OPINION: MEDIA COVERAGE OF COUNCIL UNBALANCED
TIGER PRIDE ON THE LINE!
FRIDAY
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Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 October 30, 2015 Vol. 123, No. 217 www.alexcityoutlook.com
City addresses concerns over Russell property demolition By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Questions from visitors as well as Alexander City residents have prompted questions about the lagging demolition and cleanup of property that was formerly part of the Russell Corp. campus. At a Monday night meeting of the Alexander City City Council, Councilman Tony Goss asked
Mayor Charles Shaw about the status after citizens expressed concerns about the slow pace of the project. The salvage operation of five Russell mill buildings began June 2013 and is still ongoing, but Shaw said that the sites have been quiet in recent weeks. The property is now controlled by Saucier Investments LLC and it has contracted with Roy Granger
and Regeneration LLC to handle the work. Shaw told the council and those in attendance at Monday’s meeting that they have been in talks about the situation. “We’ve been in contact with Roy (Granger),” Shaw said. “As he said, when you are recycling and salvaging, it is a slow See CLEANUP, Page 7
‘Renew Our Rivers’ event slated to include multiple points of focus
2015 could end as one of hottest years on record
Two-day clean up event expects more than 250 volunteers this year
By Carmen Rodgers Outlook Staff Writer
Still sporting sandals and T-shirts? There is a reason. October has been one for the record books. This month has been the hottest October ever recorded and September was the second warmest on record. “Only September 1998 was warmer for the Lower 48. Record and near-record warmth spanned most of the country, with nine states in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southwest record warm,” according to NOAA. Go back to the summer months of June, July and August and these months also saw the highest global temperature average since record-keeping began in 1880. October has tipped the scales, making 2015 the warmest year on record. What is driving these record setting temps? “Media attention draws eyes on El Nino, and this season’s is expected to be See HOT, Page 3
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
A building on the old Russell Mills campus is partially torn down. Alexander City officials have been critical of the pace of the cleanup.
By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
United Way Poker Walk Above, area residents walk from business to business Thursday night at the Lake Martin Area United Way Super Hero Poker Walk. Right, Mark and Brandi Worthy discuss their poker hands while dressed as Harry and Lloyd from ‘Dumb and Dumber.’ The event finished at JRs where the winning and losing hands were announced as well as best costume. The United Way played off their own Super Herothemed campaign to encourage participants to dress up for the walk.
More than 250 volunteers are expected to participate in next weekend’s “Renew Our Rivers” annual Lake Martin Cleanup. The 2015 effort is sponsored by Lake Martin Resource Association (LMRA), Alabama Power Company (APCo), Russell Lands and Advanced Disposal. The combined efforts of more than 250 volunteers each year over the event’s first six years have resulted in more than 40 tons of building debris and trash being removed from the pristine shoreline and scenic roadsides surrounding the lake. “The faculty and students at Stephens School will kick the event off with a ‘Celebrate Lake Martin Day’ on Friday, Nov. 6,” said Thompson. “All will wear the customized tee shirt featuring the winning artwork provided by Stephens third-grader Ava Franklin.” The cleanup will be a two-day event from 8 a.m. till noon on Friday and Saturday. Dumpsters will be placed at Kowaliga Bridge, Wind Creek Park Marina, New Site and Coley Creek public launch. Volunteers will be there to provide supplies and assist with unloading the filled bags. Tee shirts will be given to all volunteers. Already a fraternity from UAB has indicated it will be sending approximately 25 volunteers to assist in the cleanup. They have See RENEW, Page 2
Young artists shine in Renew Our Rivers Poster Contest
Today’s
Weather
By David Granger
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Outlook Staff Writer
Third-grader Ava Franklin thought of the good times she’s had on Lake Martin when she came up with the idea for her winning poster for the “Renew Our Rivers” poster contest at Nathaniel L. Stephens Elementary School. Franklin, whose homeroom teacher is Brandon Morgan, drew a trio of Lake Martin fun-seekers doing one of her favorite things to do on the lake. “They’re tubing and they’re about to fall off,” said Franklin. “See their feet in the air?” Franklin said she often goes tubing with her dad, John, and her sister. When she does, she says it’s not unusual to see trash on the Lake Martin shoreline. “I see a lot of bottles,” she said. As the winner of the poster contest, Franklin’s design will adorn the front of David Granger / The Outlook the “Renew Our Rivers” shirts given to Winners of the “Renew Our Rivers” poster contest at Stephens Elementary School pose with those who participate in the Seventh Annual their artwork. They are, left to right, Fourth-grader Taylor O’Daniel (second place), fourth-grader See POSTER, Page 3 RaeLeigh Caldwell (second place) and winner Ava Franklin, a third-grader.
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Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
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54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
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