OPINION PAGE 4
LOCAL, PAGE 11 Tallassee stamps out hunger, Heart of Dance earns trophies from dance competition.
SPORTS, PAGE 12
Spring jamboree game showcases new talent.
INSIDE
‘Captain America: Civil War, but I digress . . .’
A SALUTE TO THIS YEAR’S GRADUATES
The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
TALLASSEE, AL 36078
50¢
May 18, 2016
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 117, NO. 18
City Council approves grant for TSC developer
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The Tallassee City Council voted to approve a grant that will offer a 1 ½ percent tax incentive to the developer of Patton Plaza to allow for needed repairs and updates to the former retail outlet located on Gilmer Avenue, which once housed Winn-Dixie. This comes after the Tallassee
Redevelopment Authority brought the proposal for the tax abatement during the April 25 City Council meeting where the council heard from Hank Golden, chairman of the Tallassee Redevelopment Authority. At that city council meeting, the council agreed to meet with the developer of Patton Plaza, as well as a representative from the proposed retailer, Tractor Supply
Company on May 3 during an open meeting. After negotiations, the council and the developer agreed to a 1 ½ percent tax cut. This will allow the city to collect 1 ½ in tax revenue, rather than the normal 3 percent. This tax cut has a lifetime of 10 years. However, there is no cap on the tax incentive. This is what concerns coun-
cilman Rob Rygiel. While the tax cut will end in ten years, regardless of taxes gained or lost, there is no cap on how much revenue the developer stands to save in tax cuts over the lifespan of the tax reduction. The council unanimously passed the See GRANT • Page 7
Former assistant police chief in U.S. Marshals custody
Tallassee NOW event set for June 10 By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
By CARMEN RODGERS & COREY ARWOOD Staff Writers
In true Tallassee fashion, this year’s Tallassee NOW is sure to have something for everyone. The event will take place over the course of two days. Beginning Friday morning, June 10 at 9 a.m. and wrapping up Saturday, June 11 at 2 p.m. This year’s event will feature several activities and exhibits that will take place throughout the heart of Tallassee. The barbeque cook-off will take place at Bell Park, while many other activities will be held at J.E “Hot” O’Brien Stadium, Mt. Vernon Theater, City Hall and some activities will be available via shuttles to and from the stadium. The annual Tallassee NOW event is scheduled to begin with the cookoff check-in at Bell Park. Following the Cook-off check-in, the event will shift to Tallassee City Hall where the Quilt Show is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and run See EVENT • Page 7
Former Tallassee assistant police chief Chris Miles will soon begin a 41-month sentence after U.S. Marshals arrested him Thursday for failing to show up to begin his prison time originally scheduled to begin Wednesday. It was reported the arrest went without incident and Miles was not confrontational 7 a.m. Thursday, as marshals carried out the warrant at a location where Miles was located in Notasulga. A chief deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service of the Middle District of Alabama, Ashley Hefelfinger, said Miles was taken to a federal courthouse in Montgomery, where he had an initial appearance at 11 a.m. The former Tallassee assistant police chief, who pled guilty last year to federal counts of deprivation of rights, false statement and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, is now under U.S. Marshal custody. “He is here and remanded to our custody and at some point in time he will be shipped out (to prison),” said Hefelfinger. He said there were no objections from either side at Miles’ hearing, which was a result of the new warrant placed for his arrest after he did not show up to court on Wednesday. Miles’ sentence was not affected by his failure to appear to court and self-surrender, and Hefelfinger said he would now be turned over to the Bureau of Prisons through the Marshals
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
The parking lot of the 1220 Café on Gilmer Avenue was filled with classic, late model, muscle and rat rod cars Saturday as the café hosted the first Community Hospital’s Relay for Life Car Show fundraiser.
RELAY FOR LIFE Community Hospital car show fundraiser a big hit By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The parking lot of the 1220 Café on Gilmer Avenue was filled with cars Saturday as the café hosted the first annual Community Hospital’s Relay for Life Car Show fundraiser. The event began at 9 a.m. and wrapped up around noon. There were winners in all four categories, which included late model, classic, muscle car and a hot rod
class with winners taking home a trophy. There were cars from every generation on the grounds, each one with custom features to set them apart from the rest. The classic pink Cadillac was on display as was a custom 1969 Ford Mustang. Several people who came out to see these time capsules on wheels sported classic vehicles of their own. This event was more than a car show. See SHOW • Page 7
See MILES • Page 3
Class of 2016 celebrates with senior award night By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
As the school year draws to an end, the class of 2016 was celebrated Thursday evening during the Tallassee High School’s Senior Awards Night. Helen Ko is the 2016 THS Valedictorian, and there was a tie for Salutatorian with both Jillian Clark and Magaly Martinez taking the honor for 2016. Advanced diplomas went to Sarah Bush, Jillian
Clark, Bailey Clem, Shakyra Crayton, Dylan Davidson, Brittany Davis, Taylor Dicks, Michael Fulmer, Harmony Green, Charlcie Hathorn, Alfred Heard, Tatum Jones, Irmon Kirt, Helen Ko, Madison Mann, Benjamin Manning, Magaly Martinez, Alexis Peaks, Madison Pugh, Sarah Rodgers, Natasha Selmon, Tayler Thornton and Yolanda Walsh. Seniors Graduating with honors include Cedrick Brown, Sarah Bush, Dylan Clark, Jillian Clark See AWARDS • Page 3
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Helen Ko, Tallassee High School’s 2016 Valedictorian, is congratulated by Principal Matt Coker during Thursday’s senior awards night.
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