Carol M. Swain
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting Knox County and meeting with some of the city’s movers and shakers. I was particularly impressed by the patriotism and faith of the people who attended an event hosted by Rep. John Ragan.
My presence in Rep. John Ragan’s district was to share with the community ideas and themes from my book, “Be the People: A Call to Reclaim America’s Faith and Promise.”
Jobs are, hands down, the most important thing on the minds of Tennesseans as we approach the upcoming election.
We’ve watched the federal government fail time and time again as they have attempted to meddle in the economy. In the Tennessee General Assembly, we understood this would not work. Our approach is a proven path to prosperity.
Trina Baughn
At under 45 minutes, this month’s City Council meeting may have been the shortest meeting they’ve ever held. While it was a nice change from the normal three-hour meetings, I wonder why council didn’t take the opportunity to discuss anything of significance given our city’s various, not to mention serious, problems. After all, they are limited in how often they meet to accomplish anything. Yet, they were perfectly content to accomplish nothing.
Nearly a year ago, I wrote about our city’s debt—a bill that is quickly approaching $200 million. I implored the city to develop a debt policy that would establish a debt ceiling, a debt reduction plan, and parameters for borrowing.
Jim Hackworth
In today’s high-stress world, many families are struggling to feed themselves, buy gas for their car, and pay for their utilities. Many people are unemployed, underemployed, forced to work two jobs, or work long hours to survive.
There has never been a greater need for attracting new jobs and providing opportunities for people to go back to work. The American Dream is in jeopardy for most families.
Note: This story was last updated at 4:17 p.m. Sept. 16.
Five candidates are competing for three seats on Oak Ridge City Council in the Nov. 6 election, while three candidates could battle for two seats on the Oak Ridge Board of Education.
The three Council candidates include the three incumbents, L.C. “Charlie” Hensley, Charles J. “Chuck” Hope Jr., and Ellen D. Smith. Hensley and Smith were elected in June 2007, and Hope was appointed last summer after former Council member Tom Hayes resigned.
It also includes two challengers, Trina Baughn and Kelly Callison.
Johnny Alley
Political candidates can pick up petitions starting Sept. 4 to run in a special November election to serve on Anderson County Commission in District 3, which includes Andersonville, Fairview, Glen Alpine, and Norris.
Whoever wins election to that seat in the Nov. 6 election will serve the remaining two years of the four-year term of Anderson County Commissioner Johnny Alley Jr. He was elected Anderson County property assessor in the Aug. 2 election, and he starts Sept. 1.
John Ragan
The phrase, “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (faster, higher, stronger), is the Olympic motto. It is meant to inspire competitors to achieve greater performances than their peers and predecessors … to “own the record.”
Olympic athletes invest, literally, thousands of hours of their lives chasing their dream for a quadrennial chance at a medal and, perhaps, a record. Iron self-discipline drives these people to endure grueling early morning workouts. These are followed by many hours of skills rehearsal and practice followed by even more hours of conditioning.
Myron Iwanski
Buzz Patrick
After losing by a wide margin in the Aug. 2 election, Anderson County Commissioner Buzz Patrick on Monday said he has no plans to run for any other elected office.
And the man who beat him, Anderson County Interim Mayor Myron Iwanski, said he is not interested in becoming Anderson County Commission chairman, a position he has held before.
The three incumbent Oak Ridge City Council members—L. Charles “Charlie” Hensley, Charles J. “Chuck” Hope Jr., and Ellen Smith—have picked up qualifying petitions to run in the Nov. 6 election, and Trina Baughn, the first-time candidate defeated days ago in the Aug. 2 special election, plans to run again in November.
Also qualifying to run in November is Kelly S. Callison, who sought an appointment to City Council after former member Tom Hayes resigned in June 2011.
There are three seats available. They are the seats now held by Hensley, Hope, and Smith. Hope was appointed to the position after Hayes resigned.
Meanwhile, former Oak Ridge City Council member Leonard Abbatiello has picked up a petition to run for school board, and the two incumbents, Angi Agle and Keys Fillauer, have also picked up petitions, said Stephanie Gamble, Anderson County Election Commission deputy administrator.
She said Oak Ridge City Judge Robert A. McNees III has also qualified to run in November.
To the Editor:
I would like to thank the voters and all of my supporters for their efforts during this past special election.
I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the Nov. 6 election, for which I have recently qualified.
Terry Frank
Business owner Terry Frank, a Clinton Republican, has defeated attorney Warren Gooch, an Oak Ridge Democrat, in the race for Anderson County mayor.
Frank received 7,074 votes, or 58 percent, while Gooch collected 5,032, or 42 percent, according to unofficial results Thursday night.
She will serve a two-year term, completing the unexpired term of former mayor Rex Lynch, who resigned in January 2011.
Terry Frank
Business owner Terry Frank, a Clinton Republican, has an early voting lead over attorney Warren Gooch, an Oak Ridge Democrat, in the race for Anderson County mayor, according to early results posted Thursday evening on the Anderson County Election Commission website.
Results continue to be tabulated, but Frank has been collecting about 56 or 58 percent of the early, absentee, and election day votes, compared to about 42 to 44 percent for Gooch.
Also taking an early lead was City Council candidate Charles J. “Chuck” Hope Jr., who had about 58 percent of the vote around 8:42 p.m., compared to 42 percent for Trina Baughn.
