This week in CCN history
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Much like this week, “The Coosa County News” 30 years ago recorded local election turnout and coverage.
The election chart featured in the November 12, 1992, edition looked much different than it does now, as it has changed and grown over the years. The newspaper’s first election chart three decades ago showed the precinct-by-precinct breakdown, but only included three races in the chart.
In something rarely seen in elections, that edition 30 years ago also included a race that ended in a tie and a handshake.
The results of a recount in the election for a constable in beat 13 revealed a tie vote, with both Ed Long and write-in candidate Lester Nickolson receiving 48 votes. It was reported that to resolve the issue the two men shook hands and decided to leave it a tie for the unpaid position.
That edition also reported on Goodwater being asked to assume management of the city’s senior center. Bill Cooper with the East Alabama Regional Planning Commission had attended that recent Goodwater City Council meeting and requested that the city assume the management responsibility for the programs and the Goodwater Senior Center facility.
At that time the council agreed to study the matter and determine the feasibility of Cooper’s proposal. However, it was noted that all council members felt that it would be a good idea.
During that meeting the Goodwater council also reviewed numbers for giving municipal employees raises, with the employees having not had raises in four years. Three decades ago the municipal employees were making $4.25 to $7.94 per hour, and at the time Mayor Lonnie Caldwell was quoted as saying, “I don’t know many people who would work for four years at these wages without a raise.”
Coinciding with that, the Rockford Town Council had also discussed employee raises during that time and approved a 5% raise for its employees.
During that Rockford Town Council meeting, the council also appointed Keith Lewis, John Harris and Bruce Poppell to serve on the Rockford Parks and recreation Board, joining Shirley Ogle and Donna Ellison.
Other local front page news that week included Williams and Sons Feed and Seed being selected to receive the first Goodwater Pride in Action’s Beautification Award. Williams and Sons were recognized for their efforts in helping beautify Goodwater.
That edition also featured the 4-page “Cougar Talk,” included inside the newspaper. “Cougar Talk” was Central High School’s student paper, with the staff consisting of Alisha Hilyer, Jerie Browning, Jacintha Perry, Charlene Wood, Nathan Bearden, Jason Hickey, and Tabitha Camp.
That “Cougar Talk” recognized Billy Paul Williams being chosen Teacher of the Year and the Beta Club inducting 20 new members.
It also highlighted the school’s football and volleyball news, recognizing senior athletes for each. The senior football players at the time were Bryan Wood, Cornelius Cunningham, Jarrod Cunningham, Rick Dean, Jamie Steverson, Cortney Gilbert, and Reggie Norris. Senior volleyball players were Brenda Leonard, Leah Norris, Ursala Strong, Romy Moon, and Brandi Carr.
Having just celebrated their fifty-first anniversary Monday, that week’s newspaper three decades ago also featured a wedding anniversary announcement from Glenda Cardwell to her husband, Ricky Cardwell, for their twenty-first anniversary.
See other highlights of 30 years of “The Coosa County News” periodically in future editions throughout the year as we continue to celebrate three decades of dedicated local news coverage.