| Sources |
- [S74] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume IV, 1987-1999, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 8 Mar 1999.
Wilma Jean Romines Helton obituary
- [S106] The Mountain Press.
According to the New World Dictionary, the definition of a constable is a peace officer in a town or village, with powers and jurisdiction somewhat more limited than those of a sheriff.
Candidates Sam Ayers, Jerry Green, Bob Hauther, Mike Heath and Carl Helton all desire to have their pictures next to that definition, as they vie for constable in the county's second district.
Ayers, a life-long county resident, spent 12 years in the military, and said he had always been interested in law enforcement.
"I want to help the county and keep it as safe a place as possible for people to raise their kids," said Ayers. "This is just the place to do so."
Ayers, a builder and real estate agent at Parkway Real Estate in Pigeon Forge, said he plans to help local police lay down the law at all costs.
"I don't like it when people do stuff they're not supposed to do and get away with it," said Ayers. "When drugs and other stuff invade this county, I will keep that stuff out of here."
Ayers is also in business with his brothers, Jeff and James, at Ayers Residential Contractors, a business they have had for six years. He said he has received a lot of support for his campaign, especially from them.
"I want to help our county as I helped our country," said Ayers, who served during the Gulf War.
"I am a local, and I have more interest in preserving this county than anyone," Ayers continued. "I'm just a phone call away."
Ayers and his wife, Cindy, have been married for six years. He has four children, Shareen, Jayson, Austin and Riley.
Green, also a county native, left in 1971 to pursue other avenues. He moved to Warrenton, Ohio, and worked several different jobs, including being on the police force. He returned to Sevier County in 1991, and is currently on disability.
"I wanted to give back to the county," said Green during an interview from his home. "I like to try to make things better than what they are. Having worked as a police officer, I figure it will qualify me for the constable job."
Green said that if elected he will consistently patrol the district, and that residents would be safe and out of danger's way.
He said that local law enforcement is doing a good job, but there are some improvements that could be made.
"The county should support the constables more," said Green. "When we get elected, we have to furnish everything ourselves. (Police) could get rid of used cruisers and give them to the constables and help them."
Green said he has had support from various county officials.
"They were satisfied with what I had to say," he said.
Green has two daughters, Amanda and Janice, and three sons, Jeremy, Edward and Jerry Jr.
Heath, who was born and raised in Indiana, has been in law enforcement and security for 25 years. Having lived in Sevier County for six years, he is the owner of Smoky Mountain Security Patrol, which provides security for hotels, resorts and associations.
Heath said he has been involved in every aspect of law enforcement imaginable, from working in jails to serving as a park police chief, and even has firefighting experience. His father was a sheriff for 30 years, and his son is a police officer.
"I have worked closely with the Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville police," said Heath. "I have had a good response from all the departments, and they have encouraged me to run."
Heath said he has seen improvement in different areas of the county, and that all the government agencies are doing well.
"The police and fire departments are excellent," said Heath. "They have written some grants to get better equipment. They are on the right track to improve communications capabilities. Having laptops in police cars to find information on criminal backgrounds can save an officer's life."
Why should anyone vote for him?
"I'm honest, professional and have been in uniform for 25-plus years," said Heath. "I always try to project a positive attitude and I have learned a lot from my seniors.
"My grandfather told me it doesn't matter where you are," Heath added, "you should try to make where you live a better place."
Heath and his wife of 28 years, Diane, have two sons, Jeff and Scott, and two daughters, Julie and Angela.
Helton, another Sevier County native, has been a production manager for Swaggerty Sausage Co. in Kodak for 19 years. He said he loves the community and will do anything he can to ensure its safety.
"I want to make sure children will have a good place to live and grow up in like we did," said Helton. "God gave us the gift of children, and if we don't preserve the community for them, what kind of life will they have?"
For many years, Helton has been active in coaching little league football and baseball, and served as the director of football for Pigeon Forge in the English Mountain Conference, covering Sevier, Cocke and Jefferson counties.
Helton said he thinks local law enforcement is doing a good job, but needs more help.
"Right now, they just need more law enforcement," said Helton. "The population has doubled in the last 10 years."
Like the other candidates, Helton said he has received lots of support.
"I'm friends with a lot of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville officers," said Helton. "They encouraged me to do this. I think we'd do good together.
"I hope people that go in and vote see the life I've lived for the last 37 years and think that I would be a good choice," Helton continued. "I have organized and helped in fund-raisers for youth programs and other charity events. When I dedicate myself to something, I am 100 percent for it. Most people I know would back that statement up."
Helton and his wife, Melissa, have a son, Logan, and a daughter, Kealy.
Hauther, originally from Cleveland, Tenn., has lived in Sevier County for 17 years and owns a trucking business, Hauther Transporting. He is a certified auto mechanic.
Hauther said he wants to be constable because he wants to get involved in law enforcement and the court system, keep citizens protected and watch neighborhoods.
"I have been out in the community and talked with people about their needs," said Hauther. "We need people out there to be visible and patrolling the area. Local law enforcement needs all the help they can get."
Hauther said law enforcement is doing everything right, but the county is too large for the amount of officers it has.
"We need to hire more," he said. "I think the police are doing an excellent job for what they deal with.
"If I get elected," said Hauther, "People can take vacations and can call me so they can have extra patrol in their neighborhoods."
Hauther and his wife, Barbara, who is a print shop owner, have two daughters, Angela and Christina, and five grandchildren.
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
68114 CARL EUGENE HELTON KIMBERLY MICHELLE MYERS
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Groom's Name Bride's First Name Bride's Maiden Name County Date of Marriage File #
HELTON CARL E KIMBERLY M NOT GIVEN SEVIER 10-10-1986 46994
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
123503 CARL EUGENE HELTON MELISSA MICHELLE STARRITT
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