Oak Ridge Today

Column: Hope, the incumbent, responds to PAC endorsements

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Chuck Hope

Chuck Hope

By Chuck Hope

First of all, I want to say congratulations to Jim Dodson, Joe Lee, and Hans Vogel on being endorsed by the Chamber’s Progress PAC political action committee. I think it is important for the citizens of Oak Ridge to know that those three candidates are not the only candidates who support a vital economic development plan for Oak Ridge.

My community involvement has been extensive, serving on both the Chamber Board and the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City’s Beer Permit Board before being appointed to Council. I was selected by a council majority in July 2011 to fill a vacated council seat and successfully ran for election in 2012. My vision for economic development is to continue to grow our retail sector while continuing to work harder on industrial growth opportunities. Growth like carbon fiber, whose industry is showing a lot of promise right now.

I want voters to know that I was the top vote-getter in my first election, and I am one of just a few Council members that have been on both the Chamber of Commerce Board (chairman in 2010) and City Council. I have been a businessman in Oak Ridge since 1982, and during the past 15 years, I have supported the City/Chamber contracts and aligned myself with what I thought to be the Chamber’s “mission, vision, and legislative priorities,” and worked closely with the Oak Ridge Board of Education. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson collaborates, listens, teaches, encourages

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To the Editor:

We support Jim Dodson for Oak Ridge City Council. Jim’s extensive résumé includes his work as an educator, an athletic coach, and as a local, area, and state volunteer in several capacities.

He has received many honors, including an invitation from Governor Haslam to serve on the Humanities Tennessee Board of Directors, a position he currently holds. A graduate of Leadership Oak Ridge, Jim exemplifies the role of community leader: president elect of the Oak Ridge Sunset Rotary Club; co-chair of United Way of Anderson County in 2015-16; current chair of the Explore Oak Ridge (formerly Convention and Visitors Bureau) board; and local Arts Council board member for seven years, including time as its executive director. These are but a few of the many jobs Jim has stepped up for in the last 29 years while he has been teaching and volunteering to make Oak Ridge’s young people and the community itself a better place. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson a leader with knowledge, temperament to make Oak Ridge the community of choice

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This election season is one of the most important one in years. There are clear choices as to leadership and style as to who will lead us. Yes, the Presidential election is one of them, but the most important election for Oak Ridge is who will serve on our City Council.

I will be voting for Jim Dodson. He is a leader with the knowledge and temperament to make Oak Ridge the community of choice for those who want to live and work in a community that has safe neighborhoods, good schools, and steady economic growth. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson works well with others, stays involved, has positive attitude

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To the Editor:

This letter is to communicate our full support of Mr. Jim Dodson for a seat on the Oak Ridge City Council. We have known Jim for many years as an art teacher with the Oak Ridge Schools and have experienced first-hand the great job he does in that capacity.

We also feel that Jim’s involvement beyond the school system in other cultural and business affairs of the city is important and valuable experience that he will bring to this job. Jim is a well-rounded member of our community who is not afraid to be involved yet always brings a positive attitude to anything he does. We know that Jim will work well with other members of council to move our city forward and maintain the momentum that exists today. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson’s skill set, commitment a perfect fit for dynamic times in Oak Ridge

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To the editor:

I am for Jim Dodson for City Council.

Others have written eloquently about his resume and credentials for the position. I would like to take a more personal approach.

I have known and worked alongside Jim for nearly 30 years at Jefferson Middle School. During that time, I have watched him grow exponentially both as a professional and a person. He has inspired an entire generation of budding artists. Often teaching students across four different grade levels, Jim has cultivated and encouraged the artistic skills of students of all abilities and backgrounds. His tireless promotion of student art within the school, community, and region so typifies the exceptional fine arts education that students receive in the Oak Ridge Schools. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson will listen to all sides, work together to solve problems

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To the Editor:

Many people have written urging voters to vote for Jim Dodson for Oak Ridge City Council. Having worked on different projects for over 12 years with Jim, I want to add my endorsement.

I know Jim as a person who does what he commits to with best efforts. He cares about the Oak Ridge community, and has helped with or lead many local groups and projects. [Read more…]

Letter: Dodson works well with others, listens and encourages, helps achieve compromise and goals

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To the Editor:

I am asking for your vote for Jim Dodson for Oak Ridge City Council. I think that Jim’s greatest strength is his ability to work well with other people, listening and encouraging their ideas, helping to achieve compromise and workable goals. Because of his innately respectful attitude, he brings people together to reach consensus. This is what we need for city council to function effectively and look to the future.

Jim has served this community in so many ways. Always as a talented art teacher first with that being extended to include the Arts Council, the Dogwood Chalk Drawing Contest on Market Square, the Children’s Museum, and the Regional Student Art Exhibitions. He has also given of himself to United Way, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Sunset Rotary Club. I now have the pleasure of serving with Jim on the Celebrate Oak Ridge board, the independent board that began as the Secret City Task Force. [Read more…]

Progress PAC endorses Dodson, Lee, Vogel for City Council

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Pictured above from left to right are Jim Dodson, Joe Lee, and Hans Vogel.

 

The Progress PAC political action committee has endorsed Jim Dodson, Joe Lee, and Hans Vogel for Oak Ridge City Council in the November 8 election.

The endorsements were announced Wednesday.

“From a crowded field of seven outstanding city council candidates, these three most clearly met the committee’s criteria, which includes support of the mission, vision, and legislative priorities of the Oak Ridge Chamber and a willingness to work closely with the Oak Ridge Board of Education,” Progress PAC Chairman Stephen Whitson said in a press release. [Read more…]

Hensley endorses Lee, Dodson, Vogel

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To the Editor:

The City Council election coming up is very important to the future of Oak Ridge. We, as a community, are seeing significant positive change in many areas including retail growth, business recruitment, and quality of life. This election, in my opinion, can set the stage for further positive change and quality growth.

There are three candidates in my opinion, who are seeking seats on Oak Ridge City Council, who can continue and accelerate our city’s progress. Joe Lee, Jim Dodson, and Hans Vogel have impressive and varied experiences to bring to bear on city issues. All three of these candidates have demonstrated, through their careers and dedication to city service, their potential as Council members and that consensus building and teamwork are keys in their approaches to make things happen.

Joe Lee [Read more…]

United Way campaign off to strong start

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United Way of Anderson County has held several events already this campaign season, including their inaugural Leading Ladies United luncheon, which provided an opportunity for networking and for attendees to hear about several girls’ and women’s initiatives that United Way has under way.

Taste of Anderson County was a success in September, with live music, food vendors, a full bar, and plenty of kids activities. The community came out to support in full force and had a great Thursday night eating and drinking together, a press release said.

Bob Kesling came to celebrate the Vols with United Way supporters at a September 16 breakfast that focused on getting the community involved through giving back with time and money.

“Of course, Campaign Co-Chair Bear Stephenson auctioned a few Vols items to raise some extra dollars,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Chamber to host City Council forum on Tuesday

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The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s Advocacy Committee is hosting its final forum of the 2016 election season. The forum for candidates running for Oak Ridge City Council will be held at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 18, in the Joyce Conference Room at the Chamber, which is at 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The forum is free, and the public is encouraged to attend. All candidates for City Council—Jim Dodson, Wende Doolittle, Anne Garcia Garland, Chuck Hope, Joe Lee, Mark LeNoir, and Hans Vogel—have indicated their intention to participate in the forum, a press release said. [Read more…]

Today: Oak Ridge Wind Ensemble begins new concert season with Music of Europe Concert

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The Oak Ridge Community Band performs in last year’s Spring Concert at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center. (Submitted photo)

 

With the arrival of fall, the Oak Ridge Community Band becomes the Oak Ridge Wind Ensemble and begins its series of six indoor concerts.

The first performance of this series will be at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center, and it will feature the best of musical selections from various countries of Europe including the Greek “Never on Sunday,” “Amparito Roca Spanish March,” “Tales from Vienna,” “Russian Sailors Dance,” and several others.

Jim Dodson, art teacher at Jefferson Middle School, will be special guest narrator for Sunday’s concert program. [Read more…]