Because Every Penny Counts
During our May 13th May 16th and May 28th meetings, the Oak Ridge city council will determine your property tax rate for the next year via our annual budget. Our decisions will directly affect your personal finances. Of greater consequence, however, we will establish our city’s competitive position. Currently, Oak Ridge has the third highest property … Read more
May 13th City Council Meeting Agenda Items/FY2014 City Budget First Reading
Friends, City Council will hold its next regular meeting this coming Monday night. A complete copy of the agenda packet can be found here. I’ve extracted the most notable items and pasted below with the most significant item being the first reading of our annual city budget. As promised during my campaign, I have endeavored … Read more
Strategizing a Path to Prosperity
THE PROBLEM This month, the Oak Ridge City Council will establish your property tax rate for 2014 via the approval of our annual city budget. And though it appears that taxes will remain flat, our excessive spending levels are unsustainable and continue to hinder our ability to compete with surrounding communities. In spite of all … Read more
My Response to the Chamber of Commerce
In an apparent last ditch effort to save their inflated annual taxpayer subsidy of $269K, the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Chairman, Stephen Whitson and President, Parker Hardy, responded here to my column in which I challenged the value that the chamber provides to the city. Ironically, rather than refute any of my specific points, they … Read more
THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 4/08/13 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items voted upon during the April 8th, 2013 regular city council meeting. The complete agenda packet and full video of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will be posted at the city website as part of the May Regular Meeting Agenda packet. NOTE: I … Read more
Changing the Game of Economic Development in Oak Ridge: Part 2
The topic of city council’s work session this month was Economic Development. Since the city manager’s initial presentation to council on the subject in January, the two most heavily funded organizations (of the Economic Diversification Fund) have made multiple attempts to persuade council to continue funding them at nearly the same levels as in the … Read more
THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 3/18/13 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items voted upon Monday night. The complete agenda packet and full video of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will be posted at the city website as part of the April Regular Meeting Agenda packet. VII. CONSENT AGENDA (9 items total, all passed with … Read more
THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 2/25/13 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING SUMMARY ($18 MILLION LOAN APPROVED FOR WATER/SEWER PROJECTS)
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING #2 (Results of Special Meeting #1 have been added at the end of this post. Both meetings can be viewed here.) The following are some of my statements made last night along with the three motions I made regarding the $18 million loan for water/sewer projects in conjunction with the EPA mandate … Read more
The Rest of the EPA Mandate Story/Final Plea to My Fellow Councilmembers
The following has been submitted to all local newspapers for publication: Last month, Oak Ridgers were hit with a water/sewer rate increase for the second time in nine months to pay for $15 million worth of debt that you were told (incorrectly) was issued to cover an EPA mandate. Monday night, council is preparing to … Read more
The People’s Business – 2/11/13 Oak Ridge City Council Meeting Summary/Other Updates
The following represents an unofficial account of the items voted upon Monday night. Full video of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will be posted at the city website as part of the March Regular Meeting Agenda packet. SPECIAL REPORTS Briefing to the City Council by Delegation Chair Chuck Hope on recent visit … Read more
Changing the Game of Economic Development in Oak Ridge
There’s no nice way to spin it: the results of our city’s bad decisions for the past decade are catching up with us. In addition to having high debt and property taxes, our sales tax revenues continue to decline, we are exporting over $727 million per year in DOE payroll* and we have a comparatively … Read more
ALTERNATIVES TO INCURRING ADDITIONAL DEBT
I submitted the following to the Oak Ridge City Council in an effort to explore alternative funding of the EPA mandated changes in our sewer system. Upon learning of an error, I’ve made a correction regarding ownership of the Chamber of Commerce building. ALTERNATIVES TO INCURRING ADDITIONAL DEBT - As suggested by Trina Baughn 1/14/2013 … Read more
The People’s Business – 1/14/13 Oak Ridge City Council Meeting Summary
The following represents an unofficial account of the items voted upon last night. Full video of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will be posted at the city website as part of the February Regular Meeting Agenda packet. VI. Special Reports Presentation and public meeting to provide information concerning the City of … Read more
Items of Interest on the City Council Agenda for Monday
Hello and Happy New Year! City Council will hold its first regular meeting of the year this coming Monday night. A complete copy of the agenda packet can be found here. The most important item on the agenda involves increasing your debt load by $18 million which will result in a 3rd and possibly more … Read more
$18 Million Loan Request (City Council Jan 14th Agenda Item)
We are only a few days into 2013 and most of us have discovered that we will have to make do with less this year. Before January ends, Oak Ridgers will realize that fact again when they receive their water/sewer bills which will reflect the second rate hike since last May. But before you have … Read more
Signs, Signs, Everywhere There’s Signs….everybody sing along, you know the words
***Quick Update 12/15/12*** Meetings and action on this entire matter have been temporarily suspended until after the holidays. The 18 businesses who received notices will be contacted (if they haven’t already) by the community development department who will let them know that they do not need to take action about their signs at this time. … Read more
The People’s Business – 12/10/12 Oak Ridge City Council Meeting Summary
Many thanks to all who came out to the city council meeting last night. I’ve never seen that room so packed! I congratulate Mayor Beehan and Mayor Pro Tem Miller on their re-appointments. At the end of this post, I’ve provided my comments made just prior to the vote regarding my position. You can read … Read more
The 2 Most Important Items (on tomorrow night’s city council agenda)
City Council has a number of significant matters to address in our meeting tomorrow night (see the complete agenda packet here). Ideally, I would like to provide summaries of each in advance of these meetings for the public. Time limitations prevent me from doing so fully this time, but I will comment on two items … Read more
Time for a Leadership Change
Both before and after the election, thousands of you shared your thoughts with me about the upcoming vote for our next mayor. And while preferences varied, there was one unifying thought about who should NOT be elected as mayor. Many of you shared your concern that Tom Beehan’s power far exceeds that which is allowed … Read more
Oak Ridge Mayor/Vice Mayor Positions
Our first vote as a new city council will occur on Dec 10th. That vote will appoint a mayor and a vice mayor. I welcome citizen input on why anyone should or should not be considered for either position. You can comment below, on my Facebook page here, email me at trina.baughn@gmail.com or call me … Read more
THANK YOU!!!!!
I would like to thank the citizens of Oak Ridge for allowing me to represent them on city council. I am both honored and excited to go to work for you. I am eager to work with my fellow council members, the city manager and the city staff to make Oak Ridge more affordable for … Read more
Quashing Rumors
As is to be expected during an election, there are false rumors circulating about my candidacy. Given the nature of these rumors and the unfounded fear that some have expressed, I would like to set the record straight. First, I support our schools. So much so that I have fought time and time again to … Read more
Does Oak Ridge Have a Revenue Problem or a Spending Problem?
My opponents have repeatedly stated that we have a “revenue problem.” They do not see our debt as a problem and believe that the solution is to simply increase revenue. Translation: They want MORE of your money. The truth is, revenues aren’t down. They are actually up by $55Million for the last 10 years. The … Read more
My Forum Statements
There was a great turn out at last night’s LWV Candidate Forum. I appreciated the opportunity to participate and enjoyed hearing all of my opponents’ comments. My mission was to share your concerns, those that you have been sharing with me for a number of months. I believe that I delivered our message very clearly … Read more
The Oak Ridge Observer Question of the Week: What’s the best thing City Council has done in the past ten years? And what’s the worst thing?
According to our charter, the three primary functions of council are to approve spending, direct the city manager and set policy. To that extent, their attempt to address blight is the best decision council has made. The worst that they have done is increase our debt by nearly 60% to over $180,000,000. If elected, I … Read more
A Question of Transparency
***Updated Post with BOE responses*** From: Trina Baughn Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 4:09 PM To: ‘Mr. DiGrigorio’; ‘Mr. Eby’; ‘Mr. Fillauer’; ‘Ms. Agle’; ‘Ms. Richter’ Subject: Oak Ridge Schools Policy Change to Ban Televised Media – Meeting Minutes/Vote/Information Request Members of the Oak Ridge Board of Education: I was contacted by a concerned citizen … Read more
Remember, Honor, Learn, Teach
If you’ve never been to the site of the most horrific day of our time, I strongly encourage you to go. In the meantime, thank an officer, firefighter or member of our armed forces (past or present). These pictures are from my trip there this year with my sister. The firefighters were called to our … Read more
It’s Only Money
The regular city council meeting of the month is scheduled for tonight at 7:00. Time for them to spend more of your money. The full agenda is found here. Of note are a resolution to incur $5 MILLION more in debt for the water/sewer issues (which will, in turn, mean another increase in your rates) … Read more
Twenty Four Years of Payments and Decades More to Go!
At under 45 minutes, this month’s city council meeting may have been the shortest meeting they’ve ever held. While it was a nice change from the normal 3 hour meetings, I wonder why council didn’t take the opportunity to discuss anything of significance given our city’s various, not to mention serious, problems. After all, they … Read more
How Can We Compete?
The future of Oak Ridge is entirely dependent upon our ability to attract new residents and businesses. To do that, we must first acknowledge an unspoken truth: Outsiders view Oak Ridge as being too expensive. We MUST work to change that. Oak Ridge MUST become competitive. Why do people say that it costs so much … Read more
Do YOU Own a $38,832 Car? Parting Gift for the Super?
6/22/2012 Email to Oak Ridge City Council Council – Please see this agenda for the Oak Ridge Schools BOE meeting scheduled for Monday night. In it, you will find on page 36 an FY13 budget amendment to adjust for council’s decision last month. Of greater concern to me, are two other items. First, on page … Read more
Emory Valley Center Visit
I had the privilege of touring the Emory Valley Center today. Let me first say, what a remarkable group of people! I had no idea of the scope of this program and the impact it has on not only our community but those around us. Annually, they serve over 800 individuals across the region in … Read more
Because We Cannot Afford More of the Same
A number of people have sought my reaction to the city council’s decision this week. For those who have not heard, they voted to pay the school’s obligation on the high school debt by way of a deduction in their annual contribution and they essentially welcomed the state to intercede and look at our financials … Read more
To My Fellow Gen X & Y Oak Ridgers
My friends over 50 often ask me, “Why won’t more young people get involved in solving our city’s problems?” My friends that are closer to my age often tell me, “Oak Ridge just isn’t what it used to be.” While I hope that people of all ages will read on, I am particularly addressing this … Read more
Can We Pretend That Airplanes….
Leonard Abbatiello’s presentation last week was informative and well attended. Bev summarizes it nicely here. You can view his presentation and supplemental info here. My upcoming column ties this year’s budget discussions back to two of his major points. First, we’ve been given a false sense of security in the form of an artificially suppressed … Read more
You Have a Right To Know
If you haven’t heard about this story, the Willow Brook principal was removed from her position last week without explanation. Dr. Bailey has clearly stated that she will not be fired but moved into a teaching position. In his letter (provided here), he has barred her from stepping foot on WillowBrook property (though apparently she … Read more
The Budget Meeting that City Officials Don’t Want You to Attend
Mark your calendars and please “share” with all of your Facebook friends: Wednesday, May 16th at 7p.m. @ the Oak Ridge Civic Center Social Room What your city won’t talk about: Debt, taxes and your options. Former city council member Leonard Abbatiello will give the public the presentation that he gave to city officials…the one that they … Read more
Sausage or Haggis?
It’s been over a week since I originally wrote this and given everything that has occurred since, it seemed inconsequential and I didn’t want to bother posting here. But then I think back to the original impetus behind this particular piece and I realize how the current scandal (the principal’s mysterious dismissal at WillowBrook 3 … Read more
Capital Spending Sources – Things That Make You Go Hmmmmmm?
The following information supports my claims from my column this week. I will publish the column in its entirety here on Friday, but here is a summary: Oak Ridge city government will use $10 million more of your money for the high school project to cover what the schools are withholding while they (the city) … Read more
I Call B.S.
BOE Treasurer Angi Agle responds to my challenge of the BOE’s hijacking of the high school debt payment here. In her column and in her communications with council, she has called into question both my facts and my character all while perpetuating absolute fabrications about unwritten agreements and handshake deals. The BOE fully expected … Read more
More of the Same – Column Update, Contact Info and City Manager Letter & Resolution
NOTE: The email from the city manager as well as his proposed resolution that I referenced are included at the end of this post. A majority of council have indicated that they will not approve the resolution that I referenced in the following column/post. This begs the question: Now what? Council should absolutely stand their … Read more
Strike 3!
Tonight for a third time, City Council was faced with a resolution to approve a $900K increase to the schools’ 2012 budget. The administration appropriated this additional money PRIOR to receiving legal approval by council, some 9 months after council first declined a similar request. Though the mayor closed public comment on the agenda item, … Read more
Senior Center Update
I attended Thursday night’s meeting in which the Elder Citizens Advisory Board, Parks and Recreation Board and City Council heard the results of the UT survey as well as the Studio 4 assessment with regards to the possibility of building a new senior center. As I discussed here and here, this is the third attempt … Read more
A Matter of Trust
As this article describes, last week I challenged the school administration to explain their need to amend/increase their budget by almost a million dollars nearly 9 months after council declined their total budget request by about that same amount. Their explanation remains the same….it is an accounting entry correction. The letter below along with all … Read more
Post-Haste
Last week, the Oak Ridge Board of Education (BOE) chairman, Keys Fillauer, responded to one of my columns that asked of our schools, “Are we getting what we’re paying for?” Rather than address our problems, Mr. Fillauer lamented, “Why would I want to move to a place where all I read is negativity?” Since we … Read more
Here’s Lookin’ at You, Keys
I originally wrote this piece to address the BOE chair’s column point-by-point. After I’d completed it, I was less than satisfied. I think it’s because I’m sick of this never ending game that the BOE continues to play. I’ve tried in earnest for years to work with each and every member of this board and … Read more
$937,091? Pfffft. No Big Whoop.
Every year here in the ‘Ridge, we play a little game I like to call, “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Money, Mo’ Money!” Around late spring/early summer, the school administration and BOE round up some folks with pitchforks and torches and march down to city hall. They demand that the city give them mo’ money than the … Read more
Summary of Last Night’s Work Session
If you weren’t able to make last night’s 2 hour meeting, here’s what you missed: City : Schools, you need to pay your part of the high school mortgage Schools: Um, yeah we know. About that. Let’s have another meeting sometime and work that out. Make that a couple more meetings. City: O.K. Cause like … Read more
The Actual Retail Price Is……
Oak Ridgers, COME ON DOWN! You’re the next contestant on the Price Is Right! Today’s item up for bid is the Woodland Elementary School emergency repair project. According to today’s edition of the Oak Ridge Observer, there are 3 possible price tags: $500,000, $689,282 or $3,500,000. Simply choose the shell under which the correct amount … Read more
Step 1: Get Mad
The front page of the January 25th edition of the Oak Ridger presented an interesting juxtaposition of news. One article informs the public that the Oak Ridge School Board and Administration intends on pushing the city to fund an “emergency capital repair project” in the amount of nearly $700K to fund structural repairs at Woodland … Read more
"All you can do is to be at every single moment as true as you can with all the power in your being - and then leave it to God to use you, even despite yourself." - Anthony Bloom
