Concerns about the quality of service and response times are creating homeowner opposition to a Shelby County Commission proposal to provide Memphis fire services to the de-annexed areas of Cordova. 

Resistance to the request, which the commission public works committee will revisit in February, is the latest in the push from Cordova residents to establish independence from the Memphis city government.

Patti Possel, a resident and activist in the district, “stood on the shoulders” of other citizens fighting for de-annexation in Rocky Point and South Cordova, approved by local officials in 2018 and 2019 respectively, before it became official in 2021. 

‘Big risk:’ Cordova residents react to proposed fire plan

South Cordova was treated like the “red-headed stepchild,” and it did not receive sufficient fire, police or trash services when it became part of the city in 2012, according to Possel. 

“We never wanted to be in, and it took us eight years before we actually got out,” Possel said.