Here's the story. Shadrack Water Sports, a boat company located on the Knox, Loudon County line, claims in their complaint that in years past they have been allowed to hold a boat show at the park. That in 2007 they were refused access to the park costing them lots of money. They claim that in 2008 they were again denied access to the park for their boat show. Shadrack then hired an attorney who then began negations with LC attorney, Shannon Littleton, to reach an agreement to use the park. In a letter, Littleton agreed per Harrelson, to allow Shadrack to use the park on the dates requested. According to Harrelson, Shadrack was to contact him to make arrangements for use of the park and to receive information on the rules and regulations for park use and areas to be used. Again according to Harrelson, he was never contacted by Shadrack to make arrangements for the use of the park.

Another event, The Annual Taste of Loudon County sponsored by the Loudon Chamber Of Commerce , was also scheduled for May 4th at the park. Everything came to a head Friday morning after email communications from Shadrack informed Harrelson that he was not to be at the park interfering with the boat show. Harrelson contacted the Lenoir City Police Department to respond to the park to assist with the problem.

At just about the same time, Lenoir City Councilman/Loudon County Sheriff's Chief Deputy, Tony Aikens arrived at the park with the court issued restraining order against Lenoir City , Tennessee it's agents and employees and specifically Steve Harrelson.

As incredible as it seems, Chancellor, Frank Williams had signed the restraining order just minutes earlier. effectively baring Lenoir city officials which includes the police and fire departments, from among other things, contacting anyone with Shadrack Water sports. While not specifically being barred from the park, the restraining order effectively prevents the Lenoir city Police Department from policing the park as any contact, intentional or accidental, with anyone involved with the boat show could be considered a violation of the court order.

Shadrack Water Sports is now free to conduct any kind of activity they want in the city park and the judge has effectively denied the police department and the fire department the the right to respond to any thing that might happen.

It's impossible to imagine that the chancellor could have read the restraining order and still signed it effetely taking away the city's right to manage a city park and even worse, taking away the Lenoir City Police Department's right to patrol an area of the city. No judge has that kind of power. This would be a kin to establishing a kind of police state.

Lenoir city officials have every right to be furious with the judge and should take all actions possible to show the judge the error of his ways and make sure nothing this ridiculous ever happens again.

Shadrack Water Sports has shown total disregard and contempt for the local community by using the judicial system to bully their way in where they were not wanted all in the name of profits. Hopefully this will be the last time we will ever see or hear the name of Shadrack Water Sports.

knoxnews.com Article