Oak Ridge Today

BOE, City Council to tour possible new preschool building

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161 Mitchell Road

The Oak Ridge Board of Education and City Council will tour this building at 161 Mitchell Road on Thursday afternoon. It’s a possible new home for the Oak Ridge Preschool.

 

Note: This story was last updated at 8 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Board of Education and City Council will tour a building on Mitchell Road on Thursday afternoon that could be a new home for the Preschool.

Built as a temporary building, the current Preschool on New York Avenue is 70 years old and in need of repairs.

A new School Administration Building and Preschool has been on the city’s wish list for years. But now education officials say the Preschool has to be renovated or vacated by next year in order for the school system to continue to receive federal Head Start funding.

They’ve recommended a long-term lease for the Preschool, with an option to purchase. Oak Ridge Schools has also recommended buying the Chamber of Commerce building for a new School Administration Building and remodeling the G Building at Oak Ridge High School to accommodate administration support services, a “better defined” Alternative School program, and the ROTC program. [Read more…]

Application deadline extended for city boards, commissions

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The deadline to apply to serve on city boards and commissions has been extended to December 31.

This year’s process is similar to previous years in that interested residents must complete a Boards and Commissions application and may attach additional documents that includes cover letters, references, and resumes. The application allows residents to choose and rank their top three board choices for membership consideration.

The application is available on the City’s website at www.oakridgetn.gov. Applications are also available in the City Clerk’s Office, Room Number 109, in the Municipal Building, located at 200 South Tulane Avenue. [Read more…]

Letter: Former Council member remains committed to helping city prosper

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Anne Garcia Garland

Anne Garcia Garland

To the Editor:

There is no way to fully thank the people who have supported and inspired me during my service on Council and the run for re-election. For all of you who voted for me and helped in the campaign, I am very grateful. The past five-and-a-half years have been challenging and fun and fulfilling.

I am proud to have served during an economically difficult period and to have participated in many positive efforts that have begun to reinvigorate both the commercial and the residential interests of our city.

To any and all citizens who have questions or issues, I remain committed to helping the city prosper. Please feel welcome to email me at agg@bellsouth.net or write to me at 120 Outer.

And thank you again for allowing me to serve.

Anne Garcia Garland

Oak Ridge

Sewer rehab work continues week of Dec. 15

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More rehabilitation work of the city’s sewer collection pipes is scheduled to continue this week, starting Monday, December 15.

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. [Read more…]

Senate passes Manhattan Project park bill that includes Oak Ridge

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Manhattan Project Park Sites

Note: This story was last updated at 11 a.m. Dec. 14.

House approved bill last week; legislation now headed to President Obama

After years of work, the U.S. Senate has passed a bill to set up a Manhattan Project National Historical Park that includes Oak Ridge, a once-secret city that played a key role in ending World War II. The legislation passed the U.S. House last week, and it now goes to President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign it into law.

Besides Oak Ridge, the park will include Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Hanford, Washington. Those two cities were also part of the Manhattan Project, a top-secret federal program to develop the world’s first atomic weapons during World War II. [Read more…]

Holiday Hike on Cedar Hill Greenway on Saturday

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The City of Oak Ridge Wellness Committee is leading a Holiday Hike on Cedar Hill Greenway on Saturday.

Hikers will walk a 2.5-mile loop. The hike starts at Cedar Hill Park at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

City employee Daniel McFee said it’s about a 1.5-hour hike, and it’s open to the public.

McFee said the hike would probably be rated beginner to moderate. It has varying terrain on a mostly single-track trail. There are some hills, but they’re not real bad, McFee said.

Sewer rehab work continues week of Dec. 8

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More rehabilitation work of the city’s sewer collection pipes is scheduled to continue this week, starting Monday, December 8.

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. [Read more…]

Watson could be considered as president-elect of international management group

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Mark Watson

Mark Watson

Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson could be considered to become president-elect of the International City/County Management Association, or ICMA.

Watson is one of only 41 members across the world who qualify to serve as president, according to a November 24 memo to the Oak Ridge City Council. He could become the first ICMA president from Tennessee in the 100-year history of the organization.

The seven-member City Council on Monday is being asked to support Watson’s participation.

“If selected, he would be in line to become president of the professional association that represents 9,000 appointed city managers, administrators, and assistants from across the United States and the world,” said Michael W. Walker, executive director of the Tennessee City Management Association. [Read more…]

EPA: Oak Ridge is a Green Power Community of the Year

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ORNL Bethel Valley Solar Array

Construction was completed in 2008 on a 288-foot-long, 51.25 kilowatt solar system (second-largest in Tennessee) that will supply power to the office building that houses researchers associated with Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s buildings technology programs. (Photo courtesy ORNL)

 

Oak Ridge has been recognized as a Green Power Community of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Oak Ridge is one of only two cities to receive the award. The other is Medford, Oregon.

Oak Ridge is one of 19 Green Power Partners and four suppliers from across the country receiving Green Leadership Awards given each year by the EPA. Awardees are recognized for their achievements in advancing the nation’s renewable energy market and reducing greenhouse gas emissions fueling climate change, a press release said.

The 2014 Green Power Leadership Awards will be presented on Wednesday, December 3, at the annual Renewable Energy Markets Conference in Sacramento, California. [Read more…]

Holiday party for seniors on Dec. 5

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Oak Ridge Senior Center Holiday Party

The Oak Ridge Senior Center is having a holiday reception for area senior citizens from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, December 5. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Senior Center)

 

The Oak Ridge Senior Center is having a holiday reception for area senior citizens from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, December 5.

“Come join us for a light lunch of sandwiches, chips, and cookies, as well as holiday music and fellowship,” a press release said.

The Senior Center guitar group will be playing live Christmas music. Bingo will be offered, and door prizes given away. Goodie bags will be given out while they last. The event is sponsored by the Oak Ridge Senior Center and made possible by many generous donations from area businesses, the press release said.

For more information about this and other programs at the Oak Ridge Senior Center, call them at (865)425-3999 or visit their website at www.orrecparks.org.

No garbage pickup on Thanksgiving

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Waste Connections Inc. will not pick up refuse or recyclables in Oak Ridge on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 27.

The Thursday routes will be picked up on Friday, November 28, and the Friday routes will be picked up on Saturday, November 29. Please have all refuse and recyclables out by 7 a.m. for the Friday and Saturday routes, a press release said.

“Thank you for your cooperation with this schedule adjustment,” the release said.

For more information, contact Waste Connections Inc. at (865) 482-3656 or visit www.WasteConnectionsTn.com.

Oak Ridge city manager hires assistant

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Bruce Appleton

Bruce Applegate

Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson has hired an assistant.

Bruce M. Applegate Jr. will help the city manager plan, organize, develop, coordinate, maintain, and direct the overall operations and activities of the city, a press release said. He will help provide supervision for special projects and task forces, and participate in the recruitment and promotion of new and existing businesses and industries. In addition, he will assist in developing, planning, and implementing goals and objectives for the city. Applegate’s employment will become effective December 1.

“I am excited to join the staff of the City of Oak Ridge,” Applegate said. “I am eager to begin working with the city staff to address the upcoming projects aimed at bettering the community. The variety of tasks will give me an opportunity to engage with both city officials and community members to appropriately create solutions to meet Oak Ridge’s needs. I feel fortunate to be joining the city, and look forward to demonstrating my appreciation through hard work….Having gone to school in Oak Ridge, I relish the opportunity to give back to a city that has given to me.” [Read more…]