a publication of the league of women voters of oak ridge...
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A Publication of the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, TN! December 2015/January 2016
Volume 72, Issue 4! Page 1
The Voter
Pat Bryan & Mary Ann Reeves
Pat Bryan and Mary Ann Reeves (865-693-6286)[email protected] [email protected]
From the League Board to all of our members and supporters, we wish you all a very Happy Holiday and fantastic New Year.We are looking forward to the coming year with our brand new consensus on Money in Politics. The local consensus will be held on January 6 and we really need your assistance. The National Board has said that the Supreme Court decision on Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission is the number one challenge to our democracy. Please call Pat at 693-6286; he is the team leader for this effort.We are also looking forward to an engaging Lunch with the League program for the second half of our year. We have a great lineup of varied speakers for you. We will also be taking action with some of our action groups particularly Immigration, Climate Change, and Waste Disposal. Oak Ridge Leaguers have been doing awesome work.Our web page is getting better and better. Please go to lwvoakridge.org to see all the great stuff that Marian Varner is placing on it. You can learn a lot about your action groups, what they are doing and how you can help. You will also see our sponsors, complete Observer Reports, Voters, archives, and more. In case you have missed any media articles, visit the Newsroom.We have just received our first Kroger check. It was small but has great potential for helping us with the cost of voter education activities. If you shop at Kroger and want to help the Oak Ridge League, please google Kroger Community Awards and sign up. If you have any trouble at all, please call us and we will assist. Also, remember signing up for the community rewards DOES NOT affect your grocery bill, your grocery rewards, nor your gasoline costs. This money goes into our Education Foundation.Take care and enjoy your holiday season.
Connect with UsWebsite: lwvoakridge.org
Facebook: League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge
Inside this Issue.........................League Committees! 2
....................Lunch with the League! 2...........................Holiday Luncheon! 2
.........Money in Politics Consensus! 2
.........Financial Review Committee! 3..........Breakfast with the Legislators! 3
...................Calling for Nominations! 3.......Action Groups: We Need Help!! 3
Meeting with Scarboro Community Representatives & Citizens ............! 4
...........................Observer Corps ! 4–6Climate Change Action Group
........................................... Report! 6..........................Membership Notes! 7
................Membership Application! 7............................................Calendar! 8
Precision Printing and Graphics sup-ports the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge by helping with costs for
printing and folding The Voter.
Emily Jernigan, Voter EditorMarian Varner, Webmaster
A Publication of the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, TN! December 2015/January 2016
Volume 72, Issue 4! Page 2
League CommitteesEducation Committee
At the education committee meeting on October 30, the main topic of discussion was the Oak Ridge Preschool. As has been well publicized, the joint City/Schools Preschool Planning Committee recommended that a new preschool building be constructed at Elm Grove Park on existing city-owned property. The recommendation was to build a facility which would contain twenty classrooms in 40,000 square feet and could provide preschool for over 250 children. The committee estimated the cost of the new building would be $7.5 million and would add 4 to 7 cents per hundred in property taxes depending on financing options. The LWV education committee urges all interested members to see the full report on the Oak Ridge Schools website. Go to “District News” and choose “Archived Stories” and look for “Joint City Council/Oak Ridge Preschool Presentation.” The recommendation was approved by the Oak Ridge School Board and is now awaiting community discussion sessions and City Council approval.After the committee meeting, Ann McNees and Brenda Parker attended a question and answer session for private preschool owners and other interested parties about the proposed preschool. Dr. Bruce Borchers, Dr. Shirley Raines, Mr. Keys Fillauer, and Mrs. Charlsey Cofer were there to answer questions. The presenters emphasized that the Oak Ridge Preschool’s purpose is to serve low income and special needs children. Even with the proposed expansion it could not accommodate all the preschoolers in Oak Ridge. It is hoped that the Oak Ridge preschool can work in partnership with the other private preschool programs.The discussion turned to the recent study by Vanderbilt University which indicates that most gains by children who had attended preschool over non-attenders seemed to disappear by third grade. Ms. Cofer stated that Oak Ridge data indicated that preschool gains carried over to middle school and beyond to graduation rates. She was urged to have her data available in the event the Tennessee legislature proposes to cut state funding for preschool based on the Vanderbilt study. Ms. Cofer said that
about five teachers’ salaries are currently supported by state funds.The general feeling of the members of the planning committee was that the momentum favors the preschool. The primary obstacle is obtaining adequate funding.The LWVOR education committee usually meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at MMC Secret City Café. Other meetings may be called due to special circumstances. If you are interested in joining the committee please contact Brenda Parker, 670-1339, or [email protected].
Lunch with the LeagueOn January 5 our speaker will be Cassius Cash, Superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, who will tell us about the status of the park.On January 19 Bruce Borchers, Superintendent of Oak Ridge Schools will discuss "The State of Oak Ridge Schools."The February 2 meeting features Andy O’Quinn, Executive Director of TORCH (Trinity Out-Reach Center of Hope) who will inform us about "Homelessness in Anderson County and the Region."There is no meeting on February 16.Sandwich lunches from the Sweet Café in Norris are available for $8. Lunch with the League is open to the public. Reservations are not required, and we provide coffee, water, and tea.
Holiday LuncheonA large crowd attended this year’s Holiday Luncheon at the Oak Ridge DoubleTree Hotel. Stewart Clifton, state lobbyist for the League and other non-profits, spoke. He presented a recap of our 2016 legislative priorities and helped us gain a better insight into the legislature and its work.Thanks go to Blanche Dresner for arranging the meal and to Mary Ann Reeves for our speaker.
Money in Politics ConsensusThe time has come to begin our review and consensus process for this important (perhaps the most important) issue affecting our democracy. An email has gone out to all LWVOR members with details. Please consider volunteering a few hours to review,
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discuss, and better understand the current state of money in politics, and it’s implications on the future of our democracy. The consensus meeting is January 6 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Main Conference Room, UT Resource Center, 1201 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Enter on the Turnpike side of the building. Contact Pat Bryan at 693-628 or [email protected] if you did not receive the email, have questions, or wish to participate.! ~Pat Bryan
Financial Review CommitteeThe financial review committee met on November 3 to review the LWVOR financial records for the past fiscal year (7/1/14 to 6/30/15) as required in the bylaws. The committee found the records well organized, with no discrepancies. Thanks to Ken Toth, Al Denny, and Pat Bryan for performing this needed review. A special thanks to Janis Williams for her tireless and competent work as our treasurer.! ~Pat Bryan
Breakfast with the Legislators The Tennessee Legislature begins meeting in January. The League offers Breakfast with the Legislators every month that the legislature is in session. These breakfasts are at the Civic Center on the fourth Monday from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. The first meeting will be January 25. Coffee and a light continental breakfast will be provided.During these events local legislators have an opportunity to discuss upcoming legislation and issues. Attendees will be able to express their opinions and ask questions directly to those who represent our districts in the Legislature. There is no charge for these events, and they are open to all.! ~Claudia Lever
Calling for NominationsThe Nominating Committee asks League members to start thinking of nominees to fill vacancies on the League’s Board of Directors for 2016—2017.
Nominees will have the opportunity to work with a group of enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and dedicated leaders while building personal leadership skills. The board is a working group that sets goals and makes things happen for the League and community. Serving on the LWVOR board can be a rewarding and challenging experience. The nominee must be a voting member of the LWVOR. Job descriptions will appear in the next Voter. Thank you!! Mary Lou Daugherty, Nominating Committee
Action Groups: We Need Help!The purpose of our action groups is to allow Leaguers to work in areas that inspire them. Each action group sets its own parameters. You will not be asked to be in a committee unless you choose to participate. We are diversified and we establish and work with recognized partners. This is a great opportunity to make a difference. Call Mary Ann for details on any of these groups.The Homelessness in Oak Ridge/Anderson County action group needs League members. We have partnered with TORCH, an Oak Ridge-based organization using intensive case management strategies to help homeless individuals toward self-sufficiency. The League’s role will be to take action, as resources allow, on those things that the LWVOR and TORCH have in common. The amount of work is determined by individuals. This may include letters to the editor, op-eds, meeting with TORCH, or other activities.Human Trafficking has become a major concern in our area where women and girls are put into sex trafficking. We will partner with other groups, as appropriate, to educate residents about this growing problem and take action when required..Please visit our web site, lwvoakridge.org, and click on action groups to see what we are doing in immigration, climate change, toxic waste disposal, and mental illness.! ~Mary Ann Reeves, 865-693-6286
A Publication of the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, TN! December 2015/January 2016
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Meeting with Scarboro Community Representatives & Citizens
A meeting was held November 16 at the Oak Valley Baptist Church in Scarboro with representatives of the Scarboro Community and interested citizens. The purpose of the meeting was to obtain input to a League report about reactions and concerns related to the planned DOE low-level radioactive and hazardous waste disposal facility (EMDF) planned to be located on the Oak Ridge reservation.Scarboro community and interested and concerned citizens present at the meeting were:• Randy Stephens, President of the local NAACP• Ruby Miller, local Oak Ridge business woman• Gail Walker, concerned citizen• Derrick Hammond, Pastor of the Oak Valley Baptist Church in Scarboro• Willie Golden, former Oak Ridge City Council member representing ScarboroR. G. Wymer, LWVOR report author, represented the LWVOR.Ruby Miller volunteered to obtain and combine input from the Scarboro community representatives and forward that to R. G. Wymer for insertion into the League's report.Wymer agreed that the combined inputs would be circulated to their authors for concurrence that their positions were adequately and fairly presented before their inclusion in the report.The report will be finalized and forwarded to the League around the end of November.! ~ R. G. Wymer
Observer CorpsLWVOR members attend meetings and report their observations of the meeting they attend. These notes are not official minutes. Contact the specific committee for official information. Space constraints may not allow us to print the entire report. Longer versions may be posted on our website, www.lwvoakridge.org.
Roane County CommissionRegular meeting, November 9Hearing of DelegationJoy Hughes, Kingston, said she had 165 signatures stating that Tiger Haven is an asset to the community.Toby Rhynehart again voiced his displeasure about Tiger Haven, stating that the loud cat noises are causing property values to decline.Robert Collett, Ten Mile, asked for support with bell ringing for the Salvation Army upcoming activities.Joel Colton, stated that Probation Services for the Community are now available.Joe Parker, Kingston, asked for increased allocation of funding for the public libraries. He serves on the Roane County and Kingston library boards.Tim Barringer said Tiger Haven is a nuisance. His grandmother’s house was sold below tax value and raising cattle nearby is a problem due to Tiger Haven.County Attorney’s ReportMr. Leffew reported on property maintenance settlements. He advised going into executive session to discuss a Tiger Haven lawsuit and issues concerning adjoining parcels, permits, expansion, and possibly settlement.County Executive’s ReportRon Woody was in Washington for the new Manhattan Project National Historic Park, partially located in Roane County. He was among several local leaders who participated in the reenactment of the famous Ed Wescott “War Ends” newspaper photograph at Jackson Square, this time showing “Park Opens” for the new national park.Special OrdersRoane County High School Band Director Zack Williamson was honored with his students for an outstanding performance at the University of Tennessee Spirit Day on September 19.Shirlie McCullogh was reappointed to the Roane County Library Board.
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Commissioner Ellis nominated Peggy Collier for the empty Roane County Commission seat of her deceased husband, Bobby Collier. The vote was unanimous in favor and she was sworn in to serve out his term.A committee will study a review of the delivery of Probation Services in Roane County.Old and New BusinessThirty old and new business resolutions were voted on and passed, including authorization of issuance, sale, and payment of interest-bearing inter-fund loan notes not to exceed one million dollars. Since the tax bills have not gone out there is a lack of cash flow due to previous problems with the tax collector’s office.! ~ Hella Peterson, Observer
Recreation and Parks Advisory BoardNovember 12 meetingInternational Friendship Bell Pavilion: The Friendship Bell Ad Hoc Advisory Committee has submitted the cantilevered beam style to engineers and, in response to input from the community, will work with the engineers to try to incorporate more Japanese style into the plan. Also, integration of the Bell into the Manhattan Project National Historical Park plan is under discussion. To publicize the Bell Project, the Friendship Bell Committee had a table at the dedication of the Park. Fund raising is underway, currently focusing on local corporations.Bike/Ped Committee: (1) Doug Colclasure reported that, with the help of volunteers, work on the Sinkhole Trail was completed in three hours and people are already using it. He thanked the Parks Board for supporting the project and for including certain “landscapes” in the National Park footprint. Ray Garret, Chair of the Bike/Ped Committee, added that the trail was perfect now, but overgrowth may necessitate blazing in the winter, especially during bad weather. Steve Dittner said bicycle traffic would keep the trail from being
overgrown. (2) The North Ridge Trail may become a multi-use trail, particularly for mountain biking and hiking. The change should increase usage of the trail. However, members of Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning (TCWP), co-stewards of the trail, expressed concern that mountain bikes would damage the trail. Sandra Goss, Executive Director of TCWP, will address the issue with her board.Long Term Strategy/Long Range Planning: Jon Hetrick met with the Planning Commission and City Council to review the Recreation and Parks segment of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for 2016—2020. The plan was well-received by both groups. Jon hopes to keep the outdoor pool operating until capital funds are available, perhaps by incremental updating. City Council expressed support for the maintenance money required to keep the pool going. Director’s Report: Jon reported that a group of runners raised money to place mile markers on the Greenways. The markers will be integrated with the 911 call center and can be easily located by first responders, more quickly that by GPS locators on cell phones.Announcements: Dan Robbins reported that (1) fire ants on the Greenways are under control; (2) signs are needed to keep horses out of prohibited areas; and (3) Tom Lakers of Willow Ridge Garden Center has donated 18 bluebird houses to be placed along Greenways, eliminating the need for matching donations; however, more posts are needed to support the bird houses.! ~ Mary Lou Daugherty, Observer
Anderson County CommissionNovember 16 meetingCommissioner Warfield was absent.Commissioner Mead moved and Commission voted unanimously to pay $89,215 in legal fees, $78,745 of which will be used to pay Law Director Jay Yeager’s attorney fees in the ouster suit.
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Commissioner Wandell moved that the Solid Waste Committee investigate money the county is getting from the state. He pointed out that the county has a landfill and a tire disposal site and that the state provides funds to pay a part of the cost of running such facilities. The motion passed unanimously.Mayor Frank announced that the county has received a $525,000 grant to extend water lines.Commissioner Meredeth moved that the county pay Clinton the $105,657 in sales tax that was mistakenly paid to the county. He reassured Commission that this would not change the agreement between the two governments on moving the Glen Alpine Solid Waste facility. The motion passed with only Commissioner Fritts voting no.The Legislative Committee requested and Commission unanimously passed a motion to resubmit a request to the state legislature for a private act establishing procedures for creating new county departments; abolishing old ones; and the appointment or removal of department heads. The goal is to make clear that the commission cannot fire an employee hired by the mayor and the mayor cannot fire an employee hired by the commission. Mr. Mead is certain that the Attorney General’s March 2014 decision on the topic is enough but wants the private act so the issue is settled.Mayor Frank reported on the attempt to find a new home for the General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge. Commission passed a motion by voice vote asking the mayor to negotiate with current landlord Anthony Cappiello for a one year lease. This will give Commission a year to decide if the court should stay in Oak Ridge, where to house it, and negotiate with Oak Ridge on how to share the cost of the facility.Commissioner Iwanski asked Commission to pass a resolution addressing the DOE landfill expansion. The resolution asks that DOE address the impact on the local community and shoulder some of the costs. The resolution passed unanimously.
Commissioner Wandell asked that the resolution also address the American Nuclear landfill site in Blockhouse Valley. It was decided that this issue should be addressed in a separate resolution to be discussed at the next meeting.A motion to file a suit against Mayor Frank over the East Wolfe Valley Convenience Center was postponed for another month. Commissioners White, Wandell, and Mead voted against postponement.! ~Willa Reister, Observer
Climate Change Action Group ReportPresented November 10, 2015, to the Oak Ridge League of Women Voters Board Meeting by Chris IversenI met with Jack Fellows, director, Climate Change Science Institute (CCSI), Oak Ridge National Lab November 4. He has offered a partnership with our League. Currently CCSI is partnering with the City of Knoxville to look at and address areas vulnerable to climate change issues and delve into mitigation techniques that might include recommendations such as placement of water retention area for expected increased precipitation. The science that CCSI is using for Knoxville includes a series of overlying maps made from satellite and other sources of data. The current data is sufficiently refined to a scale that is usable in Knoxville. Jack expects that resolution in a year or two to be on a scale that can be used in Oak Ridge.Issues Jack suggested for partnership with LWVOR: • LWVOR will provide the venue, CCSI will provide the speaker.• Look into grants for local climate action. There is currently no grant money like the one Knoxville has.• Show videos on climate change especially to decision makers. He provided 2 potential videos. CCSI would provide staff to answer questions.• Host a climate science day at local schools and provide female science role models.• Engage the community in climate science. For example, looking at city growth and changes in Oak Ridge over the past 30 years what can we do now to
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anticipate what we might need 30 years from now. Discuss minimizing car transportation in Oak Ridge.• Have a science day at American Museum of Science and Energy. He has been approached before about an exhibit and would want collaboration if he proceeds.• Design the new mall to make it greener, a topic discussed at the EQAB meeting.I attended the November 5 EQAB meeting. Ben Preston, CCSI assistant director, spoke about the grant CCSI has with the city of Knoxville. As part of the EQAB agenda, the board now recommends partnering with LWVOR. Contacts include Donna Kridelbaugh and Stephen Kenworthy. There was discussion about using the words “climate change” or framing discussions with words like mitigation, reducing consequences, or sustainable infrastructure based on current and future needs.• I discussed state climate actions with Barbara Gay, LWVTN. She has given me several contacts including Wes Rhodes, who spoke to LWVTN on climate change on November 7. He has agreed to speak with me. Other contacts include Jo McCalab, Jennifer Westerholz, Barbara DeVaney and Linda Burman, all affiliated with the League.Action Items December and First Quarter, 2016• Meet with Ellen Smith, OR City Council, to discuss climate change and obtain another city perspective.• Determine who wants to be a part of this climate action group and determine roles and expectations.• Follow up on Barbara Gay’s LWVTN contacts for climate change. Determine which contacts are environment related and which are directly involved with climate change issues. Contact Ann Davis, Southern Environmental Law Center.• Determine what other local agencies and groups are proposing for action in and around Oak Ridge such as Sandra Goss of Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning.• Devise and propose action items for LWVOR to propose to CCSI for partnership (ongoing focus).• Propose a partnership with EQAB and the city to the LWVOR (ongoing focus). The EQAB is interested in duplicating or at least emulating what Knoxville is doing with the CCSI. EQAB is not meeting again until January. There are no plans to discuss this until at least that time.
• Evaluate use of the words “climate change” versus words like “mitigating current problematic situations” as part of our work.• Decide if LWVOR wants to approach Knoxville directly to help or partner with their climate grant.! ~Chris Iversen
Membership NotesPlease contact Janis Williams, 483-1219 or [email protected], with membership corrections and updates.
I want to join the League of Women Voters
Name____________________________Address__________________________City___________________________________State and Zip_______________________Phone (Day/Work)__________________Phone(Evening)_________________________Email__________________________________
Individual annual dues ______ $60Household annual dues ______$90*Donation to Education Foundation $________ *Make a separate, tax deductible check payable to LWVEFPlease send this form and your dues, payable to:LWV of Oak RidgeP.O. Box 4073Oak Ridge, TN 37831
e In Memoriam e
We remember with fondness and extend our sympathies to the families of
Charles DavisJim Cape
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF OAK RIDGE, TN December 2015/January 2016
CalendarJanuary
5 Lunch with the League* 11:45, lunch; 12–1. Speaker: Cassius Cash, Superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Topic: “Status of the Park” 6 Consensus Meeting: Money in Politics 10 a.m.–12 p.m. UT Resource Center main conference room, Rutgers Ave. at the Turnpike 12 Board Meeting* 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
19 Lunch with the League* 11:45, lunch; 12–1. Speaker: Dr. Bruce Borchers, Superintendent of Oak Ridge Schools. Topic: "State of Oak Ridge Schools"25 Breakfast with the Legislators 7:30–8:30 a.m., Oak Ridge Civic Center
26 Education Committee 2:30, Methodist Medical Center Secret City Café
February
2 Lunch with the League* 11:45, lunch; 12–1. Speaker: Andy O'Quinn, Executive Director of TORCH (Trinity Out-Reach Center of Hope). Topic: "Homelessness in Anderson County and the Region" 9 Board Meeting* 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
* Unless otherwise specified, Lunch with the League is at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike at Laboratory Road. Board Meetings are in the Main Conference Room, UT Resource Center, Rutgers Ave. at the Turnpike.
PO Box 4073
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-4073
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Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage PaidOak Ridge, TNPermit No. 148
***** Remember Our Snow Policy *****
If Oak Ridge Schools are closed due to weather, League meetings that day are cancelled. If they are simply delayed, we will hold meetings as scheduled. However, please be safe and use your best judgment.