Oak Ridge Today

Guest column: ‘For The Common Good’

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The progressive and socialist vision for the direction of this country is an ordered society where poverty is eliminated, and healthcare and pensions for life are provided by a central authority or government. The foundation for this structure is rooted in utopian theories that are based on the premise that in a free market society, people fear for basic necessities and lack the opportunities to obtain equality. Regrettably however, ordered societies have never proven viable…which we know is accurate because had they succeeded and flourish; we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

There are two significant reasons why ordered societies fail. The first is the central authority’s inability to accurately allocate and distribute scarce resources for the production of goods and services, which over time diminishes the methods of production that result in a reduced standard of living—the opposite of what was promised. Using the current administration policies regarding energy as an example, the central government declared solar and wind a priority over gas and oil production. Billions were redirected to solar and wind and nothing was produced, except a resulting consequence of increased gas and oil prices. [Read more…]

Community health check screening held at Methodist Medical Center

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Covenant Health is offering a community program on Tuesday with free screenings and reduced-cost blood work, a press release said.

The health check will be from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Ridge Conference Room at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.

Free screenings will include blood pressure, body composition and body mass index, heart rhythm, carotid artery ultrasound, and vision.

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Guest column: Vision for ‘something else’ in Oak Ridge

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By Pat Fain and Leslie Agron

This is the first of several columns about a different vision for Oak Ridge than has previously existed.

The default development plan Oak Ridge has been operating under, to rely on federal subcontractor and spin-off industry growth, has stalled. The degree to which it will revive as the U.S. economy revives remains to be seen.

The U.S. Department of Energy says the Uranium Processing Facility they are just starting is their last big build in Oak Ridge. Upon its completion the number of employees in this function will decrease by about one-third. Given this and other concerns, it behooves us to consider other possible engines to fuel the Oak Ridge economy. We think that any successful replacement development plan will be woven from a combination of elements, rather than from one major thread alone.

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Guest column: Oak Ridge on the ‘cusp of a renaissance’

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Oak Ridge is on the cusp of a renaissance.

Seventy years ago, the federal government created Oak Ridge as part of the Manhattan Project. Today, they are investing in our city with the 10-year, $6.5 billion Uranium Processing Facility construction project.

In January 2013, Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s new carbon fiber facility comes on line. It can produce 25 tons of reinforced polymer that will help automotive and other manufacturers create stronger, more efficient products. Education and jobs are getting a huge boost with this new capability as Roane State Community College receives grants totaling $2.8 million to train workers to use the composites and operate the high-tech machines.

Taking advantage of these opportunities will require a City Council with a clear vision of the future and the skills necessary to make informed business decisions. What comes to mind is a series of big waves of opportunities—some will simply duck under and play it safe as they roll in, while others with vision will get on surfboards and ride the waves for all they are worth.

Now is not the time to duck under and cut back. Now is the perfect time to enhance the good things we have already built and to grasp the best opportunities for raising revenues and making investments for the future.

My vision for the future of Oak Ridge includes:

  1. Building on the current wave of new retail development including Kroger Marketplace, Woodland Town Center, and the redevelopment of Jackson Square, we should encourage mixed-use zoning. Our community development folks call it “Live, Work and Play” development. For example, retail on the first floor, commercial on the second, and residential above that. This kind of development creates real communities and can attract potential buyers to invest in currently languishing properties.
  2. Continuing to attract new families from outside the area by maintaining our outstanding schools. New employees of federal and retail projects will compare our schools to others in the area as they make decisions about where to live.
  3. Helping Oak Ridgers with well-maintained legacy homes by following through on the “Not in Our City” initiatives of proper inspection, and upgrading or eliminating the blighted homes that depress neighborhood values. Many of our potential new residents already find our tax rate attractive, but they want new or remodeled homes in well-kept neighborhoods.

It’s really up to you as voters. You can elect members to Council prepared to hold their breath and duck under the waves of opportunity, or you can elect members who have the vision, experience, and courage to seize opportunities.

This town has a legacy of doing extraordinary things. We can do it again. It’s time to move forward.

Kelly Callison is a candidate for Oak Ridge City Council in the Nov. 6 election.