Published: August 27, 2008 08:13 pm            

Fourman's family releases statement

Burnside mayor under 'tremendous stress'

Burnside Mayor Chuck Fourman acted out of character during his weekend arrest, according to a statement released Wednesday by Fourman’s family.

Fourman’s wife Monica came to her husband’s defense, explaining that extreme stress drove the community leader to flee a traffic stop Sunday morning and lead police on a pursuit into Russell County.

The statement read as follows:

“In regards to the recent incident involving my husband Charles ‘Chuck’ Fourman, his family and I would like to extend our gratitude to everyone involved in the legal process. The professionalism of the Pulaski County Major Crimes Task Force in their investigation was first class. We appreciate the delicacy in which the matter was handled by the Burnside Police Department Chief Eddie Glover and Det. Phillip Woodall, the Pulaski County Detention Center, the Major Crimes Task Force and the Pulaski County School System’s transportation, community services and guidance departments. We would also like to thank the Burnside City Council for their overwhelming support and devotion towards the Mayor.

“Everyone that knows Chuck realizes that what he did the other morning was ‘not him.’ He has been under a tremendous amount of stress recently in every aspect of his life. His family and I stand by him, support him and love him unconditionally. Chuck is a devoted father and husband; everything he does is for the betterment of his family, friends, children, and people of his community.

Chuck, our daughter and myself would also like to thank our family and friends for all of their love and support. Without your phone calls, hugs, thoughts and prayers, we would not be able to make it through this difficult time.”

No indication has been given yet as to whether Fourman will continue in his role of mayor for Burnside. Fourman has overseen a number of changes and transitions in the self-described “only town on Lake Cumberland” since taking office in 2007, including a new sewer system, construction of a new library, fire station and city hall, and a vote held last year to determine whether Burnside would retain alcohol sales in restaurants, following the initial referendum in 2004 when Fourman was part of the Burnside City Council.

On Tuesday, the council formed a two-person committee to determine “the willingness and ability” of Fourman to continue serving as mayor, which will likely be addressed at the regularly-scheduled Sept. 8 meeting.

Fourman was arrested and charged with first-degree fleeing or evading police and two counts of wanton endangerment this weekend after he was stopped by a Somerset Police officer and found to have blood on his arm. Fourman left the scene of the traffic stop without waiting for EMS assistance. A nearly 30-minute police pursuit began when Fourman did not pull into the entrance to the hospital and instead drove further on U.S. 27, turning left onto the Cumberland Parkway.

Fourman was stopped by stop sticks approximately four miles into Russell County. He was treated at the Russell County Hospital for the injury and released and transported to the Pulaski County Detention Center where he posted a $5,000 bond Sunday evening.

An amount of blood found at Burnside City Hall shortly after the incident was directly connected to the injury on Fourman’s arm, according to the task force. Kentucky State Police Detective Douglas Boyd said the blood was consistent with the cut sustained by Fourman, but could not confirm if it was self-inflicted or accidental in nature.

Drugs, alcohol, and foul play were not considered to be factors in the incident, according to the task force.

Likewise, “the fact that the task force was called in to assist in the investigation should not be construed to indicate that any crime was committed or that any other person was involved,” according to the task force.

        

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