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New AC Finance Committee meets for first time; picks chair, vice chair

Posted at 11:49 am March 8, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 2 Comments

Myron Iwanski

Myron Iwanski

Information from WYSH Radio

Monday night, the newly-minted Anderson County Finance Committee held its first meeting. The new committee was created when the county switched its financial management system from one based upon a 1957 statute to one based upon a 1981 law. The committee, beginning with next year’s budget cycle, will be responsible for many of the fiscal duties currently held by the county mayor and the Budget Committee, which is chaired and appointed by the mayor.

The new Finance Committee is comprised of four county commissioners—Chuck Fritts, Tim Isbel, Myron Iwanski, and Philip Warfield—as well as County Mayor Terry Frank, Director of Schools Larry Foster, and Highway Superintendent Gary Long. The committee’s first responsibility will be to hire a new county budget director and a new purchasing director as longtime county employees Chris Phillips and Pamela Cotham, respectively, resigned those positions, citing uncertainty brought about by the change in systems. No timetable has been established for those hires but Monday, the committee did agree upon job descriptions and lists of qualifications and responsibilities for both jobs, which will be advertised by the county’s human resources director. The hope is that one or both of the vacant positions can be filled quickly. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Government Tagged With: Anderson County Finance Committee, Budget Committee, Chris Phillips, Chuck Fritts, financial management, Gary Long, Larry Foster, Myron Iwanski, Pamela Cotham, Philip Warfield, Terry Frank, Tim Isbel

Anderson County Democratic Party to select convention delegates on March 5

Posted at 8:57 am February 17, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The Anderson County Democratic Party will help select Tennessee’s delegates to the Democratic Presidential Convention during a March 5 meeting in Oak Ridge.

The Democratic Party County Delegate Convention will be in the Oak Ridge Civic Center Social Room on Saturday, March 5, a press release said. The doors will open at 11:45 a.m. and close promptly at 1 p.m. EST.  No one will be admitted after the doors are closed. Those who are in the room and in the process of registering will be allowed to finish. The gavel will fall and the convention will convene at precisely 1:05 p.m. EST, as directed by the Tennessee Democratic Party, the press release said.

The event is open to all registered voters in the county, supporters of the Democratic Party, and those who agree to support the nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2016 Presidential election, the release said. The Party welcomes all to attend who wish to participate in selecting Tennessee’s delegates to the Democratic Presidential Convention.

Information about becoming a Democratic National Committee (DNC) delegate and the rules governing the DNC Delegate Selection Process may be obtained from tndp.org, or from the Tennessee Democratic Party, 1900 Church Street, Suite 203, Nashville, TN 37203, telephone, (615) 327-9779.

Filed Under: 2016 Election, Anderson County, Front Page News, Government, Meetings and Events Tagged With: 2016 presidential election, Anderson County, Anderson County Democratic Party, delegates, Democratic National Committee, Democratic Party, Democratic Presidential Convention, DNC, Oak Ridge Civic Center, Tennessee, Tennessee Democratic Party

AC mayor has public forum on financial management change on Tuesday, Feb. 16

Posted at 10:58 am February 16, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 1 Comment

Terry-Frank-Jan-29-2016

Terry Frank

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank has scheduled a Tuesday evening public forum on a proposed change in the county’s financial management system.

The public forum will start at 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 16, in Room 312 of the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

The mayor has issued a notice of veto to Anderson County Commission on the proposed change to the 1981 Act. The Tuesday forum comes before a County Commission vote on Monday, February 22.

See the mayor’s column on the proposed change here.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Copyright 2016 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Government, Top Stories Tagged With: 1981 Act, Anderson County Commission, Anderson County Courthouse, Anderson County mayor, financial management, Terry Frank

Opinion: County mayor objects to financial management change; schedules public forum

Posted at 10:52 am February 16, 2016
By Terry Frank 1 Comment

Terry-Frank-Jan-29-2016

Terry Frank

The financial story of Anderson County in the last three years has been one of stability and progress. For the first time since 2006, Anderson County was removed from high-risk audit status in 2013, and placed on low-risk status. That held for 2013, 2014, and 2015.

As we closed out the books on 2015, our Accounts and Budgets and Schools cheered zero audit findings in our Comprehensive Annual Financial Report by the State of Tennessee’s Division of Local Government Audit.

Through partnership of our Budget Committee and County Commission, we saw three consecutive years of growth in fund balance, improved cash flow position, and a commitment to raising the bar on dipping into the fund balance by requiring a supermajority approval (12 of 16 members.) In 2013, we raised the supermajority requirement to $3.5 million, in 2014 to $4 million, and in 2015 to $4.5 million.

We kept new debt to a minimum, and for two consecutive years also modified existing debt agreements to save taxpayer money over the life of the bonds without extending the maturity dates of the debt. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Government, Meetings and Events, Opinion Tagged With: 1981 Act, accounting structure, accounting system, Anderson County, Anderson County Commission, Anderson County mayor, audit findings, Budget Committee, Capital Projects Fund, comprehensive annual financial report, county commission, debt, fund balance, public forum, Terry Frank

No major problems reported after snow Friday; Key Springs Road temporarily closed

Posted at 2:27 pm February 12, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Edgemoor-Road-On-Ramp-Feb-12-2016

The Edgemoor Road exit ramp off South Illinois Avenue is pictured above after snow fell on Friday morning, Feb. 12, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Authorities reported no major problems when snow fell in Oak Ridge and Anderson County on Friday morning, although some area school districts closed.

Key Springs Road in north Oak Ridge was temporarily closed at the request of the Oak Ridge Police Department after a tractor-trailer got stuck coming up the steep, curvy road.

It wasn’t necessarily weather-related, and it wasn’t clear how long the road would be closed, said Pat Fallon, Oak Ridge Public Works division manager.

Four trucks with snow plows were out clearing roads and spreading salt. No problems had been reported for at least an hour, Fallon said at about noon Friday. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Anderson County, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Slider, Weather, Weather Tagged With: Anderson County, Clinton Highway, Key Springs Road, Mark Lucas, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Public Works, Pat Fallon, Sheriff's Department, snow

Early voting starts today in Tennessee

Posted at 12:52 pm February 10, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 1 Comment

Vote Logo

Note: This story was last updated at 1:30 p.m.

Early voting for the March 1 presidential preference primary, or “SEC Primary,” begins today (Wednesday, February 10).

In this election cycle, voting early may be an important option because of unpredictable winter weather, state officials said in a press release. The number of presidential candidates as well as the number of delegates could also create incredibly long ballots for some voters.

Six Southern states will join Tennessee to help decide who could be the next president of the United States. The Volunteer State’s clout could mean more primary interest than in years past. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2016 Election, Anderson County, Federal, Front Page News, Government, Meetings and Events, State, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County ballot, early voting, election day, president, presidential candidates, presidential preference primary, Roane County ballot, SEC primary, Tennessee, Tre Hargett

Photos: Anderson County Animal Holding Facility ribbon-cutting

Posted at 4:48 am February 1, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Emma-Berry-BARK-CHS-Anderson-County-Animal-Holding-Facility-Jan-29-2016

Emma Berry of Clinton High School’s B.A.R.K. (Bettering Animal Rescue in the Knoxville area) announces a $2,000 donation for a future shelter at a Friday afternoon, Jan. 29, 2016, ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Anderson County Animal Holding Facility on Blockhouse Valley Road in Claxton. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLAYTON—Here are pictures from the Friday afternoon ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Anderson County Animal Holding Facility on Blockhouse Valley Road in Claxton.

The new 12-kennel animal holding facility gives the county a place to hold stray dogs and dogs held for other reasons, such as animals rescued or taken away from crashes, drug busts, and drunken driving arrests, officials said. It opened about four weeks ago and only holds dogs now.

See story here.

Clinton-High-School-BARK-Anderson-County-Animal-Holding-Facility-Jan-29-2016

Clinton High School’s B.A.R.K. (Bettering Animal Rescue in the Knoxville are) celebrates the new Anderson County Animal Holding Facility on Blockhouse Valley Road in Claxton on Friday afternoon, Jan. 29, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Government, Media, Pets, Photos Tagged With: Anderson County Animal Holding Facility, animal holding facility, B.A.R.K., Bettering Animal Rescue in the Knoxville area, Blockhouse Valley Road, Brian Porter, Clinton High School, Emma Berry, Jimmy Miller

New animal holding facility gives AC a place to keep strays, other dogs

Posted at 4:16 am February 1, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Anderson-County-Animal-Holding-Facility-Ribbon-Cutting-Jan-29-2016

Anderson County officials and volunteers celebrate a new animal holding facility on Blockhouse Valley Road in Claxton that will be used to hold strays and other dogs. Pictured above is a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Jan. 29, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 10:20 a.m.

CLAXTON—A new animal holding facility in Anderson County gives the county a place to hold stray dogs and dogs held for other reasons, such as animals rescued or taken away from crashes, drug busts, and drunken driving arrests, officials said Friday.

The new 12-kennel Anderson County Animal Holding Facility is on Blockhouse Valley Road in Claxton, at the Blockhouse Valley Recycling Center.

It helps the county deal with a shortage of space elsewhere, including at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank said.

It’s not a shelter yet, but that’s part of the long-term plan. Officials and volunteers said the holding facility is just the first step for them. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Government, Pets Tagged With: Anderson County, Anderson County Animal Holding Facility, Anderson County Commission, animal holding facility, B.A.R.K., Bettering Animal Rescue in the Knoxville area, Blockhouse Valley Recycling Center, Blockhouse Valley Road, Brian Porter, Clinton High School, Eagle Bend Manufacturing, Ed Steinebach, Eileen Slater, Jimmy Miller, NOAH Companion Animal Center, Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, ribbon-cutting, Robert McKamey, Robin Biloski, S.A.R.G., Shelter Animals Rescue Group, Terry Frank

Mayor Frank seeks help setting up monthly breakfast for veterans

Posted at 2:18 pm January 27, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Terry-Frank-William-Ward-Billy-Ward-January-2015

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, center, and the Ward brothers on their visit to the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives. Clinton resident William Ward, left, is a veteran of World War II and notably the Battle of Midway. (Submitted photo)

 

Work slowly progressing on a museum for veterans memorabilia, artifacts

Submitted

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank is seeking help from people interested in participating in a planning group to organize a free, monthly breakfast for all Anderson County veterans—from the cities to the rural areas. A meeting has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m. February 2 in Room 118A at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton. All interested citizens are invited to help develop plans. No military service background is required.

In 2014, Frank traveled with local World War II veteran William Ward and Anderson County’s Veteran Service Officer Leon Jaquet to visit the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives in Athens, Alabama. Frank, Ward, and Jaquet were given a tour by William Ward’s son and veteran, Billy Ward. Billy Ward serves on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Veterans Museum. Frank and Jaquet also met with organizers of the Alabama Museum, as well as the museum’s director Sandra Thompson. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Government, Meetings and Events, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County, Anderson County Veteran Services, Anderson County veterans, Billy Ward, breakfast for veterans, Leon Jaquet, Terry Frank, veterans, veterans memorabilia, William Ward

Ribbon-cutting for Anderson County Animal Holding Facility on Friday

Posted at 1:21 pm January 25, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Anderson-County-Animal-Holding-Facility

The public is invited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Anderson County Animal Holding Facility at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, 2016. (Photo by Anderson County Animal Holding Facility via Facebook)

 

CLINTON—The public is invited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Anderson County Animal Holding Facility at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 29.

The facility marks a major milestone and advancement in the care and welfare of animals in Anderson County and is part of a larger, long-term plan to build an independent, county-operated state-of-the-art facility, a press release said.

On hand to celebrate will be longtime former Anderson County Commissioner Robin Biloski, who will be travelling from Florida to participate in the special event.

“Our new Animal Holding Facility clearly shows how a government effectively worked to help its residents on a neglected quality-of-life issue,” Biloski said. “Anderson County has proudly demonstrated how numerous people can come together to create a reality that our citizens have wanted and needed for so long. This issue continues to be so important to me that I left sunny Florida to be part of this inaugural event and pledge to continue to work on this initiative. I hope to see many dear friends share in this joyous occasion.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Government, Meetings and Events, Pets, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County, Anderson County Animal Holding Facility, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, animal control, B.A.R.K., Blockhouse Valley Road, Clinton High School, Clinton High School Art Department, Kenny Sharp, Monique Berry, Public Works, Robin Biloski, Ted Phillips, Terry Frank

DA: Anderson County had biggest reduction in state in traffic fatalities in 2015

Posted at 12:23 pm January 25, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 2 Comments

Dave Clark

Dave Clark

Anderson County had the greatest reduction in traffic fatalities of any county in Tennessee in 2015, an official said Friday.

In 2014, there were 18 traffic fatalities in Anderson County, District Attorney General Dave Clark said. In 2015, that number dropped to seven, according to statistics maintained by the Tennessee Department of Safety.

“That difference of 11 fewer deaths in Anderson County was the greatest reduction of any Tennessee county,” Clark said.

“The traffic fatality improvements this past year represent 11 people who did not die on our roadways and 11 groups of friends and families who are not grieving this year,” Clark said. “We see the human cost of the deaths on our highways and the utter despair and shock of a family that has suddenly lost someone as the result of a traffic fatality. Therefore, I am particularly pleased with this accomplishment and what it has meant to our community. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Government, State, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County, Dave Clark, distracted driving, district attorney general, Governor’s Highway Safety Office, impaired driving, Tennessee Department of Safety, traffic fatalities

Schools in Oak Ridge, AC, Roane, Clinton closed again Thursday; county offices also

Posted at 6:14 pm January 20, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Schools Logo

Schools in Oak Ridge, Anderson County, Clinton, and Roane County will be closed again Thursday, January 21, because of the winter weather and hazardous road conditions.

“Please stay warm and if you must travel, please do so safely,” Roane County Schools said.

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank said county government will also be closed Thursday. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Education, Front Page News, Government, K-12, Roane County, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Roane County, Ron Woody, schools, Terry Frank, winter weather

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