I would like to express my appreciation to the Anderson County Commissioners for approving a resolution in their Aug. 20 meeting to continue the tradition of invocations at the beginning of their meetings. The County Commission has always been supportive with regard to this practice, affirming the freedoms on which our country was founded.
The intention of an “Invocation” is to invoke a good and positive blessing through prayer.
Children attend Vacation Bible School at the House of Worship in Oak Ridge in July. (Photo submitted by Myra Mansfield)
The faith community in Oak Ridge, an often overlooked influence and support structure, is comprised of about 50 churches and another dozen nonprofit organizations through which people come together on a regular basis for spiritual encouragement, acts of service, and relationship development. People spend both their time and their finances to build strength in their personal lives, within their families, and for the Oak Ridge community at large. This translates into greater overall health for the entire community.
Despite the economic slump, churches and helping organizations have continued to serve the community, and organizational growth has taken place over the last several years. New helping organizations have developed. Churches have constructed new facilities, remodeled existing facilities, and relocated in ways that caused vacated church buildings to become occupied again.
Trina Baughn
At under 45 minutes, this month’s City Council meeting may have been the shortest meeting they’ve ever held. While it was a nice change from the normal three-hour meetings, I wonder why council didn’t take the opportunity to discuss anything of significance given our city’s various, not to mention serious, problems. After all, they are limited in how often they meet to accomplish anything. Yet, they were perfectly content to accomplish nothing.
Nearly a year ago, I wrote about our city’s debt—a bill that is quickly approaching $200 million. I implored the city to develop a debt policy that would establish a debt ceiling, a debt reduction plan, and parameters for borrowing.
Jim Hackworth
In today’s high-stress world, many families are struggling to feed themselves, buy gas for their car, and pay for their utilities. Many people are unemployed, underemployed, forced to work two jobs, or work long hours to survive.
There has never been a greater need for attracting new jobs and providing opportunities for people to go back to work. The American Dream is in jeopardy for most families.
John Ragan
The phrase, “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (faster, higher, stronger), is the Olympic motto. It is meant to inspire competitors to achieve greater performances than their peers and predecessors … to “own the record.”
Olympic athletes invest, literally, thousands of hours of their lives chasing their dream for a quadrennial chance at a medal and, perhaps, a record. Iron self-discipline drives these people to endure grueling early morning workouts. These are followed by many hours of skills rehearsal and practice followed by even more hours of conditioning.
To the Editor:
I would like to thank the voters and all of my supporters for their efforts during this past special election.
I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the Nov. 6 election, for which I have recently qualified.
Jim Hackworth
No issue weighs heavier on people right now than the economy. Tennesseans are angry and fearful. They’re worried the American Dream is disappearing for their families because of the lack of good jobs in our communities.
They’ve seen friends, neighbors, and family members lose jobs through no fault of their own and small businesses shut down because there is no one left to buy their goods and services. People are waiting desperately to hear common sense solutions from the politicians running our state and our country. They are eager to see our East Tennessee conservative values used to make decisions that affect their daily lives.
To the Editor:
I hereby provide my unsolicited endorsement for Chuck Hope as he runs for a full term on City Council.
Why?
To the Editor:
For over 200 years, my family has called Anderson County home. I’ve always been proud of my heritage and where I live, and I want nothing more than to ensure that the place where I was raised remains a secure community for generations to come.
The best way that we can make sure that Anderson County has a thriving economy and can provide jobs for its citizens is to elect representatives who understand that we as residents know better than anyone, especially big government, what this county needs. For this reason, I urge you to examine every candidate regardless of how you have voted in the past.
John Ragan
What are the limits on freedom of speech? Few would argue that the right of free speech is absolute at all times and under all circumstances. However, would anyone fail to concede that this liberty is one of the most basic rights?
Courts have observed that free speech consists of “utterances” that are essential parts of the exposition of ideas. Nonetheless, these same courts have also held that it does not extend to “utterances” that are obscene, profane, libelous, or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace.
Robin Biloski
What is Emory Valley Center?
For many of us, it is just some “buildings” located on Emory Valley Road, in the east side of Oak Ridge. We know generally that it was formed years ago to help “handicapped” people. We recognize it as a busy place with cars coming in and out, and driving around our community with the EVC logo on them.
We know children and adults and many Oak Ridge “seniors” share building space for their daily activities. But, it is much more.
To the Editor:
We would like to respond to the misinformation Ms. Manley posted on the Oak Ridge Today website.
But first, we would like to say we have known Mayor Iwanski for many years and have all the confidence in his leadership abilities. In addition, you can see Mayor Iwanski’s goals and accomplishments he has made since being mayor at andersontn.org which further demonstrate his leadership abilities.
