ECLECTIC, PAGE B6
LOCAL, PAGE A7
ECHS band preparing hair-raising halftime
Murals coming to downtown Tallassee
SPORTS, PAGE B1 REELTOWN HOSTS YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP
INSIDE:
LOCAL FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS, MENTS PAGE A2
The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA TALLASSEE, AL 36078
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July 14, 2021
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 123, NO. 14
City to reopen bids for the downtown utility lines project By CARMEN RODGERS Bureau Chief
It’s back to the drawing board for bids on the water, gas, and sewer line replacement project in downtown Tallassee after Faulk Contractors rescinded their bid. “There was a bid miscalculation by the
contractor who won the bid,” Tallassee Mayor John Hammock said. “They notified us within three business days.” According to Tallassee Public Information Officer Griffin Pritchard, plans for the downtown project are fluid but once they solidify, progress is inevitable. “There is no straightforward path to this,” he said. “Once this thing takes shape, it’s
Benjamin Fitzpatrick Bridge will get fresh coat of paint By CARMEN RODGERS Bureau Chief
Now that the Benjamin Fitzpatrick Bridge sports newly installed lights, fresh paint is in its future, according to officials with the Alabama Department of Transportation. “It is in the planning stages and will be painted silver aluminum,” ALDOT Public Information Officer Brantley Kirk said. Tallassee Mayor John Hammock is hopeful that the bridge will be painted sooner than later. “As we try to beautify our downtown, which in government it’s not as easy as the private world, there’s budgets and See BRIDGE • Page A3
City closer to demolishing delapidated structures By CARMEN RODGERS Bureau Chief
Cole Hilyer, owner of Southern Excavating won the bid to demolish the first round of dilapidated homes within the city of Tallassee, thanks to a City Development Block Grant that’s funded through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. “He’s about to start clearing away some of the brush around these vacant, rundown, unsafe structures,” Tallassee Mayor John Hammock said. Before the structures can be demolished, a separate company will come in and remove potentially See DEMOLITION • Page A3
going to be huge for the city but right now we have to revitalize the project.” The city of Tallassee will now have to reopen the bid process. “We will be bidding that out again,” Hammock said. “We’ll be advertising that. Shaking the bushes to see if we can get even more people to bid on it.” Originally, the gas, water, and sewer line project was
included in the TAP grant project. These plans have been in the works for years. City officials received the TAP grant award letter in September 2018. In October 2020, Tallassee city officials received the green light from the Federal Highway Administration for the Alabama Department of Transportation’s Transportation
Alternatives Program grant, to move forward with the project. After consulting with city engineers, it was then decided that it would best to spilt the project into two scopes, underground infrastructure and streetscape. This grant funding will give the downtown area new utility lines, a fresh new look that will include new sidewalks and freshly paved roads.
TAKING THE LEAD Steers named Rotary President, Weldon named President-Elect By CARMEN RODGERS Bureau Chief
Tallassee’s newest State Farm agent in town, Logan Steers, has been elected Rotary president. Steers is not a Tallassee native, but he enjoys calling Tallassee home and looks forward to raising children here. “I grew up in Sylacauga, and moved here two years ago to open up a new State Farm office,” Steers said. “My wife and I are expecting a baby boy in September and can’t wait to raise him in the Tallassee community.” With new fundraising ideas already being tossed around, Steers is enthusiastic about serving as president of the Rotary Club. “I am excited to take on this new role as the Tallassee Rotary President and look forward to helping our community in every possible way,” he said. Tallassee native Stephanie Weldon will See ROTARY • Page A3
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Logan Steers was elected as President of the Tallassee Rotary Club and Stephanie Weldon was elected to serve as President-Elect.
Keep Tallassee Beautiful kickoff campaign a success By CARMEN RODGERS Bureau Chief
The first of the Keep Tallassee Beautiful cleanup effort took place Saturday, July 10, at city hall from 8-11 a.m. Councilmember Bill Hall coordinated the volunteer effort that aims to remove litter from area streets and neighborhoods.
According to Hall, the first Keep Tallassee Beautiful campaign was a success. “We had a lot of participation -- Ward 3 had a lot of people out working,” Hall said. “Considering, it was a last-minute push to get the word out, I think it has gone well.” Green For Life set up a roll off dumpster at city hall for the city of
Tallassee. “We have half a dumpster filled,” Hall said. Hall said he appreciates everyone who volunteered for the cleanup effort. “I want to thank everyone who took the time out of their day to come out and help beautify the city, and take See SUCCESS • Page A3
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