County Officials Questioning Future of Union Gro
625 views · Published 23 January 2015 · 2:45 · Indexed 29 September 2026
Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2015 · News & Politics
A volunteer fire department in McMinn County is facing closure after an investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller's Office claims their former administrator embezzled thousands of dollars. But the county Mayor says, the problems with Union Grove started long before that. Thirty five years ago, Fire Chief Alvin Shoemaker built the firehall with his father from the ground up. But now, the future of the town's fire department is in jeopardy. "It's former members maybe talking about some lack of training issues and things they just felt were really didn't meet the level of standard that the fire department once had," said McMinn County Mayor John Gentry. Mayor Gentry says because of complaints like that, they may be forced to do something he says, they don't want to do. "Quite frankly I just felt a little uneasy sending a brand new quarter of a million dollar truck under those conditions," said Mayor Gentry. Mayor Gentry believes it's future doesn't lie in the hands of the county. It's the ones that call Union Grove, home that hold the key. "What we're working with now is we are leaving this with the community to deal with, giving them some time to have some reorganization with that department," said Mayor Gentry. But if they don't, "If things aren't changed, if that department cannot strengthen its membership and level of training and commitment, we'll probably have to move those trucks," said Mayor Gentry. Chief Shoemaker says he will do whatever it takes to prevent that from happening, even if it means giving up his title of Chief. "But if they'll do right and get things straightened out, I don't care to step down cause really, truly, I'd rather be an officer and help the fire department instead of being the chief trying to fight fires," said Chief Shoemaker. Mayor Gentry says the next step is to reach out with surrounding fire departments to prepare for some kind of plan to cover Union Grove in case they do have to shut it down. by Alyssa Spirato More on the this story McMinn Volunteer Fire Department Treasurer Indicted for Mismanaging Funds
More from this channel
-
2:52
Dave's Diamond Darlings at Rivermont Dream League, June 8, 2012
-
2:39
Update: Murderer Takes Plea Deal
-
1:58
Thousands Attend Redesigned
-
0:52
Phillip D. Glass Getting a Makeover
-
1:58
UPDATE: Verdict Reached In Reginald Tumlin Trial
-
2:15
NC Man Heads Out on Trail of Tears Water Route
-
2:54
Chattanoogans Continue To Opt Out Public Transportation
-
3:40
Prescription Pain Killers Kill