Oak Ridge Today

Options for county courthouse in Oak Ridge: Extend lease, stay put, move to govt. building

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Anderson-County-General-Sessions-Court-Exterior-Nov-19-2015

The lease on Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II, on Bus Terminal Road in Oak Ridge expires Dec. 31, but officials will ask for a one-year lease extension while courthouse options are considered. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—Several alternative locations have been proposed, including a city-owned building at A.K. Bissell Park and a county-owned building on Emory Valley Road, but for now, the Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge could remain at a privately owned building on Bus Terminal Road.

Once housed at the Oak Ridge Municipal Building, the General Sessions, Division II, courthouse has been on Bus Terminal Road since January 2009.

But the lease expires December 31.

On Monday, November 16, the Anderson County Commission voted 15-0 on a voice vote to ask for a one-year lease extension with no penalty and to work with Oak Ridge to share courthouse costs.

“That year buys us time to look at all the options,” said County Commissioner Myron Iwanski, who represents District 8, which includes Emory Valley, Woodland, and Hendrix Creek. [Read more…]

Emert elected chair of Anderson Commission, Isbel is vice chair

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Steve Emert

Steve Emert

Anderson County Commissioner Steve Emert was elected chair of the Anderson County Commission on Monday, replacing former Chair Robert McKamey, and Commissioner Tim Isbel was elected vice chair of the 16-member legislative body.

McKamey had sought to be reappointed to a second one-year term as chair. But he only picked up two votes Monday, one from him and the other from Commissioner Philip Warfield.

Emert, who has been vice chair for one one-year term, voted “no” for McKamey, and all other commissioners who were present abstained, which was, under the rules, a vote for Emert. Nine votes were required.

Anderson County commissioners Myron Iwanski and Angeleque McNutt were absent.

Isbel was appointed vice chair. No one else sought that post. [Read more…]

McKamey, Emert candidates for AC Commission chair

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Robert McKamey

Robert McKamey

WYSH Radio/Oak Ridge Today

Note: This story was updated at 11 a.m.

The current chair and vice chair of the Anderson County Commission are both seeking the chairmanship when Commission elects new officers later this month.

Robert McKamey, the current chair, had already announced his intention to seek another one-year term. Now, vice chair Steve Emert has announced his intention to challenge McKamey.

McKamey and Emert were appointed chair and vice chair in September 2014. It was a first term for both. Both were re-elected to the County Commission last year.

McKamey represents District 5, which includes Marlow and Dutch Valley. [Read more…]

McNutt appointed to replace Biloski on AC Commission

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Angeleque McNutt of Rainbow Florist

Angeleque McNutt of Rainbow Florist in Oak Ridge was appointed to the Anderson County Commission on Monday, replacing Robin Biloski, who resigned August 3. (Angeleque McNutt via Facebook)

Business owner Angeleque McNutt has been appointed to replace Robin Biloski on Anderson County Commission. Biloski resigned on August 3 because she and her husband Bill are moving to Madeira Beach, Florida.

McNutt, who owns Rainbow Florist in Oak Ridge, will represent District 8. That district includes Emory Valley, Hendrix Creek, and Woodland in Oak Ridge.

McNutt will serve until the August 2016 election, the next county general election. She told commissioners on Monday that she will seek re-election in that election.

McNutt was appointed in a 8-6 vote after a first-round 7-7 tie between her and candidate Phil Yager. [Read more…]