Bob Smallridge
Bob Smallridge is running for Anderson County Charter Commission in District 8, which includes the Emory Valley, Hendrix Creek, and Woodland voting precincts.
The eight-member Charter Commission will be elected in November with the purpose of considering and voting on possible changes to Anderson County government, a press release said.
Once elected and certified, the Commission will have nine months to come up with a recommended document for voter approval or rejection through a countywide referendum.
As pointed out in a recent newspaper editorial, a home rule charter provides, “numerous options for improving county government, but also ample opportunity to make government worse,” the press release said.
A number of potential changes to Anderson County government have been suggested to date and others will undoubtedly be considered during Commission deliberations, the release said.
“The Commission will need to study any proposed changes very carefully to make sure they will result in more efficient operation of county government,” Smallridge said.
Smallridge and his wife Carol have lived at their current address in Emory Valley for the past 44 years. Their three children grew up in Oak Ridge, and they, along with their grandchildren, are currently attending or have graduated from the Oak Ridge Schools.
Smallridge spent a total of 26 years with the Oak Ridge Schools, including the last 20 as superintendent. Following his retirement in 1998, he served as interim superintendent in Campbell County, Clinton, and more recently in Oak Ridge.
Smallridge and Carol Smallridge have and continue to be actively involved with various government, civic, and nonprofit organizations, the press release said.
“I feel my community involvement together with my work experience have given me a good general knowledge of both city and county government,” Smallridge said. “I will encourage public participation throughout the process.
“I am excited about the possibility of serving on the Charter Commission and, if elected, pledge to approach the task with an open mind and to study carefully any proposed changes to county government.”
Ron Shelton has been appointed as Smallridge’s campaign treasurer.
Early voting begins October 19 and ends November 3. The election is Tuesday, November 8.
There are two candidates for the District 8 seat on Charter Commission. Besides Smallridge, the other candidate is Kathy Moore. You can follow our 2016 election coverage here. You can see the November 8 sample ballot, which includes Anderson County Charter Commission candidates, here.
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