John Fine is presented a proclamation by the Rhea County Commission
The Rhea County Commission honored retiring Clerk and Master John Fine at its Tuesday night meeting.
Mr. Fine, who has been clerk and master since his appointment by Chancellor Jeffrey Stewart in 2003, is retiring after 38 years of service in county government. Mr. Fine was elected in 1986 to the Circuit Court Clerk Office upon the retirement of Regina Metts.
Mr. Fine began his career in the Property Assessors Office in 1984.
In presenting the proclamation, County Commission Chairman Jim Reed said it was an honor to present this to his friend. Mr. Reed said that Mr. Fine was the reason that he had gotten into running for the commission.
Mr. Fine addressed the commission saying, “I am very honored. This means so much to me. I just made it public two weeks ago that I am retiring, and I have received numerous calls from a lot of people.”
Mr. Fine said he started out from high school with a job at Robinsons Manufacturing and then at Kayser-Roth Hosiery Mill. “I even worked driving the ferry across the river,” said Mr. Fine, referring to the days before the Highway 30 and 60 bridges were constructed. The ferry was the only way to go from Cleveland or Athens from Dayton at the time.
“So many people have said such kind words,” Mr. Fine remarked.
Mr. Fine told the commission that the county will be in good hands upon his leaving. “My chief deputy and right-hand person Bonnie Doss will be taking over.”
‘I have been looking forward to this day, but it will be like losing an old friend. It’s the friendships I made along the way. I really can’t put it into words what I feel,” Mr. Fine concluded.