Oak Ridge Today

County takes action on General Sessions Court, Senior Center

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Anderson County could renovate the former Oak Ridge Senior Center, which was once housed in this part of a building owned by Anderson County on Emory Valley Road, and use the space for Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Anderson County could renovate the former Oak Ridge Senior Center, which was once housed in this part of a building owned by Anderson County on Emory Valley Road, and use the space for Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—Anderson County officials are taking steps to move the General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge from a privately owned building to a county-owned building and to move the county’s Senior Center into a larger space in Clinton.

Both projects have been discussed at the most recent meetings of the Anderson County Commission in Clinton.

Last Monday, May 15, Anderson County Commission approved about $1.4 million in borrowing through capital outlay notes that can be used for capital projects, including the General Sessions Court and Senior Center. The funding will include $500,000 for renovation work for the Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II, and $600,000 to purchase the new Senior Center building, Anderson County Commissioner Robert McKamey said. The money is being borrowed at a 2.35 percent interest rate for 12 years. The $1.4 million also includes $300,000 for capital projects, which could include roofs on a few buildings.

The county will repay the capital outlay notes from the general fund, McKamey said.

The bids on the renovation work for Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II, in Oak Ridge, had come in higher than expected in April. The low bid of about $530,000 from Preen Construction of Knoxville was announced during County Commission’s April 17 meeting.

Officials had previously said the renovations could cost about $300,000, citing an estimate from Michael Brady Inc., a Knoxville architectural firm. [Read more…]

AC Senior Center dealt serious setback

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Information from WYSH Radio

The one company that had expressed interest in leasing a building on South Seivers Boulevard to be used as an Anderson County Senior Center informed county leaders on Tuesday that they were withdrawing the offer.

B&B Properties had offered to lease the 10,000-square foot building to the county for five years at a cost of $1,896 per month but, in a letter to Anderson County Commission Chairman Robert McKamey, said that was no longer feasible.

The company recently leased space in Oak Ridge’s Jackson Tower to a group of doctors, which has resulted in a lack of parking for both the insurance operations housed there and the medical practice, so the company said it will be relocating some of those insurance operations to the building near downtown Clinton. [Read more…]

AC Senior Center a step closer to reality

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Information from WYSH Radio

On Monday night, the Anderson County Operations Committee unanimously voted to approve a five-year lease with B&B Properties on a building in Clinton that will serve as the home of a new Anderson County Senior Center.

The next step in the process will be consideration by the full Anderson County Commission on Monday of the $1,896-a-month lease for the building at 439 South Charles Seivers Boulevard. If approved by the Commission, the Anderson County Office on Aging hopes to be in the new facility by the end of July.

Supporters of a senior center have long decried the lack of adequate space to conduct activities and programs for seniors in the current home of the Office on Aging on Leinart Street. This is the same property officials thought they had an agreement to lease earlier this year that fell through due to a higher-than-expected monthly rent.

The Office on Aging will be providing WYSH with a list of needed items for the new facility in the next few days, and they will pass that information along when it becomes available.

AC Operations Committee to consider senior center lease

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Anderson County Operations Committee will meet at 6 p.m. today (Monday, June 8) with a full agenda, including consideration of a five-year lease on a building at 439 South Charles Seivers Boulevard for use as an Anderson County Senior Center.

The cost of the $1,896-a-month lease would primarily be paid for out of the budget of the Anderson County Office on Aging, with some county assistance possible. But the remainder of the cost is expected to be paid for through donations.

Seniors and supporters of a senior center will rally before the meeting and then head upstairs to further demonstrate that support to committee members.

The Operations Committee will meet in Room 312 of the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton. See the agenda here.

AC seniors to protest Tuesday, ask for senior center

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Submitted/WYSH Radio

There will be a protest on Tuesday in front of Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton, and protesters will ask for a senior center and for Anderson County to take over the Anderson County Office on Aging.

The protest is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 5.

In a press release, organizers said that if attendees have trouble standing, they should bring a lawn chair. They are asking Anderson County seniors to bring their friends, family, and neighbors.

Organizers said “our seniors are just as important as our animals,” referencing efforts currently under way to build a temporary animal shelter in Anderson County.

CWU program on Office on Aging, Family Resource Center on Friday

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Church Women United is hosting a public program on Friday, April 10, in Columbus Hall at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Cherie Phillips of the Anderson County Office on Aging and Jo Bruce of the Family Resource Center will speak.

Fellowship with refreshments begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by a brief meeting and the program at noon.

The program makes up for the March meeting that was canceled due to winter weather. [Read more…]

Church Women focus on services for aging residents

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Note: This event has been canceled.

Cherie Phillips of the Anderson County Office on Aging will be the guest speaker at the Friday, March 6, meeting of Church Women United at Oak Valley Baptist Church at 194 Hampton Road in Oak Ridge.

“Whether you have retired, are contemplating retirement, or have friends and family who are retired, come find out what advice and services are available to the aging in Anderson and Knox counties,” a press release said.

The meeting is open to the public. Fellowship begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by a short meeting at noon and the program thereafter. Drop in and stay however long you can. For more information, contact Gay Marie Logsdon at (865) 483-7940.

CWU is a national interdenominational movement that brings together women of diverse races, cultures, and traditions in closer Christian fellowship, prayer, advocacy, and action for peace with justice in the world.

AC Senior Center about to become reality

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Anderson County Office on Aging and the Council on Aging have found a location to open up an expanded Office on Aging and create a full-blown Senior Center serving Clinton and Anderson County.

The new location will be in the old Food Stamp building on Charles Seivers Boulevard, just west of the intersection of Clinch Avenue and Seivers. [Read more…]

Senior Citizen Appreciation Day in Clinton

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Information from WYSH Radio/Submitted

Several organizations and businesses have organized a Senior Citizen Appreciation Day today (Tuesday, October 7) in Clinton.

It’s today (Tuesday, October 7) from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., rain or shine, at The Underwood Pavilion at the Clinton Fairgrounds.

Join organizers for a fun-filled day of music, games, free barbecue lunch, door prizes, flu shots, blood pressure checks, and lots of information on health issues, and health insurance, a press release said. There will be entertainment by Clinton’s own “Golden Girls” at 2 p.m. “You won’t want to miss this!” the press release said. [Read more…]