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:
- lower spending,
- lower property taxes, and
- lower the debt.
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.â€
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:
- make government at all levels smaller and more effective;
- improve transparency in government for average citizens, especially on financial matters; and
- make government more open and responsive to its citizens.
Robert Humphries
Oak Ridge
Ck Kelsey says
This is very well said ,you have stated what many of us think.
Onslow West says
Voting for Leonard Abbatiello for school board is like asking Dr. Kevorkian to manage treatment for your life-threatening illness: there is a justified suspicion that the institution or patient might not be well served.
At the League of Women Voters’ forum for the council and school board candidates, Abbetiello posed this rhetorical question in his opening remarks: “How many graduates of ORHS are still in Oak Ridge?” He never (publicly) answered this question but his implication was crystal clear: We’re wasting money on the schools because our graduates leave and go elsewhere. And that in a nutshell is Leonard Abbatiello’s vision for the school system. It’s a waste of money.
Abbatiello’s involvement with the ORS has been in the role of an adversary. He has had no casual or altruistic involvement the schools and he has no stake in the continued success of the schools. He was this way 10 years ago. He will be this way tomorrow. He would bring nothing to the game but a dogmatic strategy of punting on first down.
Bottom line: If you think providing adequate funding for public education is a waste of money, the old high school was fine and dandy and just needed some paint and minor repairs, the excellent school system is not all that important to the health and vitality of our local economy, and a pertinacious ideologue will “end the [overblown] rift” with city council, vote for Abbatiello. He will not disappoint you.
agent86 says
Like I have said before, the story around town that Abatiello is running for school board because his wife has tried to get hired in the school system some 5 times and never made it. Anger and revenge are never good reasons for doing anything. The same goes for Ms. Trina and her personal vendetta against the school superintendent and now her run for council.