Oak Ridge Today

Spotlight: UT designates local official as certified public administrator

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Steve Emert CPA

Anderson County Commissioner Steve Emert of District 3 is pictured at right above. (Submitted photo)

KNOXVILLE—The University of Tennessee has honored Anderson County Commissioner Steve Emert of District 3 as a certified public administrator at a Capstone event at Montgomery Bell State Park on April 11.

To achieve the designation, each of the officials completed 80 credit hours in the County Officials Certificate Training Program, or COCTP. The program is administered by the UT County Technical Assistance Service, or CTAS, and is available to every county employee in the state.

“No other state in the nation provides county employees with such specialized training,” said Bob Wormsley, executive director of CTAS. CTAS is an agency of the statewide UT Institute for Public Service. [Read more…]

Reporter cleared after investigation into mayor’s missing keys

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Chris Silcox, Rick Meredith, Jay Yeager, and Terry Frank

Clinton Courier News reporter Chris Silcox, back left, and Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, right, are pictured above at the May 19 meeting of the Anderson County Commission. Also pictured are Commissioner Rick Meredith, left, and Law Director Jay Yeager.

There was no evidence suggesting that a Clinton reporter intentionally took the county mayor’s keys after a recent Anderson County Commission meeting, and there is no evidence that a criminal violation occurred, authorities said last week.

The case is now closed, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said in a six-page supplemental report.

Clinton Courier News reporter Chris Silcox had been suspended from the county government beat at the weekly newspaper during the investigation. Courier News Publisher Allen Handley has since put Silcox back on the beat.

The missing keys report was filed by Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank after an Anderson County Commission meeting on May 19. She told investigating officer Harold J. Crowley that she was unable to find her keys after looking under benches and bench pads in Room 312 at the Anderson County Courthouse after the County Commission meeting that night. She soon learned that Silcox had her keys, and he returned them, although some were still missing, the mayor said. [Read more…]

Theresa Scott to seek election to Anderson County Commission in District 7

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Theresa Scott

Theresa Scott

Theresa Scott has announced her candidacy for Anderson County Commission in District 7. The seat is non-partisan and represents the Highland View, Pine Valley, and Glenwood precincts.

Having run previously in 2010, Scott said in a press release that she has been strongly encouraged by community residents to run again for County Commission.

“I am very humbled to see that people in my district continue to show their approval for me to step into this position. I want to be their choice,” Scott said in the release. “My platform remains the same—speaking up for and on behalf of the residents, taxpayers, homeowners, and voters of my district.” [Read more…]

Jimmy Bouchard announces John Iacovino as treasurer

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Jimmy Bouchard, a candidate for Anderson County Commission, has announced that John Iacovino will serve as his campaign treasurer.

Bouchard is running for County Commission in District 7, and he said Iacovino also lives in that district and is a well-respected Oak Ridger.

“I am very blessed and appreciative to have someone of John’s character and reputation join me in the role as my campaign treasurer,” Bouchard said in a press release. “John will be a tremendous asset to me, and I look forward to working with him during the next few months as I work to earn the support of my District 7 neighbors. John is someone I’ve known nearly my entire life, through St. Mary’s Church, where we both attend, as well as through business relationships built between John and my grandfather.” [Read more…]

Myra Mansfield running for County Commission in District 8

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Myra Mansfield

Myra Mansfield

Myra Mansfield has announced she is running to serve as an Anderson County Commissioner for District 8 in Oak Ridge. The district includes the Emory Valley, Hendrix Creek, and Woodland voting precincts.

Mansfield is a native Oak Ridger who grew up in the district where she is asking to serve, a press release said. She attended Woodland Elementary School, Jefferson Middle School, and is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School. After high school, she received an associate degree in accounting and a bachelor degree in business management. Later in life, she returned to school to receive her master’s degree while studying counseling.

The release said Mansfield has invested her adult life in business and nonprofit leadership, government and community service, parenting, writing, and public speaking. As a hobby, she has been involved in numerous multimedia projects. She loves history and historical research. Over the years, she found herself being offered a series of opportunities to use her leadership skills to bring positive transition to organizational structure, the release said. [Read more…]

Whitey Hitchcock announces re-election bid for county commission

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Harry "Whitey" Hitchcock

Harry “Whitey” Hitchcock

Harry “Whitey” Hitchcock has announced he is seeking re-election to the Anderson County Commission, representing District 6 in Oak Ridge, which includes the City Hall, Robertsville, and West Hills voting precincts, a press release said.

“It has been my honor, privilege, and joy to get to know and represent the very diverse citizens of District 6, a task I take seriously,” Hitchcock said in the press release. “When first elected in 2006, I pledged to

  1. help reduce crime,
  2. bring tax dollars back to Oak Ridge, and
  3. help re-new an effective working relationship between the city and the county. I feel that this has been largely accomplished, yet there is more work to do with a city-county partnership: housing, jobs, and retail development.”

Hitchcock said crime is everyone’s concern, and its cost cannot be overestimated. [Read more…]

Assistant public defender dies in single-car crash in Ohio

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Glenn Arden Shinaberry

Glenn Arden Shinaberry

Anderson County Assistant Public Defender Glenn A. Shinaberry, 29, died in a single-vehicle crash in Dayton, Ohio, early Sunday morning.

Shinaberry, a Knoxville resident, had been an assistant public defender in Anderson County since 2012.

WHIO-TV in Dayton said Shinaberry was a passenger in a Ford Mustang that hit a pole on a curve in front of the University of Dayton Arena at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday. The driver, who was not immediately identified, was taken to a Dayton-area hospital in critical condition, the television station said. [Read more…]

Hackworth has meet-and-greet today

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Jim Hackworth

Jim Hackworth

Jim Hackworth, a Democrat running for Anderson County mayor, is having a meet-and-greet at 5:30 p.m. today (Thursday) at the Holiday Inn Express near the Clinton/Norris exit off Interstate 75.

The hotel is at 111 Hillvale Road in Clinton.

Call (865) 603-4225 for more information.

Memorial Day ceremony honors 181 Anderson County residents who died in conflicts

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Anderson County Memorial Day Wreath-laying

From left, Anderson County Veteran Services Director Leon Jaquet, Mayor Terry Frank, and Tennessee Rep. John Ragan take part in a Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony on Monday at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

 

CLINTON—More than 100 Anderson County residents have died in conflicts from the Revolutionary War more than 200 years ago to the ongoing war on terrorism and battles in Afghanistan, a county official said during a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday.

Those 181 heroes are remembered and their names inscribed on the Veterans Memorial at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton, Veteran Services Director Leon Jaquet said.

“We gather here today in remembrance of our nation’s heroes, especially our county’s heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in support of this nation’s agenda throughout the world,” Jaquet said. “Our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters who served this country to protect our freedoms and wrote that final check with their lives in support of freedom and democracy.”

Jaquet recognized guests at Monday’s ceremony, including Glen and Amy Morris, parents of Staff Sgt. Daniel Morris, who was killed in Iraq in 2006, and Gerald and Kathy Hovater, parents of Cpl. Jason Hovater, who died in Afghanistan in 2008.

“We remember the 1.3 million Americans who have made the supreme sacrifice during this nation’s wars, from the Revolutionary War to the continued War on Terrorism and Afghanistan,” Jaquet said. [Read more…]

Honors: Anderson County EMS recognizes EMT, paramedic, officer of year

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Nathan Sweet

Nathan Sweet

Submitted

Anderson County EMS is proud to present the annual awards for EMT-IV, paramedic, and officer of the year. Each year we receive nominations from peers, and supervisors alike in regards to each award. These awards are truly tough to decide, as there are so many deserving providers here at Anderson County EMS.

It is amazing to look at all of the worthy providers and see how blessed we are to have them here! Anderson County should know that they are in good hands with their EMS service, as the EMT-IVs, paramedics, and officers that serve them every day are top-notch and making a difference.

EMT-IV of the Year

Gage Whitman is a well-regarded EMT-IV among his peers and supervisors. His strong work ethic and commitment to excellence stand out. He always gives his personal best in his job. EMT-IV Whitman shows a genuine respect for all others, and exhibits outstanding customer service at all times. He is currently enrolled in the paramedic program at Roane State Community College and will undoubtedly make a great paramedic!

Paramedic of the Year

Keith Alred is truly deserving of this award for so many reasons. His performance is outstanding, and he is always willing to help others and the service wherever there is a need. His patience with students and new hires has brought him high praise from those who have had him as a preceptor. He has a lot of experience at many levels in EMS, and uses his knowledge and wisdom to make our service better. Paramedic Alred is a field training officer and also serves in other capacities on committees in our organization. [Read more…]

Guest column: Anderson mayor’s budget includes no tax increase

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Terry Frank

Terry Frank

CLINTON—Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank has presented her administration’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Frank’s proposed general fund budget, as recently presented to the Budget Committee, keeps most county departments at current-year spending levels and includes no tax increase. It was unanimously approved at a May 15 budget meeting.

The balanced $25,010,105 budget for the county’s general operating fund proposes maintaining a focus on stabilizing spending levels until we have full economic recovery. [Read more…]

Anderson County Memorial Day ceremony on Monday

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Memorial Day Ceremony

Anderson County Veterans Service Officer Leon Jaquet says Memorial Day is for honoring military personnel who have died in the nation’s wars. (File photo/May 2012)

Anderson County Veterans Services Director Leon Jaquet has announced plans for the county’s sixth annual Memorial Day ceremony. The annual event will be held on Monday, May 26—Memorial Day—at 10 a.m. rain or shine in front of the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

The ceremony will include a wreath-laying at the Veterans Memorial in front of the Courthouse in Clinton as well as remarks from Tennessee Rep. John Ragan.

In a press release, Jaquet said the ceremony is held each year “to pay tribute to the men and women of the U.S. military who have given of their lives to protect the freedoms we all enjoy everyday.

“The day itself is sacred and war veterans need no reminder of the reason for it, but what about the general public, and more importantly the next generations? Do non-veterans really recognize and understand the importance of a day honoring their fellow Americans killed in wars around the world? Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. Everyone is invited to attend and show their support of our military past, present and future.”