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