Oak Ridge Today

Juvenile Court judge candidate Bannach has Thursday reception

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Victoria "Vickie" Bannach

Victoria “Vickie” Bannach

Victoria “Vickie” Bannach, a Republican candidate for Anderson County Juvenile Court judge, will have a Thursday reception at Faith Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge.

Bannach is a candidate in the May 6 Republican primary in Anderson County.

The Thursday reception will allow citizens to “meet the candidate and discuss important issues and concerns that are occurring with our children and families within the community,” a press release said. It is scheduled from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday. [Read more…]

Anderson County Republicans also have April 8 candidate forum

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The Anderson County Republican Party will have an April 8 forum for GOP candidates running for county offices in the May 6 primary election.

The forum starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at the Midtown Community Center in Oak Ridge. It’s expected to last about two hours, a press release said.

“This year’s election is especially important for Anderson County’s future,” said Aaron Wells, chairman of the Anderson County Republican Party. “A forum will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase our great candidates and the Republican vision for the county. We invite folks to join us for what should be an interesting and informative evening. ”

The Republican Party forum is scheduled at the same time and the same night as a candidate forum organized by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge. The League forum is for both Democratic and Republican candidates in the May 6 primary elections. It’s not clear yet if either event might be rescheduled to allow Republican candidates to attend both. [Read more…]

Forum for Anderson County primary candidates on April 8

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The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge has an April 8 forum for candidates in the May 6 Anderson County Democratic and Republican primary elections. The forum will be held from 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, in the Pollard Auditorium.

Candidates facing an opponent in the primary election have been invited to make an opening statement, participate in a question-and-answer session, and finish with a closing statement. Candidates with no opponent in the primary election but facing an opponent in the general election have been invited to make a short presentation. Candidates with no opponent in either the primary election on May 6 or the general election on Aug. 7 will be introduced. After the last candidate has spoken, the audience will be invited to join the candidates for additional discussion and greetings.

The May 6 election involves 14 Anderson County officials: chancellor, circuit court clerk, county clerk, county mayor, criminal and circuit court judge, district attorney general, general sessions judge I, general sessions judge II, juvenile court judge, public defender, register of deeds, road superintendent, sheriff, and trustee. [Read more…]

U.S. House candidate Wamp launches RV tour in Third District

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Weston Wamp RV

Weston Wamp, a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, has launched an RV tour of East Tennessee’s Third District. The campaign visited Oak Ridge on Friday morning.

Weston Wamp, a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, has launched an RV tour of East Tennessee’s Third District. The campaign stopped in Oak Ridge on Friday, the fifth day of the tour.

The recreational vehicle—its exterior painted with red, white, and blue campaign slogans, and blue and green mountain vistas—will serve as a rolling campaign headquarters, hotel, and billboard, Wamp said during a Friday morning stop at Roane State Community College.

“I call it our seven-ton commitment to bringing Congress home,” Wamp said. “I hope that it ends up being iconic.”

The RV will make stops at events ranging from baseball games to pancake breakfasts in cities from Athens and Sweetwater in the south to Oneida and Oliver Springs in the north. The campaign will spend three nights a week on the road, generally staying outside of the Chattanooga area, where Wamp lives. The goal is to stay in virtually every incorporated town before the Aug. 7 primary. [Read more…]

Creasey seeks re-election to Anderson County Commission

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Jerry Creasey

Jerry Creasey

Oak Ridge resident Jerry Creasey has announced he is seeking re-election to the District 7 seat on the Anderson County Commission. The Seventh District includes Highland View, Glenwood, and Pine Valley precincts.

Creasey has served as vice chairman and chairman of the County Commission. He has also chaired the Legislative, ADA Oversight, Computer, and the Veterans Committees. Creasey is presently chairman of the Legislative Committee, and he is serving on the ADA Oversite and Purchasing committees, as well as the Library and 911 Boards.

Creasey said his efforts and hard work on the County Commission helped establish a General Sessions Court, a second ambulance station, a Veterans Office, Trustee and County Clerk’s offices in Oak Ridge, and to bring water and sewer to many rural areas of Anderson County. [Read more…]

Meredith to seek re-election to Anderson County Commission

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Rick Meredith

Rick Meredith

County Commissioner Rick Meredith has announced he is seeking re-election to the Anderson County Commission, representing District 2. District 2 includes the Clinton, South Clinton, and North Clinton precincts.

“It has truly been an honor to represent the residents of District 2 on County Commission,” Meredith said in a press release. “I take very seriously the trust that you have placed in me, and it is my hope that you will allow me to continue serving you and working with my fellow commissioners to move Anderson County forward.”

First elected in 2010, Meredith said he brings extensive experience in economic and community development to the Commission, as well as knowledge of both state and local planning and program management. He joined the Hollingsworth Companies in 2010 as senior vice president for community development. [Read more…]

Headrick announces second run for Congress in Third District

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Mary Headrick

Mary Headrick

Mary Headrick, a retired physician who lives in Maynardville, recently announced a second run for Congress in Tennessee’s Third District.

Headrick is a Democrat who also ran in 2012 but lost to the incumbent, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, a Republican who was first elected in 2010.

“All the people, especially the working families and retirees of District 3, deserve representation,” Headrick said in a press release. “They are not getting it. Special wealthy and corporate interests hold the power and benefits while the middle class shrinks and democracy falters. Too few people control too much money and power, and they are grabbing more by ‘buying’ a Congress that will pass laws and regulations to enhance their personal profit at the expense of the rest of us. I will defend our economy, jobs, Social Security, Medicare, public education.” [Read more…]

If elected, Wamp could become youngest member of Congress

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Weston Wamp and Verrner Anderson

Weston Wamp, right, a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, talks to Verner Anderson, who volunteered for the first campaign of Wamp’s father, Zach Wamp, in 1994.

If elected this year, Weston Wamp could become the youngest member of Congress. The Chattanooga Republican turns 27 this month.

If elected, he would return the East Tennessee seat to a member of the Wamp family. His father, Zach Wamp, held the seat for 16 years, from 1994-2010.

Wamp tried to unseat the incumbent, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, once before, in 2012. He wasn’t successful. Now, he’s trying again.

“Tennessee’s Third District deserves better representation,” Wamp said during a recent interview in Oak Ridge. “At the very least, they deserve a choice at the ballot box.”

Wamp suggested Fleischmann’s record could hurt the two-term congressman. Wamp said many federal employees and U.S. Department of Energy contractors are not pleased with Fleischmann’s performance, especially after a high-profile budget vote that led to a partial government shutdown in October. [Read more…]

Stan Mitchell named treasurer of David Dunkirk’s juvenile judge campaign

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David Dunkirk

David Dunkirk

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The Committee to Elect David Dunkirk as Juvenile Judge for Anderson County has named a treasurer, Stan Mitchell, the former editor and publisher of The Oak Ridge Observer.

Dunkirk, a long-time local attorney who is running as a Democrat, said he was proud to have Mitchell serve as his treasurer.

“I’ve known Stan long enough to know he is a man of tremendous integrity and honesty. I am honored he is willing to act as my treasurer,” Dunkirk said.

Mitchell released a statement explaining his decision to serve as Dunkirk’s treasurer. [Read more…]

Sheriff White has meet-the-candidate fundraiser Tuesday

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Paul White

Paul White

Anderson County Sheriff Paul White has a meet-the-candidate fundraiser on Tuesday.

The fundraiser is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Holiday Inn Express on Hillvale Road near the Clinton/Norris exit off Highway 61.

“Refreshments will be served,” a press release said. “Bring your family and friends.”

For more information, contact the campaign at [email protected] or https://www.facebook.com/paul.white.31.

Clinton attorney Harber running for AC chancellor

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Phil Harber

Phil Harber

Clinton Attorney Phil Harber is campaigning for the Republican nomination for chancellor of the Anderson County Chancery Court. Harber, 59, a Clinton native, has practiced law more than 28 years in most of the trial and appellate courts in East Tennessee, including the United States federal courts, a press release said.

A Republican, Harber described himself in the press release as the only true conservative and the only true Republican seeking the Republican nomination for chancellor.

“Phil believes in faith, family, and freedom,” the release said. [Read more…]

Shelton seeks re-election as register of deeds

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Tim Shelton

Tim Shelton

Anderson County Register of Deeds Tim Shelton recently announced he will seek re-election to the position he has held for 12 years, a press release said.

“The people of Anderson County have placed a great deal of trust in allowing me the opportunity to hold the position of register of deeds, and for that I am truly thankful,” said Shelton, who has served three terms. “With that trust, comes the responsibility of working to make this the best office it can possibly be. In looking back over the past 12 years, I believe we have done just that.”

In a press release, Shelton outlined his accomplishments while serving as register of deeds and stressed the importance of creating an environment that is welcoming to the public. [Read more…]