Oak Ridge Today

TML recognizes Clinton Fire Department, Rocky Top government

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Tennessee Municipal League handed out its annual awards on Tuesday morning in Gatlinburg.

The Clinton Fire Department received the TML’s Award for Excellence in Fire Safety for its recent efforts to improve response times and the overall fire service in the city. Those efforts have paid off in the form of the department’s ISO rating improving from a “4” to a “2.” The lower ISO rating translates into lower homeowner’s insurance premiums for those within the city limits.

Clinton Fire Chief Archie Brummitt has said that the improvements that were made would not have been possible without the support of the City Council, the mayor, the city manager and the men and women of the Clinton Fire Department. [Read more…]

Clinton Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec. 5

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Bones-Seivers-Grand-Marshal-Clinton-Christmas-Parade

Charles G. “Bones” Seivers

The Clinton Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 5, and former mayor Charles G. “Bones” Seivers will be grand marshal.

Clinton’s traditional Christmas Parade of bands, floats, and many other processional entries will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 5, a press release said. This year’s theme is “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Businesses, churches, schools, and other marching groups are encouraged to register and participate in the parade, the press release said. There is no parade entry fee this year, but a registration form must be submitted. The deadline to register is Tuesday, December 1, at 4:30 p.m. There will be no late entries.

Seivers is a native of Clinton, and he first entered public office in 1962 when he ran for an open alderman seat. He continued to serve the citizens as an elected official for 13 years, the press release said. [Read more…]

Guest column: Council member offers summary of events related to ORPD investigation

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Trina Baughn

Trina Baughn

By Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn

Given that there is some confusion over recent events, I offer the following summary about where we are, how we got here, and where we are headed with regards to the Oak Ridge Police Department investigation.

The ORPD has seen a total turnover rate of 45 percent in the last four years, having lost 34 of our 76 employees. Five of those individuals have departed in the last four months. Since February, all Council members have received communications from at least seven former officers, three current officers, and countless citizens expressing concerns about leadership and a potentially hostile work environment. Others have communicated anonymously citing similar concerns and attributing their anonymity to fears of retaliation.

On February 9, during a five-hour televised meeting, and in front of the largest audience any of us had ever seen, City Council formally committed to investigate the root causes behind the turnover, morale, and policy issues in the Police Department.

The resolution that was ultimately approved was brought forward by Council member Kelly Callison who stated that “We think that’s a broad, a very broad term that allows an investigator, an independent investigator to look at the issues that might be present…”  At the end of the meeting, councilmember Chuck Hope stated, “The investigation that we’ve come to an agreement among the seven of us was reached unanimously…there’s enough information that it warrants an investigation…”

During this same meeting, Council committed to ensure that the investigation would allow for the anonymity of all participants and would include both current and past employees. Mr. Callison also suggested that council select Municipal Technical Advisory Service, specifically Rex Barton, to perform the work. Council did not select MTAS at the time, but agreed to hold a special meeting to select an entity to conduct the investigation and define its parameters. Information regarding the other resolutions that Council rejected can be found here. [Read more…]

Mayor Beehan won’t seek re-election to City Council

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Tom Beehan and Gary Wade

Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, left, is pictured above earlier this month with Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Gary Wade at Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab and Kitchen. Beehan will not seek re-election to Oak Ridge City Council in November.

 

Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, who has served on the City Council since 2001, will not seek re-election in November.

Beehan said he has been considering whether to run “for some time,” and he announced his decision to not seek re-election on Wednesday. Before making the decision, Beehan said, he wanted to be sure that quality candidates with a vision for the city’s future were ready to run.

“It’s clear that there are candidates who have the vision and ability to serve the community on City Council,” Beehan said in a press release. “I have enjoyed serving Oak Ridge as mayor and as a City Council member, but I think it is time for new leadership to take a fresh look at moving Oak Ridge forward.”

Beehan said he has spent 20 years as an elected official in local government in Oak Ridge and in Covington, Kentucky—before his family moved to Oak Ridge.

“I consider this a retirement from public service as an elected official, but I plan to continue to be engaged in community activities,” Beehan said. [Read more…]

Clinton to receive Municipal League award for police service

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Clinton Police Department Badge

Clinton will receive a Tennessee Municipal League award for police service during a conference in Chattanooga on Tuesday, a press release said.

The 2014 Tennessee Municipal League Achievement Award for Excellence in Police Service will be presented at 8 a.m. Tuesday during TML’s 75th Annual Conference at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga.

The award is being presented in recognition of the city’s efforts to provide a model police department to the community, the release said.

“A culture of planning, caring and excellence; it’s what takes a municipal Police Department from ordinary to outstanding,” the release said. “And the Clinton Police Department is all that. A model of efficiency and outreach, officers—several with advanced specialty degrees—strive to provide the utmost in community service and training to area schools and other agencies, while being good stewards of the community resources. An extraordinary focus on communication among the department’s command staff is reflected in the city’s reduction in crime rate.” [Read more…]