City of Oak Ridge Newsletter                                                                             October 26, 2015 Vol I No. 2
In Jackson Square at 4:00pm on November 12th, the City will be dedicating the Jackson Square Fountain. There will be a ribbon cutting sponsored by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce and a community photo that will replicate a famous Ed Westcott photo.
Everyone is invited!
The City Receives $430,000 Grant for Pedestrian Safety Improvements

The funded project will provide Pedestrian Safety improvements including: marked crosswalks, ADA ramps, pedestrian signal indicators, and Mast Arm replacements.  

These improvements were identified in the Oak Ridge Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan in an effort to improve safety between the North and South side of the Oak Ridge Turnpike in the Methodist Medical Center and Main Street Re-development area. 

City Council Approves Economic Impact Plan for Main Street Oak Ridge

The City has a new developer for the purchase of the former Oak Ridge Mall properties. RealtyLink of Greenville, South Carolina has assumed the previously negotiated project and adopted prior agreements. However, some changes needed to be made in order for RealtyLink to begin work. Changes included corporation renaming in the document, one year deferral of start up of the Tax Increment Financing District, adjustments in the description of the project and establish new tax amounts, which were all approved by City Council Tuesday, October 20.
The City Receives $2.9 Million Grant from TVA for Energy Makeovers

The City of Oak Ridge announced on October 2nd that a $2.9 million grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was awarded to the City and that the grant will undoubtedly change the lives of people living in legacy Oak Ridge housing by helping them save money on their utility bills.

This grant is part of TVA's Extreme Energy Makeover project and will allow the start of an unprecedented revitalization of the legacy homes in the Oak Ridge community and provide assistance to those that need it the most.  For more information, click here.
2015 Partnership Strategy Work Session November 6

The Oak Ridge Land Bank Corporation is hosting a Strategy Work Session in the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Joyce Conference Room to focus on partnerships and collaborative efforts to improve and promote our Oak Ridge neighborhoods.

Work session Agenda:
8:30-9:00AM - Reception/Sign In
9:00-9:20AM - Intro/Meeting Goals
9:20-10:00AM - Demonstrated Successes 10:15-11:15AM - Small Group Exercise
11:15-12:00PM - Group Discussion 12:00 PM - Closing/Credits

FOR RESERVATIONS CONTACT: ALICIA BAILEY 865-425-3531 OR by email:  abailey@oakridgetn.gov no later than November 4, 2015
Recommendations Presented to City Council and School Board about Preschool

The Joint City/Schools Preschool Planning Committee met in a series of six formal meetings and numerous smaller work sessions from April 9 to September 28, 2015.

The Committee recommends to the Oak Ridge City Council and Board of Education that a new Oak Ridge Schools Preschool building be constructed at the Elm Grove Park site on existing city owned property.  

This recommendation of the Preschool Study Committee is for the new school unit  to consist of 20 classrooms allowing for future expansion as demand and financing allows, surrounded by an appropriate underground and exterior infrastructure and well-designed traffic accessibility.  

Project Meeting Timeline: 
  • November, 2015 -  Community review of Task Force findings and further questions refined for City Council and Board of Education
  • December, 2015 -   Action taken via resolution by City Council and Board of Education to support implementation of new school project
  • December/January - Conduct development of financial plan for bond issuance and adopt resolution for reimbursement of eligible costs associated with project
Annual Children's Halloween Party

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2015 Children's Halloween Party Thursday, October 29, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  The Halloween party is primarily for preschool and elementary aged children; however, older children attending with their families are welcome.
 
Activities include carnival games, inflatables, toddler game room, Halloween cartoon videos, face painting, concessions, glow room, and craft room. The Scary Room will have a haunted castle theme. A hayride is planned for Bissell Park, weather permitting.

There is no admission fee to get into the Civic Center but participation in most activities requires tickets. Tickets can be purchased for 25 cents each or as a pack of 25 for $5.  For more information, click here .
City Council Seeks Members for Oak Ridge Corridor Initiative Committee

City Council approved a resolution on October 12, 2015, which established a five member  Oak Ridge Corridor Initiative Committee , Chaired by Councilman Richard Chinn, Jr., to study the economical, regional, and marketable benefits of Senator Lamar Alexander's proposal to rename the four-lane highway from the Knoxville airport to Oak Ridge the  Oak Ridge Corridor .

For more infomation about this committee, click here.
City Clerk's Office Accepting Applications to serve on the Inaugural Board of Directors

The Inaugural Board of Directors will be responsible for implementing the Secret City Festival/Celebration.  City Council will select eight remaining members as six members of the Board of Directors have been designated from the former Special Events Advisory Task Force.

The deadline for submitting resumes and letters of interests is by  CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2015 .  
For more information, click here.
The Haunted Harvest Hike is CANCELLED
Party in the Park

Over 300 Oak Ridgers came out on October 17 to enjoy food, demonstrations, games, prizes and rides for the Party in the Park presented by the Oak Ridge Police Department and the Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program. 


2015 TALEA Conference Hosted by Oak Ridge Police Department

The 2015 Tennessee Association of Law Enforcement Analysts Conference had  over 70 attendees from 30+ agencies from 7 states at the Doubletree in Oak Ridge
 
Topics included:
  • Intelligence-Led Policing
  • Forecasting Serial Events
  • Gang Intelligence
  • Internet Crimes Against Children
  • Human Trafficking 
Speakers were a diverse mix from Academia, Independent Consultants, Investigators, Special Agents, and law enforcement professionals.
Historical Pictures Featured on City Electrical Boxes
The Electric Department has wrapped all elecrtical boxes in Jackson Square with historical pictures. This is one more effort the City is taken to preserve and remember its history. The Electric Department will continue picture wrapping on select traffic signal cabinets soon.
Animal Shelter News
Every Friday is Furtastic Friday at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter and every available animal that is solid black has half off their adoption fees. 

Adoptable animals are available at Pet Supplies Plus every Friday and Saturday. 

For more information and pictures of available animals, please click here .
Oak Ridge Public Library Art Show Featuring Wayne Nobles

The art exhibit for October at the Oak Ridge Public Library is a look into the career of photojournalist, Wayne Nobles.

This exhibit is divided into three sections.  One section portrays Mr. Nobles' photojournalism career with images of Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy and Harry Truman.  T he second section includes fun vacations and relaxing images.  The third section is a retrospective of his career in commercial photography and volunteer work with Project Healing Waters.
Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks 2015 Fall League Champs

Fall 2015 Co-Ed Softball Champs:
Division A:  Atomic Sealcoating
Division B:
 Red
Division C:
 Eagle Bend

Divison B Tournment Champions:
 Bombers









Also don't forget  to regster for Men and Youth Basketball Leagues, for information click here.
Fall 2015 Kickball Champs: 

Eckert Chiropractic













Fall 2015 YAB Dodgeball Tournament Winners

The City of Oak Ridge's Youth Advisory Board hosted the annual Youth Dodgeball Tournament at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on Saturday, October 24th at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. The event was created to offer local teens the chance to compete in the unique and fast-paced team sport of dodgeball. 

The double elimination tournament hosted 9 teams made up of 81 local youth, and many were also in attendance to witness this exciting event.  "The Dodgeballers" captured the Tournament Championship and completed the event with a perfect record, by defeating "Cobbin' 'N Dodging" 3-2 in the championship match. Thanks to all those who participated and made this the best Dodgeball Tournament yet! 
MOVE OVER FOR UTILITY WORKERS
Did you know the "Move Over Law" includes utility workers and utility vehicles? Effective July 1, 2011, Tennessee Law was changed to help utility workers in the Move Over Law.
This requires motorists to be extra careful and move over when utility workers are working on the side of the road. Utility workers on the side of the road are performing a job for you, the citizens of our community. Let's make sure they make it home safely to their families by slowing down, and please, move over for utility workers in Tennessee, IT'S THE LAW!
Current Job Openings
  • Public Works Director
  • Fire Marshal
  • Maintenance Worker
  • Facility Monitor
  • School Crossing Guard
Please visit our website for more information
City of Oak Ridge | www.oakridgetn.gov 
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