Oak Ridge Today

Meet primary candidates at Anderson County Republican meeting tonight

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The Anderson County Republican Party will meet at 6:30 p.m. today (Tuesday), and those who attend will have a chance to meet the party’s primary candidates.

The meeting is at the Staybridge Suites at 420 S. Illinois Ave in Oak Ridge. The Staybridge Suites are located behind Outback Steakhouse, near the Kroger store.

“It should be an informative meeting,” said Aaron Wells, chairman of the Anderson County Republican Party. “It’s an opportunity to meet the candidates who are running in this year’s Republican primary, as well as talk about the important issues affecting Anderson County.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Today adds 2014 Election section

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It’s shaping up to be a big election year, and Oak Ridge Today has added a special 2014 Election section to help you keep up with the candidates and issues. You can access that section by clicking on the 2014 Election button in the navigation bar near the top of the website.

As of Friday, there were already more than three dozen candidates for various state and county offices in Anderson County. [Read more…]

So far, five candidates for juvenile judge, four for sheriff, three for chancellor

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Anderson County Courthouse

The Anderson County Courthouse on Main Street in Clinton is pictured above.

So far, there are five potential candidates for Anderson County Juvenile Court judge, four for sheriff, and three for chancellor.

An independent has picked up a petition to run for county mayor, possibly opposing Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, and Tennessee Rep. John Ragan has an opponent in the Aug. 7 Republican primary.

The five candidates for Anderson County Juvenile Court judge are Victoria “Vickie” Bannach, a Clinton Republican; Lauren Biloski, an Oak Ridge Republican; Victoria Bowling, a Heiskell Democrat; J. Michael Clement, a Clinton Democrat; and Brian J. Hunt, a Clinton Republican. They are candidates in the May 6 county primary.

The current juvenile court judge, Brandon Fisher, a Clinton Democrat, is running for Anderson County chancellor in that election. The other two chancellor candidates are Phil Harber, a Clinton Republican, and Robert Warren Wilkinson, an Oak Ridge Republican. [Read more…]

Democratic Party honors volunteers Monday

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The Anderson County Democratic Party will honor and thank volunteers who worked in the campaigns of all Democratic candidates in 2012 elections with a free dinner and party at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, at the Clinton Community Center.

Volunteers throughout the county worked in campaigns ranging from President Obama’s re-election campaign to the campaigns of state and local candidates in 2012.

[Read more…]

Second superintendent finalist to visit Oak Ridge on Thursday

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The second of three finalists for Oak Ridge Schools superintendent will visit the city on Thursday.

Dan Lawson, superintendent of Tullahoma City Schools in Tullahoma, Tenn., will be at a “meet and greet” session at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce from 11:30-12:30 p.m. Thursday.

As part of his tour, he could also visit Willow Brook Elementary School and the Oak Ridge Preschool, Board of Education Chair Keys Fillauer said Monday.

[Read more…]

Council candidates say city’s cost, housing, revenues are top issues

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Note: This story was updated at 2:03 p.m.

Early voting for the Nov. 6 election ends today, and the ballot includes five candidates running for three seats on Oak Ridge City Council.

The five candidates were asked to define the city’s biggest problem during a League of Women Voters forum last month. Two named revenues, one mentioned housing, another talked about repopulating the city as the original generation ages, and the last said the city is too expensive.

The five candidates are the three incumbents—Charlie Hensley, Chuck Hope, and Ellen Smith—and two challengers, Trina Baughn and Kelly Callison. [Read more…]

Letter: Garcia Garland endorses Smith, Baughn

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To the Editor:

People keep asking me, so I decided to simply publish my recommendations for City Council.

First, please consider returning Ellen Smith to Council. Ms. Smith has the qualities of openness, responsiveness, and inviolate ethics that everyone hopes for in elected representatives. In addition, she does her homework better than any of the rest of us. She keeps abreast of what is going on in town and among the many entities which influence the townÂ’’s well-being. She avoids hurting anyone’s feelings if possible but will stand firm for what she believes is in the citizen’sÂ’ best interest. Her research always helps expand my understanding of issues.

Next, I would like the chance to work with Trina Baughn. This lady also brings diligence and integrity to the table even while challenging “”the way weÂ’’ve always done it”” thinking. She asks for and pursues facts upon which to make decisions. When we differ in economic or social philosophy, I have always found her willing to listen and even eager to find workable common ground. She inspires me to work harder to be well-informed. In addition, Trina brings a maturity of thoughtfulness belied by her youth and an understanding of the interests of young adults and families here.

All the candidates have their strengths and weaknesses, and I will do my best to work well with whomever you choose. Thank you for considering my view.

Anne Garcia Garland

Oak Ridge City Council member

City Council, School Board candidates at ‘meet and greet’ tonight

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Candidates for Oak Ridge City Council and Board of Education have been invited to a “meet and greet” at the Preserve at Clinch River in west Oak Ridge this evening.

All eight candidates plan to attend, organizers said.

The Preserve at Clinch River is the former Rarity Ridge residential development off Highway 58 across the Clinch River from the Heritage Center, the former K-25 site.

The meet-and-greet is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. and end at 7 p.m. It’s at the Preserve at Clinch River Discovery Center.

The candidates for Oak Ridge City Council include the three incumbents—Charlie Hensley, Chuck Hope, and Ellen Smith—and two challengers, Trina Baughn and Kelly Callison.

The candidates for Oak Ridge Board of Education include the two incumbents, Angi Agle and Keys Filauer, and challenger Leonard Abbatiello.

The election is Nov. 6. Early voting started Wednesday and ends Nov. 1.

For more information on voting in Anderson County, visit www.acelect.com. In Roane County, visit http://new.roaneelections.com/.