyard. By 1988, my Monte Carlo dropped Freakin’ Allison leaning on the grill of Once I got behind the wheel, I often pretended to be Richard Petty or Bobby my car, which happened to have precise- a transmission and I had to sell, while Allison, darting in and out of traffic. I’d ly 100,000 miles on the odometer. How Allison suffered a career-ending, nearmany people have such a photo with the death accident just months after winning never drive like that today, particularly his third Daytona 500. story to tell behind it? on U.S. 280 in Camp Hill. At a Miller High Life function a year The Daytona 500 Joe McAdory is communications edilater, Allison signed the black-and-white was just two days tor at the Auburn University Harbert 8-by-10, and remembered my car. He away and race fans College of Business and is the former even asked how the Monte Carlo was from all over filled the nearby beachside running. I wish more sports personalities sports editor at the Opelika-Auburn News. treated people the way Allison treated hotels and shopping JOE centers. Bellair — MCADORY with a nickel and Sports Columnist dime store, Belk’s, movie theater and some place that sold incense and rolling papers — had its share of patrons, too. My parents forbid me to go inside the incense and rolling papers store, by the way. I photographed the Chevy from the front and side with the flash popping. But a few yards away was my dream car at the time — a black Buick Regal Grand National — and I took a few pictures of it, too. About that time, a man walked up and said, “You must really like my car.” Then my jaw dropped. It was Bobby Allison — Bobby Freakin’ Allison — parked next to me. Allison wasn’t just another racecar driver. He was my favorite sports personality. Still is. His 1983 Winston Cup championship remains my most cherished sports championship. To bump into him in a random parking lot — with our cars parked beside each other — was stunning, to say the least. Joe McAdory/ The Outlook So what did I do? Asked for a photo, of course. To this day, it’s one of my all- NASCAR legend Bobby Allison poses for a picture for Joe McAdory and later autographs the photo.