Pubdate: Sat, 21 Feb 2004
Source: Knoxville News-Sentinel (TN)
Copyright: 2004 The Knoxville News-Sentinel Co.
Contact:  http://www.knoxnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/226
Author: Winston K. Smart

SHERIFF SHOULD ANSWER FOR ACTIONS IN OFFICE

Who does Sheriff Tim Hutchison and his staff have to answer to?

It seems that, on a consistent basis when we Knox County citizens and 
taxpayers open our newspapers or hear our local newscast on TV, Hutchison 
and his staff are in a situation that doesn't look good on them and their 
department. It seems that Hutchison and his staff have their own rulebook 
and make up the rules as they go.

Everyone has to answer to someone, and Hutchison should be no exception. It 
seems to me that Hutchison and his staff get behind closed doors, and he 
tells them what he is thinking about, such as building airstrips in East 
Knoxville, leasing property to put horses on, giving bids to campaign 
supporters and on and on, and he asks his staff to find a loophole in the 
law so, when he goes forward with the project, he and his staff can't be 
held accountable in any way.

There are way too many things Hutchison has taken upon himself to get done 
without any approval from anyone other than himself. It seems to me that 
Hutchison should get approval from a committee somewhere first before he 
makes any decisions to spend our tax dollars or seize drug monies in any 
way whatsoever.

It is very arrogant of any one of us to think we can set our own rules in 
any position we are in and that we don't have to answer to anyone for it.

The citizens of Knox County might want to refer to Hutchison as Sheriff Tim 
"Loophole" Hutchison if this behavior continues.

WINSTON K. SMART

Powell
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman