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- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 20 Nov 2007.
James F. Cureton obituary
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 2 Jan 2010.
Cureton announces Sheriff candidacy
It is official, Alton D. Cureton, of Saint Tide Hollow Road, has officially announced his candidacy for Sheriff of Cocke County, "I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet you and your families during this campaign season."
Cureton is a life-long resident of Cocke County and a 1968 graduate of Parrottsville High School. He is the son of the late Leroy and Ruby Cureton and the father of Danielle Overholt, granddaughters, Emerald Overholt and Megan Finchum.
Prior to the years of service at the Cocke County Sheriff's Department, Cureton worked for twenty-two years with the Bush Brothers Corporation. His duties that he performed were corporate in nature. Cureton later explored the opportunity to be involved in law enforcement when offered a job at the Cocke County Sheriff's Department.
He quotes, "It gives me great honor to say that I have worked every aspect of law enforcement while at the Sheriff's Department."
Cureton started working as a Corrections Officer and a short period later was promoted to working with the courts and promoted once more to Deputy Sheriff. He attended and completed Walters State Community College Police Academy in 2005. He later resigned both as Deputy Sheriff and Road Commissioner to pursue the office of Sheriff of Cocke County.
Cureton has said, "No person or group of people will in any way control me from doing what is right for the people of Cocke County. I realize Cocke County does not have a large sum of money to work with. I will work closely with the County Legislative Body (CLB) and I will use any and all resources wisely and properly to make the office of Sheriff run effectively. I will hold each of my officers accountable for their actions. I will ask the officers that work with me to take pride in our community, take care of all county property assigned to them, and to follow the policies and procedures that I will set forth. This is to ensure that their job is done with integrity. Many times in the past, county vehicles are wrecked which results in loss to the department. Officers will engage at high speeds or respond with lights and sirens that are not justified. I will promote public safety and public awareness as your next Sheriff. I will make the Sheriff's office available at all times to the people of Cocke County by moving the sheriffs office back to the first floor of the Court House. In doing so, citizens will not have to walk to the far corner of the Court House and up the steps to see the Sheriff of Cocke County. Our community is fighting a battle with illegal drugs, alcohol abuse, and burglaries. I will organize and support a strong community involvement in reporting the abuses that affect the quality of life for all the people of Cocke County. I don't consider myself more intelligent or in any way better than anyone else, but I promise to take time and work hard for the people of Cocke County and surrounding counties by volunteering at various non-profit organizations."
I have always been a compassionate horse lover and have been the Master of Ceremonies for several World Championship Horse Shows. I was elected three times as Road Commissioner of the third district of Cocke County where I served as chairman for several of those years. I am very familiar with a budget and how it operates. We must hold down spending and hold those accountable who waste money. A common sense approach is always best. If elected Sheriff, my officers will be seen patrolling each community by checking on homes, churches, businesses and etc. I will recruit a stronger reserve deputy unit that will be active in each community. I will work hard to maintain jail certification, by hiring qualified people and have a training/probation period for younger deputies. If elected Sheriff, I will be firm yet compassionate, and use common sense.
Cocke County is one of the greatest places in the world to live and has some of the finest people living here. As sheriff I will treat everyone the same, regardless of who they know or do not know.
I am asking for your vote and support in the upcoming Republican Primary." If elected I will not only be your Sheriff, but my doors will always be open to listen to your concerns.
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, d. 25 Aug 2002 (Age 84 years)