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The Chief Retires

Submitted by Gene Patterson on March 3, 2006 - 10:50pm

Chief Carlos Perez has announced his retirement. After just over a year, the Knoxville Fire Chief says its time to begin the next phase of his life.

The Chief has been under tremendous pressure from inside his own department. Six News has chronicled the controversy over the last couple of months. But what we don't know yet, is who made the call? Did the Mayor, someone representing the Mayor or the Chief himself decide it was time to end his tenure.

I wish the Chief well. It's tough being a change-agent and it was my understanding that's what he was brought to Knoxville to do. I'm not sure he was given enough time to change much.

The next big question - who follows him?

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Perez made the decision on

Submitted by John (not verified) on March 4, 2006 - 7:54am.

Perez made the decision on his own. I know this for a fact. He met with the Mayor on Friday morning and presented him with his retirement. The Mayor asked him to stay until a replacement can be found, indicating that it will be beyond the date Perez gave. People in the City County building say he and several other department heads are frustrated with the Mayor's lack of support and state he is playing favorites allowing other directors to have complete control over the city. Rumors are that there may be more retirements and resignations to come in the near future because of the frustration.

I personally wish the fire chief the best during retirement. He has earned it and should enjoy it. As a city taxpayer, I appreciate the job he has done. I drive by the fire station that has given him so much trouble (the one on Baxter) and they are always lounging outside smoking and socializing. Maybe the next chief can get them to do some work like the rest of the stations - I never see the firemen at the Linden or MLK stations outside sitting on their rumps.