SPORTS, PAGE B2
OPINION, PAGE A5
Tigers erase second-half deficit to win tourney
A few last thoughts on general election
INSIDE TODAY: ALL-AREA VOLLEYBALL TEAM, PAGE B1
The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
TALLASSEE, AL 36078
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November 28, 2018
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 119, NO. 48
City seeks funds for wastewater treatment facility
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Following a series of EPA infractions, the City of Tallassee announced it is under a consent order from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to build a new wastewater treatment facility to work along with the current sewer lagoons by 2021.
The cost of the wastewater facility is an estimated $4.8 million and the city is seeking funding options. One possibility is raising water, sewer and gas rates for Tallassee residents. Another is a $4.8 million loan through the state’s revolving fund loan. If the city takes this route, ADEM would trim the cost to $4.2 million, resulting in a $259,000 payment annually at 2.2 percent interest for 20 years.
“The city has earmarked the ad-valorem tax that was passed to be used for this payment,” Tallassee Mayor Johnny Hammock said. According to the 2019 fiscal-year budget, $250,000 a year is expected to be generated through the ad-valorem tax. The city has also applied for a grant through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. If
awarded, the grant would pay 50 percent of the cost. “This would help us pay the sewer plant off in less time,” said Hammock. According to Hammock, city officials could opt to only update the municipal sewer lagoons at a cost of $2 million. However, that solution would serve the city for only the next five to 10 years. The proposed $4.8 million facility would last 50-plus years.
‘Tis the season for safety
Council talks new light at Walmart By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
When the new Walmart in Tallassee opened in 2014, it brought a wider selection of merchandise and more jobs but also more traffic and a rise in automobile accidents. As a result, the Tallassee City Council voted unanimously to allow a traffic study in the area of Gilmer Avenue to determine the need for a traffic light. “A lot of our constituents have been complaining about a traffic light at Walmart,” Tallassee Mayor Johnny Hammock said during the Nov. 20 city council meeting. In the first year of operation, there were a documented 35 automobile accidents in front of the store, according to police reports. But the study could cause the city to lose one of its other traffic lights, Hammock said after he and councilmember Sarah Hill met with Alabama Department of Transportation representatives. “ALDOT came back and said we could lose the light at Hardee’s and 1220 Café,” Hammock said. “I think that would be terrible, detrimental.”
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
In downtown Tallassee, shoppers visited the newly opened Sistruck, All Things Desired, where Cathy Butler and Mary Ellen Peters were busy helping customers during Small Business Saturday.
It’s a ‘win, win’ Retailers: Small Business Saturday was a success
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
D
espite college football rivalry games and dreary weather, locally owned shops and retail stores in Tallassee and Eclectic seemed to experience higher-than-average sales during Small Business Saturday, owners said. In downtown Tallassee, shoppers visit-
See WALMART • Page A2
McElroy has book signing Photo by Carmen Rodgers /
The Tribune East Tallassee’s Church of Christ’s Mike McElroy visited Cornerstone Coffee in downtown Eclectic last Saturday for a book signing of the recently released, ‘Christmas Pilgrims — A Journey to See Jesus,’ a collection of stories based on the people and events in the Biblical narrative about the birth of Jesus Christ. With text, story and focus questions for daily meditation and personal application, this book has everything needed to re-energize during those busy days before Christmas or any other time a reader needs to refresh the sense of wonder.
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ed the newly opened Sistruck, All Things Desired, where Cathy Butler and Mary Ellen Peters were busy helping customers. “We have been busy today,” said Butler, “especially earlier in the day. At one time it was really busy.” Several shoppers hit the local stores on Black Friday for some Christmas shopping. “We were really busy yesterday,” See SHOPPING • Page A3
It’s time once again to pull out the holiday decorations, hang the stockings and light up the tree. It’s also a time when many purchases and financial information are at risk of being stolen due to carelessness. “Be careful when shopping online,” Tallassee police chief Matthew Higgins said. “Make sure it is a reputable site.” While technology now allows the option to shop from the comfort of home, shoppers must remember to safeguard their home and belongings during the holidays. “Don’t stack presents in front of windows,” Higgins said. “You don’t want others to see inside and see that you have a lot of presents sitting right there.” Once those high-ticket items arrive home, further precautions should be taken to safeguard these items. “Try to break down the large boxes and place them in the trash can or carry them off, but don’t place them by the road so that everyone can see that you just bought a big-screen television or something of that nature,” Higgins said. Furthermore, make an inventory of your items and write down any See SAFETY • Page A2
Mt. Vernon to present ‘Magic of Christmas’ STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Tallassee’s Mt. Vernon Theater is wrapping up the year with an original Christmas musical written by playwright Adrian Lee Borden. Performances are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. and Sunday. Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10. For information and tickets, visit www.mtvernontheater.net, WACQ or call 334-2832722. “The Magic of Christmas” alludes to See VERNON • Page A2
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