Braves call up former WHS star Roney.
Sports, Page 10. Wetumpka, AL 36092
50¢
SATURDAY-SUNDAY • JUNE 4-5, 2016
THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM
BAIT SHOP VS. CITY
VOL. 11, NO. 22
Wetumpka makes Main Street lineup By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
Corey Arwood / The Herald
Stoddard’s Bait Shop is at the center of a dispute between the shop’s owners and the City of Wetumpka.
Bait shop owner calls city move ‘a sucker punch, low ball offer’
City gives its version of events behind street closure and acquisition
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
As a downtown street closure nears its three-month marker, the owner of a local bait shop affected by the close, said he would not accept the city’s offer to acquire his property, calling the $58,000 the building was appraised at a “sucker punch, low ball” offer. Company Street has been closed since March 17 when a sinkhole appeared through the surface of its
The City of Wetumpka recently held a special called council meeting to reach an offer with downtown business owners affected by a nearly three-month long road closure and whose building the city wants to acquire. However, no agreement was reached, and the vote was postponed until the next city council meeting Monday where the council
See BAIT SHOP • Page 3
See CITY • Page 9
“I know some people go ‘pssh’ it’s just a bait business but you’d be really suprised at the revenue generating capacity of that business.” — Chris Carter
The City of Wetumpka and the Wetumpka Downtown organization received welcome news Wednesday as the city has been designated by Main Street Alabama as one of four newly selected communities for the Main Street program. Wetumpka joins Columbiana, Heflin and Montevallo as the newest Main Street communities. According to Alabama Main Street President and State Coordinator Mary Helmer, the organization will immediately begin providing the respective towns with board development, training with work plans and goals, market analysis, which will include economic development strategies geared for downtown development, technical assistance and quarterly training. “When a community is ready for Main Street, our economic development program works,” See MAIN STREET • Page 5
Millbrook police get grants for rifles, body cameras from the Governor’s office By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Millbrook Police Department was recently awarded grant money by the governor’s office for equipment upgrades, such as body cameras, and to make changes to the weaponry officers carry in their patrol cars. According to a state document, Bentley notified Mayor Al Kelley the MPD would receive $10,531 for what was described as newer, “more reliable” body cameras, which would replace current “worn-out” cameras. Also, a portion of the grant was set to go to changes in weaponry, replacing shotguns carried See GRANTS • Page 5
Local library summer reading program has sports theme By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
This year’s summer reading program at the Wetumpka Public Library is titled, “On Your Mark, Get Set, Read,” and promises a number of different activities for area children with a sports and fitness theme. The program is open to children, ages preschool through young adult. According to Myrna Hays,
Children’s Programming Director at the Wetumpka Public Library, the program is split into three age based groups and will consist of “a little bit of everything.” The preschool story time group is for infant through those entering kindergarten and is a year-long program held every Tuesday and Friday at the library at 10 a.m. The summer See READING • Page 5
CONTACT US 334-567-7811 • Fax: 334-567-3284
Submitted / The Herald
Students enjoy the Wetumpka Library’s 2015 summer reading program. The library is now registering students for the 2016 edition titled “On Your Mark, Get Set, Read.”
COMPUTERS @ LESS
pka m u t e W
Refurbished Computers 4043 US HWY 231 Village Town Center
25,000 Sq. Ft. • Air Conditioned
114 DEALERS
(Next door to Wetumpka Family Dentistry)
334-567-2666
(334) 478-4560 Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-6pm Saturday: 9am-4pm
Make Room for Change!
With the ClassiÀeds, you can clear the clutter, earn extra cash and Ànd great deals on the things you really want!
Flea Market & Antiques
5266 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka Winn Dixie Shopping Center • Behind KFC
Call to place your classiÀed ad today!
256.277.4219
FREE ESTIMATES!
Hedging, Fall Cleanup, Leaf Removal, All Yard & Lawn Maintenance
(334) 309-4422 • (334) 580-7879