Dear Editor:

Thanksgiving is here and I have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for the love of God in my soul, the love of my family and friends and for my good health. I moved to Newport in 2009 and am thankful to have found a new home. I had not lived here long until I began to hear about the big drug problem.

I signed up for this newspaper to learn more about Cocke County. I read the City of Newport and Cocke County crime reports. As I read the crime reports, I began to see one Deputy's name in particular. If I remember right he was a sergeant on the Sheriff's Department and his name is Armando Fontes. He was very much against drugs and every week I saw about drug arrests he made. It wasn't long until I read he was running for Sheriff. Deputy Fontes won with no problem.

I am thankful for Sheriff Fontes and the all his Deputies. They have done wonders with our continuing drug problems. I see the Sheriff is in on most on the drug busts. He doesn't ask his officers to do anything he won't do himself.

A lot of people might not stop to realize that every time these officers tell their families goodbye they are putting their lives in God's hands. They are in danger all day. I am so thankful to see the officers patrolling the road in front of my house. It makes me feel safe just knowing they are out there doing their jobs. I am also thankful for the Administrative Staff and the Corrections Officers. They have to be special people. Every day they come in, do their jobs and all the while taking abuse from the public and inmates.

I want to say thank you to Sheriff Fontes for his monthly report. He at least keeps us posted on what is going on in our county. He is understaffed and has to listen about the jail being unsafe. I don't think the jail problem is his fault. He also has to hear complaints about him not doing his job and maybe making a mistake. Don't we all make mistakes? I challenge the residents of Cocke County to be thankful for the department instead of always complaining about them. Put them on your prayer lists, I did.

Thank you and have a blessed Christmas season. May God bless you all.

Wilma Kuhlig