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What’s going on at Southside Middle School softball and baseball field?
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November 30, 2016
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VOL. 117, NO. 46
Tallassee begins search for police chief
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Since the departure of police chief, Jimmy Rodgers, the City of Tallassee has officially initiated a national pursuit of the city’s next chief. By posting the position nationally, the scope of potential candidates is broadened. There is a list of qualifications for potential candidates, which include a background in criminal justice and/or at least five years of experience in highly
responsible police management, policy development, budget administration, personnel administration and public relations. According to Mayor Johnny Hammock, there are a few more characteristics needed to fill this position. “I am looking for someone who has strong leadership skills, has extensive experience with budgets, and understands data-driven enforcement,” he said. Although the position is open to a national search, that does not mean the perfect match for this position does not
reside locally. “I think that we have several great police officers who live right here in our area that could do a fine job for us, if selected,” Hammock said. “We will go through all applications and will select the best person for the job no matter where they come from.” There has been some interest in the position; however, Hammock says the position will remain open until the appropriate match is found. “I have about 10 people that have applied so far,” he said. “I expect the
talent pool to reach about 30 applicants and then we will start the resume review process. After that we will interview the top candidates.” Whoever is chosen to fill this position has a big task ahead of them. In recent years, the department has been rocked by scandal. In 2013, former Tallassee Assistant Chief Amy Davis was found guilty of 10 counts of using her position for personal gain, as well as 19 counts of
City takes measures to avoid polluting Tallapoosa River
LifeChoice Pregnancy Center having diaper drive
CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The LifeChoice Pregnancy Center in Tallassee has organized a diaper drive to help mothers who find themselves in need of a little extra help during what can be a very taxing time of year. The pregnancy center offers help to mothers who find themselves in a difficult situation. The center will help furnish items such as car seats, bedding, clothing and more to unexpected mothers. “We are in desperate need of diapers and baby supplies,” said Sharon Mason of LifeChoice Pregnancy Center. Currently, LifeChoice serves 14 mothers, some who care for multiple children. A higher number of clientele is the reason that the demand for diapers is on the uptick. With more mothers to serve, the requests for diapers increase. While the center is located at 403 James St., there are several locations to drop off the donated items. These locations include CVS, Apothecary Inc., Trustmark Bank, PrimeSouth Bank (both locations), Super Foods (both locations), A Dash of Fashion Consignment Shop, Dotties Daycare, Cutting Up Salon, WTLS and WACQ. The LifeChoice Pregnancy Center first opened in April 2005 and has served women in the Tallassee area for nearly 12 years. The center offers pregnancy testing, counseling and baby See DIAPER • Page 3
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Food vendors will be available Friday during the Tree Lighting and Saturday during the Christmas Parade. Vendors will offer grilled chicken wraps, polish sausage, fried fish and shrimp, funnel cakes, baked goods and more.
HOLIDAY LINEUP
Tallassee kicks off holiday season festivities By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Now that Thanksgiving has passed, the City of Tallassee is looking forward to the holiday season. Holiday festivities begin with the annual Holiday Market. The market will officially open at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and remain open until 7 p.m. This year’s market will showcase handmade crafts, jewelry, soaps, candles, ornaments, wood-turned pens, essential oils, wood boxes and walking sticks, caricature artistry, live poinsettias, Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, gourmet marshmallows and other holiday treats. Food vendors will be available from lunch until close. This year, vendors will offer grilled chicken wraps, polish sau-
sage, fried fish and shrimp, funnel cakes, baked goods and more. The Holiday Market will be in full swing during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Mayor John Hammock, the Tallassee City Council and Santa will lead the annual countdown to the city’s tree lighting. Santa will spend time with children of all ages before and after the tree lighting. The River City Band will provide seasonal music for this fun and festive event. The Holiday Market will reopen Saturday morning at 8 a.m. and close at 1 p.m. Nathan Taunton will provide pre-parade entertainment at the gazebo from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. After the parade, Santa will be on hand to take letters and listen to Christmas wishes. See HOLIDAY • Page 3
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During Monday’s City Council Meeting the council took emergency action in order to repair a pressurized pipe that runs to a critical pumping station that ultimately pumps sewage to the city’s treatment lagoons. This piece of pipe is currently leaking and has already been through a series of patchwork. “The Laney Gin Pump station takes sewage from the entire city and pumps it your treatment lagoons,” said Tallassee City Engineer Russ Robinson. “The forced main, is a pressurized line that pumps into the lagoon is 48 plus years old and their service life is about 50 years.” According to Robinson, this piece of pipe has had problems in the past. “This is the fourth failure, to my knowledge in past four or five months.” While the pipe has seen troubled times, this leak is more sever and could potentially be devastating to the city, if repairs are not made immediately. “This was a rather big one,” he said. “If this line were to break and you were not to be able to bypass pump, untreated sewage would go into the river” Should this happen, the city would be faced with numerous costly fines from sate agencies. “You would encounter a number of ADEM fines,” Robinson said.
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