Oak Ridge judge McNees III steps down

“Ten years later, he became City Judge, and he held that role until this month,” Court Clerk Robin Nettles said. “In February, City Council appointed Oak Ridge native and Attorney James T. Normand to step in as interim Judge until the November election.”

Judge McNees was born in South Dakota, but moved to Oak Ridge in elementary school where he attended Glenwood. He went to Jeffersonville Middle and on to Oak Ridge High School.

His father served as Mayor of Oak Ridge from 1961 to 1965 and served four terms on the City Council from 1959 to 1975.

McNees met his wife, Ann, in San Antonio while in the military service, Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG), and was working as an attorney for Physical Evaluation Board (PEB), determining if individuals were disabled. They later had three children together and raised their family in Oak Ridge.

Ann also served many years on the Oak Ridge Board of Education.

“It’s been an honor serving the City of Oak Ridge and the time is right to retire and spend time with my family and growing grandchildren,” McNees said. “We’ve done a lot of great work.”

He and his family plan to remain in Oak Ridge.

“It’s no secret Judge McNees has made his mark here in Oak Ridge,” City Manager Randy Hemann said. “We appreciate his decades of dedication and wish him the best in retirement.”

Interim City Judge Normand was sworn in on March 11.

“I want to commend Judge McNees for all of his service over the years,” Normand said. “I’ve served in this role from time-to-time over the years and look forward to filling it now.”

Normand will remain in the role until the certification of the August 1 County General Election. The winner of that race will serve until the November 5 City General Election results are certified.

For more information or questions, contact the Court Clerk’s Office at (865) 425-3536.