I'm Ellen Smith, member of the Oak Ridge City Council. Thank you for visiting my blog and reading my views on public and private life in and around Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This website is my own; content here does not represent the official policies or views of the City of Oak Ridge. To add your own comments, click on the topic title to open a comment box. To read posts about a particular topic, scroll down to "Categories" (in the sidebar) or use the "Search" box in the sidebar. Look under "Archives" to see collections of past posts organized by date.
Tuesday evening shapes up as busy. First is a PlanET public forum, “What kind of East Tennessee do we want to pass on to our children?” or “Shared Values and Aspirations for 2040″, 5:30 PM at Anderson County High School. This is one of those events where people sit around a table and talk [...]
A press release from the City of Oak Ridge Public Works Department announces that Quincy Avenue between South Purdue Avenue and South
Illinois Avenue (State Route 62) will be closing on Friday, April 27, 2012, to allow construction of the Woodland Town Center commercial development, whose first tenants will be Panera Bread (relocated from its current [...]
Anderson County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
Saturday, April 14, 2012, from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Oak Ridge Public Works Building (behind K-Mart in Oak Ridge).
Household Hazardous Waste is anything generated in the household that has a hazardous property such as being flammable, corrosive, toxic or reactive with heat or contact with [...]
This is a really impressive program line-up.
International Women’s Day Forum
Prepared Girls – Powerful Women
Friday, March 9, 2012
12:00 PM (Registration) to 4:30 PM
at the
Oak Ridge Campus
Roane State Community College
The forum is FREE.
Refreshments will be provided.
FREE parking is available in front of the facility.
Speakers:
Power and Priorities, Lori Tucker, News Anchor, WATE-TV
Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking: The [...]
Oak Ridge commemorates King’s birthday in a big way, but lately it’s been hard to get the details on activities. To help spread the word, here’s an abbreviated version of a schedule that I received today. All items are supposed to be “no charge” and “no reservations needed” except where indicated, but I have a [...]
People are talking — and asking me lots of good questions — about the proposed Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) plan for the development of Woodland Town Center on South Illinois Avenue. I have some questions, too, but I can share some information and thoughts.
Decisions are coming up fast: The Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board holds [...]
After a few years of fireworks over the water at Melton Hill Lake, this year’s City of Oak Ridge July 4th fireworks display will be shot from A.K. Bissell Park (the park area surrounding the Oak Ridge Civic Center) in the middle of town. The press release came out today and I figure I’d better [...]
It wasn’t exactly crowded, but on Sunday afternoon Cedar Hill Park playground entertained several families visiting for the last time before it closed on Monday to be torn down and replaced.
It’s been a wonderful play space since 1988. My family is one of many that have fond memories of good times there.
However, it’s showing its [...]
Looks like there’s fun for families with young kids Friday at the Children’s Museum. A press release came through my e-mail, and I’m posting an excerpt to help spread the word. Family entertainment and children’s activities are from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the museum, 461 W. Outer Dr., Oak Ridge.
Farmer Jason, singer-songwriter and Emmy [...]
Monday night, April 4, at 6:30 pm (corrected) the City will conduct a public meeting for input on the use of traffic camera revenue. The meeting is at the Civic Center social room. I’ll be there, and I will be interested to hear what residents have to say. I’ve already shared some of my views [...]