April 11 - 17, 2014
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Let’s play ball – but where? Parents claim athletic fields at town park not available to young ball players by PATTI STOKES OAK RIDGE – “The children of Oak Ridge and NW Guilford would like more access to the athletic fields at Oak Ridge Town Park,” reads the introduction of an online petition found at www.change.org. The petition was started last month by Oak Ridge resident Michael Criscuolo, who feels the town and parents of young children
who play T-ball and coach-pitch baseball have come to an impasse over the availability of the athletic fields at the town park. Criscuolo spoke at the Oak Ridge Town Council meeting on March 6, and again on April 3. Alan Davis, Oak Ridge Youth Association’s baseball director, also spoke during the citizen comment period on April 3. Both men expressed concerns about what they perceived as “kids taking a back seat to some of the organized adult leagues and tournaments that take place at the park.”
Citizens offer feedback on proposed trail route, budget by PATTI STOKES
As you can tell, I’m not a fan of the trails.” Adrian Williamson
This council wants to hear from you. Everybody wants to hear what the pulse of the community is on this.” Town Manager Scott Whitaker
SUMMERFIELD – Of the six people who spoke during the period designated for public comments at the April 8 town council meeting, one urged the council to move forward very cautiously with a proposed trail, and the other said council should not develop the trail at all. Cheri Pikett urged the council to obtain trail easements from private property owners before moving forward with the design of a proposed trail that would connect a future pedestrian tunnel under U.S. 220 to the A&Y Greenway. Adrian Williamson went a step further in his comments and urged the council not to spend any taxpayer dollars on the trails.
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“They’re not going to be used,” Williamson said. “I look every day when I ride down Old Oak Ridge Road – it’s a tremendous amount of upkeep – a lot of mowing. That’s another expense we’re going to have. As you can tell, I’m not a fan of the trails.” Since a proposed trail route was presented at the Feb. 11 council meeting, some citizens have voiced opposition to the town spending money to develop and maintain a public trail, and to the trail crossing over or “within breathing room of”
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IN THIS ISSUE News in brief................................3 Your Questions ............................4 Oak Ridge Town Council ...........6 ‘Labor of love’ .............................8 Business Notes • Bits & Pieces .10 Community Calendar..............18 Student Profiles ........................ 20 Capt. Sansour, District 1 .......... 22 Crime/Incident Report .............23 Letters/Opinions .................... 24 Grins & Gripes ........................ 25 Classifieds ............................ 27 Index of Advertisers .........31