Oak Ridge Today

Letter: Biloski compassionate, committed, fights for children, family

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To the Editor:

I am a grandmother that knows from experience that Lauren Biloski is the right choice for juvenile judge. My grandchild was lost in the DCS system for four years. I was told by one attorney that I would not be able to do anything. That grandparents has no rights, and I would not be able to get custody of my grandchild.

Lauren was retained for the mother. A year later, she was court-appointed to the mother. I went to another attorney only to lose my money, and no petition was filed. I could not give up hope of finding someone to help me.

A couple of years later, I finally found one and had hope. By this time, Lauren was no longer retained or appointed to the case. Being the person that Lauren is, she did not step away from the case. Along with my attorney, Lauren was at meetings and all the court hearings with me. During court hearings, Lauren stood up and fought when my attorney said nothing at all. [Read more…]

Guest column: Celebrate safely during proms, graduations

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Paul White

Paul White

It’s that time of year again. Proms, graduations, and other events mark the end of the school year. Memories of these wonderful occasions will be with our youth for the rest of their lives.

Our young students headed to the prom and from graduations are reminded not to drink and drive. Deputies with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department will be out in force on prom nights and after graduations. DUI, illegal drugs, and underage drinking will get you a stay at the county jail.

The Sheriff Department also reminds teens that getting caught drinking while under the age of 21 can result in losing a driver’s license, getting suspended from school, ejected from sports teams, and even banned from graduation ceremonies. [Read more…]

Faith column: National Day of Prayer event on May 1

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Submitted

You are invited to be a part of the Oak Ridge National Day of Prayer Community Event as we gather together to fervently pray for our nation and our community. This year’s event theme is “One Voice United in Prayer,” taken from Romans 15:6. 

The service will be at Glenwood Baptist Church on May 1 at 6 p.m., located at 200 N. Alabama Road. Each year, this event brings believers together from congregations all over the Oak Ridge community to demonstrate the power of unity to pray for those in authority and various vocations.

We encourage all believers to come and join as we gather in one accord lift our hearts and voice declaring the plan and purposes of God. [Read more…]

Letter: Hunt disciplined, ready to be juvenile judge

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To the Editor:

I watched the Republican Party candidate forum the night of April 8 and noticed an important distinction amongst the candidates.

Brian Hunt, candidate for juvenile judge, exhibited the qualities that are essential for a judge to possess. He focused intently on the questions posed and succinctly provided answers without excess. The other candidates behaved as attorneys only, by advocating positions and arguing their points. [Read more…]

Letter: Bannach an assistant DA, helped set up Child Advocacy Center

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Victoria "Vickie" Bannach

Victoria “Vickie” Bannach

To the Editor:

We support Victoria “Vickie” Bannach, who is running for Juvenile Court judge. Vickie is an assistant district attorney and has prosecuted many cases in Juvenile and Criminal Court with hard work, dedication, and compassion.

Vickie is concerned for all children and their families and wants the best outcome for all involved.

She has worked with the county school systems to decrease truancy, helped establish the Anderson County Child Advocacy Center, and is a member of the Anderson County Child Protective Investigative Team. CPIT reviews child abuse cases to guarantee the best placement for the child(ren). [Read more…]

Letter: Of the candidates observed, recommends Hunt

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Brian Hunt

Brian Hunt

To the Editor:

My name is Tommy Brooks. I was the first Juvenile Court bailiff and had the honor of serving the citizens of Anderson County in that capacity until my retirement. As bailiff, I had the opportunity of observing most of Anderson County’s attorneys in their responsibilities of advocating for their clients and they were all dedicated in their pursuit.

So, you may think that if I thought all the attorneys were good, why would I choose to recommend a candidate at all? Well, in my opinion, of all the good candidates I have had the good fortune to observe, Brian Hunt is the candidate I wholeheartedly recommend for Juvenile Court judge.

Tommy Brooks

Clinton

Letter: Hunt can listen, respond with facts supported by law

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Brian Hunt

Brian Hunt

To the Editor:

It’s not every day that one has the opportunity to praise and uphold a member of our community. That is why I choose this particular time of the year to recommend Brian Hunt, one of our most outstanding citizens of Anderson County, as our next juvenile judge.

I have worked closely with Brian over the past five years as he dedicated himself to providing legal counsel and representation for my homebound families. Without Brian’s assistance, they would have had no recourse and no real “voice” in the legal arena. Although Brian may appear to be a man of few words, I can assure you that his words were sacred in the lives of those who entrusted him for representation. [Read more…]

Guest column: Open primaries mean voters can choose which primary to vote in

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Myron Iwanski

Myron Iwanski

Comments I have heard regarding the upcoming election indicate some confusion about who can vote in this primary.

The election is a primary to determine who the Democratic and Republican candidates will be for countywide offices in Anderson County. This is an “open primary,” which means a voter does not register as a Democratic or Republican and can choose to vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary.

While most seeking countywide offices in Anderson County run as a party candidate, most residents I have talked to vote for who they believe are the best candidates for Anderson County—no matter the party.

It is puzzling how in national elections the percentage of registered voters voting in Anderson County is much higher than in local elections like those coming up in May and August. In the last presidential election, 60 percent of registered voters in Anderson County (29,283 of 49,169 eligible) voted. However in the last local county primary election, only 17 percent of registered voters (7,765 of 46,186) voted. [Read more…]

Letter: Hunt the wise choice for Juvenile Court judge

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Brian Hunt

Brian Hunt

To the Editor:

The upcoming primary elections offer us an opportunity to select a very well-qualified candidate for the Juvenile Court judge position. Brian Hunt brings integrity, discipline, dedication, a commitment to public service, and human warmth to this critical role. The importance of a person of Brian’s character for a position that both protects children and intervenes when young people err cannot be overstressed.

Young people too often suffer at the hands of those who should protect and care for them. The Juvenile Court judge guarantees that such suffering stops and a more secure and loving environment is provided. The judge can guarantee that parents receive the assistance better to meet their children’s welfare, as well as supervising and assuring that foster care and adoptions are appropriate and well-placed, monitored, and supported. For children at risk, the Juvenile Court judge is a refuge for children who otherwise have few other resources. [Read more…]

Letter: Applauds Biloski’s plan to set up community outreach for youth

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To the Editor:

Lauren Biloski, candidate for Juvenile Court judge, is running against some good competition but nonetheless stands head and shoulders above her competition.

Lauren is by far the most experienced of all the candidates, having practiced law in almost all of the areas a juvenile judge will preside over.

But more than that, Lauren Biloski has a plan. Her plan addresses the root causes of juvenile delinquency: the family. Using interagency cooperation and getting to the root of the family issues will have a positive impact on the young people of Anderson County. [Read more…]

Letter: Former Sheriff White endorses Lay in Republican primary

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Bill White Endorses Anthony Lay

Pictured in back row from left to right are Terry Hodge, treasurer for the Anthony Lay campaign; Clyde Cook, gun doctor, Clinton business owner; Lynn Byrge, Oak Ridge business owner, and Joe Walker, local 25-year state police officer). Pictured in front from left to right are Mary Jane White, wife of former sheriff Bill White; Lay, a Republican candidate for Anderson County sheriff; and Bill White. (Submitted photo)

Former Republican Sheriff Bill White and his wife Mary Jane White have endorsed candidate Anthony Lay for sheriff in the Republican primary election in Anderson County on May 6, a press release said.

“I have known Anthony for several years and feel he is the best qualified candidate for the office of sheriff,” White said in the press release.

Bill and Mary Jane ask the voters of Anderson County to cast their vote for Anthony Lay on May 6 in the Republican primary, the release said.

Guest column—Happy 75th anniversary, Batman: I owe you

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Legends of the Knight

A movie poster for “Legends of the Knight,” which will be screened at the Historic Grove Theater on April 27 to benefit ADFAC.

On March 30, Batman turned 75. That same day, our church celebrated a 24th birthday and a 10-year anniversary of having moved into the Grove Theater. The irony of it hit me like a ton of bricks because many of the seeds that led me to become a minister were, strangely enough, planted throughout the pages of my childhood comic books.

Batman has had his share of ups and downs over the years. From the most campy television programming imaginable in the 60s, to witnessing Robin bludgeoned to death by the Joker in the 80s, to actually dying and being resurrected a few short years ago…I’ve managed to stay with the Dark Knight through his many twists and turns. At age 45, perhaps I should have outgrown it all, but I haven’t.

The truth is I owe my childhood heroes a pretty huge debt. They instilled in me at a very early age the belief that truth and justice were not just abstract forces in the world, but that they could be shared and experienced with enough effort and courage. At a time when it felt like the world was growing more cynical and afraid, I came to believe that honest people could really make a difference—that good really could win out in the end. The stories of my childhood were saturated with hope.

Moving through ministry for about two decades now, I almost always find that I arrive back where I started. I find that, fundamentally, hope is a life-blood running through the veins of healthy people. I find that fear, doubt, and cynicism are toxins that course through the bodies of the most unhealthy. I also discover that I am not immune to any of it. I experience these poisons too, times when I wonder if I shouldn’t just hang my hat and choose another profession in despair over our human condition. [Read more…]