Citizens Oak Ridge

Petition Drive Enters Final Push

Press Release
March 9, 2007

The petition drive underway in Oak Ridge for a bond referendum is entering its final weekend, and is gearing up for lots of hard work. "I have been amazed by the level of support," said Bill Schramm, president of the newly formed Citizens Oak Ridge, which is spearheading the drive. "We are making good progress with signature collections, and are working hard to build a strong showing for Monday. Residents have been eager to sign. However, the collection process is all one-to-one and takes a great deal of volunteer time."

The Oak Ridge City Council has voted to give $10.5 million in bonds and other funds to convert a mountainous site for a proposed shopping center. If successful, the petition would require the City to hold a referendum on the bond issue. A referendum would give residents time to evaluate the project and to vote on the expenditure. The City has contended that if City funding is not rushed, it would cost the developer the opportunity to submit his site to Target for consideration. The City Council first publicly considered the expenditure and the project at a January 29th work session, and approved the first $6 million in expenditure on February 19th. Citizens have 20 days from February 20th to gather signatures to require a referendum on the bonds.

Schramm pointed out that people assume that the petition will succeed because there is so much public opposition to the City's rush to commit $10.5 million in direct subsidies for a private developer. However, as collection is word-of-mouth among Oak Ridgers, it takes thousands of volunteer hours to gather signatures throughout the city in the alotted 20 days.

The group will hold an open house Friday, March 9th from 7pm to 9pm in the A-B Room of the Oak Ridge Civic Center. The Open House will give the public an opportunity to sign the petition, as well as an opportunity for volunteers to turn in signatures and obtain blank forms. Citizens Oak Ridge will hold a final open house for collecting signatures from Monday, March 12th 7pm to 9pm in the Club Room of the Oak Ridge Civic Center. The public is encouraged to sign at the earliest opportunity, to assist organizers in gathering and verifying submittals, before submittal to the City Clerk on Tuesday, March 13th.

Schramm says the enthusiasm for a public vote is consistent with the results from the City's own marketing survey, implemented through the League of Women Voters and a private consultant. Dr. Scheb, the U.T. professor who conducted the City survey, concluded that the public's level of distrust regarding the City's role in the project is very high. Dr. Scheb noted during his report on survey results that, even under a scenario where respondents were asked to assume that new tax revenues would be given to area schools, one-third of respondents still said no and another 19 percent were unsure. Responses were split even when respondents were told that the City grant would be "repaid". "A majority of people in this community feel that the City approach to fast-tracking the expenditure is contrary to their best interest," said Schramm. "They feel strongly that citizens should be given time to examine the City's propositions and to vote on any substantial City expenditure of this nature."

'Knocking on doors and bothering people at dinner time is not easy, so it has been very gratifying to have so many folks thank volunteers profusely for coming by. Many individuals have told us, 'I've been waiting for someone with a petition to come to my house'." Schramm noted, however, that the process of going door-to-door is slow and that more volunteers are needed. "It is clear that the people of Oak Ridge really want a chance to examine and vote on this issue."

Schramm said that it is unlikely that most households will receive a personal visit to gather signatures. "For that, I apologize," he said. "There are limited daylight hours when people are likely to be home and volunteers are available to make rounds." Schramm urged interested residents to gather valid voter signatures from friends and family on a blank petition form and to submit them by Monday, March 12th to 109 Darwin Lane off of Delaware Avenue. For more information, visit the petition website at www.citizensoakridge.com or call 220-0829.

For Further Information, Contact:
Bill Schramm, President
Citizens for Oak Ridge
220-0829
www.citizensoakridge.com