Oak Ridge Today

Letter: Dodson works well with others, stays involved, has positive attitude

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To the Editor:

This letter is to communicate our full support of Mr. Jim Dodson for a seat on the Oak Ridge City Council. We have known Jim for many years as an art teacher with the Oak Ridge Schools and have experienced first-hand the great job he does in that capacity.

We also feel that Jim’s involvement beyond the school system in other cultural and business affairs of the city is important and valuable experience that he will bring to this job. Jim is a well-rounded member of our community who is not afraid to be involved yet always brings a positive attitude to anything he does. We know that Jim will work well with other members of council to move our city forward and maintain the momentum that exists today. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson’s skill set, commitment a perfect fit for dynamic times in Oak Ridge

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To the editor:

I am for Jim Dodson for City Council.

Others have written eloquently about his resume and credentials for the position. I would like to take a more personal approach.

I have known and worked alongside Jim for nearly 30 years at Jefferson Middle School. During that time, I have watched him grow exponentially both as a professional and a person. He has inspired an entire generation of budding artists. Often teaching students across four different grade levels, Jim has cultivated and encouraged the artistic skills of students of all abilities and backgrounds. His tireless promotion of student art within the school, community, and region so typifies the exceptional fine arts education that students receive in the Oak Ridge Schools. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson will listen to all sides, work together to solve problems

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To the Editor:

Many people have written urging voters to vote for Jim Dodson for Oak Ridge City Council. Having worked on different projects for over 12 years with Jim, I want to add my endorsement.

I know Jim as a person who does what he commits to with best efforts. He cares about the Oak Ridge community, and has helped with or lead many local groups and projects. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson works well with others, listens and encourages, helps achieve compromise and goals

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To the Editor:

I am asking for your vote for Jim Dodson for Oak Ridge City Council. I think that Jim’s greatest strength is his ability to work well with other people, listening and encouraging their ideas, helping to achieve compromise and workable goals. Because of his innately respectful attitude, he brings people together to reach consensus. This is what we need for city council to function effectively and look to the future.

Jim has served this community in so many ways. Always as a talented art teacher first with that being extended to include the Arts Council, the Dogwood Chalk Drawing Contest on Market Square, the Children’s Museum, and the Regional Student Art Exhibitions. He has also given of himself to United Way, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Sunset Rotary Club. I now have the pleasure of serving with Jim on the Celebrate Oak Ridge board, the independent board that began as the Secret City Task Force. [Read more…]

Letter: Fillauer has lifelong experience in education, supports him for School Board

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To the Editor:

This letter is in support of my friend, Keys Fillauer, the current chairman of the Oak Ridge School Board and candidate for re-election. We got lucky when this man decided to serve Oak Ridge Schools.

Keys has given his talent and experience as well as tireless hours working for our schools. I asked him why he does it. What it seemed to come down to is his love for education, people, and this community. Keys is dedicated to keeping our award-winning school system at the forefront of innovation while at the same time keeping our schools a place where each student is empowered to reach their full potential no matter what level they are on.

Keys has lifelong experience in education. As a teacher, a father, and a student first himself, Keys knows the importance of meeting each student where they are in the educational process. This challenge is what keeps Keys going. [Read more…]

Hensley endorses Lee, Dodson, Vogel

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To the Editor:

The City Council election coming up is very important to the future of Oak Ridge. We, as a community, are seeing significant positive change in many areas including retail growth, business recruitment, and quality of life. This election, in my opinion, can set the stage for further positive change and quality growth.

There are three candidates in my opinion, who are seeking seats on Oak Ridge City Council, who can continue and accelerate our city’s progress. Joe Lee, Jim Dodson, and Hans Vogel have impressive and varied experiences to bring to bear on city issues. All three of these candidates have demonstrated, through their careers and dedication to city service, their potential as Council members and that consensus building and teamwork are keys in their approaches to make things happen.

Joe Lee [Read more…]

Opinion: Liquor licensees—changing the rules in the middle of the game?

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oak-ridge-city-council-ellen-smith-sept-14-2015

Ellen Smith (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

At the Monday night City Council meeting, some rules got changed in the middle of the game. That was unsportsmanlike—and it was not business-friendly.

Oak Ridge has an ordinance (dating back nearly 50 years) requiring that owners and operators of retail liquor establishments (liquor stores) must be city residents, unless Council votes to waive the requirement. And Council has routinely waived that residency requirement for everyone who requests a waiver. I’m not aware that anyone was ever denied a waiver—and very few liquor sellers actually live in the city.

Since we don’t require owners of any other type of business to live in the city and since the residency requirement hasn’t been enforced, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to keep it on the books. It’s just one of several antiquated ordinances related to liquor that need to be updated (a topic I’ve discussed with legal staff). But we have to live with it for now. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson has gift for collaboration, teamwork, problem solving

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To the Editor:

We hope by now that everyone is aware of Jim Dodson’s strong record of community service. The lists of organizations in which he participates and the awards he has received are extensive. His community service alone is enough to recommend a vote for him for Oak Ridge City Council. But there is something else about Jim Dodson that we believe makes him an excellent candidate. He so actively listens to others as they express concerns.

We first encountered Jim Dodson as our children’s teacher. His ability to keep a classroom of middle school students engaged, encourage them to participate in school and community projects, and bring out the best in them is remarkable. His ability to coach middle school athletes and also to bring out students’ creative talents in the art studio demonstrates his ability to appreciate all aspects of his students. The fact that the Tennessee Education Association granted him the Distinguished Educator Award, that he was named National Middle Level Art Educator in 1999, and was appointed to the Tennessee Board of Humanities by Governor Haslam speaks volumes for his qualities as a teacher. And as a teacher, he has experience with and appreciation for the diverse population living in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Letter: Former Children’s Museum director endorses Dodson for City Council

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To the Editor:

I strongly endorse Jim Dodson as a candidate for the Oak Ridge City Council. During the 19 years that I have known Jim, I have always found him to have the good of the community at heart. While serving as executive director of Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge, collaborating with Jim was always a highlight. His fairness and sincerity are outstanding qualities that I have experienced and observed through the years. He has the ability to draw people together and is extremely adept at working with a group to accomplish set goals.

He has worked with Children’s Museum staff to bring educational experiences to the children of our area and served on the museum’s Board of Trustees. His educational endeavors are known throughout the state, accordingly earning him several well-deserved honors for his work. [Read more…]

Opinion: Small stores provide personal service, expertise; have direct impact on local economy

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When you hear the terms ostrich or Myrtle burger, what comes to mind? Or pink pig van? Rudolph? How about tiny paper plates?

All of these things are hallmarks of Oak Ridge small businesses. You’ve heard it said that small business is the back bone of our economy, but we are so much more. We fill a need that franchises and big box stores simply cannot—we are what distinguish one strip-mall lined community from another. We give our city its unique flavor.

And while memorabilia and gimmicks certainly embed images in our minds, these businesses are fueled by the literal blood, sweat, and tears of people. The shop owners and employees aren’t just entrepreneurs; they are your neighbors, your friends and your family.

We all value convenience and good deals, but as the recent “Shop Local” movements have demonstrated, much is sacrificed for the sake of saving a buck or two (real or perceived). [Read more…]

Letter: Make Vogel one of your three choices for City Council

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To the Editor:

We are very fortunate to have several candidates running for City Council on issues that Council actually works on. Continuing good schools seems to be on all platforms and should be. Safety for citizens and the community is also very important. How to pay for these without raising taxes is probably the most important part of the platform. Oak Ridge is a city dependent on the U.S. government more than most Tennessee cities. During the early years, scientists and engineers from the “plants” lived in Oak Ridge and made it a well-run, highly educated city that was famous the world over.

Some of the “plants” are still here and now are making scientific breakthroughs that are changing manufacturing in this country. 3-D printing, carbon fibers, and the Spallation Neutron Source are part of great scientific achievements. However, less than one-half of the employees live in Oak Ridge, and almost no new manufacturing is moving here to take advantage of this great success coming out of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Y-12 National Security Complex. That can change. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson has positive outlook, believes passionately in Oak Ridge

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To Oak Ridge Today:

We have known Jim Dodson, candidate for City Council, for almost 30 years. We first met him when he began teaching art at Jefferson Middle School, where he still teaches. A superb artist himself, Jim has fostered the artistic talents of many students who have gone on to win local and regional art competitions.

Jim has a positive outlook on life. No matter what the circumstances, Jim looks for the best in every person and every situation. This has made him a fantastic teacher and leader. He has served on the board of directors for several arts and civic organizations and is highly respected for his leadership abilities and his work ethic. I served on the Arts Council when he was president. He was always highly organized and prepared for every meeting. He researched the issues involved before each meeting and treated every board member with respect. [Read more…]