Order bars Lenoir City parks direction from city park

A Loudon County judge has issued a temporary restraining order against Lenoir City parks and recreation director Steve Harrelson and all agents and employees of the city from interfering with a boat show at Lenoir City Park this weekend.

Chancellor Frank Williams signed the order Friday in response to a request from Shadrack Water Sports, which had been given permission to use the park from Friday until Sunday.

Mike Farley, attorney for Shadrack, said that in April his client was granted permission for unrestricted use of the park this weekend and invested substantial money in promotion.

Earlier last week, Farley says, Harrelson notified the company that they could not use the park on Sunday because a Chamber of Commerce event was scheduled.

According to Farley, Harrelson and Lenoir City police were at the park Friday and informed employees of Shadrack they could not begin setting up boats for the show.

Harrelson could not be reached for comment.

Negotiations have been ongoing but Farley said he felt he had no choice but to seek the restraining order after threats from Harrelson to disrupt the show this weekend. The order authorizes the Loudon County Sheriff's Office to remove Harrelson or his agents from the park if they attempt to interfere with the show.

The order signed Friday would also prevent Lenoir City police from responding to the park. Farley said Saturday that he was drafting an amendment to the order that would allow police to patrol the park during the boat show.