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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

Roane approves ‘In God We Trust’ signs

Posted at 7:52 am July 16, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Roane County Courthouse

The Roane County Courthouse in Kingston is pictured above. (Photo by Sara Wise)

WYSH Radio/Oak Ridge Today

The Roane County Commission voted 13-1 on Monday to place the words “In God We Trust” at three locations in the Roane County Courthouse in Kingston. The signs will be similar to those placed above all four entrances at the Anderson County Courthouse last year and the one placed above the entrance to the Oak Ridge General Sessions Court building.

The Roane County proposal was made earlier this year, but commissioners initially balked at approving it until it made its way through the property committee.

The black granite signs will be placed above the north and south entrances to the Courthouse. A bronze plaque inscribed with “In God We Trust,” which is the national motto, will also be placed in the Commission meeting room, which also serves as a General Sessions courtroom. As in Anderson County, the signs will be paid for by private contributions. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Faith, Government, Roane County, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Courthouse, In God We Trust, Oak Ridge General Sessions Court, plaque, Randy Ellis, Roane County, Roane County Commission, Roane County Courthouse, signs, Steve Kelley

Roane Commission to consider ‘In God We Trust’ signs

Posted at 12:24 pm May 8, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 1 Comment

In God We Trust Courthouse Signs

Workers from Island Home Granite, Signs, and Monuments install the first of four granite “In God We Trust” signs over the entrances at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton in July 2013. (File photo)

Information from WYSH Radio

Roane County leaders are considering installing signs bearing the phrase “In God We Trust” at the Roane County Courthouse in Kingston.

Roane County Commissioner Randy Ellis said his proposal would have one sign installed above the main entrance to the courthouse, and another in the commission chamber. The signs would have to be privately funded as Anderson County’s signs were when a similar proposal approved last year.

“In God We Trust” signs now hang above all four entrances to the Anderson County Courthouse as well as at the Oak Ridge General Sessions Court building. The Roane County Commission is set to discuss the proposal at 7 p.m. Monday.

Filed Under: Anderson County, Faith, Government, Roane County, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Courthouse, In God We Trust, Kingston, Randy Ellis, Roane County, Roane County Commission, Roane County Courthouse, signs

First legal challenge filed over ‘In God We Trust’ signs

Posted at 6:23 pm July 25, 2013
By John Huotari 5 Comments

Steve McDonald at In God We Trust Ceremony

During a Tuesday ceremony, Steve McDonald, left, pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, says the “In God We Trust” signs at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton honor the nation’s heritage and remind residents that “it is in God that we trust.” Also pictured are Kathy Moore, Tom Byrge, Anthony Allen, and Gil Bates.

Information from WYSH Radio

The first legal challenge to the signs bearing the inscription “In God We Trust” over the entrances to the Anderson County Courthouse came on Wednesday but not from any organization. Instead, it came from a man charged with attempted first-degree murder. Kenneth Darrin Fisher, 22, of Clinton is accused of the attempted first-degree murder of his wife and illegal possession of an assault rifle, and his case is due to go trial next spring.

Through attorney David Stuart, Fisher filed a motion in Anderson County Criminal Court on Wednesday seeking to dismiss all charges against him, asserting that the signs violate his freedom of worship rights under the U.S. and Tennessee constitutions. The motion states that Fisher is a blood member of the Cherokee Nation and a follower of “a Red Road” faith. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Government, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Courthouse, Anderson County Criminal Court, Cherokee Nation, Christian, Dave Clark, freedom of worship, In God We Trust, Kenneth Darrin Fisher, Red Road, religious display, signs

Residents, pastors celebrate ‘In God We Trust’ signs on Anderson County Courthouse

Posted at 10:30 pm July 24, 2013
By John Huotari 99 Comments

Bates Family of Lake City TN

The Bates family of Anderson County, including County Commissioner Zach Bates, left, and father and pastor Gil Bates, second from right, and mother Kelly Bates, right, sing “This Land is Your Land” and “God Bless America” during a Tuesday ceremony for new “In God We Trust” signs at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

CLINTON—In a ceremony that featured pastors, prayers, and patriotic songs, a group of about 150 people watched Tuesday morning as the first of four signs emblazoned with the national motto “In God We Trust” was unveiled at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

Supporters celebrated the installation of the seven-foot, 180-pound sign as a victory for the majority, a chance to honor the nation’s heritage.

“Whether you agree with this or disagree with this, the democratic process took place,” said Tom Byrge, director of missions for Clinton Baptist Association. “The majority of the U.S. citizens will continue to believe, and will not be ashamed to say, ‘In God We Trust.’” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Churches, Community, Faith, Government, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Courthouse, Anderson County Law Director, Anderson County mayor, Calvary Baptist Church, church, Clinton Baptist Association, Establishment Clause, God, In God We Trust, Jay Yeager, Kathy Moore, Lynn Byrge, Mike Thompson, national motto, religion, Second Baptist Church, Separation of Church and State, signs, state, Steve McDonald, Terry Frank, Tom Byrge, U.S. Constitution

Public ceremony for ‘In God We Trust’ signs this morning

Posted at 8:59 am July 23, 2013
By John Huotari 4 Comments

CLINTON—Four pastors, including the father of an Anderson County commissioner, are scheduled to speak during an unveiling ceremony this morning for four new “In God We Trust” signs on the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

The ceremony starts at 10 a.m., said Lynn Byrge, an Oak Ridge business owner who spearheaded the drive to install the signs inscribed with the nation’s motto. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Government, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Commission, Anderson County Courthouse, In God We Trust, Lynn Byrge, signs

After setbacks, workers start installing ‘In God We Trust’ signs at Anderson courthouse

Posted at 9:02 pm July 22, 2013
By John Huotari 33 Comments

In God We Trust Courthouse Signs

Workers from Island Home Granite, Signs, and Monuments install the first of four black granite “In God We Trust” signs over the entrances at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

CLINTON—Several setbacks put the project behind schedule on Monday, delaying the work for several hours, but by Monday evening, workers from a Knoxville company began installing the first of four black granite signs emblazoned with the national motto “In God We Trust” over the entrances at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

Plans had called for completing the work by Monday night, but it wasn’t clear if that would be possible. Among the setbacks were rain, a traffic jam, a hydraulic hose that popped off a hydraulic lift, and a drill that ran into rebar in the rock-solid courthouse walls.

Still, those who supported the project—with the work being done by Island Home Granite, Signs, and Monuments of Knoxville—were pleased to see it was under way. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Government, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Commission, Anderson County Courthouse, Buddy Mulkey, Chris Mulkey, Establishment Clause, In God We Trust, Island Home Granite Signs and Monuments, Jay Yeager, Jeff Mulkey, Lynn Byrge, national motto, religion, signs, slogans, Terry Frank, U.S. Constitution

‘In God We Trust’ signs to be installed on Anderson courthouse today

Posted at 10:12 am July 22, 2013
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Public Hearing on In God We Trust Motto

Philip Warfield of Andersonville says county residents should be able to decide what goes on the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton during a March committee hearing on putting the national motto “In God We Trust” on the three-story building.

New granite signs engraved with the national motto “In God We Trust” are scheduled to be installed on the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton this afternoon.

The Anderson County Commission approved the signs this spring after hours of discussion and five meetings.

They will be installed above the four courthouse doors starting at about 1:30 p.m. today, the Anderson County Mayor’s Office said in a media advisory. The work will be done by employees from Island Home Granite and Signs. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Government, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Commission, Anderson County Courthouse, In God We Trust, Island Home Granite and Signs, national motto, signs

Letter: EVC thanks city worker for help with signs

Posted at 9:26 pm May 2, 2013
By Oak Ridge Today Letters Leave a Comment

To the Editor:

Emory Valley Center has been researching new signage for our campus in Oak Ridge. Before purchasing new signs, we asked for assistance from the City of Oak Ridge to learn all the specifics for sign regulations.

Monica Austin, Oak Ridge Community Development division manager, could not have been more helpful. She visited our campus with me, told me the proper signs we needed for safety for the many people that come and go in our busy buildings every day, and followed up with me with accurate drawings for placements. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Letters Tagged With: Emory Valley Center, EVC, Monica Austin, Oak Ridge Community Development, Robin Biloski, signs

Guest column: Commissioner proposes ‘In God We Trust’ compromise

Posted at 6:09 pm April 2, 2013
By Myron Iwanski 57 Comments

Note: This is a copy of letter Anderson County Commissioner Myron Iwanski sent to the county commission and county mayor on Monday.

As discussed at the March County Commission meeting, I ask that a compromise regarding placement of the “In God We Trust” sign on the courthouse be added to the agenda for the April 8 Operations Committee meeting and the April 15 County Commission meeting.

There are several important issues with the sign as approved at the February meeting: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Guest Columns Tagged With: agriculture and commerce, Anderson County Commission, Anderson County mayor, compromise, E pluribus unum, In God We Trust, liberty and justice for all, Myron Iwanski, signs

Commission sends ‘In God We Trust’ back to committee for design work

Posted at 11:56 pm March 18, 2013
By John Huotari 25 Comments

Anderson County Commission and In God We Trust

Anderson County Commissioner Jerry Creasey, standing, says a proposal to put the national motto on the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton is dividing commissioners, and the county and Oak Ridge. Also pictured from left are commissioners Whitey Hitchcock, Zach Bates, Tracy Wandell, and John Shuey.

CLINTON—Questions about designs were unresolved Monday, and the Anderson County Commission sent a proposal to put the national motto “In God We Trust” on the county courthouse in Clinton back to a committee that has already considered it once.

The Anderson County Operations Committee recommended last week in a 5-3 vote to install black metal signs with white lettering and the national motto above the courthouse’s four entrances.

But the full 16-member commission discussed putting the national motto in granite lettering during a Monday night meeting, among other things.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Faith, Government, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Commission, Anderson County Courthouse, Anderson County Operations Committee, Chuck Fritts, financial risks, In God We Trust, Jerry Creasey, legal liabilities, Myron Iwanski, national motto, patriotic, religious, signs, Tracy Wandell, Zach Bates

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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...]

Public Notice: NNSA announces no significant impact of Y-12 Development Organization operations at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

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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