Oak Ridge Today

Brummitt resigns from Oliver Springs Council

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Information from WYSH Radio

During Thursday’s meeting of the Town Council, Oliver Springs Mayor Chris Hepler asked council members to accept a letter of resignation from Alderman James Brummitt, who has decided to resign his seat on the Council, effective immediately.

Brummitt, who also serves as chairman of the Roane County Commission, had served three terms on the Oliver Springs Town Council.

The mayor did not offer any specific reason for Brummitt’s decision to step down, but it’s been clear to many observers that he and new City Manager Tina Treece have differed on several policies and procedures since she replaced David Bolling. [Read more…]

Clement will seek juvenile judge seat

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Michael Clement

Michael Clement

Attorney J. Michael Clement has announced that he will be a candidate for Anderson County Juvenile Court judge in the 2014 election.

Clement opened his general law practice in Clinton 27 years ago, and he has represented clients in Juvenile Court since he first began practicing law. He is seeking the judgeship now held by Judge Brandon Fisher, who has announced that he will be a candidate for Anderson County chancellor.

Clement, who lives in Clinton, has experience on the bench as a special Juvenile Court judge and as a special General Sessions Court judge, appointed by judges to sit in those positions. He has served as a guardian ad litem in Juvenile Court.

“I bring a wealth of knowledge and a depth of feeling for the Juvenile Court system, having practiced in the system for 27 years,” Clement said. “I have done some of the most gratifying work of my career in Juvenile Court, and I have also had my heart broken in Juvenile Court. I have experienced the whole gamut of emotions.”
 [Read more…]

City will recycle Christmas trees on Jan. 4, 11

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The city of Oak Ridge will recycle Christmas trees from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, and Saturday, Jan. 11.

The drop-off site is the parking lot at Big Turtle Park off Monterey Road.

Trees will be accepted any time up to Jan. 13, but if you come at the designated times, your Christmas tree may be exchanged for a sugar maple seedling. Wreaths and garland will be accepted, but brush will not. Please be sure to remove all tinsel and other decorations, a press release said.

For more information, contact the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department at (865) 425-3450 or visit the city’s website at www.oakridgetn.gov.

Watson one of four finalists for Texas job; decision possible in late January

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Mark Watson

Mark Watson

Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson is one of four finalists for a similar job in one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, and officials there could hire someone near the end of January, an official said Monday.

Jon Branson, one of two assistant city managers in Pearland, Texas, said the City Council is tentatively scheduled to conduct some final interviews on or around Jan. 25, and officials hope to have a decision shortly afterward.

Pearland’s current city manager, Bill Eisen, is retiring at the end of the month after 12 years. Branson will be the interim city manager starting Jan. 1, and he will serve until the Pearland City Council hires a new city manager. [Read more…]

Clinton Public Library has monthly computer lab for job seekers

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On the first Thursday of every month, the Clinton Public Library will have an open computer lab just for job seekers.

The first Job Seekers’ Lab will be held on Thursday, Jan. 2, from 2-3:30 p.m., a press release said. During that time, an instructor will be available to assist patrons with job searches, job applications, resumes, and cover letters.

The Clinton Public Library will also be hosting a free Computer Basics Class on Friday, Jan. 24, from 2-3:30 p.m. This class will teach a basic understanding of computer hardware and peripherals, Microsoft Office, Adobe Reader, the Internet, and search engines. There are only eight seats available for the Computer Basics Class. To reserve your seat, call the library at (865) 457-0519 or visit the library at 118 S. Hicks Street.

Sen. Corker completes Middle East trip with visits to Oman, Bahrain

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Sen. Bob Corker Meets with Tennessee Sailors and Marines

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican, meets with Tennessee sailors and marines deployed to Bahrain with the U.S. Fifth Fleet. (Submitted photos)

Submitted

MANAMA, Bahrain—U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican and ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, completed a three-nation trip to the Middle East on Dec. 5 in Bahrain, where he continued to assess U.S. diplomatic and security relations in the Gulf region, a press release said.

After a visit with U.S. Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski, he met with Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al Khalifa to discuss the state of U.S.-Bahrain relations and the Crown Prince’s ongoing efforts for political reform and stability amidst continued unrest.

“Bahrain is an important and longstanding U.S. ally, hosting the U.S. Fifth Fleet, which plays a significant role in regional stability and protecting the global flow of energy,” Corker said in a press release. “It is in our national interest to continue our strong military partnership, ensure the country remains stable, and encourage nonviolent reformers on both sides to continue to work together to achieve a political solution to Bahrain’s own internal problems.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge native serving overseas: Soldiers compete in soccer exhibition

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U.S. Army Spc. Devin Chae Soccer Goalie

U.S. Army Spc. Devin Chae, an Oak Ridge native, makes a save during an exhibition soccer match between Multinational Battle Group-East soldiers and the Kosovo Security Force at the Training and Doctrine compound in Ferizaj, Dec. 20. (Credit for all photos: U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Joshua Stoffregen, 4th Public Affairs Detachment)

Kosovo Force (KFOR)

By Sgt. Joshua Stoffregen

FERIZAJ, Kosovo—Soldiers from Multinational Battle Group-East participated in an exhibition soccer match against members from the Kosovo Security Forces in Ferizaj, Dec. 20.

“We just had a friendly soccer match with the KSF at the Training and Doctrine Compound,” said U.S. Army Capt. Robert Schaffling, a staff officer with MNBG-E and a native of Philadelphia. “It was a (sociable) game of soccer, us versus them.”

Schaffling said that it was a good way to collaborate with the KSF and have a little fun instead of working all the time. [Read more…]

ORHS student serves as Senate page

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Information from WYSH Radio

Oak Ridge High School student Sam Kelley was one of the pages who served in the Tennessee Senate during 2013. Kelley was sponsored by Tennessee Sen. Ken Yager, a Harriman Republican.

Page duties consist of anything from making copies to running errands to distributing legislative information to members of the General Assembly. They report to the Chief Clerk of the House and Senate.

Parents receiving info on online safety in mail

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Information from WYSH Radio

As part of a joint effort between the Anderson County District Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff’s Department, and the three school systems within the county’s borders, parents of students in fifth through 10th grades are receiving information in the mail on how to keep their children safe online.

Letters have been sent to parents of students in the county school system as well as the city systems in Clinton and Oak Ridge over the past couple of weeks and more are also being sent. Included in the mailing is information for parents on how to talk to their kids about being safe online and avoiding sexual predators. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge announces election results for boards, commissions, Land Bank

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Oak Ridge has announced the results of the Dec. 16 special meeting to elect members of boards and commissions and a board of directors for a new Oak Ridge Land Bank.

Here are the results:

ELECTIONS—EXISTING BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS [Read more…]

Signs installed for Top Secret Trail that stops in Oak Ridge

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Top Secret Trail Signs

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has recently installed signs for a new “top secret” 465-mile, self-guided driving trail that stops in Oak Ridge.

The brown signs were erected to direct visitors and curious local travelers along this important tourism route, a state press release said. They lead travelers to picturesque views in the Upper Cumberland and the “inside scoop on the state’s biggest secret.”

The Top Secret trail has 111 stops within Knox, Anderson, Campbell, Overton, Fentress, Morgan, Scott, Clay, Roane, and Pickett counties, giving visitors extensive history, culture, music, and cuisine experiences. The trail is part of the 16 Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways, an initiative by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, connecting Tennessee’s 95 counties to encourage guests to travel “off the beaten path” and to explore treasures of the state.

“Start the trip off at the site of the 1982 World’s Fair at World’s Fair Park, home to the world-famous Sunsphere, one of the only two remaining original fair structures,” the press release said. “Travel through the Upper Cumberland region, where guests can find out why Oak Ridge is considered Tennessee’s ‘secret city,’ the smallest library in the United States in Coalfield, and Tanners Café, Sundries & Antiques, housed in a 1906 bank that still has the original vault. Learn the history and culture of the region by stopping off at Old Union Meeting House, which is one of the oldest in the country and the Museum of Scott County, the only one of its kind created and curated by high school students. [Read more…]

Report: AC money spent on part-time fiscal analyst was unauthorized

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Terry Frank

Terry Frank

The money spent on a part-time fiscal analyst hired one year ago by Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank was an unauthorized expenditure, a new state report said.

The Anderson County Commission had twice denied funding for the position, and the budget account for the position contained no money, said the annual financial report, which was prepared by the county’s Accounts and Budget Office and independent state auditors.

The report said the use of county revenues from such sources as taxes, county aid funds, and fines must be approved by county legislative bodies.

“Management failed to hold spending to the limits authorized by the County Commission, which resulted in unauthorized expenditures,” said the report, which is available on the Tennessee Comptroller’s website. [Read more…]