THE CITY OF
OAK RIDGE
N E W S L E T T E R

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City Holiday Schedule
All City of Oak Ridge offices will be closed Monday, May 27, 2019, in observance of Memorial Day.

Household trash and recycling will be picked up as scheduled.
Public Works Community Open House
Join us Thursday for a Celebration of Public Works!
Our 3rd Annual Public Works Day Community Open House is set for May 23 from 5-7:30pm at the Central Services Complex on Woodbury Lane.

Join us as we celebrate National Public Works Week and get an inside look at the department helping keep so many systems and services running smoothly across the City!

Featured activities include a bicycle road course, touch-the-truck, bounce house, live music, and a super hero costume parade.
Secret City Festival 2019
June 7-8 in Oak Ridge!
Experience two days of music, food, history, science, and more during the 2019 Secret City Festival in Oak Ridge!

Musical guests include Loverboy on Friday night and .38 Special on Saturday night. Gates open at 6pm and shows start at 7pm.

Citywide Brush Pick-Up Underway
The citywide brush pick-up program began last month. Tree limbs as well as bagged yard clippings and leaves are currently being picked up. Program guidelines are posted on the City's website .

Please note that the  proposed schedule  is a general guide and can vary considerably from the actual schedule due to weather conditions, the amount of participation by residents and other factors.
Summer Season Tees Off at Centennial
Extended Hours and Major Turnouts at Golf Course
Tennessee Centennial has officially kicked off its summer season.

The course is now open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. every day, including the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. 

The golf course is also celebrating a milestone, having increased the number of rounds played during the month of April this year by more than 700 when compared to the same period last year.

The month of March also saw an uptick of over 400 rounds.
“Our staff has worked tirelessly to elevate the experience of every golfer who visits Centennial and now we are seeing the benefits of those improvements,” General Manager Michael Callender said.

“During the last weekend in April, all 70 of our golf carts were rented out both Saturday and Sunday with more than 150 rounds booked each day. That’s a first for us.”
Spring aerification of putting greens was completed in March, creating better playing surfaces for this summer. As part of other recent improvements, Centennial’s golf carts now feature GPS and Bluetooth as well as radio/streaming music access and live sports coverage for an additional fee.

There are many more events on the schedule this summer, including a Junior Golf Camp with dates in June and July as well as Women's Golf Day on June 4.
Sign Up for Junior Police Academy
The Oak Ridge Junior Police Academy will be held this summer,  June 10 through June 21 .

Applications for the program are  available now  and will be accepted by the police department until  5pm on May 30.
City Manager Earns Doctorate from UT
Congrats, Dr. Watson!
Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson received his doctorate degree in philosophy from the University of Tennessee on May 9.

Back in March, Dr. Watson successfully defended his dissertation titled “City Managers, Mayors and Councilmembers: Local Stability in Tennessee.”

“It has always been a belief of mine for continuous learning and being close to the University of Tennessee allowed me to fulfill the heights of my profession while learning new technical and research skills along the way,” Dr. Watson said. “I shall continue to use those skills in serving Oak Ridge in the years ahead. It has been quite a 7-year academic journey, while working full time as a city manager.”
ORPD Promotes Jenkins to Captain
The Oak Ridge Police Department named Brad Jenkins as its newest captain, promoting him from the rank of lieutenant in April.

Captain Jenkins was publicly recognized by City Council last month. Chief Robin Smith presented Capt. Jenkins with his new badge, the same one worn by Chief Smith when he held the rank of captain with ORPD.
2019 Citizen Police Academy Graduates
Congrats and thanks to our Citizens Police Academy graduates for 2019. The 10-week program covers all aspects of policing and provides participants with a better understanding of law enforcement. They completed classroom exercises as well as a ride-along with an officer.

Please join us in welcoming this latest class to the ORPD family!
Oak Ridge Takes Part in MKAA Aviation Academy
The City of Oak Ridge was well represented at the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority's most recent Aviation Academy.

City Councilmember Jim Dodson as well as Government Affairs and Information Services Director Amy Fitzgerald attended the sessions.

The program aims to raise awareness of what it takes to successfully operate McGhee Tyson Airport and the crucial role the community plays in the flights and services available at the facility.

“With the proposed Oak Ridge Airport working through the approval process, participation in the Aviation Academy has given me a terrific opportunity to see how a general aviation airport in our community would be a significant asset," Councilmember Dodson stated.
Amy Fitzgerald at the MKAA Aviation Academy
Councilmember Dodson at the MKAA Aviation Academy
Participants received a behind-the-scenes look at the airport and were able to meet with organizations that play a significant role in day-to-day operations.

“Our region is very fortunate to have such dedicated professionals managing the McGhee Tyson Airport," Amy Fitzgerald added. "Their program allows the public to see first-hand how the commercial, military and general aviation sectors work together to make air traffic run smoothly.”

The five-session program wrapped up last week.
Free CarFit Event for Seniors
Mark Your Calendar for May 29!
The Oak Ridge Senior Center will offer the CarFit educational program on  Wednesday, May 29, from 9am to 1pm  for anyone 50 and over. The free event is focused on helping drivers gain greater comfort and control in their vehicles as well as enhancing driving safety.
NOW HIRING: Find a Job with the City
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The City of Oak Ridge is currently accepting applications for the following positions:

  • Parks Technician
  • Firefighter - Trainee
  • Firefighter/Engineer
  • Recreation Leaders
  • Summer Lifeguards
  • School Crossing Guard
  • Electric Line Technician
Fall Softball Registration Opens Soon
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Team registration for Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks fall softball season opens Monday, June 10. Men’s and women’s leagues will be offered along with a co-ed league.

All teams must complete registration paperwork and pay the applicable fee no later than July 13 at 9:30 p.m. Games are scheduled to begin the week of July 29 and schedules will be available on July 24.
Peace Officers Memorial Service
The Oak Ridge Police Department hosted the annual Peace Officers Memorial Service on May 15 as part of National Police Week. Dozens of first responders, local officials and citizens gathered in front of the municipal building to watch the ceremony. Thank you to all who were able to attend this event.