Oak Ridge Today

Nashville singer will perform at campaign fundraiser for Myers

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Randy Myers

Randy Myers

Rising Nashville music star Brad Blackwell will sing at a March 1 fundraiser for the Randy Myers for Sheriff Campaign, a press release said.

The fundraiser will be held on March 1 from 1 to 4 p.m., and it is sponsored by Smoky Mountain Biker Gear, the press release said.

Blackwell was named East Tennessee’s Best Local Artist by the Knoxville News Sentinel, the release said. He has opened for artists such as Darius Rucker, Thompson Square, and Edwin McCain and sold out Knoxville’s historic Bijou Theater in only his first time headlining a show there.

The March 1 fundraiser will be on Clinton Highway across from Claxton Elementary School. Food will be provided by Slappy’s BBQ.

Judge Murch will seek re-election

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Ron Murch

Ron Murch

Judge Ron Murch has announced he is running for re-election as General Sessions Court judge for Division II, a press release said. Murch has served in the office since 1993.

After graduating from the University Of Tennessee School Of Law in 1976, he was in the private practice of law and was an attorney with the City of Oak Ridge for 17 years until becoming a judge, the release said.

Murch has been a member of the Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference and has served on the conference’s Education Committee since going on the bench. That committee is responsible for setting the continuing education agenda for all general sessions court judges during their annual conferences. [Read more…]

Assistant DA running for juvenile judge has meet-and-greet on Saturday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Victoria "Vickie" Bannach

Victoria “Vickie” Bannach

Victoria “Vickie” Bannach, a Republican candidate for Anderson County Juvenile Court Judge in the May 6 primary, will have a meet-and-greet in Norris on Saturday.

The event is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Saturday at the Norris Community Center.

“The ‘meet and greet’ 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.

Bannach is now an assistant district attorney general in Anderson County. [Read more…]

Juvenile Judge Fisher taking new job, leaving chancellor’s race

Posted at
By 3 Comments

Brandon FIsher

Brandon Fisher

Anderson County Juvenile Court Judge Brandon Fisher is withdrawing from the race for Anderson County chancellor because he is joining a nonprofit mental health provider in Pennsylvania in September, a press release said.

Fisher will be the assistant general counsel at the national headquarters of NHS Human Services Inc., the release said. The September start will allow him to finish his term, which ends in August.

In the release, Fisher said the decision was difficult. [Read more…]

Weston Wamp announces congressional campaign leadership

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Weston Wamp

Weston Wamp

Weston Wamp, a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee’s Third District, announced the first members of his campaign staff and leadership team this week.

The group includes three notable Chattanooga entrepreneurs as well as a former staffer for the incumbent, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, and a 25-year veteran of the Chattanooga Police Department, a press release said.

“I’m honored that people of this caliber have joined my campaign for Congress,” Wamp said. “Our campaign team spans three generations, but shares a passion for seeing Washington work to serve the people again. The Congress does not have to be an embarrassment to our country. We deserve much better representation, and with this team I believe we are on our way to a winning campaign and an opportunity to set a higher standard than the current congressman.” [Read more…]

A candidate for juvenile judge, Biloski has two meet-and-greets

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Lauren Biloski

Lauren Biloski

The Committee to Elect Lauren Biloski for Anderson County Juvenile Judge is planning two public events in Oak Ridge and Clinton to allow voters to meet her, a press release said.

The Oak Ridge event is Thursday, Jan. 30, at Centennial Village Apartments on Edgemoor Road from 4-6:30 p.m., and the Clinton event will be at the Clinton Community Center from 4-6:30 p.m. on Feb. 4.

“Please join Lauren and her committee to discuss relevant issues on that important position for Anderson County,” a press release said. [Read more…]

Clinton city judge running for Anderson County chancellor

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Michael Farley

Michael Farley

Michael Farley, a local attorney and Clinton city judge, is seeking election as Anderson County chancellor.

The seat is now held by William E. Lantrip, who is retiring at the end of his term.

Farley is a Clinton native who graduated from Clinton High School in 1988. He obtained both his bachelor’s degree in business administration and Doctor of Jurisprudence degrees from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Farley is also a graduate of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, where he graduated first in his class, receiving the “Most Outstanding Officer Award.”

Prior to earning his law degree, Farley worked for both the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and the Clinton Police Department, where he also served as a volunteer firefighter. Farley has served the City of Clinton as a council member, and while serving, he donated his council salary to the Clinton City Schools. [Read more…]

Sheriff White seeks re-election

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Paul White

Paul White

Sheriff Paul White is seeking re-election as Anderson County sheriff. White was first elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2010.

White is a veteran law officer with 38 years of experience, a press release said. His first five years were with the Oliver Springs Police Department, where he served as a police officer and patrol sergeant. The remaining 33 years have been with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, where he advanced through the ranks from patrol deputy to commanding the Patrol Division and Court Services.

During his career, White had the opportunity to hold almost every position within the Sheriff’s Department and at one time was appointed “acting sheriff,” the release said.

“Having served under the last five administrations, Paul White had the unique opportunity to observe and utilize many ideas and practices as to how the Sheriff’s Department could best serve the needs of Anderson County,” the release said. [Read more…]

Commissioner Bates opposing Mayor Frank in May Republican primary

Posted at
By 5 Comments

Zach Bates Announces for Anderson County Mayor

Anderson County Commissioner Zach Bates, pictured at center with his wife Whitney, announces he is running for Anderson County mayor in the Republican primary in May.

CLINTON—Anderson County Commissioner Zach Bates on Tuesday announced he is running for Anderson County mayor in the Republican primary in May.

Bates, 25, will oppose Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, 45, who was elected to a two-year term in August 2012, completing the unexpired term of former mayor Rex Lynch, who resigned in January 2011.

The oldest of 19 children, Bates was 21 when he was elected to the Anderson County Commission  in 2010. He represents District 4, which includes Lake City and Briceville. County officials said he is the youngest mayoral candidate they can recall.

His challenge to Frank might have appeared unexpected. The two have at times appeared to be politically aligned, including, for example, on the citizen-led initiative to install “In God We Trust” signs on the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton in July 2013. [Read more…]

Anderson County commissioners reject jail referendum on federal prisoners

Posted at
By 8 Comments

Anderson County Commission Jan. 2014

The Anderson County Commission rejects a proposal for a non-binding referendum in August on whether federal prisoners should be housed at the expanded county jail.

CLINTON—Anderson County commissioners rejected a proposal on Tuesday to ask voters in August whether federal prisoners should be housed at the expanded county jail.

The vote was 10-4 against the proposal for the non-binding referendum.

Earlier this month, the Anderson County Legislative Committee had recommended that the full commission consider the referendum, which was proposed by Anderson County Commissioner Dusty Irwin. He represents District 3, which includes the Andersonville, Fairview, Norris, and Glen Alpine precincts, and Irwin’s constituents live in the district that includes the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton. [Read more…]

Meet primary candidates at Anderson County Republican meeting tonight

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Anderson County Republican Party will meet at 6:30 p.m. today (Tuesday), and those who attend will have a chance to meet the party’s primary candidates.

The meeting is at the Staybridge Suites at 420 S. Illinois Ave in Oak Ridge. The Staybridge Suites are located behind Outback Steakhouse, near the Kroger store.

“It should be an informative meeting,” said Aaron Wells, chairman of the Anderson County Republican Party. “It’s an opportunity to meet the candidates who are running in this year’s Republican primary, as well as talk about the important issues affecting Anderson County.” [Read more…]

Guest column: Let’s house federal prisoners, not raise taxes, to pay for new jailers

Posted at
By 15 Comments

Chuck Fritts

Chuck Fritts

By Anderson County Commission Chairman Chuck Fritts

Commissioners,

A question we need to be asking ourselves: “Would our citizens rather us house low-risk federal prisoners in the Anderson County Detention Facility, or would they rather we raise their property taxes by about 15 cents to fund the cost of staffing the new jail addition?” When you honestly look at it, these are the only two choices we really have.

As chairman, I don’t have the opportunity to speak during our meetings, so I’ll give you my comments in advance. I have “carbon copied” the press so you don’t have to worry about me violating the Sunshine Law with this information.

There is a proposal being presented to place a non-binding referendum on the ballot in August on whether or not to house “low-risk federal prisoners” in the Anderson County Detention Facility. This concerns me greatly for several reasons: [Read more…]