INSIDE TODAY
244-7778
Lady Indians ready for hoops season to begin.
Catch some final thoughts on Frontier Days.
Sports, Page 11
Opinion, Page 4
THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898
Wetumpka, AL 36092
50¢
WEDNESDAY • NOVEMBER 9, 2016
THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM
VOL. 118, NO.42
Dennis tops Harrison for superintendent
By WILLIAM CARROLL Manging Editor
Donald Trump took Elmore County in commanding fashion with 26,733 votes to Democrat Hillary Clinton’s 7,951 votes. As of midnight, all major television networks had not projected a winner in the presidential Republican Richard Shelby defeated race, but just as he did in Elmore County and in Alabama, Donald Trump had an edge in Democratic challenger Ron Crumpton popular votes and in the electoral college projections over Hilary Clinton. Check back to our in the county with 26,677 votes to website for final results as they become available. Crumpton’s 8,355. U.S. Representative for the 2nd For Elmore County Commission Congressional District Republican that prevented him from running in the Republican primary. According to the District 5, Earl Reeves appears to have Martha Roby defeated Democratic chalvoting tally provided by the Elmore defeated incumbent Stephanie Daniels lenger Nathan Mathis with 19,750 votes County Elections office there were also Smoke with 2,578 votes to 2,215. See ELECTION • Page 11 Republican presidential candidate 86 write in votes.
PRESIDENTIAL RACE UNDECIDED, BUT TRUMP WINS HERE
With some 1,500 absentee ballots and a small number of provisional ballots still to count as of press time, Republican challenger Richard Dennis has unseated Dr. Andre Harrison in the race for Elmore County School Superintendent. With all precincts reporting Dennis has 20,141 votes over Harrison’s 13,360. Harrison was running in the race as an independent due to an issue with filing his paperwork
Mayor, HAIL TO THE QUEEN Burn ban extended Council to entire sworn in state
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Monday night was election eve, but it was also swearing-in night at the Wetumpka City Council meeting in the council chambers at Wetumpka’s City Hall. Circuit Judge Bill W. Lewis of the 19th Judicial Circuit was on hand to swear in Mayor Jerry Willis and the five members of the council. After thanking his wife, Kathy, for supporting him through his four years on the council and his two previous terms as mayor, Willis, beginning his third may-
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
See COUNCIL • Page 12
David Granger / The Herald
Circuit Judge Bill Lewis of the 19th Judicial Circuit swore in members of the Wetumpka City Council Monday as Mayor Jerry Willis looks on. Council members sworn in included from left to right: Kevin Robbins, Percy Gill, Steve Gantt, Rebecca Thornton and Greg Jones.
Photo courtesy of Chrietzberg Photography / The Herald
Miss Christmas on the Coosa Hannah Royal was crowned at the pageant held Saturday at the Wetumpka Civic Center. See page 5 inside today’s paper for m0re images from the pageant.
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley approved State Forester Gary Cole’s formal statewide declaration of drought emergency conditions, placing a no-burn order over the entire state, effective at 3 p.m. Monday. “Although 46 counties in North Alabama were already under the no-burn order, it was necessary to add the remaining 21 counties in the southern part of the state because of alarming wildfire activity and continued lack of rainfall,” Bentley said. “The expansion of this no-burn order is critical to keeping our citizens safe from the threat of wildfires and reducing the chance of avoidable fires.” Since Oct. 1, a total of 1,421 wildfires have occurred in Alabama destroying approximately 15,409 acres of land. Last year during this same time frame, there were only 232 wildfires burning 1,846 acres across the state. On Monday, Alabama Forestry Commission wildland firefighters continued to battle See FIRE• Page 12
Gulf South Mobility provides a variety of services for the disabled By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
On Nov. 15, the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce will feature several unique Wetumpka businesses, one of which, Gulf States Mobility, has been helping disabled individuals in the area for over 17 years. Gulf States, which is located at 1647 Coosa River Parkway in Wetumpka, has been in existence since 1999. Owner James
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Garrett said that the idea behind the company started in the mid1980s when friends continued to ask him to start up a business geared towards vehicles and other assistance for those with disabilities. “In 1978 me and two other guys were working in a body shop together,” he said. “One of those guys was injured in a motorcycle wreck and I did some work for him,” Garrett said.
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As time went on Garrett said he performed work for other individuals, mainly repairs and that eventually in 1999 he made the decision to create GSM. Garrett said the company quickly expanded from its original location into its current location. “We have been here (at the present location) since 2003,” he said. “We started construction in 2002.” See MOBILITY• Page 12
William Carroll / The Herald
One of the modified vehicles Gulf States Mobility has on its lot includes joystick modifications to assist with driving the car as well as joysticks which control the gas and brakes. All of these devices are connected to a computer unit which facilitates driving for disabled persons.
Page 2 • NOVEMBER 9, 2016
November 9
The Wetumpka Church of Christ will host a Gospel meeting beginning Sunday November 6th through Wednesday the 9th with Mel Futrell. Brother Futrell currently serves as the pulpit minister at the Shades Mountain church in Birmingham. The theme of the meeting is “Christ Above All”. Sunday 6th services begin with Prayer service at 8:30 a.m. Bible study at 9 a.m. Worship assembly at 10 a.m. The sermon title will be “Pictures of Christ”. Immediately after services all are invited to a meal and fellowship. Visitors are encouraged to stay and enjoy good food and fellowship. Monday through Wednesday services begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday 7th “The Uniqueness of Christ” Tuesday 8th - “The Cross of Christ” Wednesday 9th - “Jesus the Human Being” Nursery will be provided at all services. Visitors, family, friends, are cordially invited to come worship with us.
November 9
Living by Faith Worship Center presents Fall Revival 2016. The speaker for all three nights will be Pastor Juanita Jackson.
November 11
Elmore County’s 8th Annual Musical Tribute to
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Veterans will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Wetumpka beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
November 11
Eclectic the Beautiful is hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony at Eclectic Veterans Park from 2 to 3 p.m. Guest speakers for the event will be Sgt. Karl Patillo and Lt. Connor Coombes. The event is open to the public.
November 12
The Wetumpka Elementary School PTO will be hosting a rummage/yard sale at the school parking lot. Bus spaces can be reserved for those who wish to have a booth. Whole bus spaces are $35 and half bus spaces are $20. All proceeds from booth rentals will go back into the school for teachers. The gates will open at 5 a.m. for those with reserved spaces and from 6 a.m. to noon for shoppers. If you are interested in reserving a space, which must be done in advance, please contact Amber Richardson at 334306-8937.
November 15
TV star, cookbook author and motivational speaker: Leslie Bailey will speak at the next Tuesdays with Kelly. Bring a sack
Obituaries Mr. Preston Ingram Mr. Preston Ingram, 97, of Rushenville, passed away November 4, 2016. He was born June 2, 1919. Funeral services will be Monday, November 7, at 2 p.m., at Rushenville Baptist Church with Rev. Cecil “Topper” Reid officiating. Grandsons will serve as pall bearers. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Linville Memorial Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be at the church prior to the service, beginning at 1 p.m. He is survived by sons, Stanley (Sherri) Ingram and Michael (Sherry) Ingram; daughters, Charlotte (Keith) Peters, Kim (Terry) Sanders and Diane (Michael) Mann; brother, Billy Ray Ingram; sister, Mae Fulmer; thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Rebecca L. Ingram; father, Audie B. Ingram; mother, Claudie Day Ingram; four brothers and two sisters. He served in the Army in the 350 Infantry from March 1941 to October 1945. During that time he was the recipient of The Purple Heart. He had a long civil service career at Gunter AFS and retired as a foreman over base construction in 1985. The family extends special thanks to Community Hospice and his sitters, Sylvia Riley, Shakayla Riley and Jacqueline Lynn. Online condolences at www.linvillememorial.com. Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama
Area Calendar
lunch. Dessert and drinks provided. Come and find out “What’s Cooking” at noon in the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery located at 408 South Main Street. Free and opened to the public.
November 15, January 10, February 4 and March 14
The Wetumpka Public Library, along with the Elmore County Museum, invites veterans and family members to sign up and participate in a free monthly reading discussion program on the experience of war, beginning September and ending in March. Discussions will be held in the Elmore County Museum from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: November 15th, January 10th, February 14th, and March 14th. All books and films will be provided for each participant in advance of each discussion. Recent veterans of the global war on terror are particularly encouraged to participate.
November 14-21
Eclectic United Methodist Church will serve as a drop-off location for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child—the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. During National Collection Week, Nov. 14 – 21, Eclectic residents will donate shoeboxes—filled with school supplies, hygiene items, notes of encouragement and fun toys, such as a doll or soccer ball—for Operation Christmas Child to deliver to children in need around the world. This year, Eclectic residents hope to contribute several hundred shoebox gifts toward the 2016 global goal of reaching 12 million children.
November 15, December 13 Calvary Baptist Church Wetumpka will be offering Grief Share “Surviving the Holidays” from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. They will be meeting in the fellowship hall. Please contact the church office at 567-4729 or visit our website at www. calvarybaptistwetumpka. org for any questions concerning this matter.
ONGOING EVENTS CHILD FIND: The
Tallassee City School System is launching its annual campaign to assist children—birth to age 21— who have disabilities and may need special services. The campaign urges parents, service providers, and concerned citizens to contact Child Find, a program to locate, identify and evaluate children with disabilities or children who are believed to have disabilities. The Tallassee City School System wishes to notify you of the availability of special education services in our public schools. If you have questions regarding our programs, or if you wish to refer a student, please contact Lynell Carr at (334) 283-5675 or Child Find (Alabama Department of Education) at 1-800-5482547.” AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL: A Photographic Celebration of Places, Faces and Activities is the new exhibit featuring Libby Christensen, John Jacobs, Wayne Atchison, Mit Fontaine, Kay Brummal, Sue Mehearg and Barbara Bryan. The gallery is opened from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery 408 South Main Street in Wetumpka. The exhibit will close on January 20, 2017. SATURDAY NIGHT JAMBOREE: Every second and fourth Saturday of the month is the Highway 231 Saturday Night Jamboree at the Alabama League of the South Cultural Center Building at 12814 Highway 231 North in Wetumpka. There will be country, gospel, and rock and roll music in a good atmosphere. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be line dancing, no alcohol, no smoking and no charge. Donations accepted for upkeep of the building. Contact Ray Funderburk at R&R Music and things at 334-991-4682 or 224-8509804 with questions. SANTUCK FLEA MARKET: First Saturday, March-December, dawn to 2 p.m. in the area surrounding Santuck Baptist Church. An outdoor flea market with booths featuring arts, crafts, antiques, novelties, imports, food and more. Free admission to the public with free parking available. For
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info, call 334-567-7400. BLUEGRASS JAM: First Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. All acoustic instruments welcome guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass, singers. Beginner, intermediate, advanced and listeners. For info, call 334-578-9485. SIT AND SEW: First Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. All sewers and knitters welcome. Bring your own sewing machine or hand-sewing project. Assistance and encouragement to help you through your project. Ironing board and iron provided. Free. For info, call 334-5789485 or visit www.arrac.org. ART CLASS/ DRAWING AND PAINTING WORKSHOP: Saturdays, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka For age 16 and older. $80 for four classes or $20 per week. Taught every Saturday by Theresa Wayne. Bring your own tools or use art center tools. Center provides other supplies. For info, call 334313-1646. CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP: Saturdays, 11 a.m. at the Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. For ages 12 and older. $32 for four classes. Taught every Saturday by Cliff Wayne. For info, call 334-300-9394. MASTER GARDENERS LUNCH AND LEARN: Second Tuesday of each month, 12 to 1 p.m. at the Elmore County Extension Office, Wetumpka. Hosted by the Central Alabama Master Gardeners Association. Free and open to the public. Bring a sack lunch, drinks provided. For info, call 334567-6301 or visit www.aces. edu/counties/Elmore/. NAACP MEETINGS: Elmore County Branch NAACP Executive Committee meeting every 3rd Tuesday 6:30pm at MLK Center 200 Lancaster St, Wetumpka Elmore County Branch NAACP regular monthly meeting every 4th Tuesday 6:30pm at MLK Center 200 Lancaster St, Wetumpka. HHS 50’s AND 60’s CLASS REUNION: Several members of Holtville High School Alumni are planning a reunion that will span two decades - the 1950’s and 1960’s. This firsttime reunion will be held on November 11, 2016 at the Holtville Gymnasium beginning at 1:00 in the afternoon. Each class that
has a reunion planning committee is asked to contact their classmates to relay this information so that “HHS 50’s and 60’s Reunion” will be a great success. SENIOR ACTIVITIES: “Prime Time” activities at the Wetumpka Senior Center, held at the Fain Center, 120 Cotton Street for those 55 and older: Regularly Scheduled Activities Monday-Friday - Lunch, 11:30 a.m. Cost is $1.60 donation if possible. SilverSneakers Classic Exercise Class - M, W, F at 9:30 a.m. - total body toning and muscular strength SilverSneakers Circuit Exercise Class - Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. - cardio workout SilverSneakers Yoga Class - Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. - deep breathing, stretching, muscle relaxation Bridge Club Wednesdays, Noon to 3 p.m. Audio Book Club- second and fourth Monday of every month at 1 p.m. - enjoy listening to a book on tape while knitting, crocheting, sewing, etc. NEW REGULARLY SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES DIY Classes - Every first and third Monday at 1 p.m. Do It Yourself Classes to learn to make things you can use around the house, including soap, lotions, crafts and decorations. Uno Wednesdays - 1 p.m. every Wednesday take part in a rousing game or two of Uno. Sock Sisters - 1 p.m. every Thursday come and make non-slip socks to give to nursing home residents. Volleyball - Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Join us for an intense game of volleyball, using a beach ball! Bridge - Wanted: Bridge players for afternoon Bridge Club. Meets Wednesday afternoons Noon to 3 p.m. NOTE: For info on any Prime Time event, call 334567-1335. ECLECTIC: The Eclectic Senior Center is open every weekday until noon. For more info, call Deborah Rowe at 334-541-3581. Tallassee Recreation Center Community Announcements Funtastic Fort reservations for the pavilion or gazebo are made by calling the Recreation Department office at 283-4726. The fee for the pavilion is $40 for a two-hour period and the fee for the gazebo is $15 for a two-hour period, fees must be paid prior to the reservation date.
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NOVEMBER 9, 2016 • PAGE 3
Brandi Smoke, Reagan Tell named Wise scholarship recipients By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Brandi J. Smoke and Reagan Tell, both seniors at Wetumpka High School, have been named winners of the Lucille Wise Memorial Scholarship, which was created by Wise’s children to honor their mother. Both of the WHS seniors were excited about being honored with the Wise Scholarships. “I didn’t believe it at first when my grandmother told me,” said Smoke. “But, when (Winfred Wise, Lucille’s son) called me and talked to me it became a reality, and I was really excited.” “I was extremely excited,” said Tell. “I screamed because this is the first scholarship I’ve gotten. It was just a very exciting moment.” Smoke is a member of Wetumpka’s Tabernacle Baptist Church and currently holds a grade-point average of 3.58. She is active in Wetumpka High’s chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Beta Club, Art Club, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), Key Club and Army Junior ROTC. Smoke plans to attend either Alabama A&M University or the University of Alabama Birmingham and major in business administration or computer applications. “I’ve always wanted to own my own business and I plan on using business administration to do that. These days, everyone needs to have good computer skills and studying computer applications would serve to keep mine sharp and to increase them.” Smoke said she wants to own her own bakery and is looking forward to the upcoming holidays and the opportunity to hone her baking skills. Tell, a member of Wetumpka’s Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, currently holds a GPA of 3.78 and is captain of WHS’ varsity dance team as well as active in National Honor Society,
Mu Alpha Theta math honorary, DECA, Key Club, Tribal Council (WHS’ hosts and hostesses), Spanish Honor Society and TGIF, Teens Getting Involved in the Smoke Tell Future. Tell plans to attend Tuskegee University where she will major in either chemical engineering or pre-medicine. “The fact that Tuskegee is a very cultural school and has a lot of history appeals to me,” Tell said. “It’s known for producing very well-educated African Americans and a wide range of engineers throughout the country. “Chemical engineering is a field where you can get a job anywhere. That’s one reason for the attraction. And I am in love with chemistry, math and problem solving.” Tell’s career goal is to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. According to Winfred Wise, a Tuskegee graduate who now works for AT&T technology and security in Stone Mountain, Georgia, the Wise family created the non-profit Lucille Wise Memorial Foundation on Feb. 23, 1997 to honor their mother through support of scholarship and community. “Her thing was always for all of us to get an education and to be the best we could be in whatever we chose to pursue,” said Winfred Wise. “Our grades were always a big deal to her. “What we’re trying to do for young people is what she did for us – instill a sense of scholarship and community.” From 1998 through 2002, the foundation awarded a total of 10 scholarships of $500 each to two students per year. After the World Trade Center bombing of Sept. 11, 2001, the family was no longer able to use the local National
Guard Armory for its scholarship banquet and the scholarships became dormant, only to be re-established with this year’s awards. The banquet, which will feature Dr. David Wilson, president of Baltimore’s Morgan State University and formerly vice president for university outreach and associate provost at Auburn University, as its speaker, will be held on Feb. 4 at the banquet’s new home, the Wetumpka Civic Center. Wilson holds four academic degrees, a bachelor’s in political science and master’s in education from Tuskegee University, where he was a fraternity brother to Winfred Wise, and a master’s in educational planning and administration and a doctorate of education with a concentration in administration, planning and social policy, both from Harvard University. Also at the banquet, the James W. Mack Sr. Community Service Award will be awarded to The Select Committee - Historical Marker for W. B. Doby High School. After obtaining permission from the Elmore County Board of Education, this committee of 16 graduates and former students of Wetumpka’s allblack Doby High planned, organized and executed the mission of getting the historical marker on the Alabama Register of Landmarks & Heritage and conducted a program and unveiling ceremony at the former school, now Wetumpka Elementary School.
Wetumpka and Eclectic to host Veterans Day events By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Veterans Day celebrations are set for Wetumpka and Eclectic Friday as the nation pauses to honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. In Wetumpka, Trinity Episcopal Church will host its eighth annual Musical Tribute to Veterans and Gallery of Honor set for 6:30 p.m. at the church. The gallery, featuring such wartime artifacts as photos, weapons, documents and more that local veterans have chosen to display, will be open from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gardner Perdue said there will be people available at the church
to accept items for display in the gallery beginning Friday morning. This year’s featured artists are Montgomery’s Madrigal Voices and Millbrook’s Jess Meuse of “American Idol” fame. According to their Facebook page, the Madrigal Voices, organized in 1985, will be singing “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” arranged by Peter J. Wilhousky, “A Tribute to the Armed Services,” arranged by Lloyd Larson and “America the Beautiful,” arranged by Buryl Red. Meuse will contribute additional patriotic music. Each year, the tribute is dedicated to
a veteran who served both the country and the local community. The first event in 2009 was dedicated to Patton’s chaplain, Capt. Carter. This year, the event is dedicated to the memory of Capt Conrad Ward (Ret.), a U.S. Navy aviator who called Titus home. Eclectic will hold its annual Veterans’ Day Ceremony from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Eclectic Veterans Park. The guest speakers will be Eclectic’s own Sgt. Karl Patillo and 2 nd Lt. Connor Coombes, of San Antonio, Texas. Patillo is the son of Rita and Harold Patillo. He graduated from Elmore County High School, is married and he and
his wife, Leigh have one daughter and one son. Patillo has served two tours in Iraq and is presently employed in Montgomery at Alabama Army National Guard headquarters. Coombes is the grandson of Sgt. Major Harold and Patty Dunson. Coombes graduated from Texas A&M and is in Basic Officer Leaders Course training at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Aaron Brooks & friends will lead in Patriotic songs and Tom Garrett will close out the ceremony with Taps. Those wishing to attend the Eclectic Veterans Day ceremony are urged to bring their lawn chairs.
Wetumpka
Flea Market & Antiques BOOTH SPACE AVAILABLE. CALL FOR INFORMATION.
334-567-2666 5266 U.S. Hwy. 231 Wetumpka, AL
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SLAPOUT OFFICE 9945 Holtville Road • Wetumpka, AL 36092 334-569-3325
WETUMPKA OFFICE 7616 US Hwy 231 • Wetumpka, AL 36092 334-567-8833
TALLASSEE OFFICE 1603 Gilmer Avenue • Tallassee, AL 36078 334-283-2795
WEB: www.rodneygrif¿th.com EMAIL: rodneygrif¿th@windstream.net 2 NEW HOUSES – Tallassee River Hills Subdivision, 1500 sq. ft., 3 bd/2 baths, large open den & kitchen, fireplace, tile floors, granite counters, great location, $149,900. HOUSE IN RED HILL ON 229, 2 largeLD SO bd/1 bath, nice den and kitchen, 32x20 shop, 2.6 acres, $115,000. BEAUTIFUL WILLIAMSBURG HOME in Tallassee on Indian Trails on veery private 10 acres. 7000 Sq Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 5 Baths, great kitchen and den, Super nice home. $575,000. LAKE TALLASSEE – 650-ft. waterfront, 3 lots, 3± acres, super panoramic view, good building site, $225,000. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, RED HILL – Formerly The Country Mile convenience store, gas station and restaurant. Will sell only gas station and convenience store or all. Call for details, $245,000. BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC HOME on Little Rd., Tallassee – 1.5 acres, completely remodeled. Very nice, 5 bd/5.5 baths, REDUCED TO $229,000. 78 ACRES off Lower Tuskegee Hwy., on Cleghorn Road, great hunting only, $135,000. RIVER HILLS SUBDIVISION – 23 lots, great views of Lake Tallassee, underground utilities, sewage. Prices start at only $20,000. 13 SOLD – NOW 10 REMAINING. BEAUTIFUL BRICK HOUSE in Plantation Pines, 4 bd/3.5 baths, 1.6 acre lot very modern and pretty, REDUCED TO $299,000. 3189 LITTLE ROAD – 4 bd/2ba., large lot, very modern, & pretty, only $215,000. 8 ACRES – KENT ROAD – UNRESTRICTED, SOLD REDUCED TO $45,000. TALLASSEE GILMER AVE. – 3bd/2 ba next to DQ, zoned commercial, REDUCED TO $89,900. 548 PROSPECT ROAD, ECLECTIC – Beautiful home on 4 ACRES, 3 bd/ 2.5 baths, very modern and private, very close to Lake Martin. Reduced to $259,000.
Steve Baker, Publisher William Carroll, Managing Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.
OPINION
Page 4 • NOVEMBER 9, 2016
“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” --Thomas Jefferson
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The Herald strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and, above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.
Sharing some final thoughts on Frontier Days
A
s I stated last week, I was really excited to get a chance to participate in my first Alabama Frontier Days. I went out this past week on two different occasions. First on Thursday so that I could get the student focused view and then again on Saturday so I could see how the public responds to the event. As an initial note, I will say that Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson staff did an excellent job getting the hundreds of buses and vehicles in and out of the park in an efficient fashion. Students came from all over the state of Alabama, some also came from Florida, Georgia and Mississippi,
I interviewed a few of them, some for the story I wrote for the weekend paper and some just to get their observations of what they thought about the event. At no point did I meet a kid that wasn’t having an outstanding time. I also interviewed several of the re-enactors. What I found fascinating is that while many of them were from Alabama, quite a few were from other states and actually travel around the country to similar styled events. The idea of traveling around the country and being a part of historical re-enactments is kind of appealing, perhaps when I decide not to do this journal-
WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
ism thing I can find a career in the history field. Several of the re-enactors have been coming to Alabama for years and would soon be traveling to places like Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana and Pennsylvania for events in those states. I also interviewed several parents. Several parents, especially the younger ones, recalled
having participated in this event themselves at some point years before. It is always nice when events become a generational activity. Once an event reaches that stage it becomes an integral part of growing up in a particular area. The event is a great draw for the park and for Wetumpka in general. One of the thoughts I had is that the city and perhaps area businesses could get more involved in the event as well. Not only from a sponsorship angle, but also from a community support angle. As I drove around Wetumpka last week, I didn’t notice a lot of signage for the event. Granted, the primary
focus of the event is on school children, specifically fourth grade students, but it would be great to see the whole city get involved and behind the project. The forts are an important economic and cultural tool for the city of Wetumpka and Elmore County, we should utilize them as such. All in all the event was outstanding. It was well organized and very informative. I commend the outstanding job that the staff at the forts did to bring about this event for its 20th year. I can’t wait for next year’s event. William Carroll is the managing editor of the Tallapoosa Publishers papers in Elmore
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334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE WETUMPKA HERALD (681-260) is published twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099. ISSN # 1536-688X. We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $.25 per word per paper. Additional $15 charge for a photo per paper. (Herald, Weekend, Observer, Tribune). •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a photo. SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes Wednesday & Saturday) One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $50 One Year Elsewhere: $75 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. ADMINISTRATION Steve Baker publisher@thewetumpkaherald.com William Carroll, managing editor william.carroll@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 306 SALES Molly Brethauer, marketing consultant molly.brethaur@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . Ext. 313 Stacy Adams, marketing consultant stacy.adams@TheWetumpkaHerald.com . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 305
This election was a historic game-changer You know the outcome of the election. Unfortunately I had to go to press with the column prior to Tuesday. We will analyze the results for you next week. There should be very few surprises. The Electoral College System of selecting our President favors a Democrat winning the White House. Under this archaic and undemocratic system, it is a winner take all electoral vote contest. For example, if Hillary Clinton carries New York by one vote, she gets all 29 electoral votes. If Donald Trump gets one more vote than Clinton in Kansas, he gets all 6 electoral votes. When you look at the map of the red Republican states carried by Trump, it looks like most of the country. The middle of America is Republican but those states have fewer people. The east and west coasts of the country are fortressed by New York and California. It is easy to see that the east and west coast outweigh Middle America. The country is trending leftward philosophically. That is why California is referred to as the left coast. The country is also changing dramatically demographically. An amazing 15% of our U.S. Electorate is Hispanic. That makes this vote the most important ingredient in the presidential contest. These voters are not totally predictable, unlike African American voters, which comprise 12% of the electorate. African American voters monolithically vote 95% Democratic. Therefore, their votes are predetermined and they are not courted. Most southern whites are the same way. They vote 90% Republican. We in Alabama really do not have a say in presidential politics. Indeed very few Americans do. If Donald Duck was the Republican nominee for president, Donald Duck would
STEVE FLOWERS Guest Columnist
carry Alabama. However, do not feel left out. If you lived in California you do not matter either. California has over 10% of the nation’s people. They have 48 electoral votes. They are so liberal and Democratic that if Mickey Mouse was the Democratic nominee, he would carry California and garner all of their electoral votes. There are about 40 states that are predictably safe in either the Republican or Democratic column, similar to Alabama and California. All the money is spent and campaigning is done in the 10 pivotal battleground states. The ultimate swing state is Florida. The Sunshine State is now America’s third most populous state. It is a microcosm of America, probably because most of America has moved there to retire. Therefore, if you want your vote to count in a presidential race, move down to Florida. It would also make it easier to buy your lottery tickets. You can probably look at Florida and whoever carried Florida Tuesday won the White House. Our state elections are also pretty much no contests in the November general election. We are a solidly Republican state. All of our statewide officials are Republican. If you want to win in Alabama you have to do it in the Republican primary. Our senior U.S. Senator Richard Shelby will be reelected to a 5th six-year term. He will soon be Alabama’s longest serving U.S. Senator. He has also been one of our most powerful. He will join the ranks of
Lister Hill and John Sparkman as Alabama’s three greatest U.S. Senators. Popular PSC President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh will be reelected to her second fouryear term. She was first elected to the commission in 2010. Supreme Court Justice Tom Parker will be reelected to another six-year term. He was the largest vote getter in the Republican primaries earlier this year. Kelli Wise will also be reelected to another six-year term on the State Supreme Court. The Geneva County native may be the prettiest Supreme Court Justice in America. Justice Mike Bolin has been reelected without opposition to another six-year term on the high tribunal. The former Jefferson County Probate Judge looks more like a pro football player than Judge. All six of our Republican members of Congress will have been reelected on Tuesday. Bradley Byrne, Martha Roby, Mike Rogers, Robert Aderholt, Mo Brooks and Gary Palmer will continue to represent the Heart of Dixie in a very conservative fashion for another two years. Terri Sewell will continue to be our only Democrat. Tuesday’s election may be the last that would require residents to prove that they are U.S. citizens when registering to vote. A federal appeals court appears likely to side with voting rights groups seeking to block Kansas, Georgia and Alabama from requiring proof of citizenship. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
THE WETUMPKA HERALD
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
NOVEMBER 9, 2016 • Page 5
Miss Christmas on the Coosa
Top, Contestants in the Miss Christmas on the Coosa Pageant for 2016 (from left to right): Cayla Hicks- People’s Choice Most Photogenic, Madison Hill- third runner up, Christyl Springs-first runner up, Hannah Royal-Miss Christmas on the Coosa, Alexis Vaughn-second runner up and Carson Turner-Miss Christmas Spirit and highest ticket sales. Left, Teen Miss Christmas on the Coosa winners (from left to right): Kyle Wright-highest ticket sales, Abigail Carter-first runner up and highest ticket sales, Megan Smith-Teen Miss Christmas on the Coosa, Cailee Ingram-second runner up and Victoria Angus-third runner up. Below left, Little Miss Christmas on the Coosa winners (from left to right): Ashley Britt-highest ticket sales, Georgia Wyatt-Miss Christmas Spirit, Mary Lillian Key- first runner up, Harlie Barrett- Little Miss Christmas on the Coosa, Blaire Butler- second runner up, Dani Price- third runner up and Haylie CampbellPeople’s Choice Most Photogenic. Below, right, Petite Miss Christmas on the Coosa winners (from left to right): Kennedy Simmons- People’s Choice Photogenic, Carly Forbus- second runner up, Addison Daly- first runner up and highest ticket sales, Baylie Barrett- Petite Miss Christmas on the Coosa, Sophie Arant- third runner up and Zoey Potts- Miss Christmas Spirit. Bottom, Junior Miss Christmas on the Coosa winners (from left to right): Jazmin FaulknerPeople’s Choice Most Photogenic, Lamonica Smith- second runner up, Erika Broadway- first runner up, Tracy Wright- Junior Miss Christmas on the Coosa, Elsa Stubbs- third runner up, Tylarian McKethern- Miss Christmas Spirit and Jessica Davis- highest ticket sales.
Photos courtesy of Chrietzberg Photography
PAGE 6 • NOVEMBER 9, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
THE WETUMPKA HERALD
Regardless of election: ‘Love one another as I have loved you
B
y the time you read this, the election will be over. We will have a president-elect. Some people will be ecstatic, others will be devastated. But, we will all have to continue living together, no matter who we voted for, and who we hoped or prayed would win. With passions so high throughout this entire election cycle, how do we go about living in the aftermath? The answer is very simple. We take Jesus’ commandment to heart and live it: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. . . . This I command you, to love one another.” (John 16:12, 17). Jesus’ commandment is clear: love one another. Period. Jesus didn’t say love who you chose to love; love those who agree with you; love those who are the same race, nationality, gender,
sexuality, size, weight, age, religion, denomination as you; love those whose hair is fixed the same way as yours, who has (or doesn’t have) tattoos, piercings, ear rings, colored hair like you do; love only those who are not handicapped, those who can see, hear, speak clearly with your accent, who can walk, run, learn, understand like you; love only those who wear the same kind of clothes you wear, live in the kind of house and neighborhood you live in, are of the same economic and educational status as you are. No, Jesus said love one another. Everyone. No conditions, no limitations, no restrictions. Love one another. And, you know what. It “ain’t” easy. In fact, it is one of the hardest, most difficult things we humans can try to do. Look back over our Christian History. Our record of loving one another hasn’t been exemplary,
Wetumpka Church of Christ 408 West Bridge Street
Jason Chesser Minister
Central Baptist Church 3545 W Central Rd Wetumpka, AL 36092 Hwy 9 & W. Central Sun: 10 Bible Studies 11 Worship 6 Worship www.CBCWetumpka.com 239.233.0341 Pastor “g”
Sunday Prayer and Fellowship.......8:30 a.m. Bible Study.............9 a.m. Worship service...10 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study........7 p.m.
Visitors Welcome At All Services
assert, our prime objective must be to do as Jesus commanded: love one another, and love them no matter what. No matter if we believe this president-elect will lead to the destruction of our nation; no matter if others continue to aggravate and agitate, no matter if others continue to hate, we must love. We must try our best to swallow our pride, our needs, our fears, even our feelings, and love one another without restriction or reservation. Only once in the Biblical record did Jesus say: “This is my commandment.” Now is the time to see if we truly want to follow Jesus and do as he commanded, “Love one another.” Almighty God, you have given us this good land for our heritage: We pray that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable
REV. BOB HENDERSON Trinity Episcopal
far from it. The crusades, the inquisition, slavery, Jim Crow, women’s rights, integration, sexuality and homosexuality, how we treated Jewish, Polish, Irish, Italian immigrants and now Moslems: all detail ways we Christians failed to love one another. At this time in our nation’s life, following a presidential campaign characterized by polarization, acrimonious and sometimes hateful speech, a lack of truthfulness, innuendo and “dirty tricks,” and raging passion on both sides, we now must put our feelings aside and love one another. If we are “one nation, under God,” like so many
industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to the command of your son, we may show the peoples and nations of the earth how to love one another. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, do not let our trust in your fail; for we ask it all through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Bob Henderson is a rector for Trinity Episcopal Church in Wetumpka.
First
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Wallsboro United Wallsboro United Methodist Church Methodist Church
Mountain View Baptist Baptist Church Church
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Rev. Ryan Rev. Ryan Johnson Johnson Pastor
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SundaySchool..........10:45 School....10:45 a.m. Sunday a.m. Morning Worship....9:30 a.m. Morning Worship........9:30 a.m. Children’s Church.... 9:30 a.m. Children’s Church.......9:30 a.m. Thur. Night Service....6:00 p.m. Wed. Night Service.....6:30 p.m. You will receive a warm You will receive a warm Welcome at this friendly, welcome at this friendly, Christ-centered Church. Christ-centered Church.
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504 Osceola Street 504West West Osceola St. 334-567-4729 334-567-4729 •••• Anthony Rhodes Rev.Rev. Anthony Rhodes, Senior Pastor Senior Pastor Sarah Swedenburg, Worship Ministries
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SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY SERVICES Sunday School...........9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship.....10:30 School........9:30 a.m. a.m. Morning MorningWorship.......6:00 Worship... 10:30p.m. a.m. Evening Evening Worship..... 6:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY SERVICES WEDNESDAY SERVICES Prayer Meeting...........6:00 p.m. Supper.....................5:30 p.m. Choir PrayerRehearsal.........6:45 Meeting........6:15 p.m. p.m. Student Worship........6:00 p.m. Choir Practice..........7:00 p.m. Calvary Kids...............6:00 p.m.
CEDARWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH 10286 U.S. Hwy. 231 Wallsboro 567-0476 www.worshipcedarwood.org
Roger Olsen, Pastor Sunday Bible Study..........9:00 AM Sunday Worship.............10:00 AM We are a Congregational Christian Church which, in the name of Jesus, invites all to worship with us. Nursery Check out our Facebook page
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Santuck Baptist Church
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B.R. Johnson, Senior Pastor Larry Gore, Adm. & Counseling Randy Godfrey, Education Amy Pugh, Director of Children & Preschool Chad Middlebrooks, Students SUNDAY Sunday School............9 & 10:30 a.m. Worship........................9 & 10:30 a.m. Evening Celebration.................6 p.m. WEDNESDAY/FAMILY NIGHT Programs for every age 6:15 - 7:30 p.m.
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567-4458 1025 Rifle Range Rd. 567-4458 1025 RiÀe Range Rd.
Anthony B. Counts, Pastor InterimWorship Pastor Leader Angie Gallups, Billy of Students AngieReinhardt, Gallups, Min. Worship Leader
Billy Reinhardt, Min. of Students SUNDAY Morning Worship... ....10:30 SUNDAY School.............9:15 Sunday Morning Worship............10:30 Youth Choir .............. ....5:00 Evening Worship..........6:00 Sunday School.................9:15 WEDNESDAY Evening Worship..............6:00 Fellowship Meal............5:45 WEDNESDAY Preschool/Children’s Choirs.........................6:00 House of Prayer................6:00 House of Prayer............6:30 Preschool/Children’s Preschool/Children’s Missions............................6:00 Missions........................6:30 Youth Bible Youth BibleStudy.............6:00 Study.........6:30
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NOVEMBER 9, 2016 • Page 7
AT THE ZOO!
A zoo is a place where animals are held captive for the purpose of exhibition, education, and preservation. The word zoo comes from the term “zoological garden.” The earliest known zoos were in ancient China. Other ancient societies also had zoos; these zoos were looked at as status symbols among rulers. Today, the zoo’s purpose is to show people a wide variety of animals that one would normally not be able to visit in their natural habitats. Once looked upon as being cruel, zoos now place the animals’ needs and welfare above all else. Instead of cages and fences, animals have habitats that are created to be as much like their natural environment as possible. Many zoos have worked to help endangered species to reproduce, thus reviving the species. Animal healthcare is also a function of the modern zoos, further EHQH¿WLQJ WKH DQLPDOV 7KHUH DUH PDQ\ ODUJH DQG SURPLQHQW ]RRV ORFDWHG DURXQG WKH :RUOG The San Diego Zoo is one of the largest and most well-known of the zoos in the United States. Other important zoos are found in Calgary, Canada and Berlin, Germany. Many natural zoos are found in South Africa.
ZOO WORD FIND
ZOO CROSSWORD Crossword Ans: Across- 1) Elephant 3) Gorilla 6)Tiger 8) Giant Panda 9) Zebra 10)Monkey Down- 2)Alligator 4)Rhinoceros 5) Giraffe 7)Lion
Across Clues: 1. Largest land-dwelling mammal. 3. Largest member of the apes. 6. Largest cat on Earth. 8. Black and white bear from China. 9. This animal is monochromatic. 10. The most playful of primates. Down Clues: 2. One of the largest reptiles today. 4. Big animal with a horned snout. 5. The tallest animal on the Planet. 7. Often called the King of the Jungle.
FIND THE 10 DIFFERENCES IN THE PICTURES
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THE WETUMPKA HERALD
Edgewood students take an American history tour of Boston By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
Middle school aged students from Edgewood Academy were able to participate in a trip of a lifetime last week as 16 youngsters made the trek to Boston as part of an educational field trip. According to Edgewood Assistant Head of School Susan Montgomery, the trip focused on the Revolutionary War and colonial periods in U.S. History. “This is the first time we have gone to Boston,” Montgomery said noting that students spent three days in
the New England city and surrounding areas soaking up all of the history they could. The itinerary according to Montgomery included: The Boston Freedom Walk, the story of the Boston Tea Party, Boston Commons, Faneuil Hall, the Boston Massacre site, Prudential Skywalk, Lexington and Concord, Walden Pond, Salem and the witchcraft museum, Plymouth rock, the John F. Kennedy Museum and Harvard University. Edgewood students Emma Brown and Emma Weldon both really enjoyed the trip. Weldon said her favorite part of the trip was the
museum in Salem and the skywalk. Brown, who was sporting a Harvard sweater during our interview selected the university as her favorite part of the trip. “It is really pretty there,” Brown said. “I really like to read and they have the largest university library in the world.” Brown added that the Harvard Library is so large that it actually encompasses four stories underground. Both students said they have been studying U.S. History and the trip gave them an opportunity to expand their horizons.
“It (the Boston area) is a really big historical site, there is a lot to do and see there,” Brown said. Brown said it was her second time to go to Boston, but that she got to see different things this time around. One of the places she got to see was quite a bit different from how she pictured it in class. “I really liked Lexington and Concord, it was different than how I had pictured it,” she said. One of the high points for Weldon was the Old South Meeting House where the students were able to participate in a play. “We each had certain lines
we had to recite on whether we were for or against the Boston Tea Party,” Weldon said. While both girls really enjoyed the trip there were some drawbacks. Brown said she generally hates flying on planes and Weldon missed some of the southern comforts she was used to. “They didn’t have sweet tea,” she said. “They didn’t have grits or biscuits either.” Montgomery said that in the past Edgewood students have taken trips to Washington, D.C. She said she is currently working on a trip to New York City for high school-aged students.
SPORTS
PAGE 11 • NOVEMBER 9, 2016
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THE WETUMPKA HERALD
Intensity key for experienced Lady Indians in 2016-17 By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
Raising intensity. To get back to the postseason after missing it last year, the Wetumpka varsity girls basketball team aim to keep the collective pedal to the metal. “The small amount of time we’ve practiced, we’ve been a whole lot better with ball control and making better decisions with the basketball,” Lady Indian head coach Jermel Bell said. “The more we play, the more we learn. Our practices are more intense; I make them get after it. “Our motto this year is raising the intensity of how we play.” Entering his second year in charge of the program, Bell said this year’s team has a better understanding of his system of high-octane defense that fuels easy offense. It also helps that the top four scorers, as well as the leading rebounder, and shot blocker from his first team last season returns. “Losing Alexis Edwards, our senior leader, will hurt a little bit. But I have a lot of returners and starters that will fill that void as captains and leaders,” Bell said. “That’s the great thing about this year, most of the team played a lot of minutes.” With turnovers costing the Lady
Indians in close games a year ago, a big key will be ball control and that starts with junior guard Tyauna Ferguson and senior Shadeja Wright-Lucas. Ferguson, the team’s leading scorer last season, leads the experienced group and embodies Bell’s uptempo style with her speed. Zekeria Hooks totes the physicality in the low block at her forward position and Wright-Lucas adds more stability to the starting five, as the Tribe navigates a new area in Class 6A, Area 6 with Benjamin Russell and Opelika, who’s coming off a sub-regional run. “Our X-factor is going to be senior guard Tamara Donley. She makes big shots and plays great defense,” Bell said. “We need Tamara to give us 10 points one night, then 15 another night. She needs to push us along to make us better. “What I’m looking at is how we improve from last year -- it’s not as much as our opponents, but our own selves. In a three-team area, first gets you an automatic playoff berth. While would love to be that, before we get there, we have to take care of ourselves. Opelika had a great team last year. Ben Russell beat us in a tournament last year. But we got to improve on ourselves first before we think about those teams.” Cory Diaz / The Herald Wetumpka opens the 2016-17 season Wetumpka junior guard Tyauna Ferguson (24) looks to turn upcourt past teammates Taylor Hooks and at Marbury next Tuesday. Tamara Donley during the team’s practice Monday.
JV Indians open season with losses at Prattville By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
Cory Diaz / The Herald
Edgewood Academy junior point guard Kaitlyn Sampson dribbles through two defenders during team drills at the team’s practice last week.
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
Lady ‘Cats eye end to Elite Eight woes this year By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
Multi-year starters Kaylee Glenn, Kevi Hansen and Kaitlyn Sampson hope head coach Chris George calculates the formula for the Edgewood Academy girls basketball team advancing past the Elite Eight this season. After suffering a season-ending loss in the quarterfinals for the fourth straight year last season, the Lady Wildcats watched as George guided the boys team to their first state championship since 2001. Paired with an experienced team, George said the girls should expect results. “My expectations don’t change whether I’m coaching boys or girls,” George said. “I expect them to play hard, compete, and I want us to strive for championships. That’s the whole goal. It might be different the way they get it done,
but it’s happened here in the past. It can happen here again. They just have to believe in the process, work hard and get better every time you step on the court.” Realignment made the climb beyond the Elite Eight steeper for Edgewood, as it moved up to Class AAA and in the same region as reigning state champs Tuscaloosa Academy, runners-up Glenwood and traditional power Lee-Scott. “We’ve really focused on a lot of defense -- that’s where it’s going to start and end for us in on the defensive end,” George said. “We have to be able to get stops and defend the ball in transition. “Competing in AAA is going to be a challenge, but we’re up to the challenge. I think we’ll surprise a lot of teams and we’re going to be better than they think we are.”
Returning Hansen, who has 1,000 points for her career, sophomore C.J. Weldon, Glenn and Sampson -- four of their top five scorers -- will be big for the Lady ‘Cats. But physicality will fill out the formula and get the program past the quarterfinals. “We could be as talented as any team, but we’ve got to be physical. Not let them score and not let them get offensive rebounds,” George said. “Kevi will play a big role, Kaitlyn will play a big role, Avery (Roberts), C.J., Ansley (Drummonds) will be big for us. “If we can get four people to score 4 points a quarter, we’ll be tough to beat. It’s about team basketball, it’s not just one player.” EA will open the 2016-17 season at home hosting Sparta Academy.
Wetumpka junior varsity boys basketball team couldn’t withstand a flurry of late, fourth-quarter points as they fell at Prattville, 54-45, Monday to open the season. Leading 45-43 with 1:26 remaining, the Indians turned the ball over three straight offensive trips and the Lions seized the advantage, finishing the game with an 11-0 run. The two teams traded the lead three times in the final period before Prattville pulled away. Point guard Taquan Rawls and forward Bradley Ward headed up the charge for Wetumpka, who trailed, 33-31, after the third quarter, combining for seven points in the fourth. Robert Stewart gave the Tribe their first lead, 39-37, at the 3:49 mark in the final period with a 3-pointer. Stewart finished second on the team with nine points for the game. With 1:43 left, Rawls put back an offensive rebound for a layup, giving Wetumpka its final lead, 45-43. Rawls paced the Indians with 13 points, while Timothy Johnson had eight points and Ward added seven. The WHS junior varsity girls team couldn’t get anything going as Prattville rolled, 43-8, in the season-opening contest. Prattville held the Lady Indians scoreless in the first period, and stretched its lead to 26-0 by the 3:50 mark in the second. Two free throws from Breanna Toles snapped the run, sparking an 8-point run between herself and Brooke Slayton, who made Wetumpka’s first field goal with 3:05 to go in the half. Toles sank another free throw and Slayton hit a 3-pointer with 20 seconds remaining before halftime. The Lions led, 33-8, at the break. The Lady Tribe failed the score the remainder of the contest. WHS JV will host Benjamin Russell Thursday at home with the girls playing at 5 p.m.
Cory Diaz / The Herald
Wetumpka point guard Taquan Rawls (30) puts up a layup over a defender during the junior varsity team’s season opener at Prattville Monday.
THE WETUMPKA HERALD
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Election
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to 10,068. There were also 4,521 write in votes tallied in the race. In the Circuit Court Judge, 19th Judicial District, Place 2 race, Republican Ben Fuller defeated Independent candidate Karen Jackson in Elmore County with 25,149 votes to 6,130 votes. For the various statewide amendments on the ballot this year Elmore County voted as follows: For Amendment 1, which deals with appointments to the Auburn University Board of Trustees, had 18,370 yes votes to 10,212 no votes. For Amendment 2, which deals with allowing non-state entities to operate hotels, golf courses and restaurants at state parks, there were 23,336 yes votes and 7,865 no votes. Amendment 3, which deals with local constitutional amendments
had 13,471 yes votes and 13,368 no votes. Amendment 4, which deals with authorities granted to local county commissions was approved with 16,895 yes votes to 11,057 no votes. Amendment 5, which deals with separation of powers under the constitution was supported with 13,702 yes votes to 13,303 no votes. Amendment 6, proposing an amendment to the constitution pertaining to impeachment procedures failed in Elmore County with 13,410 no votes to 12,803 yes votes. Amendment 8, declaring a constitutional right to work passed by Elmore Countians in a large margin with 19,273 yes votes and 8,939 no votes. Amendment 11, dealing with
cities and counties using tax increment financing collected within designated manufacturing zones to incentivize manufacturing facilities failed in the county with 13,430 no votes to 12,415 yes votes. Amendment 13, which deals with repealing age restrictions pertaining to appointed and elected officials except judges also failed in Elmore County with 14,029 citizens voting no and 12,930 citizens voting yes. Amendment 14, dealing with budget isolation resolutions passed in Elmore County with 16,359 yes votes to 10,301 no votes. Whether any amendment passes or fails comes down to the statewide vote totals, these figures merely represent how Elmore Countians voted on these issues.
NOVEMBER 9, 2016 • Page 12
Mobility
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Garrett said GSM performs a full range of services from simply transporting wheelchairs to installing full driving systems in cars. The driving systems include such high tech concepts as voice activated controls and a variety of different joysticks, which not only control steering, but gas and braking as well. “We carry the most complete line of products of anyone in the state,” Garrett said. Garrett noted that his company sells modified Toyota, Dodge and Chevrolet vehicles, which have been redesigned for use by disabled individuals. Garrett said GSM also carries a vehicle known as the MV-1 produced by Mobility Ventures. “It (the MV-1) is the only wheelchair accessible vehicle that comes specifically designed that way off of the assembly line,” Garrett said. In addition to vehicle sales, GSM also provides specially rotating seats, stairlifts and porch lifts for homes and ceiling tract systems. They also offer wheelchair accessible rental vehicles and a variety of vehicle repair options. “I am proud to say we have the largest service department in the state of Alabama,” Garrett said. GSM also works closely with Veterans Administration and the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services and is an approved vendor for both organizations. Garrett said that GSM is certified by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association under its Quality Assurance Program as a mobility equipment installer, structural vehicle modifier and high tech driving systems installer. Garrett, a veteran himself says he works frequently with the VA and area veterans not only in a business capacity but in a charitable capacity. “We try to put back into the community as much as we can,” Garrett said. GSM currently employs eight staff members, four of whom work in the service department. He said that three are currently out of state as part of ongoing training that staff receives in order to perform their role for clients based on the highest quality standards. For those interested in learning more about Gulf States Mobility you may contact them at 334-514-6590 or check out their website at gulfstatesmobility.com.
Fire
David Granger / The Herald
Circuit Judge Bill Lewis of the 19th Judicial Circuit swears in Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis as Willis’ wife Kathy looks on.
Council oral term, praised the council, as well. “I would like to thank my wife who has allowed me to do this for this is the third consecutive term and four years on the council before that,” Willis said. “Without her, I would not be able to stand here and do this job. I appreciate your patience. I appreciate you putting up with me, because it’s not an easy job. I love you and thank you. “Before these council members are sworn in, I’ve had the opportunity to work with one of these council members eight years and I’ve had the opportunity to work with the other council members for four years. They’re a great group of people. We’ve been up and down some hills together, but I want to tell you we have gotten a tremendous amount accomplished in the city of Wetumpka, with these people behind us, behind me, supporting what we’ve attempted to do and what we have done here in the city of Wetumpka. Our future is very bright.” The swearing-in ceremony took place in the work session prior to the council’s meeting. It was a meeting that progressed quickly until the latter portions. Items were checked off the agenda without dissent until Willis entertained a motion to approve expenses for the mayor, council members, the city clerk and the city attorney to attend state and regional meetings and, with council approval, national
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meetings as well. In discussion, Percy Gill of District 2 asked why council approval was necessary for national meetings if all meetings were for training purposes. After some discussion, the council, instead of removing the need for approval for national meetings, as Gill had initially suggested, agreed to amend the motion to require council approval for attendance of all such meetings. The amended motion passed unanimously. The final item on the agenda would meet with the most discussion of the night, however. Bobby Mays, president of the Elmore County Branch #5026 of the NAACP, requested that the council approve his organization’s use of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Multicultural Recreation Center for the third and fourth Mondays of each month for the NAACP chapter’s meetings for calendar year 2017, but that also, for both the remainder of 2016 and 2017, “anytime there is a additional request for usage outside of the standing dates that, one, (the NAACP) do(es) not have to come to the council for approval and, two, that the initial waiver of the fee be applied to those additional dates, as well,” Mays said. The impetus for Mays’ request was the recent need for his organization to use the facility to contribute to the relief efforts for flooding in Louisiana and for Hurricane Matthew, he said. “We’ve worked with
you and we’ll continue to work with you if you have a situation to come up, you need another day and it’s some kind of emergency situation, some fundraiser for something you’re doing to help someone out, we can work with you, I don’t see where there’s any problem. … It’s not a big deal,” Willis said to Mays. After more discussion, including Gill’s seeking clarification of Mays’ request, the council voted to approve the agreement with the NAACP as is. After the meeting adjourned, Gill said that he would likely bring before the council a resolution at a future meeting that would satisfy Mays’ concerns about the NAACP’s use of the building. He agreed to let Mays review any resolution he might come up with. Mays attempted to clarify the point of his request of the council after the meeting. “The package that I prepared for them says I want the facility for the third and fourth Mondays for our meetings,” Mays said. “In addition, I want to be able to use the facility – fee waived – when we have community issues that need to be addressed. The statute includes that language.” Mays also said he felt that a strained relationship between himself or the NAACP and the mayor may have contributed to his inability to reach a new agreement with the city. “There’s some emerging bad blood it appears unfortunately that’s going
on between the mayor and me or the NAACP that’s causing this,” said Mays. “There is absolutely no reason why a request like that should have resulted in that kind of push back.” Willis said Wednesday morning he knew of no “bad blood” that existed. “I know of no bad blood between the City of Wetumpka and Mr. Mays, I know of no bad blood between the City of Wetumpka and the NAACP Organization,” said Willis. “I don’t know where that kind of statement could have come from.” Willis further said that a city ordinance would not allow the mayor alone to waive the usage fee on a municipal building, which is why he initially did not waive the fee for the days that were available to Mays for the NAACP’s disaster relief efforts. In other action, the council: • Elected Councilman Kevin Robbins of District 1 mayor pro-tem; • Designated the mayor, mayor pro-tem and city clerk to sign checks and official documents; • Designated USAmeriBank, BB&T, First Community Bank, PrimeSouth Bank, PNC Bank, Regions Bank, River Bank & Trust and Wells Fargo Bank as depositories; and • Passed resolutions re-appointing City Clerk Candy Masters, Police Chief Danny Billingsley and Fire Chief Gregory Willis to their positions.
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a wildfire that started on Friday in Walker County, which has now escalated into a 1,300-plus-acre blaze and is still growing. Over the weekend, other large wildfires burned in Baldwin, Coosa, and Wilcox counties affecting several property owners. Since Nov. 1, wildfires consuming more than 100 acres had occurred in Walker, Baldwin, Jefferson, Wilcox and Blount counties. The Blount County wildfire, like the one in Walker County (of which the Blount County fire could be an extension, Cole said), posed a threat to homes. Cole said that he was not aware of any homes being lost to the fires. Elmore County remained relatively unscathed by the fires with just seven in the last 30 days burning just under three acres each, on average. In total, the River Region has reported 28 wildfires in the last month that have consumed 222.25 acres. According to Cole, the No Burn Order is a result of the prolonged drought that most of the state is experiencing this year, as well as the increasing number of fires that have occurred recently and reduced availability of suppression resources. “With these extremely dry conditions, any fire can quickly spread out of control,” Cole said. “Over the past few weeks we’ve seen an increase not only in the number of wildfires that have occurred, but also the size. “Several of these fires have been large, not only resulting in damage to our forests but also directly threatening residential areas. If not for the efforts of Forestry Commission firefighters and assistance from volunteer fire departments we would have lost homes.” Cole said he decided to move forward to propose the statewide no burn order after receiving calls urging him to do so from fire professionals, including fire chiefs, and politicians from across the state, particularly south Alabama where there was no no-burn order. “Normally what we do is we look at the number of fires and the acreage burning and decide whether we (the Alabama Forestry Commission and its woodland firefighters) can handle them,” Cole said. “If we decide that we can’t that’s a trigger. But this time I was getting a lot of calls from fire chiefs from Baldwin and Mobile counties, other fire professionals and some politicians, too, who had constituents calling them and wanting a ban. I actually wanted to do it a little sooner, but I wasn’t able to get with the governor over the weekend.” Cole said that some light rain was falling in south Alabama Tuesday morning bringing minimal relief to the wildfire situation. The National Weather Service’s extended forecast for the Wetumpka area does offer a slight possibility of relief, mentioning a 20 percent chance of showers both Sunday night and Monday. Under the Drought Emergency ‘No Burn’ Order, Section 9-13-141 of the Code of Alabama states that it is illegal for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, woods, wildlands or marshes; to build a campfire or bonfire; or to burn trash or other material that may cause a forest, grass or woods fire. Specifically, the regulation prohibits any prescribed burns, any campfire or bonfire, any trash or debris fires, or any other open burning. If convicted, the penalty for violating the No Burn order is up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.00. The no-burn order will remain in effect until rescinded by the State Forester when conditions change to sufficiently reduce the occurrence and frequency of wildfires. To report persons burning in violation of this law, contact your local law enforcement. For more information on the current wildfire situation in the state, visit Alabama Forestry Commission’s website at www.forestry.alabama.gov.
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