Oak Ridge Today

Letter: Charter Commission drive started to restore citizens’ rights

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To the Editor:

Seven County Commissioners—Steve Emert, Steve Mead, Tim Isbel, Theresa Scott, Mark Alderson, Robert McKamey, and Jerry White—have entered into a conflict of interest by running for seats on the Charter Commission. They have reason to be concerned about their own political lives given the fact that they have been willing to cooperate with Myron Iwanski to take away the rights of the citizens of Anderson County.

In fact, that is the reason the drive for a charter form of government was started: to restore the rights of citizens to choose their leaders and make sure the authority of those whom the citizens elect is not taken away. Sad to say, Jerry White (District 5) and Tim Risden (District 1) said at a recent candidate forum that they were against the Charter Commission—an effort to restore Anderson County citizens’ rights. In the same spirit as other county commissioners attempting to be placed on the Charter Commission that would write Anderson County’s charter, Mr. White called the effort a “smokescreen,” but failed to provide the audience with evidence of his charge. [Read more…]

Letter: Hope gives back to community, seeks to maximize Oak Ridge’s potential

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To the Editor:

Like most voters, I decided whom I would support in the national election several months ago. But I wish not to discuss what might be the worst presidential election cycle since Jefferson and Adams opposed each other in the 1700s. No, I would like to share my views on local choices (Oak Ridge City Council), especially Chuck Hope Jr., who is running for re-election.

One of the perks of living in Oak Ridge is that while shopping at Food City one can bump into the city manager. Or attend a performance at the Oak Ridge Playhouse and engage fellow patrons who are members of City Council. Or have your automobile serviced at Chuck’s Car Care on the Turnpike, owned and managed by Chuck Hope. Every customer is treated with respect. So are citizens who have contact with Chuck on matters of local governance. Work performed at his establishment usually exceeds expectation and at a reasonable price. [Read more…]

Letter: Garcia Garland will steer Oak Ridge toward best decisions for citizens at large, not just privileged few

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To the Editor:

I am writing to endorse Anne Garcia Garland for Oak Ridge City Council. She is kind, smart, and principled as are many of the other candidates. However, she unlike others, has no potential conflicts of interest: she is not an employee of any city entity, including the school system, nor is she a member of the Chamber of Commerce, which receives substantial monies from the City of Oak Ridge. She was not endorsed by the Chamber PAC either, which suggests that she will not be beholden or easily influenced by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce while sitting on Council.

Anne, unlike another City Council candidate, has never been a commenter on the website reportedly owned and maintained by a sitting School Board member, a site where fellow citizens are bullied and belittled.

And finally, I believe Anne has the temperament to be a good public servant. She has never, to my knowledge, threatened or “joked” about putting a sitting city council woman “six feet under.” Some readers may remember the details of an incident in which that so called “joke” was made public, an incident which I shall not revisit with any further detail now. [Read more…]

Letter: Understanding process, significance of changing Anderson County government

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By Mary Ann Reeves

The Tennessee constitution and subsequent legislature lays the ground for changing the the government of a county (e.g. Anderson County) from its constitutional form to a charter form (also known as home rule).

To make this change in Anderson County three things must happen:

  • A charter commission must be created. There are several ways that this is permissible but the one selected was by the petition of registered voters whose number must at least equal to 10 percent of the total number of votes cast in the county in the last governor’s race. In Anderson County, 17,760 votes were cast for governor; therefore 1,776 signatures were required (and obtained) on the petition.
  • The election of the Charter Commission members. The election for the candidates must be held 75 days or more after the resolution becomes effective. The charter commissioners are elected from the same districts and in the same manner as the county commissioners. The cost of the election is paid out of county funds. In Anderson County, the Charter Commission election is concurrent with the general election (November 8) and Anderson County will incur no cost. The elected charter commissioners will set a budget and they may incur expenses for administrative costs up to a maximum of $50,000. These expenses will be paid by Anderson County.
  • Voters must approve any changes in the form of Anderson county government recommended by the Anderson County charter commissioners. Anderson County voters must approve, via a referendum, any recommended changes by the charter commission. The referendum will be done concurrently with the August 2018 election to avoid additional costs to the county. This will be a “for” or “against” vote.

[Read more…]

Letter: Scott has best qualifications, will look at county government with open mind

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To the Editor:

I wish to say why I am supporting Theresa Scott for charter commissioner.

Theresa has served her community and the City of Oak Ridge as a Neighborhood Watch captain and Oak Ridge Beer Board member for many years. When the Cedar Hill Park renovation committee was formed, Theresa was there. When the work was to be done to rebuild the park, she was there. When new ideas were needed on the Anderson County Fire Commission, she stepped up. As a new District 7 county commissioner, she has been from one end of this county to the other helping our residents with their issues.

Ask anyone from Briceville to Claxton, from Norwood to Rocky Top, from Oak Ridge to New River, they will tell you how Theresa has contributed to making our communities better. She never stops in doing good, she is everywhere! [Read more…]

Letter: Stanley will give you a term-limit option to consider

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To the Editor:

The Anderson County Charter Commission needs thoughtful individuals who are willing to recognize the problems with our current system of county government. Dr. David Stanley will do that. He’s running for Charter Commission in District 7.

Dr. Stanley has served the community for many years. As a physician, he understands the importance of reaching the root cause of a problem—to best solve it.

The Department of Energy’s workforce heavily sells Knox County to new, incoming workers. Anderson County realtors find it almost impossible to even speak with these workers. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson can apply enthusiasm, knowledge, abilities on City Council

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To the Editor:

Thirty years or so ago, I was the principal of Jefferson Junior High School when we lost our art teacher. We typically interviewed five to 15 applicants for vacant teaching positions, and Jim Dodson was among those we talked to.

I had been interviewing for several years at that point and had realized that very occasionally someone would apply for a job who was so well qualified, so well spoken and convincingly knowledgeable, so all around good that just about anyone would have recognized him/her as the person to hire. Jim Dodson was that kind of applicant (his references saw him as we did).

The time I spent in his classroom observing him teach that year and in the years that followed only embellished what I had hoped was true when we first met him. [Read more…]

Letter: Fillauer a strong leader, dedicated advocate for children

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To the editor:

We are writing this letter in support of Keys Fillauer’s re-election to the Board of Education in the coming election.

Keys brings a unique perspective to the School Board. Not only did he teach at Robertsville Junior High School for 27 years and then at Oak Ridge High School for four years, he also coached basketball during his tenure at both schools.

He knows our community and its families well and is a dedicated advocate for our children. His strong leadership on the School Board over the last 15 years has guided the school system through many initiatives such as the remodeling of Oak Ridge High School and the 1:1 computer laptop program. [Read more…]

Letter: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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By Don A. Layton

Domestic violence is a crime which strikes at the very fabric of our communities. As the family has evolved into a hodgepodge of relationships, domestic violence has increased.

Laws have been passed to prevent and punish domestic violence offenders, including federal laws such as the Violence Against Women Act. State laws have created special provisions for domestic violence in TCA 39-13-111. Civil protection has been provided in the Protective Order Procedure found in TCA 36-3-601.

Notwithstanding the best efforts of law enforcement and the legal system, domestic violence remains a serious problem for our community, state, and nation. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson an active, natural leader who has experience working with all ages

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To the Editor:

It is with pleasure that I recommend to you Jim Dodson for Oak Ridge City Council. Jim is an active leader in our community in several different ways, from his involvement in United Way to the Arts Council of Oak Ridge, and he has just become a member of the Board of Directors of Aid for Distressed Families in Appalachian Counties.

In each of these organizations, Jim serves as a natural leader. His relationship with the arts community extends beyond Oak Ridge to include Knoxville and Nashville. In all areas where he is active, he is well respected not only for his creative thinking, but for his excellent leadership ability.

He stays in touch with students through being a teacher at Jefferson Middle School. This connects him with a portion of the younger generation (now known as Generation Z—born since 1995, which makes up 25 percent of our population, more than Baby Boomers and even more than Millennials!).

I believe these younger generations are the future of Oak Ridge. Those of us who are Baby Boomers (born in 1946-1964) are retired or nearing retirement. [Read more…]

Letter: Lee professional, informed about issues and solutions, passionate about city growth

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To the Editor:

I met Mr. Joseph Lee shortly after my family moved to Oak Ridge in 2005. He introduced himself to me and welcomed us to Oak Ridge. Mr. Lee did not ask me if I was a Democrat or Republican, didn’t ask about our religion, or what my background was. He simply welcomed me to Oak Ridge! He may not even remember.

Early on as a resident, I got involved in promotion of the city in the campaign to bring Target to Oak Ridge. Even as a short-time resident, it was easy to see Oak Ridge needed more shopping options and opportunities to increase both sales and property tax bases. I observed Joe Lee promoting passage of the referendum.

Mr. Lee’s promotion of and work in support of Oak Ridge didn’t end with Oak Ridge losing Target. I learned that Mr. Lee was on the board of the Oak Ridge Board of Building and Housing Code Appeals. Among work on that board, Joe Lee proffered the strategy that formed the basis of the plan to restore the Guest House. Mr. Lee worked diligently to affect resolutions of blighted and abandoned properties. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson a team player who takes time to listen, works hard to make things better

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To the Editor:

I’m writing to add my name to the list of folks who support Jim Dodson for Oak Ridge City Council.

Jim and I have worked together over the last six years on various Arts Council and Rotary projects, and I’m always impressed by what he’s been able to accomplish. [Read more…]