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Opinion: How far can we move the needle?

Posted at 11:07 am January 29, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Guest Columns Leave a Comment

Ron Woody

By Ron Woody

The buzz around the Roane County Courthouse and School Board has been what will our leaders do about the future of education in Roane County? The initial discussions were about consolidation of high schools with an acceptable debate change to: What should the delivery of future education services look like? I applaud both the School Board, the County Commission, and the public for focusing the discussion on the future of education and not on consolidation.

So, here we are in 2017 having a discussion that we should have had in the late ’80s and early ’90s. What does education look like today? What should it look like the next 15 to 20 years? Two important meetings have taken place within the last eight months in order to answer these questions. Excerpts of these meetings can be found on http://www.roaneschools.com under district, then High School visioning process. Please take the time to read through these meeting notes to help arrive at your own conclusions. Here are a few of my conclusions from attending the meetings and reviewing the minutes. Roane County should work to:

  1. expose students to more career opportunities,
  2. expand the mentoring programs, and
  3. expand vocational class opportunities.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, Government, K-12, Opinion, Roane County Tagged With: career opportunities, career path, county commission, education, mentoring programs, Roane County, Ron Woody, school board, vocational class, vocational class opportunities, vocational program, vocational training

Survey: Do you support or oppose term limits, a smaller county commission, electing law director?

Posted at 10:05 pm October 28, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Note: This story was updated at 3:55 p.m.

Among the issues in the campaign for Anderson County Charter Commission are whether term limits should be implemented for Anderson County commissioners and the Anderson County mayor, whether the County Commission should be reduced in size, and whether the law director should be elected.

We are curious what Oak Ridge Today readers think so we set up some poll questions to ask you. They are below.

Nothing can officially be proposed, debated, or recommended to voters in the November 2018 election until after the Charter Commission is elected this November 8.

There have been proposals this campaign season to enact a two-term limit for commissioners and the mayor and reduce the County Commission from its current 16 to a minimum of nine. There have been other proposals as well, including making the mayor’s position part-time, making the law director’s position part-time, and appointing a mayor rather than electing the mayor. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2016 Election, Anderson County, Front Page News, Government Tagged With: 2016 election, Anderson County Charter Commission, county commission, county mayor, law director, Oak Ridge Board of Education, Oak Ridge City Council, staggered terms, term limits

Letter: Anderson Charter endorses candidates based on survey responses

Posted at 1:13 pm October 25, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Letters Leave a Comment

Organizers of the Anderson County Charter movement have announced their endorsement of candidates who will support term limits, as well as announcing the formation of their Political Action Committee “Anderson Charter.”

To help Anderson County voters make informed decisions in the upcoming November 8 election, AndersonCharter.com sent the 19 Charter Commission candidates a questionnaire soliciting their views on a charter form of local government for Anderson County.

Only nine candidates returned the questionnaire, eight of which agreed or strongly agreed to the formation of a charter and to support term limits for the members of County Commission and the Office of Mayor. Concerning these issues, candidate Marjorie Lloyd responded “Don’t Know.” Verified candidates in support of term limits, as well as candidates supporting citizen speech and transparency in government are: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Letters, Opinion Tagged With: Anderson County Charter, AndersonCharter.com, Bob Smallridge, Charter Commission, county commission, David Stanley, Dennis Hashbarger, Dusty Irwin, Floyd Grisham, Howard Farmer, Hugh Ward, Jerry White, Jim Cooper, Kathy Moore, Marjorie Mott Lloyd, Mark Alderson, Robert McKamey, Steve Emert, Steve Mead, term limits, Theresa Scott, Tim Isbel, V.L. Stonecipher

Opinion: County mayor objects to financial management change; schedules public forum

Posted at 10:52 am February 16, 2016
By Terry Frank 1 Comment

Terry-Frank-Jan-29-2016

Terry Frank

The financial story of Anderson County in the last three years has been one of stability and progress. For the first time since 2006, Anderson County was removed from high-risk audit status in 2013, and placed on low-risk status. That held for 2013, 2014, and 2015.

As we closed out the books on 2015, our Accounts and Budgets and Schools cheered zero audit findings in our Comprehensive Annual Financial Report by the State of Tennessee’s Division of Local Government Audit.

Through partnership of our Budget Committee and County Commission, we saw three consecutive years of growth in fund balance, improved cash flow position, and a commitment to raising the bar on dipping into the fund balance by requiring a supermajority approval (12 of 16 members.) In 2013, we raised the supermajority requirement to $3.5 million, in 2014 to $4 million, and in 2015 to $4.5 million.

We kept new debt to a minimum, and for two consecutive years also modified existing debt agreements to save taxpayer money over the life of the bonds without extending the maturity dates of the debt. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Government, Meetings and Events, Opinion Tagged With: 1981 Act, accounting structure, accounting system, Anderson County, Anderson County Commission, Anderson County mayor, audit findings, Budget Committee, Capital Projects Fund, comprehensive annual financial report, county commission, debt, fund balance, public forum, Terry Frank

Anderson County adopts local zoning regulations for pain clinics

Posted at 11:42 am January 6, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Terry-Frank-Pain-Clinic-Zoning-Resolution

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank signs the resolution adopted by County Commission that regulates zoning for local pain clinics. (Submitted photo)

 

CLINTON—Following months of work that began in March 2015, two public hearings, and two separate reviews by County Commission, Anderson County has adopted new local zoning regulations for pain clinics in an effort to prevent or reduce prescription drug abuse in the county, a press release said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdoses now account for more deaths in the U.S. nationally than motor vehicle accidents, with 52 percent of those deaths attributed to prescription medication.

In Tennessee, drug overdose deaths increased 7.7 percent from 2013 to 2014 (1,187 deaths in 2013 to 1,269 deaths in 2014). This is higher than the statistically significant national average change of +6.5 percent, according to the CDC.  The Tennessee drug overdose deaths in 2014 are almost equivalent to two full Tennessee Greyhound bus crashes per month without survivors, the press release said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Government, Health, Top Stories Tagged With: Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention, Anderson County, Anderson County Mayor’s Office, Anderson County Regional Planning Commission, ASAP of Anderson County, Bill Haslam, CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, county commission, drug addiction, drug overdose deaths, drug overdoses, East Tennessee Development District, ETDD, Harold Edwards, opioid overdose, opioid painkillers, pain clinics, Planning Commission, prescription drug abuse, Stephanie Strutner, Tennessee General Assembly, Terry Frank, zoning regulations

AC committee to consider mayor’s request to sit with, participate in Commission meetings

Posted at 9:21 am November 9, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Terry Frank

Terry Frank

The Anderson County Operations Committee on Monday will consider proposals from County Mayor Terry Frank to sit with County Commission and participate in meetings.

Frank has said she wants to serve as chair of the County Commission, and she’s asked to be considered as a candidate in September 2016. In an October 14 letter, Frank also asked commissioners to sit with them during meetings.

If she were commission chair, Frank said, she would have to surrender her veto power. She would have a non-voting position, but she would be able to cast a vote to break a tie. See previous story here.

The Anderson County Operations Committee meeting starts at 6 p.m. Monday, November 9, in Room 312 of the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Government, Meetings and Events, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Courthouse, Anderson County Emergency Medical Services, Anderson County Operations Committee, budgeting laws, county commission, delinquent tax properties, Terry Frank

Guest column: Next six-month challenges in Roane County

Posted at 9:52 pm January 19, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Guest Columns Leave a Comment

Ron Woody

Ron Woody

By Ron Woody, writing in the January 2015 “County Executive’s Newsletter to the County Commission”

“Next Six Month Challenges”

As we begin the next calendar year, we thought it would be appropriate to identify some challenges which will come before commission in the next six months. As always, the beginning of the calendar year starts the annual budget process. Commission has made many major steps over the last number of years in establishing a more formal budget development process as budget focus has been divided into operating budgets and capital budget. We are not to the point we should be yet in both funding and understanding, but much as been accomplished and that I call a success.

Now to our six-month challenges:

  1. More deployment of capital budget. We plan on working on this in February and March. The questions to be answered are: Are we setting aside enough funds for replacement of our assets? Where do these set-aside funds come from and how do we protect these funds from competing services?
  2. Insuring that the county has a successful reappraisal program which includes not only accurate value but an understanding of the reappraisal impact.
  3. Funding of operational budgets which are either strained (general government) or suffering major loses (schools).
  4. Educational plans of capital improvements and related funding whether consolidation of schools are considered or not.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Guest Columns, Opinion, Roane County Tagged With: Anderson County, budget, capital budget, county commission, Manhattan Project, national park, Oak Ridge, reappraisal, Roane County, Ron Woody, tax rate, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Interior

Mayor Frank vetoes resolution dealing with county’s legal bills

Posted at 2:42 am January 2, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 4 Comments

Terry Frank

Terry Frank

Information from WYSH Radio

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank has vetoed a resolution passed unanimously by the County Commission in December that would establish procedures for the county when outside legal counsel is needed for county employees not covered by the law director or counsel from the county’s insurance provider.

The measure would require all requests for outside counsel to be submitted in writing to both County Commission Chairman Robert McKamey and Law Director Jay Yeager.

The Clinton Courier News reported that commissioners found out about the veto on Friday. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Government, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderon County mayor, Budget Department, Budget Office, Chris Phillips, Clinton Courier News, county commission, Jay Yeager, law director, legal actions, legal bills, legal counsel, Robert McKamey, Terry Frank, WYSH Radio

Guest column: Oak Ridge—moving ahead!

Posted at 11:04 am September 24, 2014
By Mark S. Watson Leave a Comment

Mark Watson

Mark Watson

In December of 2013, the City of Oak Ridge was given a Christmas present: a strong, viable prospective property owner that would help reclaim the center of our precious city. Crosland Southeast, well-respected developers from North Carolina, came to our city and said they could help us redevelop the crumbling mall within our city. This mall, newly named Main Street Oak Ridge, had come to symbolize the ultimate development challenge for our city.

Now, 10 months later, the time has come for the details of our work to begin to come out in the open. This project has taken several courses. First, the City of Oak Ridge and Anderson County said that they would support the development of this project with what is known as a tax increment district, or TIF. The governments would continue to receive their marginal values in property taxes, but the “new” value created by the private investment in Main Street Oak Ridge would be used to pay for public improvements on the project such as new traffic configurations, road improvements, and building demolition. In return, the private developer would borrow money at his own risk and develop major new retail shopping, with a potential hotel and residential development on the 65-acre site.

This effort has been successful, and major retail tenants have been lined up for filling a targeted 260,000 square feet of new facilities. Our Belk store will receive a facelift, and JCPenney will continue to perform. At present, stores are in the initial inquiry stages of building and will be moving to make announcements by the first of the year or shortly thereafter. I would love to tell you the names of the stores (which I have seen), but we need to honor the wishes of the companies as they make their expansion announcements. I believe the Oak Ridge community will be pleased! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Guest Columns, Oak Ridge, Opinion Tagged With: Anderson County, Belk, building demolition, Cinemark, City of Oak Ridge, county commission, Crosland Southeast, funding, hotel, Industrial Board, JCPenney, Main Street—Oak Ridge, mall, Mark Watson, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge IDB, property taxes, residential development, retail shopping, road improvements, tax increment, tenants, TIF, TIF loan

Letter: Commissioner-elect says ‘thanks,’ offers tips to November candidates

Posted at 12:29 pm August 12, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Letters 1 Comment

Theresa Scott Thank You Sign

Submitted photo

To the Editor:

Since May, I have knocked on doors and visited with residents, homeowners, and voters of District 7 while campaigning for a seat on County Commission. I heard from many about their frustrations at several candidates in various races who chose to gain attention by means of mail, recorded phone messages, and numerous yard signs throughout their neighborhoods and on the main roads.

When the signs were allowed to be posted at the Wildcat Den for early voting, it was as if there was a corrugated plastic explosion overnight. Some were so disgusted that they chose not to vote during that period. It is very unfortunate that such a distraction would cause someone to choose not to make their voice heard.

With another election coming up in just a few months, I would like any future candidates to take note of the following tips that could possibly help them reach more voters. When canvassing a neighborhood, keep in mind there may be a dog or child on the other side of a gated fence. Respect a resident’s privacy and do not solicit or trespass onto their property if signs are posted not to enter. You should not cross through the yard when going to the neighboring property but use the sidewalks. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Letters, Opinion Tagged With: campaign, candidates, county commission, District 7, early voting, election, election day, Jerry Creasey, signs, Theresa Scott, vote

Anderson County Election Commission website down

Posted at 9:05 pm August 7, 2014
By John Huotari 1 Comment

Anderson County Courthouse

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

The Anderson County Election Commission website, which will be posting election results, is currently down. At about 9 p.m. Thursday, the Election Commission said they are working to repair it as quickly as possible.

We are also monitoring election results in Roane County and will post results as soon as they are available.

See the Anderson County Election Commission results here.

See the Roane County results here.

The elections include Anderson County mayor and Roane County executive and sheriffs in both counties, as well as judicial races, circuit court clerks, county commission, and school board.

Filed Under: 2014 Election, Anderson County, Government, Roane County, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Election Commission, Circuit Court Clerk, county commission, election results, mayor, Roane County, school board, sheriff

WYSH: Election Day primer, voting results, state hotline

Posted at 12:18 pm August 7, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Anderson County Courthouse

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

Information from WYSH Radio

Election Day primer

Today is Election Day in Tennessee.

In Anderson County, it is not only state and federal primary day, but it’s also the county general election. All 16 County Commission seats are on the ballot, along with seats on the School Board. This election cycle has been dominated by the high-profile races for county mayor and sheriff, but three judicial races and contested campaigns for Circuit Court clerk and register of deeds will also be decided.

Polls across the county will be open until 8 p.m., and voters are reminded that you must vote at the precinct listed on your voter registration card. Keep in mind, with so many contested local races, judicial and state Supreme Court retention votes, and state and federal primary elections, lines at polling locations could be long, so be patient. If you need a ride to the polls anywhere in Anderson County today, you can call or text Catherine at (865) 230-2594.

To save time in the voting booth, we recommend taking a look at the ballot before you head out to vote. You can find it and a list of all the polling locations on the Anderson County Election Commission’s website. Voters need to bring valid state or federally issued photo IDs to the polls with them. Those who forget to bring valid photo IDs can cast provisional ballots, then return to their local election commission offices before the close of business Monday in order to have their votes counted.

WYSH will broadcast live election results from the courthouse beginning just after the polls close Thursday night. For more election information, including a look at that complete ballot, visit www.acelect.com. You can also call (865) 457-6238 for more information.

State to post statewide, federal election results [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2014 Election, Anderson County, Government, State, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County, Anderson County Election Commission, ballots, campaigns, Circuit Court, county commission, county general election, county mayor, county races, Division of Election, election day, federal primary, House, judicial races, polls, register of deeds, retention questions, Senate, sheriff, state primary, Supreme Court retention, Tennessee Secretary of State, Tre Hargett, voting results

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Availability of the draft environmental assessment for off-site depleted uranium manufacturing (DOE/EA-2252)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

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ADFAC seeks contractors for five homes

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, … [Read More...]

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