Brown reacts to USA Junior National Team invite
Excited about the return of Frontier Days
Area Calendar Inside!
Eclectic Observer Page 4
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The
THURSDAY • NOVEMBER 3, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 27, No. 44
Faulk set to plead guilty Dec. 1
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Joe Faulk, Elmore County Commissioner for District 4, will plead guilty to the charge of use of his official position or office for personal gain, according to papers filed with the Circuit Court of Elmore County on Friday.
According to the documents filed with the court, Faulk will enter his plea to the “non-capital felony offense” before Judge Glenn Goggans on Dec. 1. According to information filed on the case by Assistant Attorney General Kyle Beckman, Faulk “did intentionally use” multiple checks or currency from Financial Marketing Concepts Inc. and County RX Card, LLC, “to obtain personal gain for himself and such use and
gain were not specifically authorized by law.” The information filed by the attorney general does not give any financial value of Faulk’s personal benefit and Faulk’s agreement to plead does not legally exclude the lessening of the charge to a misdemeanor, which would allow him to keep his position on the commission. Financial Marketing Concepts Inc. is
a company, headquartered in Ponta Vedra Beach, Florida, that, according to its website, works “in partnership with cities, states, counties, townships, groups and associations nationwide” to develop “the See ETHICS • Page 5
Frontier Days returns for its 20th year
REPORT: Officer’s speed ‘primary contributor’ in fatal wreck
By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
The Wetumpka police officer involved in the U.S. 231 crash that killed a Wetumpka woman on Saturday, Oct. 22, was the “primary contributor” to the crash and his speed was the “primary contributing circumstance,” according to a preliminary crash report on the accident, released on Friday by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Elaine Merritt, 52, was killed in the accident that the report says occurred at 3:55 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. 231 and Cambridge Avenue. She was turning left in her 2016 Honda Pilot off Cambridge Avenue to head north toward Wetumpka when the 2010 Dodge Charger Wetumpka police cruiser driven by Officer Andrew William Bass struck her vehicle. The report does not include any estimate of Bass’ speed at the time of the accident. However, a diagram of the accident included with the report indicates that the impact of the crash occurred in the middle turn lane that divides 231 at that location, that the force of the collision spun Merritt’s vehicle completely around and the Honda Pilot came to rest blocking the two main traffic lanes of U.S. 231 northbound. According to the report, Merritt was taken to Elmore County Hospital and pronounced dead at 4:33 p.m. The report also indicates that Merritt See WRECK • Page 3
Faulk
David Granger / The Observer
This 1929 Nash, owned by Paul Blackwell of Irondale, was among the dozens of antique vehicles entered in the car show at the 24th Annual Cotton Festival in Eclectic. An estimated 4,000 people were on hand to enjoy a host of vendors and activities at the festival.
COTTON FESTIVAL Mayor says attendance reached 4,000
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
It was an unusually warm late October day, but that didn’t stop thousands from making the trek to downtown Eclectic to enjoy the 24th annual Cotton Festival on Saturday. According to Eclectic Mayor Gary Davenport, an estimated 4,000 people visited the festival through-
out the day, with vendors selling all sorts of wares ranging from old collectible coins to handmade items, tasty treats ranging from shaved ice to shrimp and grits and events like a car show, an art show, a Kids Zone and the annual Alabama Cotton Queen pageant. The many booths of the festival ran both sides of
Main Street from Central Avenue toward the Kwik Shop, with a small number of vendors and the Kids Zone on the street that runs along in front of the Eclectic Fire Department. “I thought it was fantastic based on the people that I talked to,” said Davenport, who added he had been directly involved with the Cotton Festival See COTTON • Page 3
For the 20th year running, Alabama Frontier Days will return to Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson with a living history exhibit that attracts fourth-grade students and parents from all over the state. According to Fort ToulouseFort Jackson Park Director Ove Jensen the event first started in 1996 and is the largest event of its kind in the state. “The event is geared towards fourth graders,” Jensen said. “That is when students study Alabama history. The timing of the event is meant to coincide with their studies of this time period.” The time period, according to Jensen is the period between about 1700 and 1820. “That is the period of time we try to focus on with our activities,” he said. “This is an extremely important era in the creation of the state of Alabama. Our goal is to bring out this history that is unique to our area and state.” Jensen noted that from Wednesday to Friday some 10,000 people will come to the park for the event, approximately 8,000 of which are school See FRONTIER • Page 5
Local host families needed for exchange students By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Submitted / The Observer
In September, local exchange students went to Pine Mountain for a fun weekend together. The group also visited the Wild Animal Safari while there.
Education, Travel and Culture is a non-profit corporation for student exchange. Their mission is to promote international understanding and goodwill by providing high quality educational and cultural exchange programs. Students and families are exposed to diverse cultural experiences that raise awareness and interest in the exchange of culture, lifestyle, language and ideas. This international exchange experience contributes to the development and education of today’s youth and tomorrow’s leaders. “I enjoy working for the exchange student organization and my family has truly benefited from hosting,” said Teresa Thompson, Field
Manager Education, Travel and Culture Student Exchange A Non-Profit Corp. “I can’t think of a better way to teach our own children about another culture and a world outside of the U.S., while making a lifetime friend and being a diplomat for our own country.” According to Thompson, hosting is an amazing experience and an unforgettable time for the whole family. Most people walk away with a new member of the family, new traditions, menu ideas, great memories and a vacation invitation from abroad. Also, a member of your family will earn the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, just for hosting and this accomplishment looks great on college and job appli-
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cations. It’s a great opportunity for the students at the school to be exposed to other cultures. Exchange students bring their own spending money and insurance and totally integrate within the family, not as a guest. These students partake in the same behaviors as American teenagers and they participate in all of the usual family activities. The “requirements” to host are quite simple. You would need to provide a bed, three shared family meals a day. Student would pay if they chose to buy school lunch. Host parents may be responsible for some transportation, and allow the student to become part of your family. All types of families can make great See HOSTS • Page 5