Oak Ridge Today

Letter: Asks voters to seriously consider Dodson, Hope

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To the Editor:

When Oak Ridgers go to the polls to elect members of the Oak Ridge City Council, they will find a number of excellent candidates from which to choose. However, I would like to encourage all voters to seriously consider two of the candidates.

First, I have known Jim Dodson for a number of years. Jim and I have worked together on numerous projects, and I have found Jim to be one of the most honest, dependable, and reasonable people I have ever known. Jim has served our city as an educator, volunteer, and community leader for more than 30 years and has made an indelible impact on the lives of many in our community.

I truly believe Jim will bring the same kind of enthusiasm, expertise, and creativity to the Oak Ridge City Council that he has brought to so many other organizations and projects. Jim is an asset to our city and will definitely be an asset to our City Council. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson has wisdom, experience, professionalism, thoughtful creativity

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To the Editor:

As a young voter frustrated by the embarrassing dialogue of our national election, I am so happy we have a candidate for Oak Ridge City Council that commands the wisdom and leadership qualities we seek and in which we can place much confidence. I appeal to you to take a close look at Jim Dodson, candidate for Oak Ridge City Council.

Jim Dodson has a history of stepping up and taking initiative and leadership in programs that are good for Oak Ridge, Tennessee, its citizens, and businesses.

I am personally aware that for many years he initiated and organized displays and competitions of art work by Oak Ridge students and others across Tennessee and has raised millions of dollars for scholarships. His foresight and leadership go beyond his concentration on the arts and continue to be recognized. This website includes a brief synopsis: http://www.tennesseeartsacademy.org/about-us/staff.aspx. [Read more…]

Letter: Suggests Oak Ridgers consider electing another woman, a Democrat, to Congress

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To the Editor:

During the years 1974-1994, a woman, who was a Democrat, represented Oak Ridge and the Tennessee Third Congressional District. Her name was Marilyn Lloyd.

She wrote several bills, including the Energy Research Development Administration Bill (1976 and 1977) and the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. During her tenure, she was chair of the Subcommittee on Energy Research and Development and was on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. She was on the Public Works Committee and and the Armed Services Committee.

ORNL and associated contractors did well while she was in Congress.

I would like to suggest that Oak Ridgers who have not yet voted consider electing another woman, who is a Democrat: Melody Shekari, who has been endorsed by the Chattanooga Times-Free Press. [Read more…]

Letter: Say ‘no’ to one more county commissioner

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To the Editor:

Recently, the Clinton Courier carried an article warning Anderson County residents of seven county commissioners who are in a conflict of interest because of their determination to serve on the Charter Commission while serving on the County Commission. The author of the article correctly identified the number of commissioners in conflict of interest but only listed six of the seven, including Mark Alderson, Steve Emert, Tim Isbel, Robert McKamey, Jerry White, and Theresa Scott. [Read more…]

Letter: Charter Commission drive started to restore citizens’ rights

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To the Editor:

Seven County Commissioners—Steve Emert, Steve Mead, Tim Isbel, Theresa Scott, Mark Alderson, Robert McKamey, and Jerry White—have entered into a conflict of interest by running for seats on the Charter Commission. They have reason to be concerned about their own political lives given the fact that they have been willing to cooperate with Myron Iwanski to take away the rights of the citizens of Anderson County.

In fact, that is the reason the drive for a charter form of government was started: to restore the rights of citizens to choose their leaders and make sure the authority of those whom the citizens elect is not taken away. Sad to say, Jerry White (District 5) and Tim Risden (District 1) said at a recent candidate forum that they were against the Charter Commission—an effort to restore Anderson County citizens’ rights. In the same spirit as other county commissioners attempting to be placed on the Charter Commission that would write Anderson County’s charter, Mr. White called the effort a “smokescreen,” but failed to provide the audience with evidence of his charge. [Read more…]

Letter: Hope gives back to community, seeks to maximize Oak Ridge’s potential

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To the Editor:

Like most voters, I decided whom I would support in the national election several months ago. But I wish not to discuss what might be the worst presidential election cycle since Jefferson and Adams opposed each other in the 1700s. No, I would like to share my views on local choices (Oak Ridge City Council), especially Chuck Hope Jr., who is running for re-election.

One of the perks of living in Oak Ridge is that while shopping at Food City one can bump into the city manager. Or attend a performance at the Oak Ridge Playhouse and engage fellow patrons who are members of City Council. Or have your automobile serviced at Chuck’s Car Care on the Turnpike, owned and managed by Chuck Hope. Every customer is treated with respect. So are citizens who have contact with Chuck on matters of local governance. Work performed at his establishment usually exceeds expectation and at a reasonable price. [Read more…]

Letter: Garcia Garland will steer Oak Ridge toward best decisions for citizens at large, not just privileged few

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To the Editor:

I am writing to endorse Anne Garcia Garland for Oak Ridge City Council. She is kind, smart, and principled as are many of the other candidates. However, she unlike others, has no potential conflicts of interest: she is not an employee of any city entity, including the school system, nor is she a member of the Chamber of Commerce, which receives substantial monies from the City of Oak Ridge. She was not endorsed by the Chamber PAC either, which suggests that she will not be beholden or easily influenced by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce while sitting on Council.

Anne, unlike another City Council candidate, has never been a commenter on the website reportedly owned and maintained by a sitting School Board member, a site where fellow citizens are bullied and belittled.

And finally, I believe Anne has the temperament to be a good public servant. She has never, to my knowledge, threatened or “joked” about putting a sitting city council woman “six feet under.” Some readers may remember the details of an incident in which that so called “joke” was made public, an incident which I shall not revisit with any further detail now. [Read more…]

Letter: Understanding process, significance of changing Anderson County government

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By Mary Ann Reeves

The Tennessee constitution and subsequent legislature lays the ground for changing the the government of a county (e.g. Anderson County) from its constitutional form to a charter form (also known as home rule).

To make this change in Anderson County three things must happen:

  • A charter commission must be created. There are several ways that this is permissible but the one selected was by the petition of registered voters whose number must at least equal to 10 percent of the total number of votes cast in the county in the last governor’s race. In Anderson County, 17,760 votes were cast for governor; therefore 1,776 signatures were required (and obtained) on the petition.
  • The election of the Charter Commission members. The election for the candidates must be held 75 days or more after the resolution becomes effective. The charter commissioners are elected from the same districts and in the same manner as the county commissioners. The cost of the election is paid out of county funds. In Anderson County, the Charter Commission election is concurrent with the general election (November 8) and Anderson County will incur no cost. The elected charter commissioners will set a budget and they may incur expenses for administrative costs up to a maximum of $50,000. These expenses will be paid by Anderson County.
  • Voters must approve any changes in the form of Anderson county government recommended by the Anderson County charter commissioners. Anderson County voters must approve, via a referendum, any recommended changes by the charter commission. The referendum will be done concurrently with the August 2018 election to avoid additional costs to the county. This will be a “for” or “against” vote.

[Read more…]

Letter: Scott has best qualifications, will look at county government with open mind

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To the Editor:

I wish to say why I am supporting Theresa Scott for charter commissioner.

Theresa has served her community and the City of Oak Ridge as a Neighborhood Watch captain and Oak Ridge Beer Board member for many years. When the Cedar Hill Park renovation committee was formed, Theresa was there. When the work was to be done to rebuild the park, she was there. When new ideas were needed on the Anderson County Fire Commission, she stepped up. As a new District 7 county commissioner, she has been from one end of this county to the other helping our residents with their issues.

Ask anyone from Briceville to Claxton, from Norwood to Rocky Top, from Oak Ridge to New River, they will tell you how Theresa has contributed to making our communities better. She never stops in doing good, she is everywhere! [Read more…]

Letter: Stanley will give you a term-limit option to consider

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To the Editor:

The Anderson County Charter Commission needs thoughtful individuals who are willing to recognize the problems with our current system of county government. Dr. David Stanley will do that. He’s running for Charter Commission in District 7.

Dr. Stanley has served the community for many years. As a physician, he understands the importance of reaching the root cause of a problem—to best solve it.

The Department of Energy’s workforce heavily sells Knox County to new, incoming workers. Anderson County realtors find it almost impossible to even speak with these workers. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson can apply enthusiasm, knowledge, abilities on City Council

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To the Editor:

Thirty years or so ago, I was the principal of Jefferson Junior High School when we lost our art teacher. We typically interviewed five to 15 applicants for vacant teaching positions, and Jim Dodson was among those we talked to.

I had been interviewing for several years at that point and had realized that very occasionally someone would apply for a job who was so well qualified, so well spoken and convincingly knowledgeable, so all around good that just about anyone would have recognized him/her as the person to hire. Jim Dodson was that kind of applicant (his references saw him as we did).

The time I spent in his classroom observing him teach that year and in the years that followed only embellished what I had hoped was true when we first met him. [Read more…]

Letter: Fillauer a strong leader, dedicated advocate for children

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To the editor:

We are writing this letter in support of Keys Fillauer’s re-election to the Board of Education in the coming election.

Keys brings a unique perspective to the School Board. Not only did he teach at Robertsville Junior High School for 27 years and then at Oak Ridge High School for four years, he also coached basketball during his tenure at both schools.

He knows our community and its families well and is a dedicated advocate for our children. His strong leadership on the School Board over the last 15 years has guided the school system through many initiatives such as the remodeling of Oak Ridge High School and the 1:1 computer laptop program. [Read more…]