Oak Ridge Today

Y-12 Federal Credit Union names new CEO

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Mark Ziegler

Mark Ziegler

The Y-12 Federal Credit Union board of directors has named a new president and chief executive officer.

Mark Ziegler, the new CEO, will replace Tom Hilton, who will retire later this year, a press release said.

“Tom Hilton joined Y-12 Federal Credit Union more than 20 years ago as president/CEO and has led Y-12 FCU to achieve goals that we never imagined when he came on board,” board chairman Don Norris said. “We sincerely appreciate his leadership and dedication over the past 20-plus years and wish him the best in his retirement. [Read more…]

City board will consider tax incentive, development area for Oak Ridge Mall

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Oak Ridge Mall Redevelopment Area

The Oak Ridge Mall economic development area is pictured above. The map shows a contiguous area that could be affected economically by the proposed development, which only includes the former 60-acre mall property, according to a city consultant. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

A city board this month will consider a financing arrangement that could be worth up to $10 million and allow a North Carolina company to use new property tax revenues generated at a redeveloped Oak Ridge Mall to be used for site development, possibly including for roads, stoplights, and demolition work.

Many of the details aren’t available yet, including the precise amount of the proposed tax increment financing, or TIF, agreement and the length of time it could be in effect. The details will be discussed at a Sept. 26 meeting of the Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board, when members will consider an economic impact plan, city consultant Ray Evans said.

The economic development area could include about 90 acres. It would include the 60-acre mall and could include an apartment complex and museum, movie theater and pizza shop, real estate firm and hotel, and several busy stores on Oak Ridge Turnpike—properties that could benefit from the TIF, Evans said.

[Read more…]

School officials say millions in state funding at risk, could close schools Oct. 1

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Bruce Borchers and Mark Watson

Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers, left, and City Manager Mark Watson have had a series of meetings concerning the school system’s failure to pass a state maintenance of effort test, and a possible resolution of a $250,000 shortfall to avoid a potential loss in state funding of up to $1.87 million per month.

Schools want city to cover $250,000 shortfall, could require 2.5-cent tax increase

It’s a high-stakes battle between the city and the schools, with a potential loss of up to $1.87 million per month in state funding—and a possible shutdown of the school system on Oct. 1.

School officials said the Oak Ridge system has failed a state maintenance of effort test that requires local funding to remain at least the same from year to year. After some budget adjustments, there is a $250,000 shortfall, school officials said, and they want the city to cover it. It’s the equivalent of a 2.5-cent property tax rate increase.

“Unfortunately, we’re just in the position to ask the city to help us,” Oak Ridge Superintendent Bruce Borchers said Thursday. “They’re going to have to find that $250,000.” [Read more…]

Dorothy Mae Robbins

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Dorothy Mae Robbins

Dorothy Mae Robbins

Dorothy Mae Robbins, age 86, of Oak Ridge, passed away Saturday, Sept. 7, at Shannondale Health Care Center in Knoxville.

She was born June 21, 1927, in Huntsville, Ala., the daughter of Marlin Gaston Buchanan and Ida Mae Damron Buchanan.

Mrs. Robbins was a former assistant director for the Oak Ridge Downtown Management Corp. She later worked as an inspector at the Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) until the age of 85, when her health began to fail. [Read more…]

Maurice Harl Kunselman

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Maurice Harl Kunselman

Maurice Harl Kunselman

Maurice Harl Kunselman, born 1921 in Meadville, Pa., crossed through the veil Friday evening Sept. 6 to join his son Philip and his wife Lois who preceded him in death.

He is survived by his three remaining children, Frank Bret Kunselman, Carol Jo Papac, and Adrienne Mulligan. He is also survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Maurice, nicknamed “Bill,” was a Pennsylvania Son of the American Revolution, having a great-great-grandfather, who served as a dispatch rider for generals Washington and Lafayette. He served his country in World War II with the “tank destroyers” 424th Infantry, 106th Div., raising the first flag over Ft. Hood in Sept. 1942, and received the Bronze Star for Action in the Ardennes “Battle of the Bulge” offensive. [Read more…]

Danny Lee Duncan

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Danny Lee Duncan, age 61, a resident of Harriman, passed away Sunday, Sept. 8, at the Roane Medical Center.

Danny was born Sept. 11, 1951, in Oliver Springs. He was a lifelong resident of this area.

Danny worked as a auto body repairman at the Clinton Highway Wrecker Service for the past 25 years.

Danny enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, and spending time with his family. [Read more…]

Faith: Rev. Kallio explains cremation in the Episcopal Church

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Craig Kallio

Craig M. Kallio

Editor’s note: After the Saturday funeral for Bill Wilcox, I asked the Rev. Craig M. Kallio of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church a few questions about Wilcox’s cremation and burial in St. Stephen’s Memorial Garden. 

Here is his response to my question about cremation, and Wilcox’s burial in a handmade linen bag tied with a hand-knotted cord. 

Kallio: Bill was cremated and interred in our Memorial Garden. This burial option has become more popular among Episcopalians within the last 20 years, though the custom is quite ancient.

One reason for opting to use cremation is that of being good stewards. It takes into consideration the simplicity and cost. Rather than going with an elaborate funeral, our resources are better used elsewhere. [Read more…]

Alexander, Fleischmann oppose use of military force, strike in Syria

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U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander

Lamar Alexander

U.S. Senator Bob Corker

Bob Corker

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander and Rep. Chuck Fleischmann this week said they oppose the use of military force or a limited strike in Syria in retaliation for the government’s suspected use of chemical weapons in the country’s civil war.

Meanwhile, Sen. Bob Corker said he was skeptical about an offer to have Syria turn over its chemical weapons in order to avoid an attack.

President Barack Obama has asked Congress to authorize a limited military strike. [Read more…]

New airport in west Oak Ridge could feature small business jets, 5,000-foot runway

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Oak Ridge Airport Site at Heritage Center

An airport with a 5,000-foot runway could serve small business jets and pressurized turbine aircraft at Heritage Center, the former K-25 site, in west Oak Ridge. An image of the proposed runway is in yellow at right. (Photo courtesy Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority)

The airport proposed at Heritage Center in west Oak Ridge could feature a 5,000-foot runway, accommodate all but the largest business jets, and cost between $35 million and $45 million, an official said Monday.

Construction at the site is possible around 2017 to 2018, said Bill Marrison, president of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority.

The airport would be built at the front of Heritage Center, the former K-25 site, and the runway would parallel Highway 58. [Read more…]

ORHS a finalist for prize recognizing improvements in student achievement

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Oak Ridge High School

Oak Ridge High School is one of twelve finalists, and three high schools, competing for a prize that recognizes schools and schools districts in Tennessee that have most dramatically improved student achievement.

Oak Ridge High School is one of twelve finalists for a prize that recognizes schools in Tennessee that have most dramatically improved student achievement.

Two other high schools, Maryville and Covington, also made the list, which was announced Tuesday by State Collaborative on Reforming Education, or SCORE, a nonprofit organization founded by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.

The finalists include elementary, middle, and high schools, and school districts in Tennessee. They are competing for the third annual SCORE Prize. School winners will be announced in October and receive $10,000, and the district winner will collect $25,000. [Read more…]

Council approves water, sewer rate increases

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Oak Ridge City Council

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday approved water and sewer rate increases that will take effect January 2014 and January 2015. (File photo)

There was much opposition online, and in phone calls to city hall, but few public objections to back-to-back utility rate increases at a Monday night Oak Ridge City Council meeting.

The Council voted in two separate 6-1 votes to raise water and sewer rates in January 2014 and again in January 2015. The increases range from 8 percent to 15 percent.

The new rate hikes, which will be considered on second and final reading in October, would result in water bills that could go up by a minimum of $1.35 per month in January 2014 and then another $1.19 per month in 2015. Sewer bills would increase a minimum of $2.78 per month next year and then rise another $2.13 per month the following year. [Read more…]

Son convicted of drug charges inside courtroom, father arrested outside

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William Charles Braden

William Charles Braden

Betty Jo Braden

Betty Jo Braden

After his son was convicted inside a federal courthouse in Knoxville on drug charges last week, a Lake City man was arrested outside, charged with selling a controlled substance, authorities said.

The mother was also arrested on drug charges, but she was at home on Vowell Mountain Lane near Lake City when she was picked up, authorities said. [Read more…]