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September 15, 2015
Vol. 123, No. 184
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Businesses seek Sunday sales of alcohol Businesses seek help from commissioners By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
After hearing from two local businesses about the need for Sunday alcohol sales, the Tallapoosa County Commissioners have asked the county attorney to research the subject before the next meeting. During public comments at Monday’s meeting, the commissioners heard from representatives from Niffers at the Lake and Chuck’s Marina, both asking for consideration of moving to legalize Sunday alcohol sales in the county. In addition to possible revenue loss, the businesses also said the current Sunday sales ban creates confusion for patrons who may live in neighboring counties where Sunday sales are allowed. While the matter wasn’t on the agenda and no official action was taken, the commissioners asked County Attorney Thomas Radney to review and advise as to the process that must be followed and report back at the October meeting of the commissioners. Tallapoosa County Probate Court Judge Leon Archer advised the commissioners that he has issued an order for a special election for the Stillwaters Volunteer Fire Department. The election is set for Sept. 29 and is to determine whether they can increase the service charge currently imposed. The commissioners also got an update on the fiscal year 2016 budget. While the budget has been in the works for several weeks,
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
A Above, Evangelist Sharonna Hayes prays for a woman at Sunday’s vigil in Goodwater. Below, Rev. Demetrius Griffin talks about the troubles in today’s society, while attendees B hold h candles in memory of two slain Goodwater resident, at bottom.
CANDELIGHT WAKE UP CALL
Vigil for murder victims asks for calm and change By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
It was called a candlelight vigil, designed to remember v the th lives of two men who were w bound and murdered in a Goodwater home. G But what the more than 300 3 who attended the Sunday night event to memorialize n Terrance Donald Strong and T Dantigo Kelley got was a D wake up call. w Local officials, ministers and an family members hammered home the point that m there th is no future in senseless See VIGIL, Page 9
See COUNTY, Page 5
Council to hold budget work session today
COUNTY BATTLE
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
Bank honors area’s first responders
Reeltown prepares to meet Horseshoe Bend, page 10.
Problems linger for Alex City’s tap water ADEM to visit as issues flushing lines cited as reason for delays By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
Reports of an odor in the Alexander City drinking water supply continue and the Water Department has increased its efforts to correct the problem, likely caused by green algae in the system, according to John Meadows, superintendent of the city’s Adams Water Treatment Plant. “It’s just taking us a while to get the lines flushed out,” Meadows said. “We have a guy who works with our chemical supplier here doing some extra testing throughout the system. We’re getting better numbers.” Reports of the odor began late last week with reports of “moldy” smelling water. Based on what they were told by Alexander City officials and their knowledge of the system, officials with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management agreed that the problem was likely due to green algae or turnover. Turnover, according to ADEM Drinking Water Chief Dennis Harrison, is when the strata of a body of water temporarily turn upside down with the colder water, normally on bottom, rising and the warmest water, normally on top, sinking. Harrison said whether the problem is turnover or green algae, Alex City is taking the right steps to correct the problem. “What (Alex City water officials) are doing is what you do,” said Harrison. “You add copper sulfate and you flush the lines.” Harrison said he has not known the Alexander City water system to ever have an odor problem for this long, but that some systems have had odor problems last as long as a month. He also said an ADEM inspector would visit the plant Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. During the controversy earlier this year over raises given by the mayor without City Council approval, several Water Department See WATER, Page 5
Meth, cash, guns seized in Goodwater
By Mitch Sneed
Staff Report
Outlook Editor
Outlook Staff
With an Oct. 1 deadline looming, the Alexander City City Council will begin reviewing and refining its budget for Fiscal Year 2016 this afternoon. A public work session of the Finance Committee will be held at 4:30 p.m. in the upstairs conference room of Alexander City City Hall. The aim is to be armed with information from each department, so that the council can explore any issues and concerns at the work session. “We only have roughly See COUNCIL, Page 5
Several local residents reported seeing an enorr mous police presence m near a mobile home off n Highway 280 in Coosa H County Friday, but offiC cials remained tightc lipped, saying it was an li execution of a search ware rant. r Alabama Law Enforcements Agency E officials confirmed o Monday that the search M was w part of ongoing drug investigation and that one in person was arrested and p See DRUGS, Page 5
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
M Members of the Alexander City Police Department and the Alexander City Fire and Rescue pose with staff at USAmeriBank as the bank hosted first responders a lluncheon. The bank has hosted a luncheon off and on for a long time and every yyear for the last three years.
Today’s
Weather
83 64 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
488.19 Reported on 9/14/15 @ 3 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® L C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 C sshaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
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54708 90050
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USPS Permit # 013-080
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SERVICE - INSTALLATION - REPAIR RESIDENTIAL - COMMERCIAL - INDUSTRIAL Mike Coker 3875 Dadeville Road, Alexander City, AL 35010 256-329-8488 • 256-267-5021 mobile