NEWPORT-Third district school board member Jerry Ramsey confirmed this morning that he submitted his resignation to Cocke County Director of Schools Larry B. Blazer following the board's called meeting Wednesday night.

"I have some health problems that must be addressed," said Ramsey this morning in a telephone interview. "This has not been an easy decision, but I have to make some changes in my business and family life for the good of my health."

According to Ramsey, he is acting on his doctor's recommendations.

Ramsey has represented the third district for 12 years, following his election to replace the late Mack Holdway.

"My term is set to end Aug. 31," said Ramsey. "I had planned to run for re-election and had my papers ready to go, but after having been to the doctor five times in the past month, I decided not to pursue that."

Ramsey, who chaired the board for two years, has earned a reputation for his conscientious attention to the school board and system. "Because of the state's financial situation and the new standards set to go into place, our state school boards face some stiff problems down the road. Our system deserves the best school board representation possible, nothing but the best," said Ramsey, in explaining his decision.

"I want to emphasize my decision has absolutely nothing to do with the board's selection of Manney [Moore] over Donnie [Frazier]," Ramsey continued. "I had my letter with me when I arrived at the board meeting Wednesday night and planned to submit it to Larry [Blazer} regardless of the choice the board made."

"I've actually had people ask me if my decision stemmed from Manney's selection, and I told them that you must think I'm a pretty petty individual to do that," Ramsey said.

Ramsey's term, along with those of current board chairman Pat Proffitt and fifth district representative Randy Shults, ends Aug. 31.

Ramsey and his wife Angela own and operate City Park Grocery. They have two sons, Marshall and Jordan.