Myron Iwanski
Buzz Patrick
Both candidates in a special election for Anderson County Commission say economic development is the county’s top priority.
And both opposed a property tax rate increase this year to give more money to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department.
But the two candidates—Myron Iwanski and Buzz Patrick—have had their disagreements, including over funding for nonprofit organizations and an expansion of the county’s overcrowded jail.
John Ragan
What are the limits on freedom of speech? Few would argue that the right of free speech is absolute at all times and under all circumstances. However, would anyone fail to concede that this liberty is one of the most basic rights?
Courts have observed that free speech consists of “utterances” that are essential parts of the exposition of ideas. Nonetheless, these same courts have also held that it does not extend to “utterances” that are obscene, profane, libelous, or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace.
Terry Frank
Business owner Terry Frank, a candidate for Anderson County Mayor, will be hosting a concert on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Big Valley Barn, formerly Carl Bean’s Barn, in Clinton. The Parrot Brothers will be performing.
This is a free community event, and food will be provided.
Chuck Hope
It’s Chuck Hope’s first campaign for an elected office, but he already has some job experience.
Hope, a 49-year-old businessman, was appointed to serve on Oak Ridge City Council after former Council member Tom Hayes resigned in June 2011. Now, he’s running for a special three-month term on the city’s seven-member legislative body.
In recent forums and interviews, Hope has advocated for more retail development in Oak Ridge, modernizing older “legacy” homes, and reviving the city’s economic development fund.
To the Editor:
We would like to respond to the misinformation Ms. Manley posted on the Oak Ridge Today website.
But first, we would like to say we have known Mayor Iwanski for many years and have all the confidence in his leadership abilities. In addition, you can see Mayor Iwanski’s goals and accomplishments he has made since being mayor at andersontn.org which further demonstrate his leadership abilities.
To the Editor:
Early voting began last week, and there’s a clear choice on the ballot for Anderson County mayor—one candidate who is open to input and reasonable discourse on issues, and another whose opening line in a recent opinion column was, “If I hear the word civility one more time, I’ll puke” (Terry Frank, Knoxville Journal, Jan. 28, 2011).
I would hate for anyone to be sick on the courthouse floor, as Anderson County is home to a very diverse group of people, and civility is something of a necessity to get anything positive accomplished.
Channel 95, Anderson County’s public television station, will have a live broadcast during the Aug. 2 election, providing updates on voting results and interviews with candidates and community leaders.
The station is working with the Anderson County Election Commission to produce the broadcast, which starts at 8 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. Aug. 2.
David Morgan
Teresa Kirkham
If it wasn’t already, the race for Roane County property assessor has grown heated.
There are allegations that the incumbent threatened to beat up her challenger and questions about who owns a website address that was once used by the incumbent but now appears to point to unfavorable articles about her.
The two candidates, incumbent Teresa Kirkham and challenger David Morgan, also disagree on whether property assessment values can be lowered more often than every five years.
To the Editor:
As Election Day approaches, our thoughts turn to: Who can help to make our community the best community possible?
Many people work diligently at that objective, but today one stands out above all in focusing on our greatest needs. That is Oak Ridge’s competitiveness, financial stability, and its goal of being a high-quality affordable community.
The number of voters casting ballots on the first day of early voting Friday was up from 2010, the Anderson County Election Commission said.
Elections Administrator Mark Stephens said 642 people voted Friday, up 146 from 2010.
John Ragan
The Declaration of Independence, in its first paragraph, boldly asserts that America should be a separate nation based upon “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” In the very next paragraph, the text posits, as a self-evident truth, that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,” including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
No place in our nation’s founding documents is the phrase “social justice” to be found. Nowhere is it cited as a divinely endowed right.
To the Editor:
The League of Women Voters hosted another excellent forum for our local candidates Tuesday night in Clinton.
Unfortunately, one candidate, Acting Mayor Myron Iwanski, decided he had better things to do with his time and “went fishing.” At least that is the excuse that was read in a prepared statement by his surrogate.
