Oak Ridge Today

Letter: Biloski has temperament, experience, open mind for judge seat

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To the Editor:

We are writing to request your support for Lauren Biloski for the next Juvenile Court judge of Anderson County. Every vote is important for Anderson County as the last election for Juvenile Court judge ended in a tie that had to be decided by County Commission.

We believe Lauren to be an experienced, passionate advocate for children’s rights. She is running on a platform of protecting children and preserving families. She has the most experience of any candidate in the race. She will strive to have a positive impact on the children who reach the judicial system in this county.

Lauren has the temperament, experience, and open mind to serve as Juvenile Court judge.

Tom and Lila Metcalf

Oak Ridge

Letter: Biloski committed to community, can make constructive changes

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To the Editor:

In the upcoming May election, I will be voting for Lauren Biloski, Republican candidate for juvenile judge.

This seat, which is being vacated by our present juvenile judge, is vitally important to several quality-of-life issues for so many families in Anderson County. We need to make sure we elect the best person to fill this position. I have known Lauren and her family for many years in Oak Ridge. Lauren graduated from Oak Ridge Schools, came back to our community to practice family law, and has extensive experience in assisting families with a variety of difficult issues. [Read more…]

Letter: Capt. Hunt an ‘excellent choice’ for juvenile judge

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To the Editor:

I have supervised Capt. Brian Hunt in the U.S. Army Reserve 139th Legal Operations Detachment (LOD) for the past two years. I serve as a team leader for a team of attorneys and paralegals. I have been a licensed attorney for 13 years and an Army Reserve officer for over 20 years, including nine years on active duty. Capt. Hunt is a judge advocate (military attorney) assigned to my team.

Since joining the 139th LOD, Capt. Hunt has served in an exemplary manner. He has done extremely well at all soldier skills, including physical fitness training and weapons qualification, as well as attorney skills. He was assigned by our detachment commander to manage the medical readiness program for the unit and has done exceptionally well in ensuring unit soldiers receive the proper medical examinations and vaccinations in a timely manner. Thanks to his management of the program, our unit medical readiness is the best in the Legal Command. [Read more…]

Letter: Urges voters to support Biloski for juvenile judge

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To the Editor:

We would like to urge Anderson County voters to support Lauren Biloski for Juvenile Court judge in the upcoming election.

Lauren is an Oak Ridge resident and a graduate of Oak Ridge High School. After graduating in 2003 from the University of Tennessee, she obtained her juris doctorate degree from Indiana University’s School of Law in 2006.

Lauren’s dedication to children and families is noteworthy. While in law school, Lauren was a volunteer for Child Advocates Inc., an organization providing child-focused representation to every child in Indianapolis suffering from abuse or neglect, as well as for Peyton’s pals, a program established by Peyton Manning to provide children in foster care with necessities including clothing and computers for school. [Read more…]

Letter: Unbridled defense of Mayor Frank challenged

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Myron Iwanski

Myron Iwanski

Note: Anderson County Commissioner Myron Iwanski wrote this letter in response to a March letter by Clinton resident Stephen Flick.

To the Editor:

In a guest column, Stephen Flick states that my question to the mayor about the recent state audit was intended to embarrass and harass the mayor. A little background might help explain why I raised the question.

The recently completed State Financial Audit for Anderson County raised serious concerns about overspending by $22,740 on a salary in one of the mayor’s offices—which is in violation of state law. The audit finding and responses are available on the state website here on pages 252 and 253.

As noted in the audit report, of particular concern to the auditors was that this overspending occurred after County Commission twice turned down the mayor’s requests for this funding increase and that the mayor knowingly overspent on this salary anyway.

This is the first time in my 20 years on the Audit Committee that we have had a finding like this. [Read more…]

Letter: Makes me appreciate my pastor

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Chuck Fritts

Chuck Fritts

Anderson County Commission Chairman Chuck Fritts wrote this letter in response to a March letter by Clinton resident Stephen Flick.

To the Editor:

With the May 6 primary drawing closer and the Aug. 7 general election not far behind, you are going to start seeing a lot of negative ads, articles, and letters to the editors in our newspapers, flyers/letters in your mail, and ads on your TVs. It’s extremely sad that a candidate can no longer run on their own merits and what they stand for, but they have to try and always attack their opponents. In the end, they think that this will win them votes, but in many cases it just turns a lot of folks off and in the long run loses that candidate the votes they are seeking. You used to just see this type of campaigning in the state and national elections only, but anymore it’s starting to get extremely bad even here at the local level. I’ve been a county commissioner now for 12 years and have gone through three elections, and I can honestly say that I have never ever run a negative campaign. I’ve run on my merits only and have never attacked another opponent. When I go door-to-door or talk to a potential voter, I talk about myself only and always ask if they have any questions.

[Read more…]

Letter: A defense of Mayor Frank

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Stephen Flick

Stephen Flick

To the Editor:

When Terry Frank assumed the office of county mayor for Anderson County, she barely had time to sit down behind her office desk before Chuck Fritts initiated his withering and relentless assault against her. With the least provocation, Fritts has repeatedly attempted to advance his agenda as openly and as scathingly as possible against Mayor Frank. Seizing as much media attention as possible, Fritts has continued his attacks from the opening of Mayor Frank’s tenure down to the present. In response to one of the first open attacks Fritts made against her “Car Gate,” Mayor Frank candidly refuted Fritts’ charges and laid down an olive branch to him and his politicalcolleagues, asking them to lay aside the campaign mode of relating to each other. Had Mr. Fritts responded in a similar spirit, he could have saved our county much strife over the last 16-18 months.

As Fritts continued his attacks against the mayor, his political allies were emboldened to take up the standard with him. The recent February meeting of the County Commissioners is one recent example. [Read more…]

Letter: Will vote for Biloski for juvenile judge

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To the Editor:

In the upcoming election, I will vote for Lauren Biloski, Republican candidate, because I have known Lauren and her family for many years.

Her mother is a respected county commissioner, and her father has been active in community affairs. She is a graduate of Oak Ridge schools and has returned to practice family law. She has donated her services to community organizations, especially animal welfare.

Paul Spray, MD

Oak Ridge

Guest column: We all have a role to play in ending child abuse

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CASA Child Abuse Prevention Month

By Naomi Asher 

By the time you finish reading this article, more than 30 cases of child abuse will have been reported to authorities nationwide. By the end of today, that number will swell past 9,000. And four of those children will die at the hands of their abuser. All in a single day.

When we take stock of these sobering statistics during April—National Child Abuse Prevention Month—it’s easy to be overwhelmed and to ask yourself, “What can I possibly do to make a difference?”

The answer is, you can do a lot. Everybody can play a role in preventing child abuse and neglect by becoming advocates for children.

For some of us, that advocacy comes in a formal role. Teachers, child care workers, health care providers and others who come into daily contact with children can be vigilant for signs of abuse and neglect. Their actions to report suspected abuse or to offer extra time and attention to fragile children can do more than make a difference. It can save lives. [Read more…]

Letter: Animal protection group endorses Biloski for juvenile judge

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To the Editor:

Tennessee Voters for Animal Protection—a non-partisan, grassroots political action committee—announced their endorsement of Lauren Biloski for Anderson County Juvenile Court Judge on Tuesday.

“Lauren Biloski has been a consistent advocate for animals through her animal rescue work as well as representing rescue groups in a legal capacity, said Anjie Crow, TVAP’s president. “If elected as Juvenile Court judge, Bilsoki plans to bring the H.A.B.I.T. program into Court, which would allow animals to calm children who are testifying. She would also be tough on juveniles who commit crimes against animals and get them the help they need.” [Read more…]

Letter: Friends of Grove thank performers, volunteers, those who donated

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To the Editor:

The Historical Grove Theater, 123 Randolph Road, would like to acknowledge the abundant blessing received last Friday at the “Oak Ridge Has Talent” Showcase Event.

We extend our thanks to the 10 local performance groups who donated their time and talent to the lucky audience. Everyone could feel the special spirit of community as we all came together to support an important part of our history. From the Sound Company kids at the beginning, all the way to the Ridge City Ramblers ending the concert with two great sing-along pieces with the audience.

We also want to thank the many volunteers who contributed their support and gifts, not seen on stage. Every donation of time, talent, financial support, and hard work is greatly appreciated.

Friends of the Grove Theater

Guest column: Arts Council kicks off fund drive, asks for your help

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Arts Council of Oak Ridge Logo

Dear Arts Supporter,

The Arts Council of Oak Ridge is kicking off the United Arts Fund Drive this March and April. We are so grateful for the past support from the citizens in our city and county and know that you realize the arts are essential to the health and vitality of our community. The arts enhance community development, spur urban renewal, attract new businesses, draw tourism dollars, and create an environment that attracts skilled, educated workers. Oak Ridge has a long history of a strong arts community, which contributes significantly to an enriched place to live, work, worship, and play.

We are asking you, as a member of our community, to help us continue these vital endeavors by making a tax-exempt donation to this year’s United Arts Fund Drive. As a supporter of the arts, you or your business will receive additional benefits. At the $150 or above donation level, your name or business’ name will be listed in every printed program of every event presented by the eight member organizations as well as in regional newspapers, magazines, our website, and the new Arts Council app for smartphones and tablets reaching more than 50,000 residents. At the $500 or above donation level, links from our website to donor websites will also be provided. Pledges must be received by July 31 to be included in programs and publications. [Read more…]