Tidbits for Life

by Michael Butler

Don't ever take a child under two into a nice sitdown restaurant. The child won't sit still for more than 30 seconds at any time, unless he or she is asleep. And, you think they're going to give you 30 minutes or more at a restaurant. Buy some Chef Boyardee and save your money. If you've got mulitple kids, don't even think about it...

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Another Tallassee Shooting

Contributed

Last Thursday, Tallassee Police responded to Sunwood Court on Lower Tuskegee Road in reference to a person being shot. Police arrived at the scene at approximately 6:30 pm.

Upon arrival, officers located Ronnie Johnson, a black male. Johnson had been shot in the upper neck and back area. The alleged offender, Eddie James Riley, a 50 year old black male, was arrested at the scene for 1st degree Assault and 2nd degree Criminal Mischief.

It is believed that a verbal dipute let to the altercation with one shot being fired. Riley then apparently attempted to run Johnson over with his vehicle. He drove the vehicle through Johnson's home (a trailer) causing moderate damage. Johnson was treated at Tallassee's Community Hospital and released. Riley was arrested and transported to Tallassee City Jail.

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City Ratifies Mediation Terms with McKenzie

by Michael Butler

The Tallassee City Council voted 6-1 to accept a mediation settlement with Billy McKenzie at Monday night's meeting. McKenzie will have to pay $80,000 to the City of Tallassee within 60 days, or three $30,000 payments by December 31st of this year.

McKenzie addressed the council prior to the vote. "This council and the mayor is not the one who started this thing," McKenzie stated. McKenzie said that he was told by former Mayor Bobby Payne and a committee that the city would fund a pumping station when he was builiding the River Hills subdivision on Lake Talisi.

"Clairewood is the nicest subdivision in town. Well River Hills is now. I just can't sell any lots," McKenzie quipped. "I gave you the guest house. I built my trophy room here. (The Trophy Room) is the most expensive. It may not be the nicest, but it's the most expensive."

McKenzie said he received a letter some time ago requesting that he repair Rosemere Drive in Clairewood Subdivision and pay half of the pumping station. "I have nothing to do with Rosemere," McKenzie said. "My son Gil is 50 now. He's on his own. That's his."

McKenzie donated the guest house to the city, but until this past week his wife had not signed the documents. Both signatures have now been given and the property is officially deeded to the City of Tallassee.

"I never asked the city to do anything for me," McKenzie said. "I don't feel I should have to pay for the pumping station. The city has never asked anybody else to build a pumping station."

"(McKenzie) agrees to the conditions, he wanted the opportunity to address the council," McKenzie's attorney, Brett Garrett said.

McCain spoke on his weekly WTLS radio segment about the decision. "A committe of three agreed to pay for the pumping station," he said. "That was not the council. That was a committee. A committe has no power. The council has the power."

Councilman Russell Chandler was on the committee that initially spoke with McKenzie. "Let the record show that I was against this the first time," he said. Chandler was the one dissenting vote Monday night.

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Tallassee.com Domain Available

by Michael Butler

The www.tallassee.com domain name is available for sale. Owner Richard Fannin, has had the website since 1999. He cited that he is unable to update the cite remotely as he would like to. Fannin lives in Washington state.

"I think that Mayor McCain would have me arrested at the city limits on any return visits to Tallassee if I did not inform him for right of
first refusal and sold it to someone else," Fannin stated.

Fannin did give the city the option. "The city can't afford to buy it," Fannin said. "From what I've heard, they decided to buy the domain www.cityoftallassee.com instead. The Communications Taskforce for the city has reserved that domain.

"(The city's) understanding of how to reach the worldwide marketplace is lacking," Fannin said.

Fannin is advertising the domain for sale on the website. "It is doubtful that the domain will come up for sale again anytime soon and this could be your only chance to own, what is without a doubt, the best real estate in Tallassee."

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Coach's Jersey

One of the Relics on Display in the O'Brien Room at the Superintendent's House

“Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”

by Michael Bird

It will be a long time before the music world produces another artist like Michael Jackson.

All one has to do is scan through the Joel Whitburn Billboard Top Hits 1955-2005 book: with his family members or as a solo artist, Michael Jackson placed over 70 songs in the top 40 during an amazing career that spanned four decades.

His artistry is in the rarefied air with Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Mariah Carey in that his records are owned by millions upon millions of people around the world.

Radio formats have splintered into a million pieces over the past couple of decades, but I found it so fascinating that, on the day of Jackson’s death at age 50, his music crossed format lines and listener patterns one more time.

Stations that typically played contemporary hits were playing Jackson 5 tunes. Hip-hop stations reached into their archives for classic Jackson cuts from the early 1980s.

MTV stopped its regular programming and aired the unforgettable video for “Thriller,” directed by John Landis, from 1983. I can remember the MTV World Premiere Event for this short film; it was a big deal for not only MTV, but for a generation of music lovers...

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Easy to Own! It's hard to believe that you can live in such comfort for so little. But this beautiful 5 Bedroom, 3 Bath home is only $79,900. It can be all yours, call today to schedule an appointment.

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July 4th Safety on the Water

By Sgt. Gary Buchanan ( Marine Police)

As the weather heats up so does the activity on Lake Martin. The 4th of July is typically the busiest day on the lake. This year the 4th falls on Saturday so the entire weekend promises to be hectic.

Along with the regular fun of being on the lake there are a couple of events that will take place on Saturday the 4th. The Russell Marine 4th of July boat parade begins at Kowaliga Marina at 10 a.m. There will be plenty of decorations on the participating boats and passengers alike.

Of course, the big event is the Russell Lands fireworks show from the Lake Martin amphitheater. The fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. however boats begin filling Kowaliga Bay and the surrounding areas before 8:00 p.m. It is quite a spectacle to see all the boats on the lake at night.

People often ask me, “What is the safest way to experience the fireworks from the lake?” My first response is to say, “From your front porch.” However, I know that everyone is not fortunate enough to have that view.

The first thing I would do is get there early and plan on staying late. The heaviest rush of traffic is between 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and again in the thirty minutes following the end of the show. Avoiding those times will make the experience more enjoyable because you won’t have so many boats zipping around.

As always, it’s extremely important to have a person that is not drinking alcohol to drive the boat. In addition, that person should be fairly familiar with the lake at night. It is definitely not the place to have your first nighttime cruise.

As far as safety equipment, check and double check the navigation lights. Carry spare bulbs, fuses, and flashlights. Each year there are boaters stranded without lights because of some electrical problem. Having a flashlight would allow them to signal their location to other boaters rather than just floating in the dark.

Remember that you are required to have one life jacket (PFD) for each person on board the boat. Also, take care not to exceed the carrying capacity of the boat. The capacity plate near the operator’s seat will tell you the maximum weight and people the boat can safely carry. Overloading a boat makes it more likely to capsize.

For more information on boating rules and requirements visit www.outdooralabama.com. Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

Lake Martin Activity Report: (6-26 - 6-28)

2 No operator license
1 Insufficient navigation lights
1 expired registration
1 operating PWC without wearing PFD

22 warnings
2 boater assists

To report boating violations call the Montgomery Trooper Post at 334-242-4128.

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Stuckey Addresses Council About Sports Grill

by Michael Butler

Johnathan Stuckey addressed the Tallassee City Council Monday evening about locating a sports grill downtown at 15 South Ann Avenue. A packed council chambers of local residents listened intently regarding his intentions. "We felt it was necessary, because of the outcry of people that oppose it," McCain said. "I asked Mr. Stuckey to come in and give us a business plan."

The city is awaiting on additional information, including a background check with fingerprints from the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. The planning commission will also have to clarify the definition of the guidelines for a restaurant in the downtown district. An eat-in restaurant is permitted in the downtown area. A tavern is not.

The classification Stuckey is proposing is a Restaurant Lounge. Under this classification, food, refreshments and liquor are offered for consumption. Councilwoman Heather Johnson addressed the town center location designation. "I want the town's definition to provide a certain percentage of food versus alcohol sales. I am asking that the majority of sales should be food sales. Otherwise it is not a restaurant."

Stuckey indicated that the business would be open to those 21 and over. "It is not because it's not suitable for families," Stuckey said of the age requirement. "It's to protect my business. If underage people are drinking. The ABC could pull my license."

Stuckey would like to offer lunch and dinner. Proposed hours of operation would extend to 2:00 am Thursday - Saturday nights. Stuckey stated that the business would be called the "Downtown Sports Grill." He originally coined it "Sadie's Place." Sadie is his dog's name. Stuckey changed the name because of perception of a bar or honkey tonk.

"As the night progresses, there will be an opportunity to dance and have a good time," Stuckey said. There will be a deejay on certain nights. "The music will be appropriate, nothing vulgar," he added.

Stuckey stated that the main concentration of the business would be as a restaurant serving chicken wings, crab claws and cold cut sandwiches. There will be a fully-stocked bar. Several telvision sets featuring ballgames would be inside.

"I'm not required to have security," Stuckey said. "Anytime you have a large group of people together, something's going to happen. We'll be prepared."

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4th Line-Up for Lake Martin

Russell Lands 19th Annual Boat Parade at Kowaliga Marina will be Saturday at 10:00 am. Those interested in participating may register at any Russell Marine location. There will be prizes awarded for the most patriotic boats. Call 256-212-1479 for more information.

The 4th of July Blast at Lake Martin Amphitheater will be at 6:00 pm. Gates open at 5:00. Featured artists include: The Sweet Young'uns, Muse and Karen Carter. Tickets are $15. Children six and under get in free.

The celebration culminates with the annual fireworks show at 9:00 Saturday night.

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Splash!

Emma Kate Holley and Jackson Rhodes

4th of July Recycle Schedule

The City of Tallassee will observe the Independence Day holiday on Friday. City Hall and the Tallassee Recreation Center will be closed all day Friday. The recycle schedule for the week will be moved up one day. Thursday's route will be picked up on Wednesday. Friday's route will be picked up on Thursday.

Big Fish

Submitted by Tiffany Baker

Brad Bonner shows off the "Catch of the Year." A bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at work. Work is for people who don't know how to fish.