Oak Ridge Today

Arowood running for Anderson County clerk

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Leesa Arowood

Leesa Arowood

 

After many years of working as a grass-roots Republican, Leesa Arowood has announced her candidacy for Anderson County clerk, a press release said.

“I’ve lived in Anderson County for almost 25 years and have always been a Republican,” Arowood said in the press release. “As a businesswoman, not a politician, I look forward to giving back to my community by making our County Clerk’s Office the most efficient in Tennessee.”

Arowood is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, and she worked as an administrative manager for Oak Ridge Associated Universities for more than 15 years before managing her own real estate practice in Anderson County. She has worked in various other business operations in Anderson County for many years and is a member of the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge, the press release said. She is also a long-time member of Second Baptist Church in Clinton. [Read more…]

Letter: Chinn wants to be mayor, help attract new families, industries

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Rick Chinn

Rick Chinn

City Manager Mark Watson and honorable members of Oak Ridge City Council,

First, I would like to congratulate the new members elected to Council and express my enthusiasm in working with the three sitting members of Council for the coming years. I feel we have a great group of leaders and know that if we work together, we can accomplish some great things for the City of Oak Ridge.

In my opinion, a key to making these great things happen is working together in electing and supporting our new mayor. That said, I would like to officially announce my interest in becoming the new mayor.

I believe the mayor’s position is much more than cutting ribbons and running the monthly meetings. The mayor, in my opinion, is the chief lobbyist of the city.

We are unique from most cities in the fact that our health as a city is tied closely to the choices that are made by both state and federal lawmakers. [Read more…]

Letter: Hunt disciplined, ready to be juvenile judge

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To the Editor:

I watched the Republican Party candidate forum the night of April 8 and noticed an important distinction amongst the candidates.

Brian Hunt, candidate for juvenile judge, exhibited the qualities that are essential for a judge to possess. He focused intently on the questions posed and succinctly provided answers without excess. The other candidates behaved as attorneys only, by advocating positions and arguing their points. [Read more…]

Republican forum: Issues range from jobs, retail to drug courts, trial experience

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Anderson County Republican Party Forum

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, center, gives an opening statement during a Tuesday night candidate forum for Republican Party candidates. Also pictured are Anderson County Commissioner Zach Bates, left, who is challenging Frank in the May 6 GOP primary, and Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Randy Myers, one of two Republican candidates for sheriff.

Note: This story was last updated at 11:45 a.m.

The starkest differences between any candidates at a Tuesday night Republican Party forum might have emerged in the race for Anderson County chancellor, where candidates Michael Farley and Nicki Cantrell clashed on questions of trial experience and whether the Chancery Court should ever be used to hear criminal cases.

In the race for sheriff, Republican candidates Anthony Lay and Randy Myers agreed on one key question: No federal inmates should be housed at the Anderson County jail.

In the race for mayor, Terry Frank, the incumbent, said she had presided over one of the few—and possibly the only—tax cut in Anderson County history, while her opponent, Commissioner Zach Bates, said the county’s biggest economic challenge is “retail leakage.” [Read more…]