Joe Lee (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Joseph “Joe†Lee, a commercial construction worker who is now a field superintendent for a project at the University of Tennessee, is running for Oak Ridge City Council in the November 8 election.
Lee, an Oak Ridge native, announced his candidacy this month, and he said he has qualified to be on the ballot in November.
Lee is a 1970 graduate of Oak Ridge High School, and he attended Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina. He returned to his hometown in 1987 and was employed by Downtown Management Company as construction manager during the time known as “The Mall Wars,” a press release said. He met Julie Easterday there, and they were married in 1989. They now have two daughters, Lindsay and Loren.
The press release said​ Lee has worked his entire career in the commercial construction industry as either carpenter, superintendent, or construction manager. He has worked throughout the Southeast on industrial, institutional, and commercial projects, the release said.
For the last 10 years, Lee has been employed by Rentenbach and has primarily worked on projects at the University of Tennessee. His main projects include The Howard Baker Center for Public Policy, the Neyland Stadium renovation and expansion, and the University Center, phase one. He is currently the on-site field superintendent for the second phase of the University Center, the largest project in the history of UT, the press release said. It will be complete in the fall of 2018.
“As a result of his work, Lee recognizes and values the importance of building consensus, teamwork, and maintaining a positive can-do attitude,” the release said. “He will carry these skills into a potential seat on City Council. He understands that accomplishing anything in our city requires the approval of the majority of Council, and that consensus and team building are essential.”
“Now more than ever is the time to be focused on the city’s future, and we must capitalize on the opportunities that are ongoing and developing,” Lee said in the press release. “Now is the time to support public policy that will promote growth in the tax base, encourage job retention and growth, and support existing and new business. We need to work together constructively by building community involvement and consensus, and get behind the National Park, Main Street, the AMSE, the Senior Center, the Preschool, and the evolving renaissance of the City Of Oak Ridge. I believe it’s time for less talk and more action and that my background in project development, construction, and management is a good fit for the needs of the city at this time. ”
Lee said he understands the unique history of Oak Ridge and has been involved in it for years to promote and make improvements in the community.
“In addition to renovation of legacy housing, I have constructed HUD housing, the Scarboro Community Center, and was active in the renovation of the Alexander Inn,” Lee said. “For the last 10 years, I have been a member of the Board of Building and Housing Code Appeals and am a strong advocate for enforcement of the Property Maintenance Code. For over a decade, I have successfully supported improvement in or removal of blighted properties in our city. I understand that the maintenance and expansion of our housing stock is key to attracting young families to live in Oak Ridge.”
Lee said he “wholeheartedly” believes Oak Ridge is a great place to live, work, and play, and recognizes the need to promote the city’s neighborhoods, businesses, and schools.
“I promote safe neighborhoods by supporting our city government, city staff, police officers, firefighters, and Neighborhood Watch, Lee said. “I understand the need for a solid business environment that is growing and expanding the tax base. I stand up for the education of our children by supporting our school system, our teachers, and administrators. I believe there are many positive elements in Oak Ridge such as our parks, our greenways, our waterfront, and the science, manufacturing, and technology that is ongoing on the U.S. Department of Energy reservation. I want everyone to know and have said it many times that Oak Ridge is a great place to be, and together, we can continue to make improvements.”
Three of the seven Oak Ridge City Council seats are up for election in November. The three incumbents are Trina Baughn, Charlie Hensley, and Chuck Hope. So far, Hope is the only one of the three incumbents to publicly announce a re-election bid.
Besides Lee, two other potential new Council members have announced their candidacies to Oak Ridge City Council: Jim Dodson and Mark LeNoir. You can learn more about the 2016 election, including City Council candidates, on our 2016 Election page.
Council members serve staggered four-year terms, meaning three seats are up for election this year and the other four seats are up for re-election in 2018. Council members earn $150 per month.
Council members elect one of their own to a two-year term as mayor after each municipal election. The mayor receives an additional $150 per month.
Copyright 2016 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Angi Agle says
Great news!
Levi D. Smith says
I hope Trina Baughn decides to run again. She definitely has my vote!
Trina Baughn says
Thank you kindly, Mr. Smith.
Matt Bailey says
Mr smith, I hope ms Baughn runs again also. To Farragut. There’s been a lot of positive activity in OR lately. You’ll notice she is never front and center with congratulations. Wonder why.
Emilee Smith says
Excellent news, Joe! You will do GREAT things for this city!
Matt Bailey says
In a positive and respectful manner.
Gary Love says
Trina is the best!
Matt Bailey says
I can’t disagree there. She unified the city in its support of the Police Chief and the school system both in one year. We owe her many thanks for that.
Gary Love says
I hear ya Matt, and I understand, but I like that she still had the stuff to ask questions without giving it a blank stamp.
I’m thanking her cause she is prepared.
Matt Bailey says
It never bothered me that she, or anyone else, asked questions. You’ll remember that she didn’t even let the new school supt. start his new job before she went to the media with a list of charges that turned out to be false. (Her own website even proved she was wrong)! No one wants a blank stamp, but her “preparation” led to a multitude of false and malicious charges. Even after several legal groups exonerated the Chief of Police, it was Ms. Baughn who continued to claim the Chief was guilty. When challenged as to whether her legal expertise was superior to the D.A.’s, she had no response. Was she prepared on some issues, yes. Was her presentation toxic … without a doubt. Did she lie? I’ll let you decide. Most of the city has already decided. Lots of positive things happening here and she’s nowhere to be found. We’ve overcome her confrontational approach to government. Finally.
Gary Love says
We will soon see if most agree with you.
Trina Baughn says
Most regular readers of this site are fully aware of the disturbing obsession that Mr. Bailey and his cohorts have with me. Though I am not even the subject of this article, they cannot resist spewing their hatred for me. I usually ignore them because it is simply too time consuming to combat all of their lies. However, out of consideration for the occasional reader, I share the following:
https://trinabaughn.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/sro-letter.pdf
https://trinabaughn.com/2015/09/24/my-response-to-matt-bailey-re-the-mtas-investigation/
https://trinabaughn.com/2015/01/31/my-investigation-requests-re-orpd-police-chief-james-t-akagi/
https://trinabaughn.com/2015/02/04/my-response-to-hensley/
https://trinabaughn.com/2015/03/21/no-apologies-necessary-re-order-of-protection/
Mr. Bailey will most assuredly pile on even further in reply to my daring to speak up for myself. I shall not engage, but rather, will post additional links that chronicle the matters he brings up. That is, for as long as the moderator will allow me equal opportunity to reply.
Matt Bailey says
Oh my .. Here we go again. The disturbing obsession is yours, ms Baughn, for your efforts to destroy good people and good institutions thru your repeated lies. Reading your links are as worthless now as they were previously.
You coerced old Chief Beams into writing a letter re Chief Akagis lack of qualifications, yet Beams’ wasn’t nearly as qualified when he was promoted to Chief. I cannot imagine your embarrassment when that one bit ya.
You, and your candidate for school board, sadly lied by omission re your attempt to cover up an unfortunate past.
Your more vocal supporters, what’s left of them, reside in other states and can’t vote here.
Your groups treatment of the Heitman situation was atrocious and the attempts to destroy a grieving widow is a sad legacy.
Let’s stop here. My initial response was to a comment from mr love, who for whatever reason thought you went to council meetings prepared. You did. Prepared to distort the truth , engage the Knoxville media in your shenigans and untruths, and for over a year you’ve been shocked that some people dared to push back. You ran roughshod over our city ms Baughn. I doubt we’ll be foolish enough to ever let that happen again.
Trina Baughn says
True to form, Mr. Bailey has no problem perpetuating his own distortions and lies . But here is a sampling of city government “running roughshod†over its citizens that he’d rather not be discussed:
http://www.oakridger.com/article/20160523/NEWS/160529962
https://trinabaughn.com/2014/05/01/my-email-to-the-city-manager-our-treatment-of-ms-lori-holt-the-heitman-family/
https://TRINABAUGHN.FILES.WORDPRESS.COM/2016/02/SANTEK-SOLID-WASTE-LETTER-OAK-RIDGE-TN.PDF
http://WWW.KNOXNEWS.COM/NEWS/CRIME-COURTS/FORMER-OAK-RIDGE-COP-ARRESTED-CHARGED-WITH-STATUTORY-RAPE-OF-16-YEAR-OLD-GIRL-3230035E-20C4-718F-E05-378431951.HTML
BTW, In a new book about the nun who broke into Y12, Dan Zak does a pretty good job explaining the DOE culture and its influence on our city’s politics:
https://www.amazon.com/Almighty-Courage-Resistance-Existential-Nuclear/dp/0399173757/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468414360&sr=8-1&keywords=dan+zak
Dave Smith says
I’ve been reading Zak’s “Almighty.” I noted that your name appears first in the list of folks that Zak thanks for helping him “understand” Oak Ridge and Y-12; listed ahead, in fact, of Thom Mason and the Oak Ridge Reading Room at the public library, where Zak said he spent about half his time.
It’s most unfortunate that Zak’s explanations of Oak Ridge politics and DOE culture, as you put it, have been not-too-subtly influenced by your inexpert opinions on business, education, law enforcement, public works, and public financing.
My impression has been and continues to be that your contributions to the vitality of Oak Ridge are exclusively negative, regardless of whatever motivation you have had. I can’t bring to mind a single positive development or comment from you about Oak Ridge that has been reported in the press. Your blog is not journalism and your website is not the press.
Early in Zak’s book he begins to weave the tale of how the three peaceniks justified the break-in at Y-12: they were being sent by God [Almighty]. Whatever unfortunate events might have unfolded as they cut fences, sprayed blood and hung banners, they were comforted by the knowledge they were doing God’s will. One remarkable thing about being on a mission from God is that you don’t have to trouble yourself with the unintended consequences; He will sort the bodies. There is a parallel there to your career on city council. You accuse, then you let others deal with the consequences, whether it be money spent on needless investigations or undoing the ridiculously false accusations you make against council members, BOE members, school officials, law enforcement officials, and so on.
So, yes. Run, Trina, run.
Trina Baughn says
You are insinuating that I heavily influenced the writings of a Washington Post reporter – you give me far too much credit. Look again, Mr. Zak listed his acknowledgments in alphabetical order. It’s as simple as that. I do see at least one parallel between his writings and mine in that he obviously makes you uncomfortable.
Dave Smith says
After making it most-way through the book I can say that I agree with your point that I might have given you “too much credit.” Your singular cited contribution to Zak’s narrative appears to be folded into his facile theory that the business of Oak Ridge is maintaining the flow of federal money into the city and his cursory description of Oak Ridgers as living perpetually in the past. As this is ostensibly a comment under an article on the city council candidacy of Mr. Lee, I want to state that it’s my opinion that that Mr. Lee represents the exact antithesis of Zak’s characterization of the city and its people.
I haven’t felt discomforted by Zak’s book. It’s easy non-technical reading and I like it to the extent that I wouldn’t object to seeing it considered for a Pulitzer Prize if it weren’t salted with small inaccuracies of interpretation that serve to jinn up his narrative.
Joseph Lee says
Thank you Dave. I am focused on the future. To the extent possible, given the toxic environment, that will remain my focus during the campaign and in the future. We have burned enough daylight. It’s time to get to work. Enough is enough. Thanks again.
Matt Bailey says
I remember wondering what the Tennessee Watchdog was. I thought it was something about Smokey and Tennessee football. THAT was your media attention. You brushed away the cops and left them on the side of the road when you were dead wrong about the Police Chief. Now, wbir and wate tv have done the same to you. Karma really is a bxxxx, ain’t it?
Trina Baughn says
It is truly sad that my detractors are so miserable and angry. It is apparent that they possess no self-control since they cannot resist writhing and hissing at the very mention of my name. Unfortunately, what readers see here is only the tip of a very large iceberg of their wretched behavior. They do not confine their acts of intimidation to me nor to this site. I can only hope that they find relief sooner rather than later of their root cause of their malady.
Matt Bailey says
Miserable and angry? Certainly not me. I’m a happy guy! Nice try, though.
Once again, you’re trying the poor, pitiful little ole me act, but that failed last year. You gotta come up with something new and believable – good luck with that!
Old news. Oak ridge is moving on. The dark clouds have broken. A new energy has emerged. As The O’Jays sang, the Love Train has pulled into town and you ain’t got a ticket.
Emilee Smith says
Miserable and angry? Trina, look back at some of the tapes of council meetings. You were the one that appeared miserable and angry. You have yet to admit that you were wrong with the Chief. Was there an apology for the time, money and resources you wasted in that one case? I don’t recall ever hearing one. Then there were the Heitman’s. Was there ever an apology there? Nope. The list goes on where you have wasted time, resources and taxpayer money. However, I am not going to dwell only on the negative. One thing you did well for the City was to start the conversation of them not being in the Festival business. It is not that you have bad ideas, but there are times when you really need to work on being tactful in how you approach your agenda. Blatant false statements continuously even after much higher powers than you have exonerated the accused, are not becoming of anyone in public service.
Trina Baughn says
Apologies are certainly due…to many of our officers and past and present (they’re still leaving, BTW). And most of all to Ms. Akagi-Johnson. You and your cohorts owe her a huge apology.
Thanks for bringing up the videos. Watching them will certainly enlighten those who weren’t there as to all of the broken promises and the emotional tirades of those of you who went to great lengths to minimize our officer’s concerns. Starting with these:
http://www.oakridgetn.gov/videojs/JSCouncilMeeting02092015.htm
Conveniently, the results meeting was not aired:
https://trinabaughn.com/2015/10/14/101515-special-meeting-mtas-orpd-review-results/
Mike Mahathy says
I hate to even bring the Akagi situation up at all. It helps no one. What is sure is that City Council said it was time to move on. We know our police department continues to do a great job — great officers and great leadership. City Council shouldaddress pay for police and fire. Oak Ridge has great days ahead. As I did on Sunday I invite anyone not yet on board to board the train. It stops for more passengers on Wednesday.
http://oakridgetoday.com/2016/07/11/main-street-oak-ridge-groundbreaking-on-july-20-city-manager-says/
Matt Bailey says
The apology that is owed is by you to Mrs. Akagi and the children. You attempted to smear a good man in front of his wife and children. Again, for the umpteenth time, you were wrong. Dead wrong. Six different groups of legal people, including your precious Post Group, determined Chief Akagi did nothing wrong. NOW, if you can show me your law degree, I’ll walk naked down the turnpike. Until then, the issue is as dead as your city council career.
Cops leave…the MTAS review proved that. No one I know minimized any officer’s concerns. MTAS found very few legitimate ones. Mostly, they wanted more money. Certainly, they found no major problems that you were pushing for … and their representative directly addressed this at the meeting, leaving you, Ms. Baugh, with no place to hide in front of those people at the meeting. Have you forgotten how painful it was that night, watching all your claims crash and burn?
You’re trying to re-write history. Nice try. We ain’t buying what you’re selling anymore. We made that mistake.
Mike Mahathy says
The funds spent on the review of the PD were just slightly less than 1 cent on the tax rate. Perhaps the tax rate could have been reduced or even better it would have been a start on increasing pay for police.
Mike Mahathy says
It is hard to believe Ms Baughn post the link again about the OOP. Does she really not get it?
Emilee Smith says
NOPE – why do you think she has got it now if she never got it before???
Mike Mahathy says
Most regular readers of this site are looking forward to November 9th.
Trina Baughn says
Thank you for your kindness to me and so many others, Gary.
Tracy Stout-Powers says
Tracy Stout-Powers
Trina, seriously. EVERYONE knows you lied. It didn’t take a DA or some investigative panel to research this matter. Anyone reading that OOP with any sense or reading comprehension skills knew immediately you lied throughout the entire process.
You have a lot of nerve saying we have a disturbing obsession and hatred toward you!! You have to be the most self-absorbed, egotistical individual I have ever had the displeasure of meeting.
The only one miserable and angry is you. It is apparent that YOU possess no self-control since you are the one that cannot resist “writhing and hissing” at the very mention of Chief Akagi’s name! It’s proven, you are the worst type of despicable liar. You are STILL trying to make it seem as if our officers are quitting due to the Chief.
It will be a relief when you are gone. You haven’t been relevant for quite some time now, except in your own mind.
People, for the most part, are very forgiving. Unfortunately, it is more important to you to not admit you were wrong. That shows a true lack of character. No surprise there.
Mark Caldwell says
Give ’em heck Joe. You have my vote.
Joseph Lee says
Thank you Mark. I will be on my best behavior, such as it is. Thanks again.
Mike Mahathy says
I support Joe Lee because Joe Lee has long supported the best for Oak Ridge. While some in our city and a few former citizens have opposed virtually any progress Joe has been one of the voices of reason. Anyone with knowledge of business and economics knows expanding opportunities for growth takes perseverance. Sometimes deals do not work out. Does that mean the city should not work to achieve more opportunities for its citizens. No! Thank you Joe Lee. Thank you Mark Watson. Thank you City Councilpeople who have supported the mall development and other opportunities. I know at times you had to dig deep for more faith.
Let us keep moving forward. For those that have not been on the train of progress it is not too late. You can come aboard this week at the ceremony commencing mall demolition. Hope to see you on the train.
It is a great day to be from Oak Ridge.
Joseph Lee says
And on a lighter note: The Committee to Elect Joseph Lee cordially invites you to our Campaign Kickoff and Ice Cream Social next Tuesday, August 2nd, 5-7pm at Razzleberry’s in Jackson Square.