Construction work continues at Jaycee Park in Clinton. - Ben Pounds
The city of Clinton has installed an all-way stop involving Ridgeview Drive, Unaka Street and Cedar Circle.
City officials announced the installation of these four new stop signs on an official Facebook page Oct. 2.
In other traffic-related announcements, City Manager Roger Houk said at the September City Council meeting that he had received designs for improvements on Yarnell Road and was working to schedule a meeting with neighborhood stakeholders.
He also said the city had advertised a tech grant contract for bid regarding pedestrian improvements in Clinton.
He added that hoped that contract would be on the council’s agenda for October.
Major construction on these improvements won’t likely start until January however.
The council voted to abandon a portion of the Westbury Height alleyway owned by developer Kenneth White, so that he can go ahead with a development.
Early voting begins today in Anderson County and across Tennessee for the Nov. 5 general election — which this year includes the choice of the next U.S. president — and record turnout is expected.
Besides national and statewide contests, there are local municipal elections on the ballot as well, including the entire Norris City Council.
“I would encourage people to vote early,” said Mark Stephens, Anderson County’s elections administrator. “There are going to be lines because there is such high interest in this election, and we hope our voters will be patient.
“We’re at a record number of registered voters in Anderson County, and I believe there will be a big turnout,” he said, adding that he believes there will be more people voting early than on Election Day.
“We’ve added equipment and additional poll workers,” Stephens said. “I highly suggest people vote early.”
Anderson County now has 53,576 registered voters, the most in history, Stephens said.
Early voting will continue through Thursday, Oct. 31.
There are three locations set up for early voting in Anderson County.
They are in the Anderson County Fair Association Building at 218 Nave St., Clinton; the Midtown Community Center (Wildcat Den), 102 Robertsville Road, Oak Ridge; and the former Anderson County government office at 3310 Andersonville Highway, Norris.
Early-voting hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday.
The McNeely Building, which houses the Norris Public Library and Norris Museum, will get new exterior siding to address a major issue with the historic building on Norris Square, thanks to the City Council’s approval Monday night of a nearly $80,000 contract for the work.
Separately, the council approved the acceptance of a $3,500 donation from city residents Spencer and May Boardman to cover the cost of running a city water line to the new Norris Creamery Park, which is under development along East Norris Road at the entrance to the city off Andersonville Highway.
The Boardmans, who have long been involved in volunteer work to aid many different Norris community projects and initiatives, are making the donation because there is no money in the city budget to pay for the water line.
Spencer Boardman, who has taken the lead on development of Creamery Park — entirely as an unpaid volunteer — told the council the line is needed to provide water necessary for construction projects in the park.
Despite the objection of Councilman Chuck Nicholson, who opposed accepting the donation and running the water line, the council gave its blessing to the project and the gift from the Boardmans.
The Anderson County Commission will vote on whether to dissolve its Animal Care Advisory Committee during its next meeting at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21, in Room 312 of the courthouse in Clinton.
The Operations Committee unanimously voted to bring the issue to the full commission.
Presentations will begin at 9 a.m., followed by a regular meeting at 9:30 a.m., and a joint meeting with the Planning Commission at 11 a.m.
Commissioner Phil Yager made the motion to bring the measure to the full commission, with Commissioner Michael Foster seconding. The decision followed comments from Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, who expressed frustration with the committee. She said one member, whom she did not name, had been too hostile for the committee to effectively advise her on animal control and shelter matters.
“If the goal is not truly to work with me, it’s not a partnership,” Frank said, adding that she would like more input into who serves on the board.
Jamie Brooks has temporarily taken over the responsibilities of running the Anderson County law director’s office.
County Mayor Terry Frank said he will serve as a contractor for 90 days, through Dec. 1.
The county is looking to hire a new legal director, but Brooks will serve in the meantime.
Brooks had recently served as chancellor. Daniel Forrester defeated him for that position in an election earlier this year.
“I despise the circumstances, but given the transition from the bench, the timing is good,” Brooks said regarding former Law Director Jay Yeager’s death leading to his contract as counsel.
“It gives me an opportunity to continue to serve Anderson County, which I was doing as chancellor,” he said.
Brooks said the biggest challenge has been catching up on ongoing litigation and contract matters.
The most rewarding aspect, he said, has been interacting with citizens and other county legal staff: paralegal Morgan Jones and chief deputy Nichole Brooks.
