Oak Ridge Today

Sen. Alexander calls Perry a ‘very effective’ energy secretary

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U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, a Tennessee Republican, on Friday called Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who is resigning later this year, a “very effective” energy secretary.

“Rick Perry has used his considerable executive and political skills to become a very effective energy secretary, solving some tough problems that saved taxpayers money and created more dollars that allowed record funding for national laboratories and supercomputing,” Alexander said in a brief statement. “He has served the country well.”

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Energy Secretary Rick Perry resigning

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Rick Perry

U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry will resign sometime later this year.

The resignation was announced in a letter from Perry to President Donald Trump on Thursday. The U.S. Department of Energy provided a brief statement about Perry’s resignation in a press release on Thursday and included a copy of his resignation letter.

The Thursday letter didn’t give a specific date for Perry’s resignation, except to say that he plans to “resign at a date later this year.”

“The secretary is immensely grateful to President Trump and the American people for this opportunity to serve and looks forward to continuing to support the president’s agenda after he returns home to Texas later this year,” the DOE statement said.

During a visit to Oak Ridge National Laboratory in May, Perry dismissed a news story that he planned to leave DOE, and he suggested the story was the product of a “rumor factory.”

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Phillips resigning as Anderson County budget, accounts director

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Chris Phillips

Chris Phillips

Note: This story was updated at 10:52 p.m. Jan. 6.

Chris Phillips announced Wednesday that he is resigning as director of accounts and budgets for Anderson County. Phillips notified Anderson County commissioners of his resignation in a Wednesday morning email.

The email doesn’t give a reason for the resignation or say whether Phillips has accepted another job, and he wasn’t immediately available for comment early Wednesday afternoon.

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank was also not immediately available for comment. Update: Both Phillips and Frank have responded to a request for comment, and Oak Ridge Today will post an updated story as soon as possible.

“It has been an honor to serve each of you,” Phillips wrote to commissioners. “While I have been blessed with a tremendous opportunity, this decision comes with some heartache as I dearly love and respect the people I work with and for on a daily basis. Everyone in this courthouse has shown me kindness and has respected this position. I want to particularly thank the folks here in the budget office and in the school finance office. They have supported me, through many ups and downs, and have performed impeccable work for the citizens of Anderson County, you as commissioners, and me personally. [Read more…]

BBB: City Manager Treece resigns in OS

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Tina Treece

Tina Treece (Photo by BBB-TV)

Information from WYSH Radio

According to our partners at BBB-TV, Oliver Springs City Manager Tina Treece has announced that she is resigning after more than two years on the job.

Treece notified city leaders of her intention to step down on Wednesday, the day after the Tuesday, November 4, election. But BBB said it wasn’t clear if the resignation was because of the election.

Treece has been in her position since early 2012, when she replaced David Bolling, who left the city for a similar job in Maine. Bolling, who is also a former Anderson County commissioner, has since returned to Tennessee as city manager in Kingston.

AC human resources director resigns to take new job

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Cathy Best

Cathy Best

After almost a decade on the job, Cathy Best, Anderson County human resources and risk management director, is resigning to take a similar position in the private sector.

Best announced her resignation to the Human Resources Advisory Committee, Chair Rodney Archer, and County Mayor Terry Frank in a Monday letter. Her resignation is effective November 21.

Best said it was a difficult decision because working for Anderson County government for the past 9.5 years has been a positive experience and one for which she is grateful. [Read more…]

Brummitt resigns from Oliver Springs Council

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Information from WYSH Radio

During Thursday’s meeting of the Town Council, Oliver Springs Mayor Chris Hepler asked council members to accept a letter of resignation from Alderman James Brummitt, who has decided to resign his seat on the Council, effective immediately.

Brummitt, who also serves as chairman of the Roane County Commission, had served three terms on the Oliver Springs Town Council.

The mayor did not offer any specific reason for Brummitt’s decision to step down, but it’s been clear to many observers that he and new City Manager Tina Treece have differed on several policies and procedures since she replaced David Bolling. [Read more…]