Oak Ridge Today

Letter: Hope wants to be mayor, focus on schools, jobs, housing

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Chuck Hope

Chuck Hope

To my fellow City Council members,

I am asking you to consider me as a possible candidate for mayor, when we meet next Monday night. It would be a honor to become the next mayor of the City of Oak Ridge, I believe I have shown my ability to lead and find common ground on issues over the last three-plus years I have been on City Council.

Why do I want to be considered for mayor of our city? Oak Ridge is my home. I have grown up here, went through the school system here, started and maintained my business here, married my high school sweetheart, and raised my family all right here in Oak Ridge. I love my home town and care about what happens here. I care about my neighbors and the neighborhoods. I have watched multiple generations of families live their lives here, and look forward to seeing many more to come.

I want to see our city prosper and grow, and for us do that, we have to have good leadership from our civic leaders. As our civic leaders have done before us, I want to help our city continue to move forward. Over the last 55 years, our city has seen some remarkable things and has contributed many great things to the world. I want us to continue to build on these things and look forward to what we do next. [Read more…]

TSSAA approves football regional realignments for 2015, 2016

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Information from WYSH Radio

On Thursday, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Board of Control finalized its realignment of the state’s high school football teams, and there are plenty of changes affecting local teams.

The state’s new Class 6A will be made up of the 31 largest schools in the state by enrollment, except for Maryville, which successfully petitioned the state to move from 5A to 6A. All 32 6A teams will qualify for the postseason, while the remaining Division I classifications will send the top four finishers in each region to the postseason.

The realignment will remain in effect for at least the next two academic years, beginning in 2015.

Locally, the Clinton Dragons are in the new Region 3-5A with Campbell County, Oak Ridge, Farragut, Karns and Lenoir City. Anderson County has moved to Class 4A and will play in Region 2 with Fulton, Carter, Catholic, Central, and Union County. The list of regions served by this radio station is below, with local teams in italics. [Read more…]

What’s happening in Oak Ridge from Nov. 13-19

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Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge from Thursday, November 13, and continuing through November 19.

This weekly listing of events is compiled by the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau: [Read more…]

Photos: Fall leaves in Oak Ridge

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Fall Leaves at UT Arboretum 2014

Fall leaves at the University of Tennessee Arboretum in Oak Ridge on October 31. (Photos by D. Ray Smith)

 

Here are four pictures of fall leaves in Oak Ridge by D. Ray Smith. [Read more…]

Letter: Callison thanks supporters, says we need to promote city every day

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Kelly Callison

Kelly Callison

To the Editor:

I would like to first thank all those who participated in the November elections. I believe it is the duty of every citizen to vote and make their opinion known.

I would, of course, like to thank all those who voted for me. Rest assured that I will truly represent the best interests of Oak Ridge.

Finally, I would like to thank my campaign committee, especially my treasurer Martha Wallus.

What I really like about campaigning is going door-to-door speaking to voters. I find everyone I meet welcoming and appreciative of my short visit. When you walk through a neighborhood, you get such a different sense then when you drive through at 25 mph. [Read more…]

Letter: Love thanks supporters, will volunteer with Habitat

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Gary Love

Gary Love

To the Editor:

I would like to thank the people of Oak Ridge that supported me for my bid for Oak Ridge City Council. Though I was unsuccessful, I still appreciate the opportunity that I was given to share my hopes and dreams for this great city. I have had the opportunity to travel all over the world, and when I tell people that I am from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, I say it with a certain amount of pride and swagger. I still feel that way, because of Oak Ridge’s place in history and how we have changed, and what we still offer today.

Though I was not chosen for City Council, I will contribute by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. This organization directly helps our community, and it is an endeavor that I can focus all of my attention toward. I hope that I can serve you in this way because I want us to live in a strong community, and if you really think about it, what else is there other than trying to make our community and this world a better place to live for everyone?

Again, thank you for your support and let’s get behind our new leaders so Oak Ridge can remain a place that we speak of with pride.

Gary Love

Oak Ridge

Friday deadline to apply for city boards, commissions

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The deadline to apply for Oak Ridge boards and commissions is Friday, November 7. The applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday.

With less than a week remaining, city staff would like to encourage those who are interested in serving on a board to complete the 2014 Boards and Commissions Application, which is available on the City Clerk’s website, or residents can obtain paper copies in the City Clerk’s Office located in Room Number 109 in the Municipal Building, a press release said.

The election for these boards in the end-of-year recruitment will take place at a special meeting of the Oak Ridge City Council scheduled for Monday, December 15. [Read more…]

Letter: Smith informed, intelligent, civil, sensible

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To the Editor:

Oak Ridgers are fortunate in having a candidate of the caliber of Ellen Smith willing to once again serve on City Council, where, between 2007 and 2012, we benefited greatly from her wise, intelligent, and highly informed voice.

In addition to her service on Council, Ellen has long been involved in community affairs, and has participated in local government. This, plus her professional background, has made her a strong and consistent advocate for protecting the environmental values of lands and waters of the city and of the Oak Ridge Reservation.

Her activities have also given her a broad understanding of governmental matters additional to the diverse environmental issues and concerns that face Oak Ridge. She is committed to be part of a community leadership that recognizes the challenges we face and makes choices that maximize our assets and opportunities. [Read more…]

Letter: Fleischmann a good fit for Third District

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To the Editor:

I have known Chuck Fleischmann for over five years and know him to be a good family man and a person of integrity. Chuck Fleischmann has served nearly three terms in the United States House of Representatives and has never strayed from his conservative values. He has voted in a fashion that fits the values of the majority of the Third District of Tennessee. Chuck, quite simply, is a good fit for the district.

Chuck opposes amnesty, votes to protect the Second Amendment, and supports the free market. He has repeatedly championed our free enterprise system. Chuck is a committed conservative, which can be seen in his voting record.

His commitment to veterans can be seen in the three new Veteran’s Affairs clincs in our district. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge has second Clark Center Park meeting on Monday

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Clark Center Park Water View

A view of Melton Hill Lake near a boat ramp and between two picnic areas at Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.

The City of Oak Ridge is hosting a second public meeting to discuss the possible transfer of Clark Center Park from the U.S. Department of Energy to the City of Oak Ridge. The meeting will be held on Monday, October 27, at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building Courtroom, located at 200 South Tulane Avenue.

At the meeting, City Manager Mark Watson and staff will provide an overview of the Federal Lands to Parks Program as it relates to Clark Center Park and the federal acquisition process. The Department of Energy is undertaking an evaluation of their property on the Oak Ridge Reservation—where Clark Center Park is located—to identify parcels that may be excess to the agency’s mission.

“The Oak Ridge community has had Clark Center Park become an important asset of our city over the years,” said City Manager Mark Watson. “Our meeting is meant to explore the pros and cons of absorbing the park as part of our Oak Ridge park system. We welcome interested residents to share their thoughts with city officials.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge boys, girls cross country sweep region, prepare for state

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Oak Ridge Boys Cross Country 2014 Region 2-AAA Champions

The Oak Ridge boys cross country team won the regional championship during a Region 2-AAA meet at Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville on Thursday. (Photos by Nichole Zawisza)

 

KNOXVILLE—For the first time since 2008, the Oak Ridge boys and girls cross country teams swept the regional championships, and the two high school teams will compete in the state meet in Nashville next Saturday.

Boys Team

The Wildcats saw some stiff competition at the Region 2-AAA meet at Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville on Thursday, but the Oak Ridge boys’ team had no trouble collectively running past all challengers in the 5,000 meter run. Although Dartanian Oakley of Hardin Valley took home first place, three Oak Ridge runners followed right behind him. Gashaw Duhamel finished second with a time of 16:22:08, Wesley Robinson finished third with a time of 16:25:57, and Tyler Boullie finished fourth with a time 16:32:36. Both Duhamel’s and Robinson’s finishes met the national silver standard, which is finishing a race before the 16:30:00 mark.

The rest of the Oak Ridge boys’ team finished strongly as well. Jacob Etheridge finished seventh with a time of 16:52:39. Shortly behind him were Daniel Beckett running at 16:54:74 to finish 10th and Thomas Colburn running 16:57:14 to finish 11th. Rounding out the seven runners for Oak Ridge was Jose Villegas, who finished 17th with a time of 17:13:91. [Read more…]

What’s happening in Oak Ridge from Oct. 25-29

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Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge from Saturday, October 25, and continuing through October 30.

This weekly listing of events is compiled by the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau: [Read more…]