To the Editor:
I was surprised to hear that Charlie Hensley even has a voice.
That when issues arise and he is not in charge of public discussion of important issues, he tries to silence or sweep things under the carpet.
This is so: That issues have no governing decision to bring the issue into a final end.
That’s like hiring a design firm for a Senior Center, then doing nothing.
The City Council wants everything to be status quo.
I have been to many Senior Advisory Board meetings at the Senior Center, and Charlie Hensley has always been a no-show. He came maybe once to act as if he supported seniors at the height of the Senior Center issue.
I talked with Oak Ridge’s groundhog, and he said there would not be a new Senior Center in nine more years for he was not allowed by the City Council to see his shadow. I have had great difficulty understanding why a Senior Center is housed in a 1940s elementary school.
I found it funny that Charlie Hensley wants to deny Trina Baughn the right as a Council person to serve and represent the citizens of the Secret City on various boards by bringing important information to the public light (no shadow).
The truth always hurts with minced words.
Lee Roy Gilliam
Oak Ridge
Raymond Charles Kircher says
21 months of Winter for Oak Ridge.
Mike Mahathy says
Seriously Lee Roy, or Mushroom Cloud as you once called yourself, we know you are upset about not having a new senior center, perhaps rightly so. Yet that seemingly has nothing to do with the subject line of your letter.
Robert Humphries says
I am appalled by the suggestion from Hensley that Trina Baughn needs to be censured. Ms. Baughn has been a long-sought breath of fresh air on the Council. She documents everything she discusses, and seeks out every fact that she can. She is doing the job for which she was elected…..representing us…the citizens of this City. There seems to be too much emphasis by Council on the “image” of the City, instead of
justice. What could be worse for the image of a City than to have injustice exposed?
We need people like Ms. Baughn on Council because the citizens can no longer rely on the press to give us the full unbiased investigations necessary to keep the City on the straight and narrow. Yes, the truth hurts. So be it. Where there is smoke, there is usually a fire. Ms. Baughn had a talent for fanning away the smoke. She should not be censured for doing her duty. The facts that Ms. Baughn has made public regarding this recent fiasco regarding the Oak Ridge Police Department are being ignored or brushed under the rug. That is unacceptable from a Council supposedly dedicated to the Sunshine Law of
Tennessee. It is sad that people elected to Council in this town get to keep their positions by winning only (approx.) 15% of the vote! Wake up citizens! Take charge of your City next election and vote wisely. The status quo attitude prevalent on Council today needs to end.
Robert Humphries, Oak Ridge
Matt Bailey says
Oh please. Her history has been one manufactured crisis after another. How you can use Trina baughn and documented facts in the same letter is laughable. If she were your child you’d put her in timeout for telling big ole whopping lies. Hey, isn’t that Charlie Hensley is trying to do?
Jeanne Hicks Powers says
No, Matt. You are not even close. This is another wake-up call for all of OR.
Matt Bailey says
“Another” wake up call? Let’s see….lied about droves of teachers leaving, lied about the reign of terror. How many of these “wake up calls” have turned out to be true? Would it be fair to say “none”?
None of us knows the truth. We do know that once again Trina has tried to shape the story thru the media. There seems to be a clear process to escalate concerns which she has once again failed to follow. The old council wasn’t made up of fools or idiots. The rejected her claims before…but let’s see what happens…who knows!
Let’s be honest…this all relates to Heitman. Trina can’t stand that the chief has quit playing patty cake with her. He ain’t the first person she’s kicked to the curb!
Lastly, I am personally aware that at least one person with some police / military background has investigated the Heitman situation and reported back that he could not prove either way what happened to Mr. Heitman. Apparently, the TBI and others have found no basis to investigate. Her infatuation with this case is sad.
Jeanne Hicks Powers says
You can go on and on and on….. (as I suspect you will). There are problems here and it is beyond time they are dealt with. Way too many complaints from more than 1 entity to think that there is no basis. Exaggeration, on your part, actually undermines your believability not anyone else’s. Credibility is lost when trying to censure another.
Matt Bailey says
I’ve said before no one knows the truth here. Trina’s not judge and jury. There are plenty of smart folks on council who should be part of the process. Not just her.
Exaggeration huh? I’ll buy you a beer for every name u can provide of a teacher or school employee who publicly came forward to support her school claims. I’m betting we won’t require a designated driver.
Jeanne Hicks Powers says
I currently volunteer with one of those teachers who did retire earlier from ORSD than originally planned due to many concerns. That teacher mentions that others followed suit recently. Thanks for the offer, but I’ll pass on the beer! How about a cup of coffee? The truth needs to be found out… therefore a further look is necessary into the matters on tonight’s CC meeting agenda. Trina never said she was judge or jury. She’s just bringing the “case” to light.
Matt Bailey says
I owe you one cup of coffee and a bottle of Motrin to assist in your volunteer efforts. Thank you!
Teachers leaving now don’t figure into her claims two years ago. And one isn’t a blip on the screen though losing one teacher is one too many.
Let’s not confuse issues. She misled (pick a word ) then, I think we can agree on that. And embarrassed us in the media. Why-who knows.
And now she’s back.
In the one math class I passed we had to show our work to the teacher. Trina wants an assembly of all the students to show how smart she thinks she is. With wate-tv in attendance. That’s not how u get respect
Jeanne Hicks Powers says
Don’t really get your reference to Motrin, but Coffee is fine. The teacher I was referring to left within the earlier timeframe you referred to. There was a mention made by that teacher to me that there were more who left at the time too. I’m not confusing any issues. I mentioned the teachers because you had referenced it. Trina is requesting a closer look at the current situation that has been brought to light. She is neither petty nor childish nor self-serving. Just the opposite.
Matt Bailey says
Motrin for dealing with children all day.
We obviously differ on the definition of self serving.
Jeanne Hicks Powers says
A definition is a definition…. interpretation is another thing! We don’t have similar views here. Have a good day.
Joseph Lee says
Ms. Powers, you say “She is neither petty nor childish nor self-serving. Just the opposite.”
Please smell the coffee, then drink the coffee and have a nice day. Thank you.
Jeanne Hicks Powers says
Trina is neither petty nor childish nor self-serving. Yup, I said it again. You can “smell” whatever YOU want! It’s funny how easily you think people can be dismissed! Bye
Matt Bailey says
You as well.