A cautionary note: Council passed a flat budget on first reading tonight. Many people assume that all is done and don’t pay as much attention to the final reading (June 14th). I’ve seen enough last-minute changes to know that anything can happen. Tonight’s votes foreshadow possible changes next week. The following represents an unofficial account … Continue reading 2015 BUDGET 1ST READING THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 6/9/14 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY

Upset? Disturbed? Pissed? You should be. I know I would be if that statement popped up as the subject of an email in my inbox. Guess what? Our kids are sending and receiving these types of messages. I know this for a fact because I've heard directly from children I know who've been encouraged to kill … Continue reading Go Kill Yourself

Hello! I’m a little behind having just returned from vacation, but I wanted to make you all aware of a few developments. I will post the full details of the June 10th meeting later this week, but one of the outcomes was that we deferred approving millions of dollars in no-bid contracts. Six of those … Continue reading Tonight’s Special Meeting & Work Session Info – Your Input Encouraged

***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. … Continue reading Signs, Signs, Everywhere There’s Signs….everybody sing along, you know the words

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 … Continue reading Oak Ridge Mayor/Vice Mayor Positions

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 … Continue reading THANK YOU!!!!!

Trina Baughn has announced her plans to run for Oak Ridge City Council. She is enthusiastic about serving all Oak Ridgers’ as we face a future filled with many challenges and opportunities. Baughn is a communications professional whose business experience spans over 15 years in both the private and public sectors and is comprised of … Continue reading November Candidacy Announcement

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 … Continue reading 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?

I want Oak Ridge to thrive again. I love our city and want my family to still call Oak Ridge home in 20-30 years. The current council has been unsuccessful in reversing the trend of declining revenue. I will work to identify real value efforts, not just those that “feel good.” I will work to make Oak … Continue reading The Oak Ridge Observer Question of the Week: What compelled you to run for City Council?

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 … Continue reading Remember, Honor, Learn, Teach

Hello again and thanks for stopping by! The last election was just two weeks ago, but we are not slowing down! I’ve already ramped up my efforts for November by meeting with as many businesses, leaders and citizens as I can. If you have time to talk, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the … Continue reading Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now! – Campaign Update

Last night, I pulled in a respectable 42% of the vote. Thanks to all of you who supported me and congrats to my opponent, Chuck Hope. We've accomplished a lot and established a serious foundation for a win come November. Time to get to work on round 2.  I've already started developing a new strategy … Continue reading An Excellent Start!

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 … Continue reading Emory Valley Center Visit

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 … Continue reading Can We Pretend That Airplanes….