2016 All-Area Baseball team
‘New movie shows different side of war.’
‘A little encouragement can go a long way.’
Eclectic Observer Page 4
Page 8
The
Page 5
THURSDAY • JUNE 2, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 27, No. 21
County commission gets high credit rating By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
Thursday, the Elmore County Commission received an ‘AA’ rating from Standard and Poor’s Global for 2016 general obligation warrants. The ‘AA’ rating was also affirmed for the county’s existing general obligation debt. The report reflects a stable outlook for the county with very strong reserves stating management will not
spend reserves below its reserve policy. The county’s capacity to meet its financial commitment is very strong. During the March 28 Elmore County Commission Meeting, the Commission approved a Bond Issue Parameters Resolution to seek bonds to obtain longterm financing by issuing warrants of the county in a principal amount sufficient to obtain approximately $2,000,000 in funds for a portion of the energy savings improvements to county facilities.
Commission Chairman, David Bowen stated, “This AA rating is a testament to the strong management team this Commission has put in place and the many years of sound financial management by this Commission.” The report stated that S&P’s long term rating reflects its view that Elmore County: • Has a strong economy, with access to a broad and diverse metropolitan
statistical area. Elmore County is part of the Montgomery Metropolitan Statistical Area. • The county has adequate management, with standard financial policies and practices under S&P’s Financial Management Assessment methodology. • Adequate budgetary performance, with operating results that could improve in the near term. • Very strong budgetary flexibility, See COMMISSION • Page 3
Eclectic celebrates importance of Memorial Day
Piggly Wiggly celebrates fourth year serving Eclectic By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
The town of Eclectic held a Memorial Day ceremony Monday morning as citizens paid homage to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Guest speaker U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert J. Cook with the Alabama National Guard said it was an honor and a privilege to speak to the assembled group, which included not only family members of fallen service members but also a number of veterans remembering family and friends during the morning service. Cook, who served overseas in Iraq in 2009, told the group that families have a friend in the Alabama National Guard. Cook then proceeded to See MEMORIAL • Page 3
Corey Arwood / The Observer
IN APPRECIATION OF . . .
William Carroll / The Observer
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert J. Cook speaks to area residents gathered together for the Town of Eclectic’s Memorial Day celebration Monday morning.
Above, “Mr. Pig” posed with two meat market personnel, Wayne Hawotte, left, and Ron Beshears, right at the Eclectic Piggly Wiggly’s 4th annual Customer Appreciation Day. Right, Doug DeMedices helped Eclectic Piggly Wiggly on its 4th annual Customer Appreciation Day by cooking the sausage dogs for what was said to be the record-breaking hundreds of customers that showed up at the store Saturday.
Eclectic Piggly Wiggly held its 4th annual Customer Appreciation Day and owner, Roger Ingram, said the response exceeded his expectations along with the turnout of previous years as hundreds showed up for food, drinks and to mingle with “Mr. Pig.” Ingram said they had held the event every year the store had operated, and this year was “by far” the most attended. “Every year we try to do a little something for our customers,” said Ingram. This year they gave away sausage dogs, chips and drinks, and had the store mascot on hand to meet, greet and take pictures with whoever wanted one, adults and children alike. “We just call him Mr. Pig,” Ingram said. The turnout Ingram attributed to normal growth and community involvement. See APPRECIATE • Page 7
ATV Racing series returns to Monster Mountain STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Submitted / The Observer
The inaugural Monster Mountain gate drop will happen Saturday, June 4, for the world’s fastest ATV racers.
The ProX ATV Motocross National Championship (ATVMX) presented by CST Tires, an AMA National Championship, is America’s most prestigious and longest-running ATV racing series. The 12-round circuit is set to continue next weekend, June 4 and 5, with round six at Monster Mountain MX Park in Tallassee. The ATVMX Series is the world’s premier showcase of four-wheeled off-road racing talent. The physi-
cally demanding sport forces riders to navigate a variety of obstacles as fast as possible over the course of two 20-minute motos, while controlling a 400-pound machine and battling alongside 20 other competitors. It is a true testament to the mental and physical strength that each racer puts in to the sport, creating some of the toughest athletes on the planet. Next weekend marks the first time that the ATVMX series will descend upon the iconic Monster Mountain; however, the facility is no stranger to racing. In fact, many of the pro-
fessional riders who will compete next Saturday train at the top-notch facility during the off-season. The national caliber track has previously held Area Qualifiers for the AMA Amateur National for motorcycles in addition to promoting their own races in several different disciplines. The 1.35-mile track features over 50 feet of elevation, including the famed “Stairway to Heaven” and “Monster” jumps. Tom Brinkman, owner of Monster Mountain, has developed a brand-new section of the course that is sure to be a crowd See MOUNTAIN • Page 3
Today’s
Weather
93 69 High
Low
FREE ESTIMATES!
Hedging, Fall Cleanup, Leaf Removal, All Yard & Lawn Maintenance
FRIDAY: HIGH 91 LOW 71
(334) 309-4422 • (334) 580-7879
COMPUTERS @ LESS
10% off FedEx or UPS shipping
Refurbished Computers
wetumpka express
4043 US HWY 231 Village Town Center (Next door to Wetumpka Family Dentistry)
(334) 478-4560 Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-6pm Saturday: 9am-4pm
UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
4049 US Hwy 231 Wetumpka, AL (334) 567-7447 Shipping • Professional Packing Service Private Mailboxes • Printing/Copies Promotional Products