The next “Lunch with the League” program will be held on Tuesday, March 3.  Mark Watson, City Manager of Oak Ridge, will present his annual “State of the City” address.

Watson has served as Oak Ridge City Manager since August 2010. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration and city management from the University of Kansas.  In 2019, he received his doctorate degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Watson is a second-generation city manager. He held this position in six cities in Texas, Montana and Arizona before coming to Oak Ridge. He has received numerous awards and honors, including an award by the International City/County Management Association (ICCMA) for his 40-year career in public service. He is also slated to receive the ICCMA Community Partnership Award for his recent efforts in developing a public, private partnership for the redevelopment of the American Museum of Science and Energy and re-use of its former site in Oak Ridge.

The meeting will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The presentation will begin at 12:00 noon. Lunches are provided by the Soup Kitchen and are available at 11:30 a.m. on a first-come basis for $10, or you may bring your own. Coffee and tea will be provided.

Lunch with the League is a public service program open to the community. Membership in the League of Women Voters is not required and there is no cost to attend.

The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, a nonpartisan political organization for men and women, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.