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Eclectic Observer The
WEDNESDAY • NOVEMBER 21, 2018
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 29, No. 47
Phase 1 of broadband project launched
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
After two years of consideration, the Central Alabama Electric Cooperative elected to begin its first phase of a project to bring high speed, broadband internet to low-density areas of Elmore County and other parts of Alabama. “We listened to our members who so desperately need this service, received
very helpful feedback from our employees, talked with experts in the field, as well as the electric cooperatives already deploying internet service,” Central Alabama Electric Cooperative President and CEO Tom Stackhouse said. According to Central Alabama Electric Cooperative Vice President Julie Young, the project will increase internet access to residents of rural areas, which will open them up to more
educational, medical and professional opportunities. “They’ll be on the same platform as people in urban areas. Otherwise, they’d be left behind,” Young said. “We’re excited, and I hope the prospect of internet access is exciting for people in rural communities.” During the first phase, the cooperative will create a subsidiary organization and a 365-mile fiber optic cable
system will be built and connected to the cooperative’s 24 substations and six offices. The system will encompass all of the cooperative’s four major counties: Elmore, Autauga, Chilton and Coosa. The system will also partially lie in several other counties. According to a press release from the cooperative, the project’s first phase will also involve working to extend See BROADBAND • Page 2
County amends its personnel vacation policy By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
Elmore Community Hospital hosts largest emergency drill to date By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
The Elmore Community Hospital recently teamed up with local first responders and schools to hold its annual disaster drill from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 14. According to hospital operations director Amanda Hannon, Elmore Community Hospital typically hosts an emergency drill with a different scenario each year. Hannon described See HOSPITAL • Page 2
Amalia Kortright / The Observer
Top: A nurse assesses the ‘injuries’ of a patient during the drill. Above: During the drill, staff provided aid to student actors who were assigned injuries and donned fake wounds and abrasions.
The Elmore County Commission unanimously voted in favor of amending part of its personnel policy during a Wednesday meeting. According to commission chair Troy Stubbs, the amendment will increase the maximum number of vacation hours that can be carried over by county employees after the end of the year. In past years, Stubbs said employees were only afforded 120 carryover hours. Under the new resolution, Stubbs said the number of hours doubled to 240. Towards the end of the year, Stubbs said he noticed staffing issues arise due to the previous vacation policy. “During the months of November and December, we had a lot of people having to take off work because they had too many hours accrued and they couldn’t carry them over,” Stubbs said. “That, at times, found us short staffed.” Commissioners Bart Reeves said the county has been working to amend the policy for a while, and he was glad to finally see the resolution benefit county personnel. “I’m glad to see it pass for our employees, because our best assets are our employees,” Reeves said. “If we take care of them, they’ll take care of See VACATION • Page 2
Mercer sworn in at Weather commission work session
Elmore County commissioner Bart Mercer takes his oath of office as his family and fellow commissioners look on.
Today’s
High
Low
THURS: HIGH 58 LOW 44
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
An Elmore County Commissioner was officially sworn into office after running unopposed in the Nov. 6 general election. Commissioner Bart Mercer, who represents District Four, took his oath of office during a work session on Nov. 14. Elmore County Circuit Judge Bill Lewis officiated the ceremony. Mercer was initially appointed to the position by
Amalia Kortright / The Observer
See MERCER • Page 2
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