Oak Ridge Today

Letter: Animal protection group endorses Biloski for juvenile judge

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To the Editor:

Tennessee Voters for Animal Protection—a non-partisan, grassroots political action committee—announced their endorsement of Lauren Biloski for Anderson County Juvenile Court Judge on Tuesday.

“Lauren Biloski has been a consistent advocate for animals through her animal rescue work as well as representing rescue groups in a legal capacity, said Anjie Crow, TVAP’s president. “If elected as Juvenile Court judge, Bilsoki plans to bring the H.A.B.I.T. program into Court, which would allow animals to calm children who are testifying. She would also be tough on juveniles who commit crimes against animals and get them the help they need.” [Read more…]

Letter: Friends of Grove thank performers, volunteers, those who donated

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To the Editor:

The Historical Grove Theater, 123 Randolph Road, would like to acknowledge the abundant blessing received last Friday at the “Oak Ridge Has Talent” Showcase Event.

We extend our thanks to the 10 local performance groups who donated their time and talent to the lucky audience. Everyone could feel the special spirit of community as we all came together to support an important part of our history. From the Sound Company kids at the beginning, all the way to the Ridge City Ramblers ending the concert with two great sing-along pieces with the audience.

We also want to thank the many volunteers who contributed their support and gifts, not seen on stage. Every donation of time, talent, financial support, and hard work is greatly appreciated.

Friends of the Grove Theater

Letter: Why didn’t Chamber ‘weigh in’ on red-light camera debate?

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To the Editor:

What is curious about the red-light camera debate is the fact that the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce did not weigh in. It is supposed to recruit and lobby for small businesses.

Not a single business in Oak Ridge, when asked, refused to sign our petition against the cameras. They knew that the cameras hurt their bottom line.

The Chamber appears to spend its time and budget on wooing the large government contracters from out of state. They seem uninterested in local start-ups and successes. [Read more…]

Letter: Council should defer new traffic light decision

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To the Editor:

Recently the City of Oak Ridge announced plans to employ an engineering firm to evaluate “signalized” traffic flow, with the stated purpose of ensuring optimum traffic flow, to minimize and reduce traffic-related air pollution in the central parts of the city.

This has been touted as a forward-thinking “green” initiative, proof of Oak Ridge’s commitment to a clean urban environment.

Now Oak Ridge is proposing yet another traffic signal on the Turnpike, with the vote to approve scheduled for March 24. Adding another signal on the Turnpike will likely add to the ground-level air pollution, smack-dab in the midst of ORHS and the Civic Center. [Read more…]

Letter: Renew red light cameras

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Note: This is a copy of a letter sent to Oak Ridge City Council on Thursday.

The well-placed red light cameras have had an excellent effect on reducing speed and red light violations. Please vote to renew the contract.

In the past there have been complaints about the “intrusion” into people’s rights to disobey posted speed limits. Two come to mind:

  1. Man says it’s impossible to go down the Illinois Avenue hill and across Robertsville road at less than 55 miles per hour. [Read more…]

Letter: Witness ‘intense conflict of forces’ in Playhouse drama

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To the Editor:

In the early days of black-and-white television, there used to be a game show entitled “I’ve Got A Secret” hosted by Garry Moore. On it, a panel tried to determine a contestant’s “secret”: something that was unusual, amazing, embarrassing, or humorous about that person. It was entertaining in a jocular fashion. Presently appearing on the stage at the Oak Ridge Playhouse is “Other Desert Cities,” also a show built around secrets that are revealed with gut-wrenching emotion. One program would give you the urge to buy toothpaste. The other will give you the urge to seek a storm shelter.

I was privileged to watch the final dress rehearsal on Thursday evening. The pedigree and jist of the play, while important, are recorded elsewhere. I wish to share with you, the reader, what I experienced with the hope that—at the curtain call—you, too, will be engulfed with a myriad of emotions. You are going to witness a prime example of ensemble acting. The seasoned actors are Ashley Peck (Brooke Wyeth), Leo LaCamera (Trip Wyeth), Karen Brunner (Mrs. Polly Wyeth), Steve Fitchpatrick (Mr. Lyman Wyeth), and Laurel Williams (Aunt Silda). While each possesses talent in his or her own right, collectively they are a super nova of stagecraft. For approximately two and a half hours, what you will see and hear is real! They are brother, sister, and aunt that have their own take of the family secret; and a mother and father who know the truth but have refused up till now to reveal it. These are not thespians but an actual family embroiled in a crisis that goes beyond the worst holiday dinner you have ever had. [Read more…]

Letter: Thanks for Christmas gifts for children through courthouse Angel Tree

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To the Editor:

Employees of Anderson County government, as well as many local families and citizens, recently provided Christmas gifts to 34 children in Anderson County Schools through the Courthouse employees’ Angel Tree. It was truly a team effort, from our Maintenance Department helping to erect the tree and haul the gifts, to Mayor Terry Frank having the office serve as headquarters to organize the generosity, to David Crowley helping to deliver the gifts.

I am humbled by the generosity of the local community and the employees in making sure the children had a wonderful Christmas this year. And, I was endlessly blessed to see the precious smiles from youngsters and see the tears and hear words of thankfulness from their mothers, grandmothers, and fathers while delivering the Christmas gifts late last week. It was equally moving to see the smiles on the faces of those employees and citizens who contributed as they brought gifts to the Mayor’s Office. Each person gave so willingly while knowing very little about the child—beyond his or her first name and age—for whom they had purchased gifts. [Read more…]

Letter: Remembering Minnie Thompson

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To the Editor:

I keep thinking of Minnie Thompson and some of her attempts to make things better for Oak Ridge citizens.

She showed the documentation of how she had attempted to get automatic doors added to the Oak Ridge Post Office.

I said, “Minnie, this is a prime example of how Oak Ridge sets up a power of ‘four’ that never writes letter for its citizens that have no spokesman.” [Read more…]

Letter: Citizens Police Academy teaches about protecting, serving

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To the Editor:

The Oak Ridge Police Department has recently announced that it is in the process of recruiting for the 2014 class of the Citizens’ Police Academy. As a graduate of the 2013 class, please allow me to warn prospective applicants what they are in for if they are selected.

You are going to work your butt off. You will not be spending time listening to boring lectures. You will get your hands dirty in various activities from lab work that will make you think you could be a member of C.S.I. to standing on the firing range under a beautiful star-lit sky aiming a Glock service revolver at a target and squeezing the trigger.

You are going to be inundated with paperwork. The realm of research would call it primary source documents from judges, various section heads, representatives of community groups that interact with local law enforcement, and contacts from federal agencies. Trust me, no stone will go unturned. [Read more…]

Letter: Anderson Chamber gives thanks for successful Clinton Christmas parade

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To the Editor:

We at the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to all those who helped to make the annual Clinton Christmas Parade “A Christmas to Remember” an overwhelming success.

 

PARADE

Roger Houck, city manager for support; Rick Scarbrough, Clinton police chief, and Sgt. Jim Campbell, the Clinton Police Department, for assisting in assuring a safe parade; Chief Archie Brummitt and the Clinton Fire Department for carrying Santa Claus; Lynn Murphy and Bill Riggs, Clinton Public Works for cleanup; and Jason Brown, Clinton Recreation Department for coordinating. [Read more…]

Letter: Let’s help Applewood residents displaced by fire

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On Thanksgiving Day, an electrical fire broke out at the Applewood Apartments in the Highland View neighborhood. Eighteen people were displaced from their apartments while most of us were enjoying rich feasts with friends and families. Although the Red Cross was able to find these people temporary housing, they asked for help to meet the need of meals for these families.

On Monday morning checkout time, these families may be able to return to their apartments or they may have no place to go until the repairs are made to the electrical system of their building. The Red Cross representative said that because of the holiday and because many of these people couldn’t afford to have heat during this cold snap, they were able to extend the amount of care they could normally give. However, that will be ending and reaching beyond the scope of what they can further do during this emergency. [Read more…]

Letter: Residents urge legislators to raise minimum wage

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To the Editor:

Two bills in Congress to raise the minimum wage by about 95 cents per year for the next three years are HR1010 and S460. We, the undersigned, urge readers to contact their congressmen and senators to urge passage of these bills.

The minimum wage is now $7.25. If these bills pass, then over the next three years, the minimum wage would increase to $10.10.

Currently, if a worker is able to get 2,000 hours of work per year (in 50 40-hour weeks)—and unfortunately, not all can—he or she earns a yearly gross wage of $14,500, which is below the U.S. Department of Labor threshold of $1,245 per month ($14,940 annually) for receiving food stamps. If this worker’s wages increased by 95 cents an hour, he or she would earn $16,400 and thus would be raised above the poverty guideline. [Read more…]