OPINION PAGE 4
LOCAL, PAGE 2 Find out what’s going on in the community in today’s calendar!
SPORTS, PAGE 12
Tigers baseball looks to brighter future.
INSIDE
Keep your eyes open, signs are all around us.
COUNCIL HONORS JIM WHITE, PAGE 11.
The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
TALLASSEE, AL 36078
50¢
March 9, 2016
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 117, NO. 10
New recreation center still on the table Board members eye possible sources for funding the project By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Several members of the Tallassee Parks and Recreation Board weighed in on possible funding sources for the proposed new recreation center at its recent meeting. The idea of an additional sales tax was brought up, but was quickly shot down by the attending council-
men, Terrell Brown and Rob Rygiel. Since Tallapoosa County recently raised the county sales tax by 1 cent, which made Tallapoosa County one of the heaviest taxed counties in the state, comparable to cities like Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. Several other ideas were brought up, such as an alcohol and tobacco tax, but in the end no reasonable solution was reached.
Everyone in attendance was hopeful that the proposed new recreation center would come to fruition. The new center would be located on Highway 229, close to GKN. Back in November of last year, the board had attorney Dale Segrest create a special board that would File / The Tribune
See RECREATION • Page 7
Businesses going uphill in Tallassee
Local Walmart employees part of national pay increase
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Retail chain calls it ‘the largest single-day private sector pay increase ever’ By MITCH SNEED Editor
Carmen Rodger / The Tribune
Monday was like Christmas for many of the 109 employees at the Walmart in Tallassee. The employees all saw their pay increase as a result of what the retail chain called “the largest single-day, private-sector pay increase ever.” According to Walmart officials, the move will mean that the minimum amount paid to any non-probationary employee will be $10 per hour. The move essentially means that the minimum wage for Walmart employees is now $10 per hour. Walmart officials say the actual amount of the increases will vary, depending on where the employee is on the scale and the job classification. Officials said increases can be as much as $3 an hour and in some cases the increase may be less than $1. Officials said the increase will impact 1.2 million Walmart and Sam’s Club associates in the U.S., and more than See RAISE • Page 7
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Below Steven Turner, a Tallassee High School student came to Tallassee Elementary dressed as The Cat in the Hat to read to students for the Read Across America and Dr. Seuss Day on Thursday, March 3. Mayor Bobby Payne took time out of his busy schedule to read to students at TES for Read Across America and Dr. Seuss Day.
READ ACROSS AMERICA Tallassee Elementary School celebrates Dr. Seuss Day By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Students at Tallassee Elementary School celebrated Dr. Seuss and Read Across America Week March 2- 5. On Monday students dressed as their favorite Dr. Seuss character. Tuesday was Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss Day. In honor of Seuss’ birthday students paired up to dress as twins, “Thing One and Thing Two.” Wednesday students celebrated “Fox in Socks” by wearing their most crazy socks. Thursday was
After changing the zoning in East Tallassee from small town mix to general business in January of 2015, the area has seen a continual increase in new businesses. Furthermore, many of the local established businesses throughout the city are sprucing up their establishments. If this is an indication of the local economy, it is on the uptick. “In East Tallassee you have three new restaurants about to open,” said Councilman Rob Rygiel. One of these new dining options will be Larry Melvin’s, LLC. Many in the area are familiar with the chef of this new establishment, as he was once the chef at The Hotel Talisi. “There is another new restaurant that be will in the first shopping center as you go into East Tallassee called Rustic Mill BBQ,” he said The third restaurant that will be opening “in the near future” is Ruby’s Heart and Soul Restaurant. See BUSINESS • Page 3
See READ • Page 3
Alabama Power Foundation sponsors Relay for Life By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Alabama Power Foundation presented the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life campaign a check in the amount of $300. The presentation took place at the Alabama Power Company office on Gilmer Avenue last Wednesday. The Alabama Power Service Organization partners with several local businesses and organizations in the area to help those in need. “Our APSO (Alabama Power Service Organization), will have a team, but the foundation donates every
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year to help sponsor the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life,” said Melinda Emfinger, spokesperson for the Tallassee Alabama Power Service Organization. “It’s volunteer work that will go back into the community. We work real close with ACTS and we do the Relay for Life every year.” Each year the local Alabama Power office forms a Relay for Life team and they participate in the campaign with a cookout to benefit the Relay for Life campaign “We have a cookout every year and that’s how we raise See GRANT • Page 7
ka p m u t We
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Community Manager for Relay For Life Mid-South Division Amber Voss is presented with a check from Melinda Emfinger, spokesperson for the Tallassee Alabama Power Service Organization to benefit the Relay for Life 2016 campaign.
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