Oak Ridge Today

Letter: Iwanski endorses Smallridge for Charter Commission in District 8

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To the Editor:

Choose your charter commissioner wisely.

As noted in a recent Knoxville News Sentinel editorial “Voters must take care with charter commission picks” in the upcoming Anderson County election. They note further that a home rule charter has “options for improving county government, but also ample opportunity to make government worse.”

A charter abolishes and replaces the constitutional form of government. The charter form of county government is an option that completely restructures county government in a way that could affect almost every elected office and the citizens they serve.

It is important that we elect members to the charter commission that will take on this important task with an open mind and willingness to study the options carefully in a way that looks out for the long term interests of Anderson County. It is important that those selected have a proven history of successful experience in county and city government. [Read more…]

Letter: Anderson Charter endorses candidates based on survey responses

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Organizers of the Anderson County Charter movement have announced their endorsement of candidates who will support term limits, as well as announcing the formation of their Political Action Committee “Anderson Charter.”

To help Anderson County voters make informed decisions in the upcoming November 8 election, AndersonCharter.com sent the 19 Charter Commission candidates a questionnaire soliciting their views on a charter form of local government for Anderson County.

Only nine candidates returned the questionnaire, eight of which agreed or strongly agreed to the formation of a charter and to support term limits for the members of County Commission and the Office of Mayor. Concerning these issues, candidate Marjorie Lloyd responded “Don’t Know.” Verified candidates in support of term limits, as well as candidates supporting citizen speech and transparency in government are: [Read more…]

Letter: Hope a small business owner with experience, deep love for city

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To the Editor:

I have known Chuck Hope for seven years, after meeting him at a local networking event. At that time, I had lived in Oak Ridge for three years and not had much interaction with local folks.

Chuck surprised me quickly with his enthusiasm for the good qualities of Oak Ridge. We spoke about the history and the many great attractions that Oak Ridge has, and how it’s not limited to just the great parks and recreation that Oak Ridge has to offer but how the museum (American Museum of Science and Energy) and the rowing association had made an impact on the city. His forthcoming and positivity in a town that at the time seemed stagnant showed me that Chuck Hope cared about Oak Ridge.

We have since worked together on community events such as the Secret City Festival and supporting the Oak Ridge Playhouse, and I have never seen that enthusiasm wane. [Read more…]

Letter: Irwin wants to help create intelligent, functional, transparent county government

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To the Editor:

During the past year, I have worked continuously with a group of citizens from Anderson County to develop and implement a plan to move our county in a positive direction toward a charter county, or home rule, form of government.

After great consideration and encouragement, I made a decision to run for a seat on the Anderson County Charter Commission in the November 8, 2016, election. This committee of elected citizens will represent each district in our county as they draft a charter that will go before our state legislators for approval, and finally to “We The People” for a ballot vote in 2018.

Those running in favor of home rule are attempting to put local government more firmly back into the hands of the people where it belongs and once again establish a healthy balance to our county government. [Read more…]

Letter: Lee has unmatched knowledge, optimism regarding city, its future

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To the Editor:

I am writing in support of my friend Joe Lee’s candidacy for Oak Ridge City Council in the coming election.

Born and raised in Oak Ridge, Joe’s knowledge and optimism regarding the city and its future are unmatched.

For almost a decade, he has served as a citizen on the city’s Board of Building and Housing Code of Appeals. His ability to get things done is evidenced in his leadership in bringing attention and appropriate action to the problems of blighted, abandoned, or neglected properties. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson collaborates, listens, teaches, encourages

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To the Editor:

We support Jim Dodson for Oak Ridge City Council. Jim’s extensive résumé includes his work as an educator, an athletic coach, and as a local, area, and state volunteer in several capacities.

He has received many honors, including an invitation from Governor Haslam to serve on the Humanities Tennessee Board of Directors, a position he currently holds. A graduate of Leadership Oak Ridge, Jim exemplifies the role of community leader: president elect of the Oak Ridge Sunset Rotary Club; co-chair of United Way of Anderson County in 2015-16; current chair of the Explore Oak Ridge (formerly Convention and Visitors Bureau) board; and local Arts Council board member for seven years, including time as its executive director. These are but a few of the many jobs Jim has stepped up for in the last 29 years while he has been teaching and volunteering to make Oak Ridge’s young people and the community itself a better place. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson works well with others, stays involved, has positive attitude

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To the Editor:

This letter is to communicate our full support of Mr. Jim Dodson for a seat on the Oak Ridge City Council. We have known Jim for many years as an art teacher with the Oak Ridge Schools and have experienced first-hand the great job he does in that capacity.

We also feel that Jim’s involvement beyond the school system in other cultural and business affairs of the city is important and valuable experience that he will bring to this job. Jim is a well-rounded member of our community who is not afraid to be involved yet always brings a positive attitude to anything he does. We know that Jim will work well with other members of council to move our city forward and maintain the momentum that exists today. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson’s skill set, commitment a perfect fit for dynamic times in Oak Ridge

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To the editor:

I am for Jim Dodson for City Council.

Others have written eloquently about his resume and credentials for the position. I would like to take a more personal approach.

I have known and worked alongside Jim for nearly 30 years at Jefferson Middle School. During that time, I have watched him grow exponentially both as a professional and a person. He has inspired an entire generation of budding artists. Often teaching students across four different grade levels, Jim has cultivated and encouraged the artistic skills of students of all abilities and backgrounds. His tireless promotion of student art within the school, community, and region so typifies the exceptional fine arts education that students receive in the Oak Ridge Schools. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson will listen to all sides, work together to solve problems

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To the Editor:

Many people have written urging voters to vote for Jim Dodson for Oak Ridge City Council. Having worked on different projects for over 12 years with Jim, I want to add my endorsement.

I know Jim as a person who does what he commits to with best efforts. He cares about the Oak Ridge community, and has helped with or lead many local groups and projects. [Read more…]

Letter: Fillauer has lifelong experience in education, supports him for School Board

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To the Editor:

This letter is in support of my friend, Keys Fillauer, the current chairman of the Oak Ridge School Board and candidate for re-election. We got lucky when this man decided to serve Oak Ridge Schools.

Keys has given his talent and experience as well as tireless hours working for our schools. I asked him why he does it. What it seemed to come down to is his love for education, people, and this community. Keys is dedicated to keeping our award-winning school system at the forefront of innovation while at the same time keeping our schools a place where each student is empowered to reach their full potential no matter what level they are on.

Keys has lifelong experience in education. As a teacher, a father, and a student first himself, Keys knows the importance of meeting each student where they are in the educational process. This challenge is what keeps Keys going. [Read more…]

Hensley endorses Lee, Dodson, Vogel

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To the Editor:

The City Council election coming up is very important to the future of Oak Ridge. We, as a community, are seeing significant positive change in many areas including retail growth, business recruitment, and quality of life. This election, in my opinion, can set the stage for further positive change and quality growth.

There are three candidates in my opinion, who are seeking seats on Oak Ridge City Council, who can continue and accelerate our city’s progress. Joe Lee, Jim Dodson, and Hans Vogel have impressive and varied experiences to bring to bear on city issues. All three of these candidates have demonstrated, through their careers and dedication to city service, their potential as Council members and that consensus building and teamwork are keys in their approaches to make things happen.

Joe Lee [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson has gift for collaboration, teamwork, problem solving

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To the Editor:

We hope by now that everyone is aware of Jim Dodson’s strong record of community service. The lists of organizations in which he participates and the awards he has received are extensive. His community service alone is enough to recommend a vote for him for Oak Ridge City Council. But there is something else about Jim Dodson that we believe makes him an excellent candidate. He so actively listens to others as they express concerns.

We first encountered Jim Dodson as our children’s teacher. His ability to keep a classroom of middle school students engaged, encourage them to participate in school and community projects, and bring out the best in them is remarkable. His ability to coach middle school athletes and also to bring out students’ creative talents in the art studio demonstrates his ability to appreciate all aspects of his students. The fact that the Tennessee Education Association granted him the Distinguished Educator Award, that he was named National Middle Level Art Educator in 1999, and was appointed to the Tennessee Board of Humanities by Governor Haslam speaks volumes for his qualities as a teacher. And as a teacher, he has experience with and appreciation for the diverse population living in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]