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Coosa escapee captured in metro Atlanta DeKalb County Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Lonzy Robertson said it was a less than dramatic end for a man who had escaped for the second time in less than a month from the Coosa County Jail. “Our department received an anonyShane Anthony Vernon, 27, was taken mous call from a resident reporting a into custody by officers with the DeKalb suspicious person at the Aspen Woods County Police Department at 10:21 p.m. Apartments on Flat Shoals Road in Tuesday, according to Coosa County DeKalb County,” Robertson said. Sheriff Terry Wilson. According to a “When our officers arrived they spotstatement released by Wilson, Vernon’s arrest was without incident. He is being ted a man on a third floor landing, just standing there with a beer in his hand. held in DeKalb County Jail awaiting “They approached him and after extradition, the sheriff’s office said.
Nationwide search leads to Vernon being found at Georgia apartment complex with beer in hand By MITCH SNEED Editor
A nationwide search for a Coosa County fugitive with Alexander City ties who terrorized multiple people and abandoned one of the victims in metro Atlanta ended Tuesday night in DeKalb County, Georgia.
initially giving a false name, our officers were able to verify that the man was indeed Shane Vernon and he was taken into custody without any problems at all. I understand that he had created a lot of problems Vernon along the way, but it was very quiet and calm on our end.” Robertson was unsure if Vernon had
See ESCAPEE • Page 3
Jacksons Gap raise salaries for chief, clerk By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
The Jacksons Gap Town Council passed the 2018 budget with no discussion Tuesday night while also setting a salary for the police chief and town clerk. It also adopted a new personnel manual. The approved budget has $530,000 in revenues with $216,000 coming from court fines and assessment. That is an See COUNCIL • Page 7
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
A new Ford F550 fully loaded with tanks, hoses and pumps rolled into Station No. 1 Wednesday morning. The truck is diesel powered and comes with a 400-gallon tank, which is an increase of 100 gallons over the existing equipment.
Grant makes new brush truck a reality ously. “There shouldn’t be many areas that we can’t get to with this,” McAlister The Alexander City Fire Department said. “There have been instances in the has a new tool in fighting brush and woods past where we had to get help from the fires and they have a federal grant to thank Forestry Service, but with this we should for it. be able to get just about anywhere.” A shiny, new, red Ford F550 brush truck In September 2016, the department rolled into Station No. 1 Wednesday morn- received notice that it had been cleared ing. The four-wheel drive truck with high for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant to clearance is fully loaded with tanks, hoses purchase the truck. Later that same month, and pumps. Chief Reese McAlister said it the Alexander City City Council amended will help them get to locations that were the budget to include matching funds of difficult with the equipment it had previ$13,760 with the grant paying the remainBy MITCH SNEED Editor
Today’s
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484.22 Reported on 11/22/17 @ 1 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
The Tallapoosa County Farmer’s Federation will be holding its Annual Farm City Banquet dinner Tuesday, Nov. 28 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Arbor Campus of First United Methodist Church in Alexander City. “This is a way of bringing together urban communities and farming communities,” TCFF Secretary Vickie Watkins said. See DINNER • Page 3
Radney Elementary named Beta Club School of Distinction By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
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der of the $148,574 for the vehicle. After the bid was awarded to North American Fire Equipment Company of Decatur, Alabama, the production began and officials from the department picked the vehicle up on Wednesday. The truck is diesel powered and comes with a 400-gallon tank, an increase of 100 gallons over the existing equipment. “We are thankful to have it and appreciative of everyone involved in the grant process and to the council for providing the matching funds,” McAlister said. “We think it will help us keep property safer.”
Farmer’s Federation holding annual banquet dinner Tuesday night
The National Beta Club recently named a number of schools across the country as National Beta Schools of Distinction for the 20172018 school year. Among those recognized with this honor was Radney Elementary School. “I found out on Friday that we were awarded this,” Radney Junior Beta Club Sponsor Kenyatta Simmons said. “It’s a really big deal. Not every school gets the chance to earn this distinction.” “This is something we can take a lot of pride in,” Radney Principal Dr. John Prestridge said. “It shows the dedication of the sponsors and
the students in Beta Club. “The biggest deal to me is that we talk about providing plenty of opportunities to our students. I tell the teachers, ‘Whatever we do, let’s do it with excellence.’ This is something we can take a lot of pride in.” In order to be given a School of Distinction award, Simmons said a school must show a 10 percent increase in Beta Club membership, as well as an excellent community service record and being academically strong across the entire school. “This is something you can earn again each year,” she said. “It will be hard to keep earning this each year, but we are willing to strive to See RADNEY • Page 3
Starting Friday:
Submitted / The Outlook
Radney Elementary School Junior Beta Club Sponsors Kenyatta Simmons and Twila Gordon celebrate Radney being named a National Beta School of Distinction.
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Madea Halloween Boo 2– PG-13 Thor: Ragnarok 3D– PG-13 Daddy’s Home 2– PG-13 “It’s not the end ... It’s a new beginning”
256-329-1313 217 Madison Street, Alexander City, AL “We are a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 under the Bankruptcy Code. Alabama State Bar requires the following in every attorney advertisement, “ No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”
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Landlord questions tenant’s claim that he sleepwalks
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Staff
Directory Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com
Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com
Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Tabby Edwards Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Digital Marketing Coordinator, Ext. 208 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Rebecca Carlisle Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com Grant Peterson Advertising Sales, Ext. 209 grant.peterson@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com
Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com
Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, printing press. Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011.
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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.
Friday, November 24, 2017
The Outlook
© 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.
How to Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by Submit e-mail at obits@alexcityoutlook.com by fax at (256) 234-6550. For more Obituaries or information, call (256) 234-4281. We Care About You and Your Loved Ones!
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DEAR ABBY: I am a man who owns a large four-bedroom home, and I have two tenants. One pays the rent on time, helps with cleaning and yard work, and is an all-around great roommate. The other has been here for four months, has never paid his rent on time and always disappears when we must clear off the driveway or do yard work. The major problem I have with this guy is he sleepwalks -- at least he claims he does. He opens doors at night. Some mornings I have found the front door or garage door wide open. Additionally, he raids the refrigerator late at night. He claims he doesn’t realize he’s doing it. It’s really annoying to find food I prepared the night before to take to work has been eaten. I have spoken to him about it on numerous occasions, and he claims that he can’t control his sleepwalking. I feel he should have told me about
DEAR ABBY Advice
his issues prior to signing the lease. None of the references he gave mentioned his sleepwalking. Is it considered a disability? Would I be discriminating against a disability if I chose to not renew his lease because of his sleepwalking? -- LANDLORD IN WISCONSIN DEAR LANDLORD: Because doors are being left open, it might be in your interest to install inexpensive security cameras. Sleepwalking (and sleep eating) can be symptoms of a sleep disorder, or possibly be caused by certain sleep medications. If your tenant is unaware of this, he should be informed and advised to be evaluated at a
sleep disorder clinic. Because he doesn’t pay rent on time or do other things expected of him, you may not be obligated to renew his lease. My advice is to talk to a lawyer about how -- and whether -- you can get rid of this tenant. DEAR ABBY: My ex-mother-in-law, “Blanche,” takes my 14-year-old daughter, “Grace,” shopping often. I was grateful at first, but now she buys her anything she wants. Grace has a high school dance soon, and I was looking forward to shopping with her. But before I could go, Blanche took her and bought her a $299 dress. I wasn’t consulted because Grace knew I would’ve said no. She’s a freshman and that’s just way too much money to spend. I asked them to take the dress back, and Blanche said OK. A week later I called her to explain why I said no, but instead of listening, she told
me it was her Christmas and birthday present for Grace, and she wasn’t taking it back. My daughter never spends that kind of money. Grace said she was keeping the dress, and I told her she was not wearing it. How do I explain this to my daughter who has become self-entitled because of her grandmother? -- ANYTHING SHE WANTS DEAR ANYTHING: You have already explained it to your daughter. You told her it was too much money to spend. The problem isn’t just Grace, it’s also your ex-mother-in-law. You are Grace’s mother, and your wishes should have been respected. I don’t blame you for being angry. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Understanding the government pension offset
G
etting ready for retirement requires evaluation of all your sources of retirement income. Even if you worked for the government and didn’t pay the FICA tax on your earnings, you may be eligible for benefits from your spouse’s work under Social Security. However, when you receive both your own non-covered government pension and a Social Security spousal benefit, your Social Security benefit may be reduced. The Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduces your Social Security benefit by two-thirds of your government pension. Why are benefits reduced? Current law requires any beneficiary’s spouse, widow, or widower benefit to be reduced by the dollar amount of their own retirement benefit. For example, if a woman worked and earned her own $900 monthly Social Security benefit, but was due a $500 wife’s benefit on her husband’s record, we couldn’t pay the wife’s $500 benefit because
KYLLE’ D. MCKINNEY Alabama Social Security
If you take your government pension annuity in a lump sum, Social Security will treat the annuity as if you chose to get monthly benefit payments from your government work. Payments from a defined benefit plan or defined contribution plan (e.g., 401(k), 403(b), or 457) based on earnings from non-covered government employment are considered pensions subject to GPO, if the plan is the employee’s primary retirement plan. To read more about GPO, review our factsheet, Government Pension Offset www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf or visit www.ssa.gov/planners/ retire/gpo.html. Understanding how the GPO will affect any spousal, widow, or widower benefits should be part of your retirement planning. Good planning is the best preparation for a secure financial future.
her own retirement benefit is the larger amount. Before enactment of the GPO, if the same woman was a government employee who didn’t pay into Social Security but earned a $900 government pension, there was no reduction. We would have paid her the full amount of wife’s benefit and she also received her full government pension. GPO ensures that we calculate the benefits of government employees who don’t pay Social Security taxes the same way as workers in the private sector who pay Social Security taxes. Applying the GPO in this example means since twothirds of the government pension (2/3 of $900 = $600) is more than McKinney is a public affairs the wife’s benefit ($500), there is specialist with Alabama Social no wife’s benefit payable. Security.
Fuel prices see slight increase STAFF REPORT GasBuddy.com
Average retail gasoline prices in the Montgomery area inlcuding Tallapoosa County have risen 0.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.25/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 205 gas outlets in Montgomery.
SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON
This compares with the national average that has fallen 2.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.54/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com. Including the change in gas prices in Montgomery during the past week, prices yesterday were 35.0 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 6.7 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national
average has increased 8.9 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 40.4 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago. According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on November 20 in Montgomery have ranged widely over the last five years: $1.90/g in 2016, $1.82/g in 2015, $2.67/g in 2014, $3.13/g in 2013 and $3.19/g in
2012. Areas near Montgomery and their current gas price climate: • Pensacola- $2.40/g, down 5.2 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.46/g. • Birmingham$2.21/g, down 2.3 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.24/g. • Alabama- $2.24/g, down 1.7 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.26/g.
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This Week’s Winner
Teresa Robinson Alex City, AL Enter this week for your chance to win $25. Pick up the Wednesday Outlook. Entries must be received by 5:00 pm Friday.
Public Meetings Alexander City Board of Education meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the board office at 375 Lee St. or local school at 5 p.m. Alexander City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in the courtroom at the old city hall at 5:30 p.m. Camp Hill Town Council meets the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6 p.m. Community Action Agency of Chambers, Tallapoosa, Coosa will holds its regular board of directors meetings every other month at the Central Office in Dadeville. Coosa County Board of Education holds called meetings at least once a month. Coosa County Commission meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the Coosa County Courthouse in Rockford at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday and at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday. Coosa County Industrial Development Board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room in the courthouse in Rockford. All meetings are open to the public. Dadeville City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. with a pre-meeting at 5:30 p.m. in city hall.
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Daviston City Council meets the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Daviston Fire Department. Goldville Town Council meets the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the town hall. Goodwater City Council meets on the
second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held at the Caldwell Center at 6:30 p.m. Jackson’s Gap Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6:30 p.m., all Jackson’s Gap citizens are encouraged to attend. Kellyton Town Council meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the community center in Kellyton. New Site City Council meets the first and third Monday of the month at 5 p.m. in the Conference Room in the Town Hall. Ray Water Authority meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Ray Water Authority Office. All customers are invited to attend. Rockford Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 7 p.m. Tallapoosa County Board of Education meets on the second Monday of each month. Meetings are held in the new central office at 679 East Columbus Street, Dadeville, AL 36853. Tallapoosa County Commission meets the second Monday of the month at 9 a.m. in the courthouse in Dadeville, with a pre-meeting also open to the public 30 minutes before each regular session. Tallapoosa County 911 Board will meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the 911 Administrative office at 240 West Columbus Street, Dadeville. Call 8258490 for more information. Walnut Hill Water Authority meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited. Call 825-9841 to inquire about the agenda.
Friday, November 24, 2017
The Outlook
Radney
www.alexcityoutlook.com
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continue being named a School of Distinction.” “I really appreciate Mrs. Simmons,” Prestridge said. “She doesn’t settle for stagnation, she wants to see it keep getting better.” This honor came on the heels of Radney holding its Junior Beta Club induction ceremony Friday morning, in which 23 fifth-graders were inducted into the organization, along with 61 sixth-graders being inducted or re-inducted at a higher Beta Club level. “What an outstanding group of students,” Prestridge said in his closing remarks of the induction ceremony Friday. “It makes me feel good about our future. All of the students here at Radney Elementary School can achieve great things.” “This is symbolic of all the things we’re accomplishing,” he added Wednesday. “It’s nice to be recognized. It’s a validation that we’re on the right track.” Simmons said she believed this honor and recognition was a validation of all the effort the teachers and students at Radney put into their work on a daily basis. “It means a lot to us. It makes you feel like your hard work with the students and their hard work truly does mean something,” she said. “I’m just proud of our students and teachers,” Prestridge said. “If we’re producing stu-
Submitted / The Outlook
Radney Elementary Club was recently named a National Beta School of Distinction.
dents successful enough to be in Beta Club, then that means we’re producing students who are successful in the classroom, and we’re getting them set up to be successful at the middle school, high school and beyond.”
Escapee
TPI
Tallapoosa Publishers,Inc.
continued from page 1
been staying at the complex with someone or if he had just been hiding out there while on the run. In DeKalb County, Georgia, Vernon faces four local charges including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana - less than an ounce, open container, and giving a false name. It was unclear when he would appear in court or have an extradition hearing so he could be returned to Alabama. “I understand there are a lot of people waiting in line to get him to court, but at this time I’m unsure of any timelines or what comes next.” Vernon was able to flee the Coosa County Jail in Rockford through an unsecured door Sunday afternoon at about 2:30. From there he stole, robbed and ran across three counties before making his way to Georgia. Monday evening at about 5:30 p.m., Vernon kidnapped William Richard McCord, 67, from his house on Bradley Road near Wetumpka. Also taken was the victim’s vehicle, a black Grand Prix GT-2. Officials searched the area all night looking
for signs of the vehicle, the victim and Vernon. At about 6:55 a.m. Tuesday, Vernon dropped McCord off unharmed in Douglasville, Georgia. McCord made it to a police station to get help. McCord was not physically harmed, officials said. The victim’s Grand Prix was found abandoned near a Fairburn Road convenience store and there was no sign of Vernon. Alex Camacho of the U.S. Marshal’s Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force said Tuesday morning that agents were working to see what evidence and connections that Vernon had to the area. Here is a timeline of the path of terror that Vernon has been on since Sunday afternoon: Sunday: 2:30 p.m.: Shane Anthony Vernon is able to escape from the Coosa County Jail for the second time in three weeks, through a door that had not been secured. 4:30 p.m.: Vernon invaded a home
on Highway 231, terrorizing and tying up residents. He is known to have stolen clothes, guns and a 2016 Ford Fusion from that residence. 8:30 p.m.: Ford Fusion found abandoned near Living Waters Baptist Church on Elmore County Road 80 near the Coosa-Elmore county line. Monday: 10:30 a.m.: Vernon, armed with a handgun, invades home on Grass Farm Road near Titus, ties up a woman and her husband and locks the woman and a child in a closet. At the home he steals a 2005 silver Chrysler Pacifica with a firefighter tag. He also takes cash, clothing and possibly another weapon. 5:30 p.m.: Vernon kidnaps William Richard McCord, 67, from his house on Bradley Road Monday around 5:30 p.m. Also taken was the victim’s vehicle, a black Grand Prix GT-2. Officials search the area all night looking for signs of the vehicle, the victim and Vernon. Tuesday: 6:55 a.m.: Vernon drops McCord
Dinner
off unharmed in Douglasville, Georgia. McCord makes it to a police station to get help. The victim’s Grand Prix is found abandoned and there is no sign of Vernon. Multiple agencies including Coosa County Sheriff’s Office, Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the State K-9 Tracking Team, the ALEA Aviation Unit and the United States Marshal’s Office were involved in the search. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, The Douglasville Police Department, the Georgia State Patrol and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation were also involved in the search. According to Wilson, the United States Marshal Service coordinated what he called a nationwide search. Felony warrants for unlawful imprisonment, kidnapping, armed robbery, theft of a motor vehicle and escape were issued for Vernon. An internal investigation is being conducted regarding the actions of the correctional officer, Wilson said in a released statement.
continued from page 1
“It’s a mutual appreciation event.” TCFF President Rod Havens said this event has been held since being started by Fletcher Farrington in 1955, and also believed that the federation in Tallapoosa County was the first such farmer’s organization in the United States. The main course of Tuesday’s dinner will be Alabama farm-raised catfish, while Alabama Cooperative Extension Director Dr. Gary Lemme will be the guest speaker. “We’re excited to have Dr. Lemme come and speak to us,” Havens said.
“He comes to a lot of our events and is very active with agriculture and the Farmer’s Federation. He is one of the big agriculture leaders in the state.” During the event, Watkins said several local students would be recognized for winning poster, essay and multimedia competitions held by the federation as a way to open students’ eyes and bring a greater sense of awareness to agriculture and the jobs available in that industry. “In 1909, many of the people living here in Tallapoosa County were farmers,” Havens said. “There’s good soil here that allows us to grow a lot of dif-
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ferent crops. We need more farmers.” He added that this has been one of the most popular events the federation holds annually, though the date for the banquet was changed from before Thanksgiving to after Thanksgiving, which also led to the menu being changed from turkey to catfish. “We had around 150 people in attendance last year,” Watkins said. “This is a pretty big event for us.” While there is no cost to attend Tuesday night’s dinner, Watkins said the Farmer’s Federation asked guests to bring with them a canned food item to
be donated to the local food bank. For those interested in attending, Havens recommended contacting Watkins as early as possible in order to reserve a seat and ensure there would be enough food for everyone. Watkins can be reached at 334-401-9018 or tallapoosaalfa@yahoo.com. “This helps build a bridge between rural and urban communities. It helps meet the need to communicate about how important agriculture is,” Havens said. “This is our biggest event of the year. It feels good to be able to have this.”
MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213
editor@alexcityoutlook.com
EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed
Opinion
Our View Paper seeks columnists with O community knowledge
W
hen you read the opinion page of this newspaper we hope that there is something here that makes you think. We know you won’t always agree with what is written and there are probably times that you think that the commentary here is out of step with the way that most in our community feel. While we strive to be representative of the community we serve, we here at Tallapoosa Publishers sometimes think we have our fingers of the pulse of the area we serve, only to find that we have been hearing the bass thump of the loudest voice rather than the silent majority. That’s where you can help. We are looking for people who have an opinion. We are seeking people who are connected, residents with a cause and a perspective on what is happening here in our community. We are looking for people who can put their opinions into words and help us make this community think. The Outlook is seeking community columnists to help add a local feel and flavor to the content here on our editorial page. We are hoping to find people who can submit guest columns of 600 words or less, columns that will touch on a topic or issue in an effort to inform the community. We are also seeking people who would be willing to write a weekly piece from area communities like Jacksons Gap, New Site and Daviston. Over the years the columnists who did that for us have found themselves no longer able to handle it. But we feel like we need those voices in the paper. We are not seeking to push any one agenda, or bang the drum of a political campaign. Instead, we hope that some of the insightful residents who call our area home will share their knowledge and wisdom in an effort to make us all smarter. If you are interested in being a community columnist or submitting a column for consideration, please contact our editor Mitch Sneed at 256-2344281, ext. 213 or by email at mitch. sneed@alexcityoutlook.com in the coming days. Our goal is to further this page’s role as a public forum for local ideas and perspectives and we feel you can help us with that mission.
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Our baby is home at last
ver the past few weeks, my articles haven’t been appearing regularly in the paper. Quite a few people have let me know that they’ve missed them. Most have even said it’s the first thing they turn to when they get their paper. If you are one of those people, thank you. I appreciate your support. It all started with a very sad situation. As I was sitting at my desk writing my article, I got a call informing me that Lucy’s horse had broken its leg and would need to be put down. I had to quit what I was doing and go wake her up to inform her of the tragic news. Lucy was seven months pregnant at the time, so that was stress she did not need. Somehow, she made it through. The next week was totally different and totally on me. I played in a golf tournament but figured I could get the article written before or after. Throw in my unexpected chores associated with the pregnancy along with my horrid golf game, and I was late—too late to get it written. The next morning, my world changed forever. I’ve written about it in detail previously, but in a nutshell, it goes like this: Lucy had the baby seven and a half weeks early in the back of an ambulance en route to Birmingham on Friday the thirteenth. Nothing in her life, my life, or our life ever goes off quite as planned, and that’s okay. Abigail, our little princess, did really well right from the start. She was just little and needed her lungs and heart to get a little stronger before we
baby poop on my arm. I reckon that was like smearing blood on your face after killing your first deer. The last few days had me JODY going all over the place. I drove FULLER from Birmingham to Foley to Columnist speak at a leadership summit could bring her home. She wore for the City of Foley and then back to Opelika. Lucy told me a CPAP mask initially. We had to stay home and to start getting no idea how long that would the house ready. She was taking last, but by God’s grace, she great care of the baby. We were only had to do her Bane from working on day 4. Batman impression for about On day 5, I worked all day three days. getting the house straight and At times, she suffered from bradycardia, which is very typi- even got some great help from a family friend. I went back to cal with preemies. Bradycardia is an abnormally slow heart rate. Birmingham Friday night and took Emily with me. Because She had to go five consecutive it was RSV and flu season and days without falling below the she was under 12, she had yet to set parameter. We made it to see her little sister. If day 5 was two a couple of times, but new uneventful, she would see her episodes always put us back to the next day. day zero. Day 5 was indeed uneventWe spent the first two weeks sleeping in Abigail’s room on a ful, and Emily was on pins and needles waiting to see her little couch and in a recliner, respec“sissie.” She waited outside tively. After that, we stayed at the door and Abigail made her The Ronald McDonald House, grand entrance into the real or, as Lucy’s mom called it world. Emily, for the most part, “Ronald McDonald’s House.” was speechless, but couldn’t She asked if we walked or drove. We let her know that we keep her eyes off her as we walked in the morning but drove made the two-hour trip home. Auburn won that day. It was at night, because we had to keep also Veterans Day, so I had to an eye out for the Hamburglar. leave to go speak to a group in The Ronald McDonald House and its volunteers were a bless- Columbia, South Carolina. Most important of all, after 29 days ing from God. I’ll write about at UAB, we brought our baby them in a future article. home. My world will never be I was blessed with speaking the same, and I wouldn’t have it engagements throughout our time there. I was doing my best any other way. to take care of my family while Jody Fuller is a comic, working, while Lucy stayed speaker, writer and soldier with with Abigail and did everything. I mean everything. She’s three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. For such a great mom. I helped her more information, please visit change a diaper once. During www.jodyfuller.com the process, she wiped a little
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Officials Communication with elected officials is the key to good government. To let your most local representatives know how you feel about state or local matters, contact any of the following. Governor Kay Ivey represents the state of Alabama and its 67 counties. She was sworn into office on April 10, 2017, and can be reached at 334-2427100. Her office is located at the State Kay Ivey Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama. Steve Marshall was appointed Alabama’s 50th Attorney General. He was appointed in 2017 and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement officer. He can be reached at 334-242-7300, and his office is located Steve Marshall at 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery.
Mark Tuggle
Tom Whatley represents the 27th District covering Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa County. He was elected to the Alabama Senate on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334-242-t7865. Tom Whatley His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn. Clyde Chambliss Jr. represents Senate District 30, which includes portions of Elmore, Autauga, Chilton, Coosa and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached at 334-343-7883 or at clyde.chambliss@ alsenate.gov
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Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256392-2006 or by email at tughd81@ gmail.com. His office is located at 110 Calhoun Street, Suite 108, Alexander City.
Friday, November 24, 2017
Clyde Chambliss
Moore allegations could be costly
T
he big question in the Senate race is will allegations against Roy Moore and his purported propensities 40 years ago cause him to lose. We will soon see. The election is less than three weeks away. The book on Moore is easy to read. The polls have consistently revealed that 30 percent of voters like him and 70 percent do not like him. He is a polarizing figure and well known. However, the real poll that counts is the one on Election Day. The reason that he won the GOP primary was that his people showed up to vote for him. His followers are more ardent, fervent, and quite frankly older. Older voters are a lot more likely to vote than younger voters. Therefore, his 30 percent becomes more accentuated and rises to 51 percent. If he wins on December 12, it will be because of turnout. His 30 percent will turn out. The Democrat, Doug Jones really has no following. It is all about Moore. The votes that Jones gets will be the Democratic base coupled with those disenchanted with Moore, who dislike him enough to go vote for a Democrat for a U.S. Senate seat. As George Wallace use to say, “More people vote against someone than for someone.” My guess is that Moore’s 30 percent is unswayed by the Washington Post revelations. They look upon it as a scurrilous last minute political attack by the Washington establishment and left wing media. Some suggest that it may have energized his base. They feel that he has been unduly attacked. They simply dismiss the allegations as untrue and fabricated and are suspicious
air and snubs not only all nine of the Democrats in the state senate as well as the 26 Republicans. I could not find one state senator who would say anything good about the New Yorker. They STEVE snicker and say that no bill will FLOWERS pass my committee if he is for it. Columnist State Senator, Slade Blackwell, a respected businessof the timing. They ask why did man and staunch Republican these accusers came forward four from a silk stocking Jefferson weeks before the election and County area said Canary actually not years ago. The wall around does the BCA more harm than the 30 percent dedicated to Roy good. He said the BCA members Moore appears impregnable. would be better served to give Turnout will be the key to campaign money directly to this election the same way it candidates than have it tainted was in the primary. The 75-year- by Canary. Blackwell, who also old deacon of the First Baptist chairs the Senate Banking and Church of Gadsden is going to Insurance Committee, has only vote. The question is does the spoken to Canary one time in soccer mom in Homewood go seven years. vote. Dr. Paul Bussman, who is Roy Moore’s fate is not very independent and represents the only one to be decided Cullman and parts of Northwest in December. The fate of Alabama as a Republican state Business Council lobbyist, Billy senator, said that Canary threatCanary, may also be decided in ened him so abrasively over a December. piece of legislation in his first BCA’s leadership changes at term that when he got home he their annual meeting on Dec. 1. wrote a check for $26,000, the Perry Hand of Baldwin County amount the BCA had given his will take the reins of the once campaign, and sent it back to powerful organization. Hand is Canary with the message to not a very well regarded gentleman ever talk with him again. in the private and public sector The well-liked, mild manof Alabama. He is an engineer nered, pro-business state senator, by profession and a principal Shay Shelnut, said Canary has in Volkert Engineering. He has never spoken to him in his entire been an outstanding businessfive years in the senate. This is man, road builder, state senator, the prevalent theme among most and Secretary of State. Republican members of the senCanary has basically made the ate. Business Council a joke among The most important senator, powerful legislators. He is so dis- U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, has liked and disrespected that he is barred Canary from his office. thought of as a clown or caricaSee you next week. ture. In visiting with the majority Steve Flowers is Alabama’s of Republican senators, they say leading political columnist. He he has never even said “hi” to may be reached at www.stevethem. He walks the halls occaflowers.us. sionally with a haughty, arrogant
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Federal tax reform bill wouldn’t help Alabama as much as others By BRENDAN KIRBY Special to TPI
T
he tax reform bill passed last Thursday by the U.S. House of Representatives would help Alabama — but not by as much as most other states. That is the conclusion of the Washington-based Tax Foundation, which analyzed the macro effects of the major provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and then applied them to each state. Every state would be a winner, but Alabama lags both on the increase in aftertax income for the average family and in the number of new jobs that would be created. Overall, the Tax Foundation forecasts the tax bill would create 890,000 jobs nationwide over 10 years and put $2,243 into the pockets of the average middleincome family. The average tax benefit for Alabamians would be $1,794, better than just five states — Arkansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, Louisiana and Mississippi. New Hampshire taxpayers would get
the biggest benefit — $2,898 for the average taxpayer. The Tax Foundation analysis is based on the original version of the House bill and does not take into account any of the amendments adopted since. John Buhl, a spokesman for the think tank, said his organization would update its report. “Even though they might be small changes from where things stand now, our state-by-state estimates wouldn’t change much,” he said. Alabama also would lag in job creation, according to the analysis. The 12,161 new jobs projected by the Tax Foundation put the state in the middle of the pack. Adjusting for population size, however, the results are rather lackluster. The projected job creation comes to 250.1 new jobs for 100,000 people, compared with a national average of 275.4 new jobs per 100,000 residents. The new-jobs rate trails Alabama only in three states — New Mexico, Arizona and Mississippi. By far the biggest jobs winner would be the District of Columbia. The 4,815 new jobs projected by the Tax Foundation rep-
resents a rate of 706.9 per 100,000. The reason why Alabama ranks near the bottom of the analysis relates to how the think tank constructed its model, which uses each state’s median income and share of the gross domestic product as a baseline. “Because California has a very large share of the economy, it would get a large share of the benefits,” Buhl said. “But Alabama would still see some, as well. It would just be adjusted for the GDP.” Using Buhl’s example of California, the Golden State’s massive size — both in population and the size of its economy — would make it a tax-cut winner in raw number. The Tax Foundation projects 101,422 new jobs over a decade, more than a 10th of the total for the whole country. The $2,532 average income gain ranks California in the top 15. Republican members of the House delegation heaped praise on the bill. “We took a historic step today toward giving hardworking Americans a long overdue tax cut,” Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Fairhope) said in a statement. “Just as important, our tax reform legislation will help make the American economy boom
Council increase from 2016 when the town took in $147,858 through court fines and assessments and year where the town over spent $50,000. The 2018 budget passed unanimously with Council Member Troy Cruz absent and Council Member Carl Pritchard abstaining. In 2017, Jacksons Gap took in $216,993 through fines and assessments. In 2016, court fines and assessments made up 33.45 percent of the town’s revenues and they are budgeting for court fines and assessments to make up 40.75 percent of revenues. In 2017, court fines and assessments made up 40.77 percent of the town’s revenues. In 2016 Alexander City took in about $200,000 in traffic related fees. On a budget of about $47 million, that means traffic related fees and fines make up just 0.4 percent of the city’s budget. The council approved a new personnel manual with no discussion that was presented by attorneys from the Montgomery law firm of Capell & Howard at the last meeting. Walker said after the meeting the manual cost the town over $7,000 to produce.
again, leading to greater economic growth and higher wages.” Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) said in his own statement: “One of the primary reasons I ran for Congress was to have the opportunity to help make major reforms that help American families and that help make our nation more secure, more prosperous and on a path to fiscal stability.” Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) said in a statement that he is proud of the bill. “This bill will help families across East Alabama and the nation keep more of their hard-earned paychecks and will help small business thrive and create new jobs,” he stated. The delegation’s lone Democrat, Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham), argued it would blow a hole in the national debt. “The Republican tax bill which passed the House today is nothing more than a giveaway for corporate special interests at the expense of America’s working families,” she said in a statement. Brendan Kirby is a senior political reporter for LifeZette.com and a Yellowhammer News contributor.
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Walker explained it was required in order to move the police chief and clerk to salary. Tuesday night, the council raised the salary of the city clerk to $42,000 and the police chief to $58,000, figures determined by accounting firm Jackson Thornton of Montgomery. Pritchard abstained from the votes. “We had to stop paying him overtime,” Walker said. “We got a lawyer, CPA out of Montgomery and they took all our numbers and that is the number they came up with. It was just a suggestion. They said we should pay them more which I disagreed with. We are at the high of chiefs already. He has never been salary. The lawyer says to pay them.” Walker referenced a report by Jackson Thorton on comp time in which the council will have to make a decision in future meetings on how to handle the issue. The issue has been tackled in the past. The salaries for clerk and chief of police were addressed at a Feb. 19, 2013 meeting where minutes show the salary for the chief was set at $51,000 and clerk at $36,000 and again in May 2016 when the minutes said everyone would be paid for accrued sick time and other time off to start with a new slate.
In 2016 the police was paid at least $58,062 over his base pay of $48,253. $37,551 of that was in overtime and $20,510 in other pay. In 2016 the town clerk Thomas was paid at least $20,559 over her base pay of $36,769. Of that, $1,932 was in overtime and $18,627 was in other pay. Earlier this year Walker said the overtime issue had been dealt with. “We’ve told them no more overtime and right now we are using comp time,” Walker said in a follow up conversation Wednesday. “We still have to figure out how to deal with that.” Currently the police chief supervises two fulltime officers and two part time officers. The overtime issue was a heated topic at that January meeting in Jacksons Gap as Walker and new council member Carl Pritchard were at odds over the issue. “Town policy and procedure says all department heads are to be considered salaried employees.” Pritchard said. “And no employee shall order his or herself into overtime.” “That is not what the State of Alabama courts have said,” Walker explained. “Robin (Kelly, town attorney) is not here so I can’t go into any detail. Some things you
can’t go against the state.” The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) specifically covers high ranking law enforcement officials. The council approved getting a phone for the mayor so that he can be contacted at all times and the phone will be passed to the mayor pro tem when the mayor is out of town. The council learned several of the police vehicles are not in service currently with two needing repairs and one out of service after a chase Friday night. All of these actions were taken after the council voted to go into an executive session at the start of the meeting for potential litigation with no attorney. 28 minutes later, they opened the door to the council chamber and made all of the actions without voting to come out of executive session and resume a normal meeting. Walker said after the meeting they were looking for an attorney after Robin Kelley had to give up private practice for a federal appointment. He stated that Opelika attorney Ben Hand was filling in for court as a prosecutor. The next scheduled meeting of the Jacksons Gap Town Council is scheduled for Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m.
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The Women’s Ministry of the Jehovah Jireh Ministries provided 15 families with groceries for Thanksgiving. The Women’s Ministry is led by Sister Carrie Williams, while Jehovah Jeireh Ministries is led by Pastor Roderick Williams. The group is hoping to double the number of families helped next year. AL 96175
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HARVEST RALLY: The World Bible Church at 161 Main Street is hosting a Harvest Rally Sunday, Nov. 26 at 3 p.m. The pastor is Apostle Wayne and First Lady Minster Brenda Davis. CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: New Popular Spring Baptist Church in Dadeville, Alabama will celebrate its 135th Church Anniversary on November 26, 2017 at 2 p.m. Rev. Richard D. Jacobs is the pastor. Guest Minister is Rev. Melvin Kelley, Jr, Pastor of New Harmony & Mt. Olive Baptist Churches. Everyone is invited. The church is located at 165 Pine Avenue in Camp Hill. For more information, contact Lisa Rowe at lrowe40@yahoo.com. DEDICATION SERVICE: Lake Pointe Baptist Church will dedicate two new buildings at the morning service beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, November 26. The dedication service will include a time of thanksgiving and prayer followed by a concert by Wes Hampton. Wes sings tenor with the Gaither Vocal Band and is providing the concert in recognition of the opening of Lake Pointe’s new buildings. The public is invited and you can obtain more information by calling the church office at 256-373-3293 or by email to pastor@lakepointebaptist.com with any questions.
Monday, November 27
MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION: The final meeting of the Alexander City Area Ministerial Association will be Monday, Nov. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Westend Church. New officers for 2018 will be elected at this meeting.
Thursday, November 30
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Haven Memorial United Methodist Church is hosting the Women’s Bible Study “War Room” Nov. 30 from noon to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch. CHRISTMAS CONCERT: The Central Alabama Community College Concert and Community Band will host a Christmas Concert Thursday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Betty Carol Graham Cener. There will be a meet and greet from 6:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. SWEET POTATO PIE: Alex City Arts presents the female music group Sweet Potato Pie. They will be performing at the Benjamin Russell auditorium Thursday, Nov. 30. The group’s show, “A Home Grown Christmas,” will feature heartfelt renditions of many iconic Christmas songs. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15, while students and children get in free.
Sunday, December 2
SUNDAY DINNER: Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church is hosting Sunday dinner Sunday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. The free dinner will be served in the clubhouse building next to the church at 3997 Hillabee Road in Alexander City. The pastor of Duncan Memorial is Rev. Wayne Hicks. All are invited to this free, casual dinner. CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Mt. Darrell Brooks, Owner Zion East Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating its 152nd Church Cutting •Edging Anniversary Sunday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. Weed Eating •Mulch The guest minister will be Rev. Jessie Weed Control Mays of Marrietta Baptist Church. Pastor of Mt. Zion East Missionary Baptist Church is Rev. Jimmy Thomas. INAUGURATION CEREMONY: Word Bible Church is hosting an inauguration ceremony Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. The event is located at 1050 N. Central in Alexander City. All are welcome.
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December 6-10
PASTORAL APPRECIATION: House of Prayer Apostolic Church of Promise is celebrating the 24th Annual Pastoral Appreciation for Overseer Emma and Deacon Earnest Hoyle Dec. 6 and 8 and 7 p.m. and Climax Sunday is Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. The church is at 634 North Central Avenue in Alexander City.
Thursday, December 7
CHRISTMAS MUSICAL: Faith Chrisitian Academy presents its 12th Annual Christmas musical, Christmas at Bethlehem Gulch Thursday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. in the Faith Temple sancturary. The musical will present the FCA Cance Troupe, the second grade handbell choir, a lasso performance and an 84-voice children’s choir.
Saturday, December 9
CHRISTMAS BALL: New Style Baptist Church is hosting Christmas Ball 2017, a semi-formal event, Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at The Hangout 6207 Hwy 63 South in Alexander City. Rev. Richard E Taylor is Pastor. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15.00 at the door. Please contact Tonya Thomas at 256-786-0399, Pam Jones at 256-496-2044, Shirley Jennings at 256-496-4067, or Shelia Thomas at 256-872-1053 for tickets. HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is hosting a holiday open house from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors can see luminaries along the pathways and battlefield. BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: Dadeville First United Methodist Church is hosting breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 9 from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee are $5 and the breakfast a photograph with Santa and Mrs. Claus is $10. Mrs. Butterworth will be there too. Proceeds benefit the church’s Honduras Medical Mission trip.
Sunday, December 10
CHRISTMAS PARADE: The Friends of Dadeville in concert with the Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce are co-sponsoring the 4th Annual “Spirit of a Hometown Christmas” Parade scheduled for Dec. 10 in Dadeville. This annual event features a wide variety of floats and parade participants, arts and crafts booths, a children’s venue, food booths and more importantly, Santa Claus. If you would like to participate in the parade or need additional information, please contact the Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce at 256 8254019. CHRISTMAS MUSICAL: Faith Temple Church will present the timeless story of His coming in a Christmas musical, “Christmas in His Presence,” on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 10:30 a.m. in the Faith Temple sanctuary. The musical features soloists Valerie Baty, Julie Haynes, Susan Mann and Frank Carpenter. The public is cordially invited.
Thursday, December 14
CHRISTMAS CONCERT: The Capitol Sounds Concert Band will be in concert Thursday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the St. James United Methodist Church at 9045 Vaughn Road in Montgomery. Admission is free.
Sunday, December 17
CHRISTMAS CANTATA: Red Ridge United Methodist Church is presenting its Christmas cantata “How Should a King Come” by Randy Vader and Rose Aspinall Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m. under
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Ongoing Events
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Red Ridge United Methodist Church in Dadeville hosts an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting every Sunday at 6 p.m. DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS: The Bill Nichols Chapter 13 meets every third Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Charles T. “Bud” Porch Center in Alexander City. Chapter Service Officers are available every second and fourth Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m. for claims assistance. RECYCLING: The Alexander City Recycling Facility is located at the Public Works Department at 824 Railey Road. All materials should be dropped off behind the green storage shed on the Public Works lot. The facility is always open for unassisted drop off. Assistance with drop off is available between 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call 256-4092020 for more information. CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: Every second and fourth Sunday at 5 p.m. the Trinity campus of First United Methodist Church will be a caregiver support group. Call 256-786-1685 for more information. TOPS MEETING: Take Off Pounds Sensibly is the short name for TOPS Club, Inc., the original nonprofit, noncommercial network of weight-loss support groups throughout the U.S. and Canada. TOPS offers tools and programs for healthy living and weight management, with exceptional group fellowship and recognition. Established in 1948 to champion weight-loss support and success, we’ve helped millions of people live healthier lives. Come out and visit us. Your first meeting is free. Meetings are held every Thursday at 6 p.m. at Comer Baptist Church, 341 E. Church St., Alexander City, AL. Call (256) 496-4210 for more information. WOMEN’S MEETING: Victory Temple Holiness Church in Dadeville is hosting a women’s meeting the first Sunday of every month. Men are invited too. VOLUNTEER: Southern Care Hospice is seeking volunteers. Please call Lizz Gillenwaters at 256-234-1134 or 256-749-3717 for more information. WOMAN MEETING: Every first Sunday, Victory Temple Holiness Church hosts a women’s meeting, at 237 Aster St. in Dadeville. Everyone is invited. The meeting starts at 2 p.m. READY TO WORK: CACC can prepare you to be Career Ready with a FREE 6 to 8 week Workforce Development Course called Ready to Work. It includes computer self-paced instruction financial planning, reading and math skills, and computer basic skills as well as instructor-led module presentations on communication, problem-solving, job acquisition, operation skills, and workplace behavior. Earn a Career Readiness Certificate and an AIDT Alabama Certified Worker Certificate. The class meets MondayThursday 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Career Center located at 1375 Junior College Drive. For more information, call Melanie Veazey at 256215-4499 or email at mveazey@cacc. edu. COMPUTER LAB: The new and improved computer lab at Cooper Community Center is now open to the community Monday thru Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. LaBrawnski Salter is the new lab facilitator. You can check email, browse the internet, build a resume, complete a project or homework, research, job search and some social media.
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IRON BOWL 2017 Why Alabama is going to win LUKE ROBINSON Columnist
I would love to tell you I know Alabama is going to win the Iron Bowl. I would love to tell you I know they will win because the Tide’s roster top to bottom is better. There are more stars in Tuscaloosa than on one of those “Dean Martin Roasts” you see on late night TV. I would love to tell you I know they will win because Jalen Hurts is cooler than Freon bellbottoms. Hurts has the nerves of steel that Superman envies. I would love to tell you I know they will win because Nick Saban is, well, Nick Saban. The man has collected more rings than a Los Angeles pawn shop. Heck, Saban has completely changed the entire culture in Tuscaloosa! Get this: I went to a basketball game Tuesday night and Saban has even lowered the “mullet to non-mullet” ratio of hairstyles in attendance. I would love to tell you
Why Auburn is going to win the Tide will roll Saturday because Alabama has been there before. This team has seen it all and usually handled whatever comes its way. Under Saban, ’Bama is always prepared for what the opponent brings to the table. But therein lies the rub. No one ever knows what Auburn is bringing to the table. Auburn is unique. It’s completely different
from any other Alabama foe. What other football team has ever blocked two punts for touchdowns to win a game — in one quarter? Name another school that has returned a short field goal 109 yards for a score with no time left? What rival would have ever the good fortune of having its See ALABAMA • Page 10
“Auburn’s gonna win the football game!!!” Now I know you have heard that before (Rod Bramblett on Kick Six, 2013) but here is why I say that now. Comparisons: Don’t work! LSU beat Auburn at Baton Rouge. Alabama handily handled the Bengal Tigers at the Denny. Auburn demolished Mississippi State at home; Alabama struggled with the Dawgs in “Starkvegas.” Mercer played Auburn well. Auburn had five
LARKIN RADNEY Guest Columnist
turnovers; ’Bama pulverized Mercer. Talent: Both teams equally or sufficiently talented to win the game. Motivation: Motivation will be at “Over the Top”. Coaching: Saban is a great coach. Malzahn is a good coach who can coach great in big games. History of Iron Bowl:
Usually the best team wins. These two teams are evenly matched. So who actually is playing the best football right now? Auburn? Alabama? Breaks: Breaks are huge, fumbles here, interceptions there, untimely penalties, injuries, bad calls, etc. However, breaks have a way of leveling out. Venue: Both teams have won at home and away in this series. So why will Auburn win the SEC West? Here’s why. See AUBURN • Page 10
JOE MCADORY Columnist
Iron Bowl has great history of ‘what ifs’
W
hat if T.J. Yeldon stepped out of bounds at the Auburn 39-yard line with no time remaining rather than a split second? The Kick Six never would have happened. Replays of Chris Davis skirting the sidelines and racing 109 yards for the winning touchdown in 2013 would not resurface over and over again. Auburn Network radio broadcasters Rod Bramblett and Stan White would have never called the most remarkable moment in Iron Bowl history. What if? A split second here. An inch there. A controversial call one year. A spectacular feat of clutch athleticism the next year. The Iron Bowl has brought us some of the greatest moments in college football history. Some were simply great plays. Some might have come with a sprinkle of magic dust. Some came at critical moments that changed the outcome in games played between evenlymatched teams. What if Alabama quarterback Ken Stabler slipped in the mud that soggy day at Legion Field in 1967? Instead of slithering for a long, game-winning touchdown run, he could have slipped. People fall when it’s wet. Evidently, snakes do not. What if Auburn receiver Thomas Gossom wasn’t inaccurately called for stepping out of bounds before catching what would have been the go-ahead touchdown against Alabama in 1974? Auburn would have gone ahead 20-17 in the fourth quarter and Alabama’s ninegame win streak over the Tigers from 1973-81 would have been sliced in half. What if Bo Over the Top in 1982 came a centimeter short? The Tiger legend barely crossed the goal line. Otherwise, Alabama’s nine-year run would have stretched to 10. What if Bo didn’t go the wrong way in 1984? With the game on the line at the Tide 1, Jackson was supposed to throw a block on the right side — clearing a running lane for Brent Fullwood on fourth down. Instead, Bo blocked left, Fullwood was unprotected. Alabama won, 17-15. Then again, what if Pat Dye elected to kick the easy field goal? Just saying. What if Van Tiffin doesn’t make the 52-yard field goal on the last play to beat See MCADORY • Page 10
Iron Bowl divides houses, community As you guys know by now, I’m relatively new to Alabama. I’ve been here for a little more than seven months now, and although I’m starting to add “y’all” and “ma’am” into my regular dialect, I’m still clearly an outsider. One thing that makes me an outsider: My lack of understanding about just how important the Iron Bowl is to this community, to the state and to fans. So on Wednesday, I set out on a mission to find out more about this Alabama vs. Auburn rivalry, which is takes place Saturday afternoon. I went all over Alexander City, talking to everyone from random people on the street to our city’s leaders to kids from the local football teams. Here’s some of the most important things I learned.
What does this game mean to the community?
LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
either Alabama and Roll Tide or you’re Auburn and War Eagle. There’s a line drawn right down the middle, and you go to one side or the other. I think it’s the greatest college football rivalry in the nation.” — Jeff Hines, former Benjamin Russell boys basketball coach, Auburn fan “It’s something that everybody looks forward to year round. From the first game, everyone is looking forward to the Iron Bowl.” — Robbie Atkisson, City Clerk’s office, Auburn fan
“I think obviously there’s a lot of passion for Auburn and “It’s kind of like this — Alabama football and college when you come into this state, football in general. This you have to choose. You’re year is especially important
considering where both teams are, so I think that people just get excited. It’s a family event, and also with the game being in Auburn, people are traveling through our town so there’s probably some economic impact as well.” — Hank Lambert, consultant for Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Auburn fan “It’s all about bragging rights. You gotta live with the other side for 12 months.” — Jim Nabors, Mayor of Alexander City, Alabama fan “It’s always big for this community, especially just because we’re so close to Auburn. When I came to town, I was like, ‘Where’s all the Alabama fans?’ — Robbie Haynie, Alabama fan and member of a house divided
What’s your advice for a first-time Iron Bowler? “Be an Alabama fan.” — Ben Hendrix, Benjamin Russell football player,
Alabama fan “Well, the fact that it’s in Auburn, I’m gonna have to keep my mouth shut. I’ve been to a few games at Jordan-Hare and a few at Bryant Denny, but I’m ready for the excitement.” — Cade Worthy, Horseshoe Bend football player who’s attending his first Iron Bowl, Alabama fan “I would take every single moment that you can in. Go early and stay late. It’s a rivalry that doesn’t happen anywhere else in the country. I’ve been traveling, speaking all over and meeting a lot of people and everybody knows about the Iron Bowl.” — Jim Hardy, owner of Outdoor Friends Forever, Auburn fan “What I would tell you is just enjoy every moment. Watch and see the different sides and how passionate they are about their two teams. You get to see that throughout See IRON BOWL • Page 10
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Friday, November 24, 2017
The Outlook
Iron Bowl the year, but on this day, you really get to see how passionate these fans are.” — Jeff Hines “You can just go and have fun. Tailgating is fun. The crowd is great, and I like the atmosphere.” — Beth Haynie, owner of Downtown Girl, Auburn fan and member of a house divided
Who’s going to win and why? “Alabama will win!! Duh. They are number ONE, that’s why.” — Lola Popov, via Facebook “The Iron Bowl personifies the culture of the state of Alabama. Nothing would give me greater satisfaction than when the clock strikes 0:00, Auburn has more points than Alabama.” — Scott Hardy, digital marketing coordinator at The Outlook, Auburn fan “Auburn will win because Alabama will not be able to stop KJ (Kerryon Johnson) from running the ball and (Jarrett) Stidham will burn ’Bama with the long pass.” — Daniel Robinson, via Facebook “Well, they’re well-coached, but I don’t really think Gus (Malzahn) has proven himself that much. They’re ranked No. 6, but Alabama has a good defense. They’re missing four linebackers
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and still winning games. I think it comes down to discipline, and Alabama is the more disciplined team.” — Ben Hendrix “Alabama. For one, they have a playmaker named Jalen Hurts. For two, they have another player Minkah Fitzpatrick, who reminds me of Landon Collins, who plays for the New York Giants. He finds a way to make plays. Especially with some other linebackers being hurt, (Fitzpatrick) will be a determining factor, and Jalen has been making plays all year.” — Jaden Tuck, BRHS football player, Alabama fan “Being a coach and understanding the fundamentals of the game and the depth of both teams, my gut tells me Alabama. Obviously being an Auburn alum, I want Auburn to win, but I think it’s a 60-40 chance of Alabama winning. Auburn has to have some plays go right to get some momentum started early in the game. If they get off to a good start, Auburn has a great track record of winning games this season.” — Jim Hardy “I think Alabama is going to win. They have the better team, and I’m gonna pull for them.” — Jim Nabors “I think it’ll be Alabama because we’ve got some reinforcements on defense that are hopefully coming back from
Alabama
McAdory
“I actually grew up an Alabama fan, so it’s a big deal that I’m Auburn,” said Kristi Hardy, program and special events manager at Alex City Parks & Recreation. “I lived there for four years, so you kinda become a part of the community when you live there. Believe it or not, there are actually huge Alabama fans in Auburn, which I would have never guessed.” Jim Hardy replied, “I didn’t (convert her). She got smart on her own.” “This is bragging rights game,” Cade Harrelson said. “Mom tried to dress me in Auburn clothes when I was younger. My aunts and uncles or grandmother would give her money to buy me Christmas presents, and I would end up with Auburn sweatpants and I would show my disgust when I opened it.”
Luke Robinson is an alumnus of the University of Alabama and a regular columnist for The Outlook.
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Joe McAdory is a communications editor at Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business.
PETS
The best Alabama-Auburn stories I heard all day:
an Alabama win this weekend if you want me to. I could say that UA’s running game is too stout or the defense is too formidable. But I am not going to predict an Alabama win because of anything tangible or real. Besides, explaining my predictions- as I have learned the hard way- is not my forte. Nope. I am predicting Alabama to win because the Tide just has to win. They must win. I don’t know how. I have no advice. Victory just must be attained through any means necessary. Otherwise, it’ll be a long year of seeing tiger-tails hanging from the trunks of cars for yours truly. Yes, the Tide must win. If only because I cannot fathom the AU-lternative.
Auburn 25-23 in 1985? Fifty-two yards? Who did he think he was? Daniel Carlson? What if Frank Sanders didn’t make that acrobatic catch near the goal line on fourth and long in 1993? Trailing 14-5 in the third quarter, Auburn would have turned the ball over on downs and its improbable 11-0 season would have gone up in smoke. What if Alabama coach Mike DuBose doesn’t call a screen pass to Ed Scissum in the final moments of the 1997 game? Alabama led 17-15 and Auburn had no time outs. Maybe a simple running play, or QB kneel, would kill the clock. Nah. Scissum caught the pass, was left exposed, was drilled by Montavius Houston and fumbled. Auburn won with a last-second field goal, 18-17. What if Mark Ingram doesn’t fumble the ball out of the Auburn end zone in 2010? Auburn’s Antonio Coleman punched the ball out, creating a touchback. Alabama could have led 31-0. We know what happened next. What crazy, memorable moment will occur Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium? If history has anything to say about it, we’re due another one. Iron Bowl pick: If Auburn can run on Alabama like it did against Georgia, you’ve got to like the Tigers’ chances. But that’s going to be much easier said than done. Alabama’s running attack presents more problems than Auburn has encountered all season. Not just Damien Harris or Bo Scarbrough, but Jalen Hurts can tuck and run better than most. Alabama 23, Auburn 16.
JOBS
“Nobody but Auburn is going to win. There’s no other team that’ll be able to beat Alabama than Auburn, and right now, Auburn is playing their football.” — Calvin Kelley, Alex City resident, Auburn fan
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opponent throw a screen pass to a fullback when it was trying to run out the clock only to have said fullback fumble? Or who has had a fumble from an opposing Heisman winner moonwalk along the sideline until it rolled into the end zone for a touchback?!? I will tell you who, no one. No besides Auburn, that is. Preparing for Auburn is the equivalent of a Marketing major being told that, in order to graduate, he must take a chemistry exam … in Greek. He would not even know where to begin! Such is Auburn. Each year that team has more personalities than Sybil. One week AU loses to Clemson without scoring a touchdown and not long thereafter it punishes the No. 1 team in America. The Tigers zig when you think they will zag. They zag when people aren’t even zagging anymore! The bottom line is I could rationalize
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injuries. I think our pass defense is good enough that we can get some pressure on their quarterback and keep him rattled and unfocused, so we’ll be OK.” — Cade Harrelson, BRHS Class of 2000, Alabama fan
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Cade’s mom, Dianne, replied, “I caught him when he was about 10 years old with scissors and all of his pictures from when he was a toddler in his Auburn outfits. I said, ‘What are you doing?’ And he said, ‘I’m fixing to cut these up.’” Cade said, “Well, you’ve gotta dispose of the evidence somehow.”
Finally, let’s get some final score predictions. Ben Hendrix: 31-21 Alabama, but “it’s gonna be close at halftime.” Jaden Tuck: 21-17 Alabama. Cade Worthy: “I’ll take Alabama in a defensive battle. 17-14, maybe 20-17.”
Auburn Magic: Always an Auburn commodity. Can you say 17-16, the Comeback and Kick Six? My magical scenario is as follows: With one second on the clock, Daniel Carlson kicks a 55-yard field goal to win the game 29-28 (figure the 29 point compilation if you can). The field goal is set up by a field goal attempt by ’Bama of 57 yards. The ball is snapped over the holder’s head, but Alabama’s kicker, Andy Pappanastos, picks the ball up and runs it for a touchdown, only for it be called back because Auburn had called timeout before the snap. Auburn gets a break with a ’Bama substitution penalty which moves the ball in position for the 55-yard attempt. Carlson hits the left goal post, but the ball bounces down onto the crossbar and tumbles over the crossbar. One referee immediately indicates the
File / The Outlook
Jeff Hines: 24-17 Auburn, with no craziness. “It’ll be a straight up game.” Hank Lamberth: 31-27 Auburn Jim Hardy: 38-30 Auburn. But if the Tigers score less than 30, Alabama wins. Brian Riddle: 28-21 Alabama. “It depends on what Auburn team shows up.” Jim Nabors: 31-28 Alabama Cade Harrelson: 31-14 Alabama Beth Haynie: 21-14 Auburn Robbie Haynie: 38-20 Alabama And, of course, you need Scott and I’s predictions. Scott’s got Auburn at 27-23; I’m saying Alabama 27-24. Lizi Arbogast is the sports editor of The Outlook.
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attempt is good while the other referee indicates it’s not good. Replay is highly disputed in Birmingham and takes 15 minutes to figure it out. End result — “IT’S GOOD.” Auburn fans go crazy, Alabama fans go nuts. Football players shake hands and embrace each other with a total display of class and good sportsmanship. The game will forever be known as “The Crossing the Bar” game. I hug my wife (an Alabama grad and fan) and we go to dinner with our lifelong Auburn and Alabama friends and discuss the upcoming Christmas parade in Beautiful Downtown Alexander City on Dec. 4. Life goes on. War Eagle to my Auburn friends and Roll Tide to my ’Bama friends. Larkin Radney is an Auburn University alumnus and the President of the Lake Martin Auburn Club.