Oak Ridge Today

TVA names Oak Ridge a Green Power Switch leader of the year

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TVA Offices in Chattanooga

The Tennessee Valley Authority offices in Chattanooga are pictured above. (Photo courtesy TVA)

TVA honors Green Power Switch leaders for renewable energy commitments

The Tennessee Valley Authority is recognizing local power companies and regional businesses that are driving the success of TVA’s Green Power Switch renewable energy program, a press release said. Oak Ridge is among the cities that have been honored.

TVA presented its annual Green Power Switch Leadership Awards to leading power companies in 14 categories at an event in Oak Ridge on Tuesday, May 6.

“Green Power Switch is about consumers stepping forward to support the generation of cleaner energy in the Tennessee Valley,” said Patty West, TVA director of Renewable Energy Solutions. “This program is successful because of the efforts of TVA’s local power company partners, and people and businesses who commit to supporting renewable energy generated in the valley. We are proud to honor those who continue to make our Green Power Switch program a success.” [Read more…]

City budget meeting schedule altered after tax due date changed

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City of Oak Ridge Seal

Oak Ridge has changed the due date and delinquency dates for property taxes, and the city’s budget meeting schedule has also been adjusted “to coincide with the tax due date changes,” a press release said.

The Oak Ridge City Council changed the due date for taxes to July 1 and the delinquency date to Aug. 31 during a March 24 meeting “so as to better benefit the city and the taxpayers,” the press release said.

“Typically, the city schedules consideration of the appropriations ordinance by the City Council in May; however, this year, the appropriations ordinance will be considered in June, thus reducing the number of meetings in May to just one regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council,” the release said. This meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, May 12, in the Municipal Building Courtroom. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge receives $3 million state wastewater loan

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City of Oak Ridge Seal

Tennessee awards more than $8.2 million in low-interest water, wastewater construction loans

NASHVILLE—Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau on Tuesday announced that one community and one utility district have been approved to receive more than $8.2 million in low-interest loans for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements.

Oak Ridge received a $3 million state wastewater loan.

“It’s great to see local governments using this important program to help address critical drinking water and wastewater needs,” Haslam said in a press release. “Making these infrastructure improvements will benefit the health of these communities and economic growth.” [Read more…]

Board could consider repair, demolition order near Magic Wok on Thursday

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Classic Cleaners

Located in a small shopping center on Tyler and Tyrone roads, Classic Cleaners was given 10 days to vacate in February after the city staff said it found very serious code violations and structural issues in the building, which also houses a handful of other businesses.

A city board on Thursday will again hear the two cases against the owners of a commercial building judged to be “in disrepair” near the Magic Wok restaurant in central Oak Ridge.

In February, the Oak Ridge Board of Building and Housing Code Appeals tabled a demolition or repair order for 60 days to give the owners, Ma Shiu-Yen Wang and Ta-Shun Etal, time to sell the damaged property or develop a repair or demolition plan, the city staff said.

That 60-day postponement expired last Sunday.

The two cases concern the 50,000-square-feet commercial building at 123 and 135 E. Tyrone Road, just north of Oak Ridge Turnpike near Jackson Square. They exclude the manufactured structure that houses the Magic Wok, but they do include the areas in the small shopping center that have housed a dry cleaner, thrift store, wig shop, Mexican grocery, and the Magic Wok’s food preparation and overflow dining areas. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge installs sewer line on Scarboro Road through June 1

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City of Oak Ridge Seal

The Oak Ridge Public Works Department will begin sewer line installation on Scarboro Road beginning May 2 and continuing through June 1, a press release said. The installation will be from Bethel Valley north to the crest of Scarboro. Crews will be working on Fridays through Sundays for the next five weeks.

The work will require sections of the road to be down to one lane of traffic for those days from approximately 6:30 a.m. to about 8:30 p.m. Signage and flaggers will guide traffic through the affected areas.

Questions or comments can be directed to the Oak Ridge Public Works Department at (865) 425-1875.

More than 60 Thunderbirds expected for Mockingbird Run this weekend

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Mockingbird Run

The Sixth Annual Mockingbird Run will be in Oak Ridge from Friday to Sunday. (Submitted photo)

 

Car enthusiasts from 10 states will gather in Oak Ridge from Friday, May 2, to Sunday, May 4, for the sixth annual Mockingbird Run hosted by the Smoky Mountain Classic Thunderbird Club. The Mockingbird Run is expected to bring in more than 60 Thunderbirds for a weekend packed with tours, friendship, and fun.

“We are excited to host this year’s Mockingbird Run, and we encourage the community to welcome the Smoky Mountain Classic Thunderbird Club to town,” Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Katy Brown said. “We have worked closely with this organization to make this year’s event an entertaining and educational visit.”

Conference planners focused on the “top secret” theme this year in an effort to add mystery and intrigue. Participants will visit local attractions, learn the significance of various historic sites, and dine in local restaurants. Y-12 National Security Complex Historian Ray Smith will guide the group on a tour of the Y-12 New Hope Center and serve as a guest speaker for the event. The club will also tour Oak Ridge National Laboratory on Saturday. Members of the K-9 Search On Site LLP team will also be on hand for a demonstration that morning. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge brush pickup under way

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The citywide brush pickup program began Monday, April 28.

Tree limbs and bagged yard clippings or leaves will be picked up during the program. City collection efforts will follow the accompanying schedule as closely as possible, a press release said. The proposed schedule is a general guide and can vary considerably from the actual schedule due to weather conditions and/or the amount of participation by residents.

The city asked residents to follow a few guidelines: [Read more…]

Sewer rehab work continues this week

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More rehabilitation work of the city’s sewer collection pipes is scheduled to continue this week.

The work is being done by Hurst Excavating and Morgan Contracting under contract with the City of Oak Ridge. It includes rehabilitating sewer collection pipes within city easements in yards and in roadways, a press release said.

Residents should already have received color-coded letters and door hangers (orange for Hurst Excavating and purple for Morgan Contracting) providing general information and each contractors’ contact information. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge to host two international government management professionals in May

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Submitted

In May, local community leaders will host two professionals from Indonesia for short-term assignments in their offices as they participate in the U.S. Department of State-sponsored Professional Fellows Program. The exchange has been arranged by the International City/County Management Association, or ICMA, the organization that develops and advances professional local government management worldwide. Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson is a local member of the ICMA.

This year, the Professional Fellows Program is providing professional development opportunities to up-and-coming leaders in the fields of legislative process and governance, media, and economic empowerment. This international exchange program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and in 2014, more than 400 foreign fellows, including legislators, journalists, entrepreneurs, NGO managers, community activists, and government officials will come to the United States under the Professional Fellows Program. In return, more than 300 American participants will take part in reciprocal fellowship programs overseas this year under the program. Some of the local organizations hosting the participants include: City of Oak Ridge, Staybridge Suites, and local home hosts.

“I feel great honor and privilege that the City of Oak Ridge has been chosen to host the ICMA fellows, Irma Mutiahsari and Hera Nugrahayu from Indonesia,” Watson said. “Our community has come together to provide our fellows with an applied understanding of our city.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge could become first EPA-designated Green Power community in Southeast

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Mark Watson

Mark Watson

The City of Oak Ridge is on the verge of being selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a Green Power Community, the first in the Southeast, a press release said.

The EPA’s Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy renewable energy. To be designated as a Green Power Community, a local government must purchase or produce green power in amounts that meet EPA minimum purchase requirements as determined by community electricity usage.

Green power is defined as electricity generated from renewable resources, such as wind, solar, biogas, biomass, and low-impact hydropower. Oak Ridge Electric Department customers can buy Green-e Energy certified renewable energy through the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Green Power Switch program.

To qualify, local governments must also initiate a community-wide green power campaign to encourage renewable energy purchases. The City of Oak Ridge, playing off its nickname as the Secret City due to its historical origins, created a campaign called, “The Secret’s Out: Oak Ridge Loves Green Power,” to encourage residents and businesses to buy green power. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge building bathrooms, changing rooms at Melton Lake Park

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Oak Ridge Marina Bathrooms

Workers build a block wall, patch and texture the ceiling, and hang drywall for new bathrooms and changing rooms in part of the former New China Palace restaurant at Melton Lake Park.

One section of a former Chinese restaurant at Melton Lake Park has already been converted into a rental shop for kayaks and bikes.

Now, another part of the city-owned building at the Oak Ridge Marina is being converted into public restrooms and changing rooms for big events. The bathrooms, which will be open to the public, could open next month.

It’s one of the steps in implementing a waterfront development plan approved by Oak Ridge City Council in December 2009. That plan included such features as a new picnic pavilion, walking trails, new playground, permanent restrooms, enhanced lighting and landscaping, outdoor casual dining, and recreational equipment rental.

The bathrooms will include multiple stalls, and the city will open the changing rooms for large events, such as regattas (rowing races). That will double the restroom capacities, said Pat Fallon, operations and maintenance manager for the Oak Ridge Public Works Department. [Read more…]

Sewer rehabilitation work continues in Oak Ridge; schedule for week of April 21

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Sewer rehabilitation in Oak Ridge continues for the week of April 21. Residents should have already received color letters and door hangers providing general information and the applicable contractor’s contact information. The letters and door hangers are orange for Hurst Excavating and purple for Morgan Contracting.

Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists are urged to use extra care and caution when traveling on the streets with sewer work areas, a press release said. Temporary road repairs will be made, and loose gravel should be expected until the patches are permanently paved.

[Read more…]