THE CITY OF
OAK RIDGE
N E W S L E T T E R
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REMINDER: HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
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All City of Oak Ridge offices will be closed on Thursday, November 22, and Friday, November 23, in observance of Thanksgiving.
Note: Household trash and recycling *will not* be picked up on Thanksgiving.
As a result of the holiday, Thursday trash collection moves to Friday and Friday collection moves to Saturday.
We hope you have a wonderful holiday!
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All the details on this year's tree lighting ceremony are posted on our website!
Just click the button below to learn more!
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CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
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The Annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting is set for Friday, November 30, at 6:30 p.m. in A.K. Bissell Park.
Everyone is invited to the outdoor pavilion stage located behind the Oak Ridge Civic Center for holiday music and refreshments. New this year, the entire program will take place outside in the park (weather permitting).
At the conclusion of the announcements and music program, participants will proceed to the Secret City Commemorative Walk area on the east side of the Oak Ridge Public Library parking lot for the countdown and tree lighting.
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ROBIN SMITH NAMED CHIEF OF POLICE
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Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson announced the promotion of Deputy Chief Robin Smith to Chief of Police last month. Chief Smith has served as Acting Chief for the Oak Ridge Police Department since August of this year.
“The Oak Ridge Police Department is an effective team built with good people who care about our community,” Chief Smith said. “We want Oak Ridge to be a safe place for people to live, work and visit. I’m proud to be a member of the team.”
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Chief Smith has been with the department since 2012. He served as a Lieutenant for two years before being promoted to Captain in 2014 and then Deputy Chief in 2015. Prior to his work with Oak Ridge Police, Smith was Commander of Police Operations for the Tennessee Valley Authority for 15 years. He began his law enforcement career with the Sevierville Police Department in 1979, serving first as a Dispatcher, then Police Officer, Corporal and Sergeant.
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“Chief Smith is a third generation law enforcement officer and his loyalty and integrity to the field is recognized throughout Tennessee,” City Manager Mark Watson said. “His dedication to the City of Oak Ridge and the citizens came out repeatedly during a series of interviews with local clergy, Oak Ridge police officers and City department directors. I believe the community will benefit from Chief Smith’s desire to coach our officers to an even higher level of professionalism. I want to congratulate Robin Smith and welcome him to the professional management team of this city.”
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MEET THE CHIEF:
Chief Smith discusses his law enforcement career and goals for ORPD.
Watch the interview with WATE 6 On Your Side
>>>>>>
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CITYWIDE LEAF PICK-UP UNDERWAY
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The citywide leaf pick-up program began Monday, November 19. City collection efforts will follow the proposed schedule as closely as possible.
The schedule is a general guide and can vary considerably from the actual collection dates due to weather conditions and the amount of leaves.
PLEASE NOTE: Streets will be swept approximately two weeks after leaves are picked up in each designated area.
The following guidelines will help make the leaf pick-up process easier for crews and homeowners:
- Residents should place their leaves near, but not beyond the curb. Leaves must not be placed on the sidewalk or in the street, parking spaces or drainage ditches due to posing a pedestrian or traffic hazard and possibly clogging the storm drains. Hazards that are created by improperly placed leaves will be removed by the City at the resident's expense.
- Leaves must be free of tree branches and twigs as these can cause the leaf vacuums to clog. Because of their impact on production, leaf piles found to contain these items will not be picked up.
- All leaves must be placed outside fenced areas. If there is no other location on your property to rake your leaves, then rake them to the end or side of your driveway. Leaves may be placed in plastic bags and will be picked up at the curb during the scheduled program.
- Only leaves will be collected during this fall's program. Citizens are reminded that the citywide household trash and brush pick-up will be scheduled in April and May.
At the completion of the day, a final drive through of each daily specified route will be done to verify and ensure that all leaves are collected during that time.
For more information, please contact Waste Connections of Tennessee at (865) 482-3656.
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STUDENTS FROM FRANCE VISIT OAK RIDGE
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We had the pleasure of hosting a group of students from Maubeuge, France this week. Along with students from Oak Ridge High School, the group learned how our local government works and took interactive tours with the Oak Ridge Police Department and Oak Ridge Fire Department. We had a great time and we hope they enjoyed spending their morning with us!
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APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE FOR CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
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As part of Oak Ridge’s end-of-year election, the City Clerk’s Office is currently accepting applications from citizens who wish to serve on a board or commission. The submission deadline is Friday, December 28, 2018, at 5 p.m.
Interested residents must complete a Boards and Commissions application available online. Applicants may attach additional documents such as cover letters, reference lists and resumes. The application allows residents to choose and rank their top three board choices for consideration.
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Paper versions of the online application will be available beginning Wednesday, November 21, in the City Clerk’s Office, room 109 of the Municipal Building on S. Tulane Avenue.
To be considered, completed applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 28. Late applications or submissions will not be accepted. The election for all boards will take place at the regular Oak Ridge City Council meeting in January 2019.
Interested residents can also visit the City’s website to learn about the composition of various boards, as well as their purpose, meeting schedules and special qualifications.
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AMSE GRAND OPENING DRAWS LARGE CROWD
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Following a hugely successful soft opening, the ceremony officially welcomed guests to the museum's new location on Main Street East.
Thanks to everyone who worked so hard on this project and all those who have been able to visit the new space.
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SWEETS WITH SANTA AT CENTENNIAL GOLF COURSE
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Stop by Centennial Golf Course and get in the holiday spirit! Santa Claus is visiting us for two whole hours on December 3rd before he has to get back to work at the North Pole for Christmas!
We'll have story time, gingerbread man decorating, and pictures with SANTA! Also, guests can enjoy cookies, milk, cocoa, and more!
Space is limited.
Admission is $10 per adult and $5 per child age 4 and up.
Advanced registration needed by Nov 30.
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Reserve your spot early through Eventbrite!
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ORFD WRAPS UP FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
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The Oak Ridge Fire Department is taking safety education far beyond the annual fire prevention week in October.
For the first time, they put on a special program outside of Oak Ridge, at Grand Oaks Elementary School in the Marlow community of Anderson County.
The Marlow Volunteer Fire Department reached out to Oak Ridge, asking them to share some important reminders with students, and the crew was quite a hit.
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The original program combines interactive games, skits, demonstrations, videos, music, dancing, and of course Sparky the Fire Dog, to keep students engaged and entertained.
The Oak Ridge Fire Department’s fire prevention team has put together an extensive safety education program focused on home escape plans, kitchen safety, smoke detectors, and “stop, drop and roll.”
But how do you make a fire prevention program that appeals to kids from Pre-K all the way up through middle school? The answer: YouTube.
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REMINDER
: Both the Oak Ridge Fire Department and the Marlow Volunteer Fire Department run a free smoke detector installation program for citizens thanks to a grant from the State of Tennessee.
If you're in Oak Ridge, just call (865) 425-3473 to schedule your appointment!
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Students an Linden Elementary watch the ORFD Fire Prevention program.
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Fire Prevention Team receives Certificates of Appreciation for their efforts.
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Oak Ridge Firefighter Named Valedictorian
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Congratulations to Firefighter Joseph Campbell on graduating and being named Valedictorian of TN Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy Class 18-02.
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SOUTHEASTERN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY GRADUATION
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Congratulations to our own ORPD Sgt. Ray Steakley who graduated from the Southeastern Leadership Academy (SELA) in Chattanooga earlier this month.
SELA is a 5-week program through the Law Enforcement Innovation Center here in Oak Ridge that helps develop professional, innovative, and highly skilled law enforcement leaders. Chief Smith was the keynote speaker at the ceremony.
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Sgt. Steakley and Chief Smith at the SELA graduation. Go team!
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CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING
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On Friday, November 9, the Oak Ridge Police Department and Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services held a graduation ceremony for its latest Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training class.
CIT training is a collaboration between law enforcement and the mental health community to improve the way we respond to people experiencing mental health crises. Students received 40 hours of training based on the
Memphis Police Department CIT model. The training included lectures, visits to area facilities, and role play scenarios where the students tested their newly acquired skills on experienced mental health professionals.
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This was the 15th class trained locally by the Oak Ridge Police Department and Ridgeview. Graduates from this class represent the following agencies: Alcoa Police Department, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Blount County Sheriff's Office, Cocke County Sheriff's Office, Cookeville Police Department, Middle Tennessee State University Police Department, ORPD and the Oak Ridge Fire Department.
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SENIOR CENTER HOSTS VETERANS DAY BRUNCH
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The Oak Ridge Senior Center honored the men and women who have served our country, both present and past, with a pancake brunch on Monday, November 12.
Thanks to all who attended this wonderful event! We will see you next year!
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Recreation and Parks Department staff pause for a photo during the Veterans Day brunch.
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Guests fill the gym at the Civic Center for pancakes and other breakfast treats during the brunch event.
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NOW HIRING: FIND A JOB WITH THE CITY...
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The City is currently accepting applications for the following positions:
- Library Clerk
- Electric Operations Technology Specialist
- School Crossing Guard
- Electric Line Technician (Lineman)
Please note that closing dates vary by position and applications must be submitted by the deadline to be considered.
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WINTER VOLLEYBALL SIGN-UPS STILL OPEN
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Early registration for the Rec & Parks co-ed Volleyball league will end December 8. Late registration will end Dec. 15.
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Games are scheduled to begin on January 8, 2019, and will be played on Tuesday evenings. Interested teams may obtain registration information at the front desk of the Oak Ridge Civic Center or
retrieve them online
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Teams may request either a competitive A Division or a recreational B Division in the 2019 season. Division placements will be dependent on registration numbers.
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ART DISPLAY AT OAK RIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
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The November art exhibit at
Oak Ridge Public Library
features the photographs of Michael Messing. For more than 30 years, Messing has practiced both the art of magic and the art of photography.
In 2008, he began focusing on photographing magicians and performers. “I decided to combine my love of magic with my love of photography," Messing explained. He has now photographed more than 225 magicians, face painters, clowns, balloon artists, and even one of the world’s only female escape artists.
You still have time before the exhibit ends! Please visit the library during the final days of November to enjoy these magical photographs!
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Saturdays, December 1, 8, & 15
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Jackson Square Oak Ridge
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WINTER CAN'T STOP THE FARMERS MARKETS IN OAK RIDGE
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The Oak Ridge Farmer's Market presents the 2018 Holiday Market!
Join the Fun in Historic Jackson Square! Free Coffee and Hot Chocolate.
Various displays to include: Three Rivers Antique Tractor Club, Old Farmstead Reenactment with Beeswax Candle Making, & Friendly Farm Animals from Little Ponderosa Zoo & Rescue! (Dates TBD)
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The Winter Farmers Market by Grow Oak Ridge opens for its third season on Saturday, December 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 323 Vermont Ave. (St. Mary's School gym).
It is open each Saturday, December through February, except for Dec. 29. Opening day features hourly door prizes and a free drawing for $20 in market tokens at noon.
The market offers a weekly free program for children called the POP (Power of Produce) Club, in which kids take 2 bites of a vegetable and get $2 to spend in the market on fruits and vegetables.
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MESSAGES FROM PUBLIC WORKS
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TENNESSEE AVENUE UPDATE
A final stage of the Tennessee Avenue reconstruction project has been delayed due to weather, but our Public Works Department reports that Tennessee Ave will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. Paving is underway, which will be followed by the placement of pavement markings.
Project crews also discovered a drainage culvert under Michigan Avenue had partially collapsed. Public Works was successful in submitting a change order to add that repair to the current contract. As a result, resurfacing on Michigan Ave *will be delayed* until after the culvert has been replaced.
However, crews *will not delay* reopening Tennessee Ave while awaiting the drainage repair on Michigan Ave. Public Works reports that Tennessee Ave will reopen with part of Michigan Ave remaining closed while the repair is underway.
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CITYWIDE PAVEMENT PATCHING
A City contractor is continuing a citywide pavement patching and repair project. The work is estimated to remain active over the next several weeks.
The repairs are part of an effort to assist Public Works Department street crews with a backlog of approximately 140 open work orders for pavement repairs associated with water main breaks. Over half of the repairs needed are the result of the more than 80 water main breaks that occurred in January 2018.
Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists are urged to use extreme care and caution when traveling in and around the affected sections of roadway. We apologize for any inconvenience the road and lane closures may cause and appreciate patience and cooperation during this time.
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Enjoy scenes of fall in Oak Ridge...
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City of Oak Ridge
200 South Tulane Avenue
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
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