Pubdate: Fri, 17 May 2002 Source: Oak Ridger (TN) Copyright: 2002 The Oak Ridger Contact: http://www.oakridger.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1146 Author: Scott Manning MANNING SAYS MISTAKES MAKE HIM BETTER PERSON To The Oak Ridger: First of all, I want to say thank you to the citizens of this county for the opportunity to serve as their sheriff for the past eight years. It has really been an honor and I will continue to work hard over the next several months. I appreciate all the support and assistance during my campaign from my friends and supporters. I have experienced many accomplishments over the past eight years. We have worked hard to keep drugs from your children and to protect your property. However, none of these accomplishments would have been made possible without the hard work and dedication of the men and women of the sheriff's office, who proudly serve the citizens of Anderson County. Though I made a lot of positive accomplishments, I made my mistakes along the way as well. More important, I have learned from my mistakes and they have made me a better person. Exposure to eight years of local courthouse politics has taught me to use better judgment, appreciate your true friends, and when in doubt, to ask questions. Nevertheless, no excuses here, I accept full responsibility for any of my actions. Furthermore, I apologize for any embarrassment l might have caused anyone, particularly innocent parties and their families. Many times in life, we are only judged by our mistakes, not our accomplishments. Often, I heard citizens say that I did such a good job my first four years and didn't do anything my second term. In reality, we made more drug arrests, seized more property, had a lower budget increase, reduced the burglary/theft offenses, eradicated more marijuana plants, reduced the employee turnover rate by 20 percent, generated nearly twice as much money back into our general fund, had more inmate work hours, had no jail escapes, passed all jail inspections, and passed all state audits of our budget. From a law enforcement and citizen protection standpoint, we had a better second term than the first. However, perception is reality, and my public perception was one of controversy and unanswered questions. Since 1988, I have served the Anderson County Sheriff's Office and l have made many wonderful friends along the way. It is time now for a new era of law enforcement leadership, as chosen by the voters. I respect their decision and will work with each candidate to see that they understand the operations of the office and participate in the ongoing budget process. The sheriff's office will soon begin a new future and I hope it succeeds in its new challenges, strives to meet its goals, and gives its best to serve and protect the citizens of this county. More important, I hope that drug enforcement remains a top priority with the new administration. Keeping drugs away from our children and off our streets is critical to a safer community and county. However, as your sheriff, my work is not done. Over the next few months, I will continue to address the drug problem, start a new child identification program, continue our DARE program, protect your property, and work with other agencies. Oh, life ahead won't be easy; no bed of roses here. We all have mountains to climb, fences to mend, with friends and supporters, and bumps in the road. But, we can make it if we apply faith, commitment, and personal pride to our everyday living, and that's for sure, because we are united as one to protect and preserve the free blessings of our society. Once again, thank you for everything that you have done for me and if I can ever be of any assistance, feel free to contact me day or night. May God bless each and every one of you and may all of us work together to make out county a safer place to live and work. Scott Manning Clinton - --- MAP posted-by: Josh