Missing? I attended the Oak Ridge League of Women Voters Forum tonight at 7 p.m. I was joined tonight by Conservative Allen Cole. As typical, Kent Calfee was not present. The moderator ended up reading a statement provided by Mr. Calfee that said he had another engagement. I have to ask, what was more important tonight? The Roane Alliance had their Elected Officials Appreciation event tonight at 5:30 p.m., but Kent is not an elected official. So where was he?

Presumptuous? House Speaker Beth Harwell seems to have already anointed Mr. Calfee as the State Representative for the 32nd District by default; however, Kent hasn't yet won the election. I don't believe that he should already be referred to as State Representative Kent Calfee by Speaker Harwell. Do you? The campaign is far from over. His actions are presumptuous. He seems to believe that he’s already won the election and doesn’t need to debate. I have participated in three debates so far. Kent showed up at the Tea Party debate, which ended up getting him in hot water for his misstatements. Kent failed to show up for the remaining debates during the primary season too.

Unanswered Questions? The debates and forums give the people the opportunity to learn about the candidates. The voters have the opportunity to compare us side by side. I have to ask, do the people of the 32nd District really know the real Kent Calfee? Is he a leader? Is this how a leader is supposed to act? Even though Kent Calfee held a seat on the County Commission for 20 years, I don’t believe the people of Roane and Loudon Counties truly know the politician Kent Calfee. During the primary season, the voters only heard the talking points of a well-funded campaign run by outsiders masked by the now re-made candidate Kent Calfee.

Unsuccessful Leadership? We know that Kent has been unsuccessful fighting against the disabled tigers at Tiger Haven. He also lost in his fight against the Crete Carrier, the trucking company that invested millions in Lenoir City and Roane County. Kent was even on the opposite side of the Roane County Commission and the County Mayor in his efforts to stop economic development.

Unveiled! Is Kent scared to debate me? Is Kent even scared of the public? I have proven that I am accessible. I stand by the fact that I am not for sale as a candidate. I pledge that I will not be for sale as your State Representative. I will fight for bold reform for the 32nd District and all of Tennessee.

Reform or Status Quo? I hope that you will take the time to understand who I am. I am for reform that will position the State well for the future. I hope you realize that Kent has always been for the status quo, even though he's trying to re-invent himself and seems to think that the opportunity to represent you is a foregone conclusion. I ask you to stand with me against the status quo.

I am ready to work for you. I am ready to discuss the issues. I am accessible. I am ready to lead.

I ask for your vote.

Jack

Vote New, Jack McNew
Vote New in 32

I've seen a few swampy looking places around the county, but this one near K-25 is probably the largest we have. All we need are a couple of gators, and we could have another tourist attraction, complete with swamp buggy or air-boat rides!

If we're lucky, there won't be an increase in "West Nile" cases!

Larger view HERE!

Somewhere around 1949 or 1950 my family moved to a "flat top" house on West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge. I can remember the area and much of what happened in those days, even at 4 or 5, but seeing an original "flat top" at the AMSE Museum Saturday did not bring back any memories of the interior of the house.

I wanted to remember details of the house, but the exterior is all that I can remember. However, the tour of the original 68 West Outer Drive unit did nothing else for me, except make me proud that I lived during this era.

This unit is on permanent display at the museum now and you should make it a point to visit it...just for the sake of history.

My family moved from Oak Ridge around '51 or '52, but I will always feel a little part of Oak Ridge and of all that history.

Number 68 was auctioned off in 1950 and taken to Tazewell an used as a weekend home by the Fitzpatrick family. They recently donated it to the museum and I think it's a great addition and wonderful way of preserving history.

At a cost of around $3400 each, 1622 of these Type B-1 Houses, with 576 square feet of living space, were built in Oak Ridge between 1943 and 1945 to house some of the 75,000 people working at the plants.

The Type B-1 House had 2 bedrooms, one bath, a kitchen with extended pantry, and a living room.

Obviously, the houses got their name from the flat roofs. Some of these still stand today. This one was originally located at #68 West Outer Drive.

It was sold in 1950 and used as a summer home in a nearby town. The family recently donated it to the AMSE Museum in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Take a tour: www.amse.org/content_wide.aspx?Article=1173&menu=66

More photos HERE:

I received the following emailed notice from a local resident who is having trouble posting:

"The Oak Ridge Reservation Natural Resource Damage Assessment: Evaluation of Contaminant-Related Losses in Watts Bar Reservoir and Gains from the Black Oak Ridge Conservation Easement, Final Draft Report, dated March 25, 2009, has been released.

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