In a quarterly daytime meeting today, Anderson County Commission had yet another opportunity to drop their lawsuit against Clinton over a pending annexation issue. In my opinion, the lawsuit was ridiculous to begin with, given that the annexation request came from the property owners themselves… no one was being taken against their will.
But, reaffirming my lack of confidence in most of them,they defeated the motion to dismiss by 10-6. Kudos to Oak Ridgers Robin Biloski and Scott Gillenwaters for being among the six — since the 5-year moratorium on annexation is either expired or nearly so, voting to keep the suit alive is simply wasteful.
Also on today’s agenda was Judge Murch’s request to move the General Sessions Court, Division I, to Clinton (where the Division II court also meets). It has been passed on to the Operations Committee, of which Oak Ridge Commissioners Robin Biloski and Scott Gillenwaters are members.
Early this morning, I wrote to my two commissioners asking that they oppose this move (which would cost Oak Ridge more, while reducing services). Also an early riser, our newest commission member, Whitey Hitchcock, responded with the following points that he planned to take to the meeting:
Assisting law enforcement agencies and the community in addressing crime – especially drug-related crime – is extremely important to the residents of District 6 in Oak Ridge.
The majority of arrests occur in Oak Ridge.
Court involves more than perpetrators and police. It involves victims and the community. They must also travel or be left out of the justice process.
Physical separation of the victims and the justice system lessens the potential for restorative justice; i.e. assisting the offended.
The cost of moving Sessions Court may entail greater overall expense than finding a new and appropriate facility.Therefore, I believe that it is in the best interest of the county, as a whole, to find and fund more suitable accommodations, within the City of Oak Ridge, rather than transfer court to Clinton.
I urge the County Commission to make this option a priority and to include a detailed cost analysis as part of any decision.
Then after the meeting, he followed up and let me know that the matter had been assigned to committee, and which Oak Ridgers are on that committee. Thanks, Dr. Hitchcock.
It seems that new commissioner (by one vote) John Shuey spent time huddled in the hallway with the Buildings & Grants director, Alan Beauchamp. Suppose he needed help figuring out how to vote? After all, he is the bailiff for the Div. I Sessions Court… seems like he might have some useful suggestions for improving security, if that is in fact the real reason for the suggested move.
Interesting points NM. Those voting for John Shuey can’t be accused of buying a pig in a poke, they knew exactly what they were getting as representation, a rubber stamp for Alan and Rex.
I’m really surprised at the other Oak Ridge commissioner’s votes and wonder if this is pay back because of the Bull Run fiasco or something else. If Bull Run comes up again I’d be interested in seeing how those four county commissioners vote, now that a majority of Oak Ridge’s commissioner’s vote to continue a loosing lawsuit.
I am glad to see some commissioners asking tough questions. Just wish more commissioners would ask tough questions.
I’m really kind of curious as to why Mr. Iwanski voted with the majority after coming on the “Tumor” and saying that the state had really unmined the county’s position. What do they hope to gain by continuing the lawsuit.
All of this was Fritt’s contention that by the Legislature changing one word it shifted the lawsuit from the County to Clinton’s Court. His rush to judgement.
That was like a Commissioner trying to get a
Operations meeting to vote to drop a lawsuit before his upcoming re-election.
1.) Clinton violated the 5-year growth plan law
(No Accountability) So it should just go away–
no harm no foul.
2.) Clinton has already annexed the Rodgers group property thus they have legal voting rights among other things.
There where several other issues expressed in
the Commission meeting by voting to drop the lawsuit Anderson County Commission was rubber stamping Clintons Vote last night and it(the law suit) will not cost the taxpayer any more money to wait and see what Clinton does.
Scott Gillenwaters tried to get 34 protective issues about the Rock Quarry added to the vote that is contained in legal lawsuit documents but
it was expressed by the County Attorney that it
has no weight with what Clinton does. (laws do that when the process is followed)
As the six that voted to drop the lawsuit it was as Robin Boliski wanted to play extend the Olive Branch of peace to Clinton. I wonder if she will say that to the Claxton citizens over the Steam plant.
The humorous part came from someone sitting in
the back of the courtroom—“She must be a ‘YANKEE’!!! ”
It is quite apparent that there are a lot of people that are not up to speed on has occured as well as what will occur.
Whitey Hitchcock applied reasoning before making his decision to keep the lawsuit but he could end up like the IDB in Oak Ridge if he does not have all the information nor apply
common sense to just simply voting.