Oak Ridge Today

Letter: Garcia Garland endorses Smith, Baughn

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To the Editor:

People keep asking me, so I decided to simply publish my recommendations for City Council.

First, please consider returning Ellen Smith to Council. Ms. Smith has the qualities of openness, responsiveness, and inviolate ethics that everyone hopes for in elected representatives. In addition, she does her homework better than any of the rest of us. She keeps abreast of what is going on in town and among the many entities which influence the townÂ’’s well-being. She avoids hurting anyone’s feelings if possible but will stand firm for what she believes is in the citizen’sÂ’ best interest. Her research always helps expand my understanding of issues.

Next, I would like the chance to work with Trina Baughn. This lady also brings diligence and integrity to the table even while challenging “”the way weÂ’’ve always done it”” thinking. She asks for and pursues facts upon which to make decisions. When we differ in economic or social philosophy, I have always found her willing to listen and even eager to find workable common ground. She inspires me to work harder to be well-informed. In addition, Trina brings a maturity of thoughtfulness belied by her youth and an understanding of the interests of young adults and families here.

All the candidates have their strengths and weaknesses, and I will do my best to work well with whomever you choose. Thank you for considering my view.

Anne Garcia Garland

Oak Ridge City Council member

Guest column: Does Oak Ridge have a revenue or spending problem?

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We here in Oak Ridge are repeatedly told that we do not have a debt problem, we have a revenue problem. All of our issues can be solved simply by increasing our revenue. Translation: The city needs more of your money.

The truth is, revenues aren’t down. They are actually up by $55 million for the last 10 years.

The data shows that our root problem is not revenue-based but spending-based. Oak Ridge is the single highest taxed full-service city in the state. We have priced ourselves out of consideration, sight unseen, to new residents and businesses. Every year for the last decade, we have knowingly budgeted to spend more than we bring in (see tables below). How do we make up the self-created deficit every year? Simple. We incur debt, and we deplete reserves.

Over the last decade, over 21 million of your tax dollars have been spent in the name of economic and community development. This is in addition to the dozens of tax breaks that we’ve given to select businesses. Every way that there is to throw money at our problems, we have done it.

Yes, we have some recent developments that we can celebrate. But we need to be realistic about their impact. For each new store, how many have quietly closed up shop and left town? And how many years before we see the projected new revenues?

It is time for a serious strategy change. We cannot possibly expect to attract new residents and new businesses as long as the very people who live here say that they can no longer afford to stay. If we are to achieve any substantial progress, we have to become competitive. It is time to stop throwing money at our problems. There is only one way that city council can truly improve our economy and that is by leveling the playing field with our competitors by lowering our property tax rate, lowering our debt, and lowering our spending.

 

Ten Year Snapshot

2002

2012

Total Revenues

$118M

$173M

Total Expenditures

$135M

$179M

Total Debt

$104M

$186


City of Oak Ridge Budgeted Revenue and Expenditures

 

Revenues

Expenditures

2002

$118M

$135M

2003

$120M

$152M

2004

$126M

$134M

2005

$126M

$134M

2006

$131M

$177M

2007

$137M

$184M

2008

$145M

$184M

2009

$164M

$183M

2010

$172M

$179M

2011

$173M

$179M

2012

$173M

$179M

Source: City of Oak Ridge Final Budget for years 2002-2012

http://www.oakridgetenn.org/department/Finance/content.aspx?article=1853

Letter: Endorses candidates who favor less spending, smaller government

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To the Editor:

I would like to recommend that citizens of Oak Ridge vote for the following three candidates for the reasons shown.

I have studied their publications, and have spoken with them independently.

I am not a member of any party, nor will I ever be. I continuously monitor the actions of our local government and vote on the best choices, considering the current issues. I encourage all my friends and subscribers that take the time to read this letter to vote for these people.

Trina Baughn—City Council

I have long waited for a Council candidate with such a fresh outlook and real understanding of what the real causes are of the pitiful economic situation that Oak Ridge is experiencing because of one fiasco after another.

I could hardly believe my eyes when I read her published statements in some articles in January, so I asked for a private meeting with her to query her deeply on her views. I was so impressed with her responses that I have worked with her on her campaign since February. She is the real deal.

She wants to:

  1. lower spending,
  2. lower property taxes, and
  3. lower the debt.

All this, without sacrificing quality of life. This can be done. Her web site is trinabaughn.com.

Leonard Abbatiello—School Board

The ongoing rift between the city and the Board of Education is an embarrassment for the citizens of Oak Ridge. Leonard needs no introduction, as he was a long-time member of City Council. His campaign slogan says it all for me: “Uncommon Sense.”

What we used to think of simple common sense, is sorely needed today, and I believe Leonard will be a big factor in getting us back on track, controlling the educational system’s budget and ending the senseless rift.

John Ragan—State Representative District 33

As mentioned, I am not a member of any party. However, I am voting for Ragan because he is the best choice as it regards Oak Ridge (and Anderson County). Although I do not like the “bonding” of our legislators around party lines when the rubber meets the road, I am voting for John because I truly believe he will work to:

  1. make government at all levels smaller and more effective;
  2. improve transparency in government for average citizens, especially on financial matters; and
  3. make government more open and responsive to its citizens.

Robert Humphries

Oak Ridge

Letter: Baughn, Hensley, and Hope will provide results on Council

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To the Editor:

This year, your vote can make a real difference to the Oak Ridge City Council. We need leaders like Chuck Hope, Charlie Hensley, and Trina Baughn on the Council.

Oak Ridge is a beautiful place to live and work. Yet, unfortunately, the city’s economy struggles with non-competitive tax and utility rates.

For years, surrounding communities have enjoyed much lower property tax rates than Oak Ridge. This year for the first time, Oak Ridge utility rates have also reached the point that they are non-competitive.

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Baughn running for Council again, this time for four years

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Trina Baughn

Trina Baughn

Encouraged by the results of the Aug. 2 election, communications professional Trina Baughn is running again, this time for a regular four-year term on the Oak Ridge City Council.

The Aug. 2 special election was for a three-month term. That election was required after former City Council member Tom Hayes resigned in June 2011.

Council appointed Chuck Hope Jr. to take Hayes’ seat last summer, and Hope beat Baughn in this summer’s election.

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November election features city council, judge, school board

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The three incumbent Oak Ridge City Council members—L. Charles “Charlie” Hensley, Charles J. “Chuck” Hope Jr., and Ellen Smith—have picked up qualifying petitions to run in the Nov. 6 election, and Trina Baughn, the first-time candidate defeated days ago in the Aug. 2 special election, plans to run again in November.

Also qualifying to run in November is Kelly S. Callison, who sought an appointment to City Council after former member Tom Hayes resigned in June 2011.

There are three seats available. They are the seats now held by Hensley, Hope, and Smith. Hope was appointed to the position after Hayes resigned.

Meanwhile, former Oak Ridge City Council member Leonard Abbatiello has picked up a petition to run for school board, and the two incumbents, Angi Agle and Keys Fillauer, have also picked up petitions, said Stephanie Gamble, Anderson County Election Commission deputy administrator.

She said Oak Ridge City Judge Robert A. McNees III has also qualified to run in November.

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Letter: Baughn running for Council again

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To the Editor:

I would like to thank the voters and all of my supporters for their efforts during this past special election.

I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the Nov. 6 election, for which I have recently qualified.

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Frank, Iwanski, Hope win election in Anderson County, Oak Ridge

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Terry Frank

Terry Frank

Business owner Terry Frank, a Clinton Republican, has defeated attorney Warren Gooch, an Oak Ridge Democrat, in the race for Anderson County mayor.

Frank received 7,074 votes, or 58 percent, while Gooch collected 5,032, or 42 percent, according to unofficial results Thursday night.

She will serve a two-year term, completing the unexpired term of former mayor Rex Lynch, who resigned in January 2011.

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Frank, Iwanski, Hope lead in early election returns

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Terry Frank

Terry Frank

Business owner Terry Frank, a Clinton Republican, has an early voting lead over attorney Warren Gooch, an Oak Ridge Democrat, in the race for Anderson County mayor, according to early results posted Thursday evening on the Anderson County Election Commission website.

Results continue to be tabulated, but Frank has been collecting about 56 or 58 percent of the early, absentee, and election day votes, compared to about 42 to 44 percent for Gooch.

Also taking an early lead was City Council candidate Charles J. “Chuck” Hope Jr., who had about 58 percent of the vote around 8:42 p.m., compared to 42 percent for Trina Baughn.

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Hope raises twice as much in campaign contributions as Baughn

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Trina Baughn

Trina Baughn

Chuck Hope

Chuck Hope

CLINTON—Oak Ridge City Council member Chuck Hope has raised twice as much in campaign contributions since April as his opponent, Trina Baughn, according to reports filed this month.

Hope, appointed to Council last summer after Tom Hayes resigned in June 2011, raised $3,669 in campaign contributions between April 1 and July 23.

Meanwhile, Baughn raised $1,675.

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Hope wants more retail, modernized homes, good relationship with schools

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Chuck Hope

Chuck Hope

It’s Chuck Hope’s first campaign for an elected office, but he already has some job experience.

Hope, a 49-year-old businessman, was appointed to serve on Oak Ridge City Council after former Council member Tom Hayes resigned in June 2011. Now, he’s running for a special three-month term on the city’s seven-member legislative body.

In recent forums and interviews, Hope has advocated for more retail development in Oak Ridge, modernizing older “legacy” homes, and reviving the city’s economic development fund.

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Letter: Baughn the right person for City Council

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To the Editor:

As Election Day approaches, our thoughts turn to: Who can help to make our community the best community possible?

Many people work diligently at that objective, but today one stands out above all in focusing on our greatest needs. That is Oak Ridge’s competitiveness, financial stability, and its goal of being a high-quality affordable community.

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