Oak Ridge Today

Memorial Day ceremony honors 181 Anderson County residents who died in conflicts

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Anderson County Memorial Day Wreath-laying

From left, Anderson County Veteran Services Director Leon Jaquet, Mayor Terry Frank, and Tennessee Rep. John Ragan take part in a Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony on Monday at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

 

CLINTON—More than 100 Anderson County residents have died in conflicts from the Revolutionary War more than 200 years ago to the ongoing war on terrorism and battles in Afghanistan, a county official said during a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday.

Those 181 heroes are remembered and their names inscribed on the Veterans Memorial at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton, Veteran Services Director Leon Jaquet said.

“We gather here today in remembrance of our nation’s heroes, especially our county’s heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in support of this nation’s agenda throughout the world,” Jaquet said. “Our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters who served this country to protect our freedoms and wrote that final check with their lives in support of freedom and democracy.”

Jaquet recognized guests at Monday’s ceremony, including Glen and Amy Morris, parents of Staff Sgt. Daniel Morris, who was killed in Iraq in 2006, and Gerald and Kathy Hovater, parents of Cpl. Jason Hovater, who died in Afghanistan in 2008.

“We remember the 1.3 million Americans who have made the supreme sacrifice during this nation’s wars, from the Revolutionary War to the continued War on Terrorism and Afghanistan,” Jaquet said. [Read more…]

Two TWRA officers slightly injured but safe after Norris Lake boating accident

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By Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

SPEEDWELL—Because they wore their life jackets, two Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers are slightly injured but safe after a single-vessel boating accident on Norris Lake on Friday.

Officers Jerry Short and Harrison Cornett were on patrol on Norris Lake around 10:30 p.m. last night (Friday night) near Blue Springs Dock when they apparently struck a large piece of floating debris. The impact caused both officers to be ejected from the vessel and into the water. Short was able to swim back to the vessel and use the radio to contact the TWRA dispatcher and other wildlife officers for assistance.

Both officers sustained minor injuries and were transported to Claiborne County Hospital in Tazewell. They have been treated and released. [Read more…]

Honors: Anderson County EMS recognizes EMT, paramedic, officer of year

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Nathan Sweet

Nathan Sweet

Submitted

Anderson County EMS is proud to present the annual awards for EMT-IV, paramedic, and officer of the year. Each year we receive nominations from peers, and supervisors alike in regards to each award. These awards are truly tough to decide, as there are so many deserving providers here at Anderson County EMS.

It is amazing to look at all of the worthy providers and see how blessed we are to have them here! Anderson County should know that they are in good hands with their EMS service, as the EMT-IVs, paramedics, and officers that serve them every day are top-notch and making a difference.

EMT-IV of the Year

Gage Whitman is a well-regarded EMT-IV among his peers and supervisors. His strong work ethic and commitment to excellence stand out. He always gives his personal best in his job. EMT-IV Whitman shows a genuine respect for all others, and exhibits outstanding customer service at all times. He is currently enrolled in the paramedic program at Roane State Community College and will undoubtedly make a great paramedic!

Paramedic of the Year

Keith Alred is truly deserving of this award for so many reasons. His performance is outstanding, and he is always willing to help others and the service wherever there is a need. His patience with students and new hires has brought him high praise from those who have had him as a preceptor. He has a lot of experience at many levels in EMS, and uses his knowledge and wisdom to make our service better. Paramedic Alred is a field training officer and also serves in other capacities on committees in our organization. [Read more…]

Clinton trash collection one day late during holiday week

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The weekly household trash collection in Clinton will be running one day late next week, the week of Memorial Day (May 25-31).

Guest column: Anderson mayor’s budget includes no tax increase

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Terry Frank

Terry Frank

CLINTON—Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank has presented her administration’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Frank’s proposed general fund budget, as recently presented to the Budget Committee, keeps most county departments at current-year spending levels and includes no tax increase. It was unanimously approved at a May 15 budget meeting.

The balanced $25,010,105 budget for the county’s general operating fund proposes maintaining a focus on stabilizing spending levels until we have full economic recovery. [Read more…]

Anderson County Memorial Day ceremony on Monday

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Memorial Day Ceremony

Anderson County Veterans Service Officer Leon Jaquet says Memorial Day is for honoring military personnel who have died in the nation’s wars. (File photo/May 2012)

Anderson County Veterans Services Director Leon Jaquet has announced plans for the county’s sixth annual Memorial Day ceremony. The annual event will be held on Monday, May 26—Memorial Day—at 10 a.m. rain or shine in front of the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

The ceremony will include a wreath-laying at the Veterans Memorial in front of the Courthouse in Clinton as well as remarks from Tennessee Rep. John Ragan.

In a press release, Jaquet said the ceremony is held each year “to pay tribute to the men and women of the U.S. military who have given of their lives to protect the freedoms we all enjoy everyday.

“The day itself is sacred and war veterans need no reminder of the reason for it, but what about the general public, and more importantly the next generations? Do non-veterans really recognize and understand the importance of a day honoring their fellow Americans killed in wars around the world? Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. Everyone is invited to attend and show their support of our military past, present and future.”

July 8 deadline to register to vote in August

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The final day to register to vote in time to be eligible to cast a ballot in the Aug. 7 county general election is July 8.

In Anderson County, you can find out more by calling the Election Commission at (865) 457-6238 or by visiting the website at www.acelect.com.

City to use traffic camera money for parking lot work at Blankenship Field

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Red-light Camera at Oak Ridge Turnpike and New York Avenue

The Oak Ridge City Council agreed last week to use $180,000 in traffic camera money for improvements to the lower parking at Blankenship Field.

 

The Oak Ridge City Council agreed last week in a 5-2 vote to use $180,000 in traffic camera money for improvements to the lower parking lot at Blankenship Field, which is used for football games and high school graduation.

The request from Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan was reviewed at a City Council work session on April 28.

The work could include resurfacing work at the lower parking lot and access to the lower levels and visitors bleachers under the American with Disabilities Act. The project has been reviewed by the city staff, and it could include resurfacing, ADA improvements, handicapped parking, and new pavement and striping.

The work would complement a project to replace the demolished visitors bleachers at Blankenship Field, a $455,000 project that was unanimously approved by the Oak Ridge Board of Education in March. The bleachers had been deemed unsafe, and school officials are hoping to replace them before the first home football game on Aug. 29. The school board agreed to use the school system’s fund balance to pay for the replacement bleachers. [Read more…]

Guest column: Roane County saves more than $800,000 on refinancing debt

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Ron Woody

Ron Woody

By Roane County Office of the County Executive

Roane County Executive Ron Woody announced this month that the county saved more than $800,000 by refinancing outstanding debt to lower interest rates.

Woody, his staff, and the Roane County Commission have created and adopted a multi-year debt service budget along with a county capital improvement plan. By having both a debt management plan and a capital plan, the county is able to more efficiently manage the county’s limited resources.

The debt plan and multi-year debt budget further identifies bonds that are eligible for refinancing. The county can then analyze whether refinancing allows for savings. The county identified a Rural School Bond of more than $11 million that had an interest rate of over 4 percent and was eligible for refinancing. The new interest rate is 2.8 percent, which is a savings of $854,600 over the term of the bond, including a savings of $185,735 in interest the first year. [Read more…]

No garbage pickup on Memorial Day

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Waste Connections Inc. will not be picking up refuse or recyclables on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. Monday’s routes will be picked up on Tuesday, May 27, and subsequent days that week to follow through Saturday. Please have all refuse and recyclables out by 7 a.m., the city said in a press release.

For additional information you can contact Waste Connections at (865) 482-3656 or visit www.WasteConnectionsTn.com.

Clinton Council approves budget on first reading

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Information from WYSH Radio

Meeting Monday night, the Clinton City Council approved the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 on first reading. The $10.7 million budget keeps the city’s tax rate steady at 76 cents per $100 of assessed value while allowing the city to give its employees 2 percent pay raises and continue to cover 100 percent of those workers’ health and dental benefits.

The second and final reading of the budget is set for June 19.

Anderson County budget process moving along

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Anderson County Courthouse

The Anderson County Courthouse on Main Street in Clinton is pictured above.

Information from WYSH Radio

As WYSH reported last week, the Anderson County Commission’s Budget Committee has approved County Mayor Terry Frank’s budget proposal for the fiscal year that begins on July 1. The proposed $25 million general fund budget keeps the property tax rate at current levels but does not include pay raises for county workers.

Previously, the budget committee had recommended keeping the funding for all county general fund offices at their current levels, and officials said that the budget does include provisions for a projected half-percent increase in the cost of health insurance and state-mandated salary increases for certain county officeholders.

When the various county departments submitted their initial budget requests, the total was about $2 million out of balance but “with understanding and help, we whittled that down,” according to Frank’s summary of the budget process released late last week. [Read more…]