Chuck Fritts
Chairman Chuck Fritts is seeking re-election to the Anderson County Commission, representing District 1. District 1 includes the Bull Run and Claxton precincts.
“It has truly been an honor and a privilege to represent the residents of District 1 on the Anderson County Commission,” Fritts said in a press release. “I take very seriously the trust that you have placed in me, and it is my desire that you will allow me to continue to serve you and, working with my fellow commissioners, to move Anderson County forward.”
First elected in 2002, Fritts said he brings valuable experience, knowledge, and leadership to the Anderson County Commission and has worked hard to represent the residents of District 1.
“He has taken this position very seriously and has worked long hours to do the job he felt he was elected to do,” the press release said. “He is not only well-known throughout Anderson County, but also throughout the state of Tennessee.” The release said Fritts was also elected to and served another four-year term on the Tennessee County Commissioner Association board of directors in Nashville. He was one of three East Tennessee representatives throughout all of East Tennessee that was selected to serve on this state’s organization for county commissioners.
“This ensures that Anderson County has a voice on this important state organization,” the release said.
Fritts is an engineer at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, where he’s been employed for the past 36 years. He has been married to his wife Debbie for almost 37 years and they have three children and three son-in-laws, and they are also proud grandparents, the press release said.
Fritts attended Clinton High School, where he was a member of the Clinton High School Football team from 1969-1971, and he was also a member of the National Honor Society. He received an associate of science degree in pre-med from Roane State Community College in June 1974 and then transferred to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in microbiology at UT in June 1976.
Fritts said he has lived in the Claxton community for more than 54 years, and his mother was the last family to be moved out when the Tennessee Valley Authority Bull Run Steam Plant bought out everyone’s property in that area. His childhood home was sitting almost where the smoke stack is sitting today, the release said. Fritts was also part of the last eighth-grade class to attend Claxton Elementary School.
Fritts is presently serving as the 2013-2014 chairman of the Anderson County Commission. He also served as chairman of the Anderson County Commission from 2011-2012 and 2012-2013. During his tenure as chairman, the release said, Fritts tried to represent all of Anderson County and not just District 1. Among the changes and improvements he has supported are:
- The new Anderson County Alternative School built behind Anderson County High School and named the Clinch River Community School. It will give students a better opportunity to receive their high school diploma, the release said.
- The new Briceville Library beside Briceville Elementary School and improvements to State Route 116 in Briceville.
- The Anderson County Commission’s contribution and Lake City’s effort to purchase the former Bank of America building to convert it into a Coal Mining Museum.
- The ARC grant to provide much-needed sewer to the Elza Gate community.
- The multi-million-dollar expansion project at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge.
- The donation of county land next to the Emory Valley Center to the City of Oak Ridge for the installation of a one-million-gallon sewage water holding tank.
- Tax increment financing, or TIF, proposals for the Aubrey’s/Panera Bread’s project and the Oak Ridge Mall redevelopment plan in Oak Ridge.
Fritts served a four-year term on the Keep Anderson County Beautiful board of directors.
As a County Commissioner, he presently serves on the following County Commission committees and boards: Legislative Committee, Audit Committee, Highway Committee, Rules Committee, Jail Committee, Regional Solid Waste Planning Board, and the Adult Oriented Establishment Board.
Fritts said he and the County Commission have worked to improve the county’s debt rating by increasing the undesignated fund balance from less than $500,000 to more than $3 million today, allowing the county’s general fund to again operate without borrowing tax anticipation notes. A super-majority County Commission vote is now required to reduce this fund balance, the release said.
The release said Fritts helped in efforts to have the David Hall Cabin in Claxton be recognized as a historical landmark, worked to help obtain much-needed assistance from the county to assist the citizens of District 1 with clean-up efforts after a 2011 tornado, personally helped the citizens within the Old Edgemoor Road and New Henderson Road areas during the recent TVA Bull Run Plant expansion, and continues to adopt annual resolutions in support of much-needed improvements to Edgemoor Road by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
The release said Fritts has worked to obtain grant funding for much-needed sewer services in Claxton, including along Edgemoor Road. That’s helped lead to a boom in economic development, including a major renovation at Bread Box and a possible Weigel’s near Claxton Elementary School and other retail development, Fritts said.
He said he is a strong supporter of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and is presently the chairman of the Anderson County Regional Solid Waste Board, which, as of this spring, was making safety improvements to the East Wolf Valley Convenience Center in Claxton and had others planned.
The release said Fritts has supported no tax increases during the past 10 years and takes calls from residents, including from other parts of the county.
“Chuck is willing to work and never turns anyone away,” the release said.
Early voting for the August 7 general election in Anderson County started July 18 and ends August 2.
