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The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
TALLASSEE, AL 36078
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May 10, 2017
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 118, NO. 19
Council votes to raise gasoline tax By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The Tallassee City Council voted six to one in favor of amending an ordinance that would raise gasoline tax from the current two cents per gallon to four cents per gallon for distributors inside the city limits. Those outside city limits, but inside police jurisdiction will now pay an additional two cents per gallon at the pump thanks to the amendment to the resolution.
Not every member was on board with the increases. Councilman David Stough made it clear that he was opposed to raising taxes on gasoline, citing lower costs for gasoline in larger neighboring cities. “We’re already paying more for gas in the City of Tallassee. I had a lady tell me just today that she had to go to Auburn for a doctor’s appointment and she said she plans on filling up her car with gas while she is over there because gas is already so much cheaper,” he said. “I
don’t know if I am in favor of this raising the gas tax.” Stough also explained that he would be more approving of an occupational tax, but could not get behind the increase in gasoline tax. Other council members who were in favor explained that this extra two cents per gallon would generate an additional $60,000 that would be earmarked for utilities and public works. Councilman Jeremy Taunton pointed out that something needs to be allocated
Local Scout raises $9,500 for band instruments
See GAS • Page 3
City and state officials focus on mill blaze
STAFF REPORT TPI STaff
Reward raised as law enforcement seeks leads in devastating fire
Ninth-grader Riley Davis is completing his Eagle Scout project. For the past year and a half, he’s worked hard building birdhouses to sell. So far, he’s sold $2,500.00 worth of them. His charity? A school was built in Montgomery, about 20 minutes from Riley’s hometown of Tallassee. Johnnie Carr Middle School, named for the Civil Rights icon, was built with a nice new band room facility. There were chairs and music stands. But a very important feature was missing. Band instruments. Carr Middle School spent its first couple of years operating on donated instruments from the community, but never had enough for all the students in its district that wished to join the band. See SCOUT • Page 2
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
The greens behind City Hall were packed last Friday as cancer survivors and their friends and families joined together to celebrate life with a survivor’s reception, a survivor’s walk and a luminaria ceremony at Tallassee’s Relay for Life..
WALKING FOR A CURE Community steps up, digs deep for Relay for Life
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The greens behind City Hall were packed last Friday as cancer survivors and their friends and families joined together to celebrate life. The event began with a reception held
inside the chambers of City Hall. Afterward, the crowd moved outdoors where local businesses and churches set up tents and furnished food and water to those in attendance. Tallassee’s local Boy Scout troop took part in the celebration. The troop served See RELAY • Page 3
State and city officials met at City Hall Thursday to discuss the east side mill fire, which occurred one year ago this month. Since that time there have been few developments in the case. However, a lot has changed, including those who are investigating the fire. In the past year, Tallassee elected a new mayor and a new police chief has been appointed. Since taking office, the mill fire has been a central concern for both men. A new state Fire Marshal has also been appointed as well. Together, these men made it clear that the investigation is far from over and will continue until a cause of fire is determined. “We’re here to put this back before the public to try to generate information regarding the mill fire,” said Scott Pilgreen, the new state fire marshal. “To make everyone aware of it and to think about it again. If anyone knows anything at all, we would much See FIRE • Page 3
Tallassee man competes to be World Champion auctioneer
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for the city’s youth, but he also stated that utilities are a more pressing matter. “I’d love to do something for our youth, but the key word is need,” said Taunton. “We need infrastructure, roads, sidewalks. Those are things that we need.” Councilman Darrell Wilson, who asked the finance committee to add a line item for the construction of a new swimming to this year’s budget back in October, once again brought up the need
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By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer THURS: HIGH 81 LOW 55
CONTACT US Submitted / The Tribune
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Blake McDaniel, of Tallassee, will soon make his mark on the world of auctioneers by competing in the upcoming World Livestock Auctioneer Championship. McDaniel a Tallassee auctioneer and employee of the Montgomery Stockyards, is going to Montana to compete for the 2017 WLAC.
USPS 681-260
LINVILLE MEMORIAL
F U N E R A L
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Cremations and Monuments
84632 Tallassee Hwy. [ Eclectic, AL
334.639.4730 www.linvillememorial.com
Auctioneers have been a fixture throughout history, helping to shape the way people live and the growth of the United States. Changes in technology have impacted many things but the importance and viability of the auction has remained strong throughout the years and with it, the auctioneer. Blake McDaniel, of Tallassee, will soon make his mark on the world of auctioneering by competing in the upcoming world championship. McDaniel, a Tallassee auctioneer and employee of the Montgomery Stockyards, is going to Montana to compete for the 2017 world livestock auctioneer championship. See CHAMP • Page 2
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