Trina Baughn
Encouraged by the results of the Aug. 2 election, communications professional Trina Baughn is running again, this time for a regular four-year term on the Oak Ridge City Council.
The Aug. 2 special election was for a three-month term. That election was required after former City Council member Tom Hayes resigned in June 2011.
Council appointed Chuck Hope Jr. to take Hayes’ seat last summer, and Hope beat Baughn in this summer’s election.
The two are now among the five candidates seeking three City Council seats in the Nov. 6 election. Also running are incumbents Charlie Hensley and Ellen Smith, and challenger Kelly Callison.
In a press release, Baughn called herself the non-establishment candidate.
If elected, she said: “I will be the voice that has been lacking on Council … I want Oak Ridge to thrive again.”
Baughn said the city must work to increase revenue while controlling spending.
“I will work to make Oak Ridge competitive by being honest about our deficiencies and working diligently to correct them,” she said.
She said she has more than 15 years of business experience in both the private and public sectors, including roles in project management, business-to-business sales, employee and volunteer recruitment, event coordination, marketing, and process analysis.
Baughn is best known for her frequent guest columns and public appearances “in which she advocates for fiscal transparency, accountability and efficiency,” the press release said. Most recently, she said, she challenged recommendations that would have used taxpayer money to fund the city manager’s pursuit of a doctorate and a $38,000 sports utility vehicle for the school superintendent.
Neither request was approved, Baughn said.
Baughn now serves on the Oak Ridge Personnel Advisory Board, the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Board of Directors, and the Bike and Pedestrian Working Committee. She has also served as an unofficial crossing guard, worked for the American Red Cross, coordinated the 2007 Oak Ridge High School cross country team’s annual banquet, and served as a foster parent and child advocate, the press release said.
Baughn said she recognizes residents and small businesses as the lifeblood of the community.
“I will insist that your city government respect you as such in their treatment of you and your contributions,” she said.
Baughn graduated from the University of Maryland University College in Germany, where she lived with her husband while he served in the U.S. Army. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications and an associate degree in management studies, the press release said.
She and Bret have been married for 19 years and have two children, Savannah and Collin.
Baughn received 42 percent of the vote in August. She said she was thrilled with those results as a first-time, non-establishment candidate.
“I love Oak Ridge,” Baughn said. “I love the people, their passion and all of the wonderful attributes of this beautiful city. We have so much to offer, and I want to ensure that my family and yours can still call Oak Ridge home 20-30 years from now.”
For more information, visit trinabaughn.com.
Robert Humphries says
Go Trina!
Linda Wells Mabry says
Trina is honest, intelligent and easy to talk to. Her knowledge base is sound on current events in the City. She doesn’t shy away from controversial subjects and doesn’t seem to be the type to ride the fence on issues of importance! If you haven’t had a chance to meet her look her up. She loves meeting new people and hearing what they have to say. I’m glad I’ve gotten to know you, Trina.
Onslow West says
I’d like to point out that Tom Hayes served four years (the duration of his original term) on council before resigning. The additional 16 months added to the terms of the council members was the consequence of the charter commission changing the council elections to coincide with state and national elections in Novembers of even-numbered years. Hayes ran for a four-year term, and when he had completed his obligation, he said goodbye.
This press release is the first time I’ve heard the three incumbents and the other candidate referred to as the “establishment.” (That brings back memories of catch-phrases from the sixties.) I guess being involved and vested in the community is equivalent to being part of the establishment. Furthermore, I was not aware until this press release that the members of council were uninterested in, or even opposed to, “Oak Ridge thriving again” vis-a-vis “the voice that has been lacking on council.” And for goodness’ sake, why haven’t they considered “increasing revenue while controlling spending?” No doubt we will soon discover via press release that council has been asleep at the tiller, city employees are not minding the store, the city manager is imagining that money grows on trees, and that school officials are hiding the fact that school children in Oak Ridge are not all above average. If I read it in a press release or on the Internet, it must be true.
CK says
“In a press release, Baughn called herself the non-establishment candidate.” Wish I could vote for any anti-establishment candidate. The others are for more BAD government IMHO !
NYB says
I think its a little arrogent of Ms Baughn to take credit for Council voting against a issue simply because she discussed it. The education funds requested by the City Manager was withdrawan before the Council meeting even started. This had nothing to do with Ms Baughn and yet she continues to take sole credit when the council votes against an issue. Yes she can discuss the issues but I want action, one person with a one sided view or agenda adds nothing to Council. We need someone that that is willing to work as a team member. I don’t rememeber hearing if Ms Baughn has actually held down a job outside her home (throwing around unused college degree does nothing for me). Not working in a business does little to bringing insite as to how a business needs to be run and basically the City of Oak RIdge is a business and the City Council is its Board of Directors.
Ms Baughn continues to be nothing but negative when she talks about the city. I want a canidate that stands behind our city and looks for the good it has and can bring growth.
Anne says
Anytime Oak Ridge can have a new, fresh, youthful approach to issues it can only be good for the city and the people. If Ms. Baughn has a “one-sided view” it is not necessarily the wrong view. And sometimes one person can bring up an issue or make a point that hasn’t been thought of before and change the tide. That is not arrogant but indicative of intellect and creativity. Council must address all the issues facing Oak RIdge, the bad along with the good, and denying Oak Ridge’s problems is detrimental to the city. It is obvious Ms. Baughn cares deeply for Oak Ridge by her willingness to serve on council. Not many people are willing to offer themselves for public office and face the scrutiny of a campaign. It is exciting to see her energy and excitement about serving the people of Oak Ridge.