President’s Corner

RID Oak Ridge/Anderson County Board of Directors
by Kelly Dagenhart

Board Status

As a result of the public RID Meeting on November 14, 2000 at Oak Ridge First United Methodist Church we have voted to reaffirm the board status for another two-year term for seven of the previous board members. These are Kelly Dagenhart, Howard Hutcheson, Ernie Lees, Charlotte Lees, Kathy Miller, Grover Smithwick, and Kathy Moore. J.C. Scarbrough was voted on for a new two-year term. Mark Scarbrough is starting on the second year of his two-year term.

The Oak Ridge RID has nine of its fifteen authorized board positions filled leaving six positions vacant. If you are interested or if you know of anyone who might be interested in becoming a RID board member please contact Kelly Dagenhart at 865-483-8801. In addition to attending RID board meetings each board member is expected to contribute to the organization’s activities.

New Court Watch Data Manager

Kathy Miller has been doing a superb job as secretary for the board in addition to several other duties. She has agreed to take on the additional job of analyzing and periodic reporting of the conclusions of the Court Watch Data (that we mostly get from the court watchers). Since the last newsletter she has obtained all of the data files and computer program from Ron Turpin (a fact that was made more difficult since they were both changing computers during this period). Anyone who is interested in helping with this activity should contact Kathy directly at 483-8775 or call me at 483-8801.

A Difficult Situation Arising from a Minor Injury DUI Accident

I tried to help a victim of a minor-injury DUI accident recently without any luck. Her car had been destroyed by the accident and no insurance was available to make restitution. She was without a car with which to earn a living. There are approximately one million injury accidents a year caused by DUIs. Here is the story in her own e-mail words:

I am calling my Angels - Due to an accident caused by a drunk driver I recently had lost my car, and as a direct result my job. Trying to get support I contacted several agencies. Some of these organizations would help me - however with medical expenses only. I am a person who believes in the healing power of God and Nature, so I don't qualify for any compensation. I am just very thankful I wasn't seriously injured. Now I am in serious financial hardship and I pray for a miracle, so I won't lose my home as well. I am 51, and I had found the courage to start all over again after an abusive marriage. I am not looking for “a free ride,” I am merely praying for a decent car, so I can get a new job and take care of myself. I live in a remote rural area without public transportation. I do believe in Angels on earth and pray to be heard. If I could just get a car, even for a few months, my troubles would be over.
Brigitte A. Brown, 108 Roby Miller Rd., Roan Mountain, TN 37687 (423) 772-3220