News and events in Oak Ridge, Tennessee
To the Editor:
Much gratitude and admiration goes to local area state lawmakers Sen. Ken Yager, Rep. Dennis Powers, and Rep. John Ragan for their vision and dedication to the people in our Tennessee autism community. By signing on to the widely-supported state autism insurance reform bill SB 1286/HB 1265, these legislators join 20 of their colleagues across the state as co-sponsors of this legislation.
Countless studies show that providing vital, medically necessary treatments to people on the autism spectrum greatly improves their chances of becoming self-sufficient, income-earning members of our society. Yet health insurance plans very rarely cover these therapies, and families are left to incur enormous debt to provide these treatments for their loved ones, or worse, are unable to provide these treatments at all due to the high cost of this non-covered crucial care, greatly reducing their children’s potential for success as an independent adult.
Kelly Beierschmitt, Oak Ridge National Laboratory associate lab director for neutron sciences, talks with Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank in the target building at the Spallation Neutron Source. (Photos courtesy of ORNL)
Five Tennessee legislators and Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank recently toured Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Frank toured the Spallation Neutron Source, the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors, and the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility. She had a briefing from Thom Mason on the modernization of ORNL as well as the lab’s regional economic impact, a lab statement said.
Randy McNally
John Ragan
This year’s monthly “Breakfast with the Legislators” starts Monday, Jan. 28.
The series is held at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on the last Monday of each month while the Tennessee General Assembly is in session each year. It’s sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, and it gives residents a chance to meet local representatives and ask questions about legislative issues.
Tennessee Rep. John Ragan, an Oak Ridge Republican, pictured at right, and Liz Ragan, his wife, celebrate the legislator’s re-election to the Tennessee House at the Buffalo Mountain Grille on Tuesday night.
It was a good night for incumbents in five local races in Oak Ridge and the Tennessee House and Senate. With one exception, they were all re-elected.
Chuck Hope and Charlie Hensley had hundreds of votes to spare as they easily won re-election to Oak Ridge City Council. Keys Fillauer and Angi Agle, the two incumbents on the Oak Ridge Board of Education, also coasted to victory.
Tennessee Rep. John Ragan, an Oak Ridge Republican, won a narrower victory over former Rep. Jim Hackworth, a Clinton Democrat. Ragan received 699 more votes than Hackworth, according to unofficial results. He finished ahead by 51.4 percent to 48.6 percent.
The one newcomer elected Tuesday was Trina Baughn. She will join Hope and Hensley to serve on Council.
Gone will be incumbent Ellen Smith, who was soundly defeated. Hope and Baughn each finished ahead of Smith by more than 2,000 votes, according to unofficial results in Anderson and Roane counties.
Baughn first campaigned for a City Council seat in an August special election, when she lost to Hope. Hope was appointed to Council last summer after former member Tom Hayes resigned.
Baughn and Hope both said the August special election helped prepare them for Tuesday’s municipal election.
Andrew McCulloch, right, signs in at the Midtown Community Center polling station on Tuesday. Also pictured are poll workers Margaret Terrell, left, and Jim Young.
The training paid off. Hope finished first Tuesday with 6,887 votes, and Baughn was second with 6,739, according to the unofficial results.
Baughn, a communications professional, credited hard work and the efforts of some 20 to 50 volunteers making phone calls and visiting voters.
“We knocked on doors, and we went to the voters,” said Baughn, who is perhaps best known for her newspaper columns and work challenging city and school system spending. “The supporters that I have are elated that I won.”
Top priorities for the new council member are controlling spending, lowering the property tax rate, and reducing the city’s debt.
Hope, owner of Chuck’s Car Care, was not available for comment late Tuesday night.
It was a disappointing night for Smith, who served one term on City Council. She collected 4,624 votes.
“The results are surprising, and I don’t understand them,” said Smith, a research staff member at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. “I was pretty roundly defeated.”
A fifth candidate, business executive and Oak Ridge planning commissioner Kelly Callison, finished fourth in the City Council race, with 5,450 votes.
David Hughes, left, supports presidential candidate Gary Johnson and Sherry Bath supports Oak Ridge Board of Education candidate Keys Fillauer at Midtown Community Center on Tuesday.
In the school board race, Agle and Fillauer both trounced Leonard Abbatiello, a former Oak Ridge City Council member, by more than 2,000 votes.
“I’m thankful that the people of Oak Ridge put the priority on students because that was the focus of my campaign and the focus of Keys’ campaign,” said Agle, who was battling for a third term.
Like Baughn, Agle credited door-to-door campaigning for her win, as well as her daily work during early voting and the newspaper articles she’s written during the past few years.
Now, she said, the first priority of the school board is to select a new superintendent, possibly on Dec. 8. Tom Bailey, the current superintendent, is retiring at the end of the year.
Agle said she also wants to continue making improvements in school curricula and student performance.
It was the second time Ragan and Hackworth ran against each other in the state’s 33rd District, which includes most of Anderson County. Ragan beat Hackworth in the 2010 election.
Jake Phillips supports Tennessee Rep. John Ragan at the Midtown Community Center polling station on Tuesday.
This year’s contest between the two men was one of a half-dozen key races in the Tennessee House of Representatives, and it was expected to help Republicans gain a supermajority.
“I knew it was a close race,” Ragan said in a Tuesday night celebration at Buffalo Mountain Grille in Oak Ridge. “It was a hard-fought race.”
Ragan, a retired Air Force pilot, said Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly have cut spending and taxes, and created a more job-friendly environment. Jobs and education will remain top priorities for him in the upcoming legislative session, Ragan said.
Another local incumbent who was re-elected was Oak Ridge City Judge Robert A. McNees III. He had no opposition.
Neither did Tennessee Sen. Ken Yager, who was re-elected in the 12th Senatorial District. Yager’s district includes Roane, Morgan, Rhea, Scott, Campbell, and Fentress counties.
In other elections, the vote on a liquor referendum to allow package stores to sell alcoholic beverages in Oliver Springs appeared to have been rejected, with 486 voting yes and 519 voting “no” in Anderson and Roane counties.
Three-quarters of Clinton voters agreed to move the city’s general elections from December of odd-numbered years to November of even-numbered years, when they will coincide with state and federal elections.
Republican Kent Calfee defeated Democrat Jack W. McNew by a 68.6 percent to 26.7 margin in Roane County for a chance to represent the 32nd District in the Tennessee House, according to unofficial Roane County results. The district includes Roane County and part of Loudon County.
Unofficial results showed Calfee, who beat the incumbent, Julia Hurley, in the August primary, had an even higher victory margin in Loudon County: 72.4 percent to 20.8.
Here are highlights of Tuesday’s unofficial results in Anderson and Roane counties:
Oak Ridge City Council
Hope—6,887
Baughn—6,739
Hensley—6,301
Callison—5,450
Smith—4,624
Oak Ridge Board of Education
Agle—7,738
Fillauer—7,495
Abbatiello—4,988
Tennessee House of Representatives, 33rd District:
Ragan, Oak Ridge Republican—12,825 (51.4 percent)
Hackworth, Clinton Democrat—12,126 (48.6 percent)
Oliver Springs liquor referendum (To allow retail package stores to sell alcoholic beverages in the city of Oliver Springs):
Yes—486
No—519
Clinton charter question (To move Clinton general elections from December of odd-numbered years to November of even-numbered years):
For—2,556 (75.7 percent)
Against—819 (24.3 percent)
Note: This story has been corrected to show new vote totals for Ragan and Hackworth.
Jim Hackworth
John Ragan
John Ragan and Jim Hackworth agree that jobs and education should be top priorities in the next legislative session in the Tennessee General Assembly.
For the most part, the agreement seems to end there. In recent forums, the candidates have clashed over voter identification laws, school vouchers, virtual and charter schools, and jobs and unemployment numbers.
The Tennessee Democratic and Republican parties and other supporters have taken an active role in the high-stakes battle, sending out press releases, letters, and glossy flyers bashing their opponents and praising their candidates.
The two men are running in one of a half-dozen key races in the Nov. 6 election. Both want to represent District 33 in the Tennessee House of Representatives. The district includes most of Anderson County.
The outcome will help decide whether Republicans gain a supermajority in the Tennessee House. If they do, they would be able to conduct business even if Democrats walk out.
Ragan, an Oak Ridge Republican, is a retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot who beat Hackworth, a four-term legislator and former Anderson County commissioner, in the November 2010 election.
In a League of Women Voters forum this month, Hackworth, a Clinton Democrat, criticized Ragan for casting the only vote against House Bill 1329 in April 2011. That bill allows a court to prohibit anyone convicted of child abuse or aggravated child abuse from contacting a victim if the convict doesn’t have parental rights.
Ragan, who is completing his first term, said he campaigned for a smaller government, and there are already laws in place that do what HB1329 did, including the Tennessee Crime Victims Bill of Rights and the Tennessee Sex Offender Treatment Board Act.
“That law did nothing,” he said of HB1329. “I refuse to compromise my principles.”
The candidates were asked how to reduce bullying and make schools safer.
Ragan said there is no excuse for bullying, and teachers and administrators are responsible for ensuring it doesn’t happen. But courts have said educators can’t use those efforts to deprive students of their freedom of speech or religion, he said.
A child with glasses will probably be called “four eyes,” and one with braces may be nicknamed “metal mouth,” Ragan said. Schools don’t have the right to interfere beyond ensuring rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution, he said.
“We have to safeguard our liberties,” Ragan said.
Hackworth criticized Ragan’s legislative actions on anti-bullying bills, suggesting he is trying to take those initiatives back in time.
“Bullying is wrong,” Hackworth said.
Ragan said he supports the use of school vouchers in failing school systems. The vouchers, which can be used for private school tuition, would likely be used in very limited circumstances, Ragan said. If a school system is failing, the money is being wasted anyway, he said.
“We need to give them a way to get out of that,” Ragan said.
Hackworth disagreed.
“Vouchers do more harm than good to a failing school system,” he said. “If the system has problems, then you fix it.”
He also said he opposed to taking away money from public schools for charter schools.
“It’s to weaken public education to weaken the current system,” Hackworth said.
The candidates were asked about the reported low performance rankings of the new Tennessee Virtual Academy, an online school run by K12 Inc. in Virginia. It’s managed in Tennessee by Union County Schools.
Ragan was less critical of the overall effort. He said Tennessee has ranked in the bottom 20 percent of student achievement nationally for decades, and some students need to take classes not available in their local systems.
“Do we want to penalize them?” he asked. “We’ve got to change the status quo.”
If the virtual academy doesn’t perform well, Ragan said, the contract could be given to someone else.
Hackworth said virtual schools have some merit. However, the current system, heavily criticized by Democrats, allots about 5 percent of the public funding to the Union County school system, and the rest of the money goes out-of-state, he said.
“It’s taking money from our school systems,” Hackworth said during an Oak Ridge Education Association forum last month.
Hackworth said the online academy should have started as a pilot program.
“The virtual school has been, so far, a total failure,” Hackworth said.
Ragan supported a new photo ID law for voters, saying photo IDs are required to board an airplane or cash a check. Republicans have said the legislation was meant to combat voter fraud.
But Hackworth said the intent of the new law is voter suppression.
“It’s all about keeping people from turning out,” Hackworth said.
The two candidates tangled over state contracts with out-of-state companies. Ragan said he would continue to allow them, while Hackworth said he believes jobs and business opportunities should first be offered to Tennessee companies.
“The best bargain for the voter is the lowest bid,” Ragan said.
“We need to take care of Tennesseans and Anderson County (residents),” Hackworth said.
Ragan said he had helped cut taxes and reduced the state budget.
Hackworth said job creation is down under Ragan, claiming last year’s numbers were the lowest in a decade in Anderson County.
“Are you better off now than you were two years ago?” Hackworth asked. “The answer is no.”
But Ragan said the unemployment rate rose while Hackworth was in office, and Tennessee students ranked near the bottom in academic achievement.
“Our state deserves better,” he said.
Last year, TCAP and ACT scores rose across the state, Ragan said.
Early voting for the Nov. 6 election ends Thursday.
To the Editor:
I would like to recommend that citizens of Oak Ridge vote for the following three candidates for the reasons shown.
I have studied their publications, and have spoken with them independently.
I am not a member of any party, nor will I ever be. I continuously monitor the actions of our local government and vote on the best choices, considering the current issues. I encourage all my friends and subscribers that take the time to read this letter to vote for these people.
Trina Baughn—City Council
I have long waited for a Council candidate with such a fresh outlook and real understanding of what the real causes are of the pitiful economic situation that Oak Ridge is experiencing because of one fiasco after another.
I could hardly believe my eyes when I read her published statements in some articles in January, so I asked for a private meeting with her to query her deeply on her views. I was so impressed with her responses that I have worked with her on her campaign since February. She is the real deal.
She wants to:
All this, without sacrificing quality of life. This can be done. Her web site is trinabaughn.com.
Leonard Abbatiello—School Board
The ongoing rift between the city and the Board of Education is an embarrassment for the citizens of Oak Ridge. Leonard needs no introduction, as he was a long-time member of City Council. His campaign slogan says it all for me: “Uncommon Sense.”
What we used to think of simple common sense, is sorely needed today, and I believe Leonard will be a big factor in getting us back on track, controlling the educational system’s budget and ending the senseless rift.
John Ragan—State Representative District 33
As mentioned, I am not a member of any party. However, I am voting for Ragan because he is the best choice as it regards Oak Ridge (and Anderson County). Although I do not like the “bonding” of our legislators around party lines when the rubber meets the road, I am voting for John because I truly believe he will work to:
Robert Humphries
Oak Ridge
John Ragan
Perhaps illustrating the importance of the race, top state and national Republicans are showing their support for Rep. John Ragan, an Oak Ridge resident and GOP candidate seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives.
A first-term legislator, Ragan is opposed in the Nov. 6 election by Democrat Jim Hackworth, a Clinton Democrat who used to hold the seat but lost to Ragan in the 2010 election.
Democrats and Republicans have both said the race in Tennessee’s 33rd District, which includes much of Anderson County, is one of a half-dozen key contests in the state.
On Friday, the Tennessee House Republican Caucus announced that U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander will be in Clinton and Anderson County on Tuesday to support Ragan. Alexander will be joined by U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, a Tennessee Republican whose district includes Oak Ridge; Tennessee Sen. Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican; and Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank.
“They will be meeting with Anderson County citizens and discussing plans for economic growth, the importance of fiscal responsibility, and the need to re-elect conservative state Rep. John Ragan,” a press release said.
They will meet at Hoskins Drug Store in Clinton from 2-3 p.m. Tuesday. Hoskins Drug Store is located at 111N. Main St. in Clinton.
Also this week, Republicans announced that top Tennessee officials had unanimously endorsed Ragan. The endorsements came from three top Republicans, Gov. Bill Haslam, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, and Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell.
“Having strong leaders in the state legislature is incredibly important, and I can always count on John Ragan’s consistent conservative approach to tough issues,” Haslam said. “John has a true servant’s heart, and works hard on behalf of Anderson County every day.”
Ramsey said Ragan has worked closely with senators to create a better environment for business and served as a “voice of reform” on the House Education Committee. Harwell said Ragan’s wide range of military and business experience make him a vital part of the Republican team in Nashville.
The outcome of the contest between Ragan and Hackworth could help decide whether Republicans pick up a supermajority in the Tennessee House. That would allow them to conduct legislative business without Democratic support, and they could pass legislation even if Democrats walk out of session.
In June, a Republican campaign aide said Republicans now have 64 representatives in the 99-member Tennessee House of Representatives. They would have a supermajority if they pick up three seats, giving them 67 total members, said Holt Whitt, a member of the Republican Caucus field staff in Nashville.
Early voting for the Nov. 6 election began Wednesday and ends Nov. 1.
To the Editor:
Rep. John Ragan is campaigning against former representative Jim Hackworth to return to the Tennessee Legislature as “a proven leader” in the Tennessee House of Representatives. We think that this characterization of Rep. Ragan’s performance is grossly overstated, especially when compared with the record of Jim Hackworth in the same job.
During his term in office, Jim Hackworth championed the strong anti-bullying law that Caitlin Nolan, a local Oak Ridger, sponsored. During John Ragan’s term, he actively opposed a new bill designed to strengthen Caitlin’s original bill. Successful opposition would have resulted in severely weakening protection against bullies. We need much better vision than this from our leaders! Rep. Ragan’s explanation for his vote, saying that he was voting on the principle that it is an unnecessary law is poor in this case.
Rep. Ragan claims leadership in bringing new jobs into Anderson County. He has indeed brought in 249 new jobs during 2011 (23rd in the state). Anderson County averaged 1062 new jobs per year during Rep. Hackworth’s eight years of service, placing Anderson County regularly in the top 10 in the state. We don’t see convincing evidence that Rep. Ragan himself has been effective in job creation!
Rep. Ragan has voted for a number of bills in the House of Representatives that are patently self serving: SB1915, Increases Contribution Limits to Campaigns; HB1555 State House Redistricting; and SB1514 State Senate Redistricting. These bills do not advance the public interest and will lead to poorer government. We do not see this type of support as an example of leadership representing everyone in District 33.
We urge the voters of District 33 to return Jim Hackworth to the Tennessee House of Representatives in order to have the benefits of superior leadership!
Dorothy and Robert Hightower
Oak Ridge
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