Knox County Mayor's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Susanne Dupes                                                            October 14, 2009
215-4439 office                                             

Mayor’s Office Statement on Forks of the River Fire Protection District

After meeting with Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale today, Rural Metro representatives and John Valiant, attorney for concerned businesses, agreed to dissolve the Forks of the River Fire Protection District, pending approval of the County Commission, effective December 31, 2009.

Rural Metro will work with individual businesses and property owners to seek subscription services to continue fire protection for the Forks of the River Park.  Future service will depend on the number of subscribers.

“I applaud the cooperative spirit and I am pleased that both parties have agreed to a compromise solution.  I am optimistic that the private sector will work with Rural Metro so that quality fire protection can continue in the park,” said Mayor Ragsdale.

“I will encourage County Commission to follow this course of action,” Ragsdale stated.