Oak Ridge Today

Letter: Let’s help Applewood residents displaced by fire

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On Thanksgiving Day, an electrical fire broke out at the Applewood Apartments in the Highland View neighborhood. Eighteen people were displaced from their apartments while most of us were enjoying rich feasts with friends and families. Although the Red Cross was able to find these people temporary housing, they asked for help to meet the need of meals for these families.

On Monday morning checkout time, these families may be able to return to their apartments or they may have no place to go until the repairs are made to the electrical system of their building. The Red Cross representative said that because of the holiday and because many of these people couldn’t afford to have heat during this cold snap, they were able to extend the amount of care they could normally give. However, that will be ending and reaching beyond the scope of what they can further do during this emergency. [Read more…]

Letter: Residents urge legislators to raise minimum wage

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To the Editor:

Two bills in Congress to raise the minimum wage by about 95 cents per year for the next three years are HR1010 and S460. We, the undersigned, urge readers to contact their congressmen and senators to urge passage of these bills.

The minimum wage is now $7.25. If these bills pass, then over the next three years, the minimum wage would increase to $10.10.

Currently, if a worker is able to get 2,000 hours of work per year (in 50 40-hour weeks)—and unfortunately, not all can—he or she earns a yearly gross wage of $14,500, which is below the U.S. Department of Labor threshold of $1,245 per month ($14,940 annually) for receiving food stamps. If this worker’s wages increased by 95 cents an hour, he or she would earn $16,400 and thus would be raised above the poverty guideline. [Read more…]

Guest column: Thanksgiving for the ‘First Freedom’

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John Ragan

John Ragan

The search for religious freedom on American shores began nearly four centuries ago. In 1620, Pilgrims arrived in America seeking to escape religious persecution in England.

The following year, this group celebrated the very first Thanksgiving of English-speaking people on our shores. After a hard winter and loss of a number of settlers, but a bountiful harvest, the Pilgrims held a three-day feast with their indigenous neighbors as guests. Thus began a national tradition.

Our grand, national custom of acknowledging religious freedom and abundance through a national day of gratitude to the Divine Author of Liberty remains enduringly impressive. However, for some, remembering the purpose of that celebration may be a bit more difficult. [Read more…]

Guest column: Holiday crime prevention, shopping tips

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By Sheriff Paul White

During the busy holiday season, many people can become victims of burglary, theft, and other crime. Protecting yourself and your home from crime is the easiest way to have a safe and happy holiday season.

In an effort to ensure everyone has safe and fun holidays, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department would like to offer the following tips for holiday crime prevention.

Shopping:

  • Park in lighted areas at night.
  • Always lock your car. Don’t try to cover items on your seats. Put shopping bags in your trunk or take your packages straight home after shopping and then go back out. [Read more…]

Guest column: Thanksgiving traffic safety

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By Sheriff Paul White

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and to help save lives on our roadways, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department will be teaming with other state and local law enforcement officers to crack down on seat belt violations.

During the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday period, 249 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationwide. Fifty percent of those killed were not wearing seat belts.

Sheriff’s deputies will be out in force during the long weekend. The goal is simple: to enforce the law in order to save more lives. Whether you’re traveling across the country or just across town, one of the best ways to ensure a safe arrival is to always buckle up. It’s a simple step that each of us can take to protect ourselves and our loved ones. [Read more…]

Letter: Healthy Start to kick off fall campaign, seeks donations

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To the Editor:

After 15 years, with its continued mission of preventing child abuse and neglect in Anderson County, Healthy Start continues to support our families and is regarded as a model program. Healthy Start of Anderson County is funded solely through contributions from within Anderson County.

As part of its mission to prevent child abuse and neglect in Anderson County, Healthy Start seeks to support new parents toward a positive future, as well as enhancing their child’s development. Evidence shows that 98 percent of Healthy Start babies are at their age-appropriate developmental level, and 100 percent have well-baby checks and age appropriate immunizations.

Currently, however, the demand for Healthy Start services outpaces the ability to provide them because of funding limitations. [Read more…]

Letter: Oak Ridge wins real ACT Honor Roll

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To the Editor:

You would never ignore Alabama when talking about top football teams, so let’s admit that Oak Ridge beats all these top school districts in the measure that matters: ACT Readiness for Careers or College. Here are the facts about how many of the grads are prepared for the next step in their lives:

  • Oak Ridge—39.3 percent
  • Blount County—17.8 percent
  • Lincoln County—10.4 percent
  • Maryville —34.3 percent
  • McMinn County—12.4 percent

Only Maryville is even close, with their demographic advantage. It seems there is no contest; Oak Ridge wins the real ACT Honor Roll for Tennessee with measurable academic results. Cheer for the home team! Congratulate them.

David Coffey

Lenoir City

(See this story for more information.)

Letter: Appreciates car winterization for seniors on Saturday

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To The Editor:

A free car winterization check was recently offered to seniors ages 50 and older. It was held at the Oak Ridge Senior Center on Saturday, Nov. 16.

I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to all the sponsors for holding this event. On that chilly, rainy day, we waited at tables inside the warm and cheery Senior Center and were treated to coffee, juice, donuts, and sweet rolls supplied by Food City, Kroger, and Walmart.

The other sponsors were the City of Oak Ridge, Details Auto Care, Eddie Hair Tire and Auto Center, Fisher Auto Parts, People’s Choice Auto, Chuck’s Car Care, O’Reilly’s Auto Care, Advance Auto Parts, and Auto Zone. Technicians checked everything ranging from oil and other fluid levels to the condition of windshield wipers. [Read more…]

Letter: Thank you for helping child abuse victims through Youth Showcase

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Dear Oak Ridge:

The board and staff of the Child Advocacy Center wish to thank many of the community who helped create a wonderful event on Nov. 2: The Youth Showcase and Auction. The event raised approximately $4,500 to further our mission of combating severe physical and sexual abuse and the resulting trauma by coordinating and providing services to young victims in a child friendly, safe, and nurturing environment.

Many donated their time to our cause. The evening’s master of ceremonies, Matt Shafer Powell of NPR, amused the audience between acts. David Fall, of Stephenson’s auction, prompted audience members to keep bidding and raised $2,200 on the live auction alone. Volunteers Glen Zahn on sound, Adam Bell as stage manager, and Zachary Picketton on lights provided flawless technical support. Terry Silver-Alford, music director of the Clarence Brown Theater, provided musical skills as an accompanist for several of the performers. Not least, the kind folks of High Places Community Church allowed us to use their wonderfully preserved Historic Grove Theater for the performance. [Read more…]

Letter: Mall nullification proposal would make TIF loan impossible to finance

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Oak Ridge Mall TIF Public Hearing

James Murphy, center, is a Nashville attorney representing Oak Ridge Mall redeveloper Crosland Southeast. Also pictured during a recent public hearing are Ray Evans, right, Oak Ridge economic development consultant; and Tim Sittema, a Crosland Southeast partner.

Note: This Nov. 14 e-mail from an attorney representing mall redeveloper Crosland Southeast was written in response to a nullification proposal submitted by Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn to Anderson County officials.

I represent Crosland in connection with the proposed Economic Impact Plan for the Redevelopment of the Oak Ridge Mall Economic Development Area (the “Economic Impact Plan”). The Economic Impact Plan has been approved by the Industrial Development Board of the City of Oak Ridge (the “IDB”) and the City Council for the City of Oak Ridge, and it is on the agenda for the Nov. 18 meeting of the Board of Commissioners of Anderson County. I would like to respond to Ms. Baughn’s suggestion that the tax increment financing (“TIF”) funding for the redevelopment of the Oak Ridge Mall be nullified if at least 65 percent of the planned new retail square footage is not completed by December 2018.

As has been explained by Ray Evans in the meetings of the Anderson County Operations Committee and the Budget Committee, the proposed redevelopment of the Oak Ridge Mall requires a public-private partnership. After carefully reviewing the project’s pro forma, the city officials who have been involved in negotiating the incentives with Crosland were convinced that there was a funding gap of $13 million that could be bridged by the use of the TIF funding. Without that $13 million in TIF funding, the project would not go forward. [Read more…]

Guest column: A successful Oak Ridge Mall project

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Trina Baughn

Trina Baughn

Note: This is a copy of a Nov. 14 e-mail from Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn to Anderson County Commissioners and Mayor Terry Frank.

Honorable Mayor Frank and County Commissioners:

Like you and all of our citizens, I recognize the need for the successful redevelopment of the Oak Ridge Mall property. My research, to include discussions with various city officials and partners from their past projects, has me convinced that if anyone can help us finally turn the mall around, it is Crosland Southeast.

The generation of added sales tax revenue from new retail is our highest priority in this venture. Not only do we desire more shopping options, but the financial health of our community is highly dependent upon new sources of revenue.

No one can guarantee that the anticipated sales tax will materialize nor is it realistic to expect such an assurance. However, there is one guarantee contained within this plan. Once demolition has begun, the terms of the tax increment financing (TIF) will be permanently secured, regardless of whether or not anything is built. The end result will lock in a 20-year freeze on the property tax collected by the city and the county. [Read more…]

Guest column: County looks ‘dysfunctional’ on jail dispute, needs solutions

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Myron Iwanski

Myron Iwanski

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank’s op-ed column submitted to the media last week questioned County Commission’s decision to expand the jail. It has some incorrect statements about the history of this decision that need to be corrected.

In 10 years, the peak daily population of the jail nearly tripled. In 2000, there were 120 inmates, and in 2010 there were 340. The jail had a capacity of 226 when the decision to expand the jail was made in 2011. The peak daily population this year has increased to 396.

Mayor Frank’s claim that the jail is not overcrowded in very misleading.

This overcrowding is causing major problems in being able to properly classify inmates based on risks and other factors. This was the major reason the state was about to decertify the jail in 2011. It also does not take into account that we have approximately 3,000 outstanding arrest warrants, some of which prosecutors and deputies will tell you are for criminals that need to be in the jail. These criminals are not being actively pursued because of a lack of jail space. [Read more…]