Iwanski announces re-election campaign for County Commission

Myron Iwanski is seeking re-election to Anderson County Commission in District 8, which includes the Woodland, Emory Valley, and Hendrix Creek precincts in Oak Ridge.

Iwanski was appointed in 2011 to serve as mayor by County Commission early in his current term on County Commission. This was a 19-month appointment until a mayor could be elected for the remaining two years of former Mayor Rex Lynch’s term.

“It was an honor to be selected by my peers on County Commission to serve as chairman of County Commission for three terms and then as mayor during a difficult time for our county government,” Iwanski said in a press release.

“We had to work together to make some tough decisions,” Iwanski said. “We put several initiatives in place that will expand our retail and industrial tax base, promote tourism, and create jobs. This included setting funds aside for industrial land and infrastructure and creating a public/private partnership to hire a retail recruiter. We also put initiatives in place that are slowing the growth in the county jail population while helping reduce the crime rate.

“While serving as mayor, we addressed some long-standing financial issues and increased the fund balance and cut spending. This put us on a sound financial footing that will allow us to avoid the need for tax increases for the next several years.”

As commissioner, Iwanski helped usher support for several projects that used county funds to benefit Oak Ridge and District 8, the press release said. These include moving a General Sessions Court to Oak Ridge, providing expanded services for the county clerk, trustee, and veterans services at the county’s Emory Valley Road facility, helping fund the recent Roane State Community College expansion and the new Emory Valley Center building, making arrangements to deed the Senior Center property to the city, and adding an ambulance station in east Oak Ridge.

As mayor, Iwanski also helped obtain a unanimous county vote for tax increment financing, or TIF, for the highly successful Woodland Town Center, the press release said. This site already has new restaurants, a grocery, and a car dealership.

“My experience as county commissioner, including 14 years on the Budget Committee and three terms as Commission chairman, and as mayor has given me a better understanding of the issues and what it takes to solve county problems,” Iwanski said.

“I believe that part of the reason I was appointed by my peers to leadership positions is that I am willing to listen and work with all sides and be a consensus builder,” he said. “This resulted in improved relationships among our elected county officials and with our cities.”

Iwanski retired from the Tennessee Valley Authority in 2010 after 33 years in corporate environmental management. He is a professional engineer. He has served as a member and on the board of many community organizations including the United Way, Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, Anderson County Economic Development Association, Environmental Quality Advisory Board, Rotary, Clinch River Home Health, Chamber of Commerce, and Retail Task Force.

David Gengozian is treasurer for Iwanski’s campaign. Gengozian grew up in Oak Ridge and has served as president of the city’s Neighborhood Watch Program. David has also been a member of EQAB and the Planning Commission. He is currently on the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Myron’s wife Kari is a retired Anderson County and Oak Ridge school teacher. They have three daughters.

“We have been very fortunate to be able to live in a wonderful community for 35 years and send our children to outstanding schools,” Iwanski said. “We have three grandchildren—two in Oak Ridge. I want to help our community provide the next generation the same education and quality of life opportunities.”

Iwanski can be reached at [email protected] or (865) 481-0526.