City names new fire chief
Sally Nicely
The Oxford Board of Aldermen appointed Mike Hill chief of the Oxford Fire Department Tuesday night.
"This is a big day for me," Hill said as he received his appointment from the board.
Hill's appointment allows him to achieve a personal goal he set for himself when he interviewed with the OFD 22 years ago.
"I told him (the fire chief) that day, I remember it like it was yesterday, I told him my goal was to be fire chief for the city of Oxford," Hill said. "To achieve that means a lot to me now."
Oxford Mayor Richard Howorth said the board and the city had "full confidence" in Hill and they looked forward to working with him.
Hill's appointment came after OFD Chief Jerry Johnson announced his plan to retire by May 30.
Hill thanked the city and Johnson for the appointment.
"I would like to say a big thank you to Chief Johnson. Without a doubt if he wasn't my chief all these years I wouldn't be here today," Hill said.
The city chose to look for Johnson's replacement within the Oxford Fire Department, and Hill was the only applicant. Howorth said this showed him that the entire department was behind Hill.
FNC granted naming right of Oxford-Lafayette Fields
FNC Inc., a real estate appraisal consulting company, received a standing ovation from the board as they were granted naming rights of the now FNC Park at Oxford-Lafayette Fields.
Brad Freeman, Oxford-Lafayette Sportsplex planning and marketing director, said FNC's sponsorship is worth $500,000 over a 10 year period.
"We appreciate all of y'all at FNC and everything that you have done for this community and the many way you have expressed your support in this community this in particular is real good news," Howorth said.
Howorth said the city will do everything it can to make the park something that FNC would be proud to have its name on.
"We gratefully accept the donation," said Alderman Pat Patterson.
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