Will you help by signing on to this urgent message to County Commissioners?  

The Knox County Board of Health is a respected volunteer group made up largely of local medical professionals nominated by their professional associations, along with Health Department Director Martha Buchanan, a citizen representative and a representative from the school system and Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs.

The Board of Health bravely makes decisions every week to protect our health and hospitals. But under influence from a vocal minority, Commissioner Kyle Ward introduced an ordinance that would abandon the Board of Health. Sadly, 5 of the 10 other Commissioners voted with him...while we're at the PEAK of the pandemic!  A YES vote would place all decision-making on one person - Health Department director Dr. Martha Buchanan.  As we know, Health Department directors are resigning in droves all over the country from just this kind of pressure. We must not allow this to happen in our County! 

Dr. Buchanan previously opposed this change and as reported by 10News she does not want the board's power to be stripped: 
"This isn't the time to make a change....We're not in a good place. I would say deciding who has the authority on who makes decision right now is like confronting a wildfire and arguing who gets to hold the hose." 

We insist that Commissioners vote NO to any change to the Board of Health in the upcoming second reading of the vote!  In matters of public health, we should rely on the advice of health professionals - not an individual who can be removed or influenced by political forces.