The Middlesboro Daily News - Local News, Sports, Classifieds and Businesses in Middlesboro, Kentucky

Shane Pippin

Staff Writer

The Bell County Sheriff’s Office has another positive audit in the books.

The office, with its latest report, has now recorded 11 consecutive audits with no more than one recommendation from the state auditor. And, that, according to Stephenie Steitzer, communications director for State Auditor of Public Accounts Adam Edelen, is the standard for sheriff’s offices.

This, she said, is where the sheriff’s offices “should be,” saying the Bell County sheriff and his staff seem to be doing things with continued accuracy.

Bennett said his goal as sheriff, as much as fighting crime and protecting the county’s citizens, is to keep his office “above reproach” and “without blemish” when it comes to the handling of finances in his office.

Bennett said he is proud to have been sheriff for 11 years and never had an “infraction” listed by the auditor.

“We pride ourselves on keeping a clean audit, and our audits have always been clear of wrongdoing,” said Bennett.

All sheriff’s offices are audited annually by the state auditor’s office.

Donna Sowders, chief clerk for the sheriff’s office, said, “The offices here have worked 11 straight years collecting taxes with no monies coming up short. The sheriff comes in over here to review and initial all daily checkout sheets and deposits.”

Bennett has more than 40 years of experience in law enforcement, having served in various roles, including federal positions and even working as a U.S. Marshal.

Reach Shane Pippin at 606-248-1010 ext 204, mpippin@civitasmedia.com

Comments

(5)

FLYNRINDER

April 17, 2013

Gering...no I am not with the Sheriff's Department but I am very proud to say I am a friend of Sheriff Bennett and a few of his deputies. Prescription Drug abuse is a huge problem I agree. I respect your opinion and your stand. I just feel that any bright spot we have should be recognized and appreciated. I will be glad to share the success of any action that will curtail or end this problem. I will keep waiting, just like you, for that day to come. But in the meantime, a word of appreciation goes a long way in future successes.

Gering

Well I'm just frustrated. Just how long is the wait? Is there an actual plan made even? And what plans that do get made to combat the pill problem? They never materialize. The new jail is one of those plans. You now got third generation pill abusers walking around. Are you affected in any way by pills? If not, give it time. It will eventually happen... Fact is at least HALF of Bell is on pills. The other part of the population refuses to speak up. What few that do? Get labeled as crazy or my favorite, "holdin a grudge" with any of the politicians there. Revolver and myself that comment mostly on Bell in here? We get it all the time. I will give Sheriff Bennett credit, he is actually an improvement over his last two predecessors. I just hope this future success you speak of would hurry up. Those third generation pill abusers will eventually turn into fourth generation pill abusers.

April 15, 2013

FLYNRIDER... Are you with the Sheriffs Department? Better yet, are you friendly with him or any of his officers? It sure looks like it to me. No, I do not want to run for Sheriff. I do want Bell County to prosper and do better though. Quite frankly it is not doing that, nor has it improved at all over the years. Actually it has gotten a lot worse. Is he fighting the pill problem in Bell County? Is anyone there in any official capacity fighting the pill problem? If so he or they are not effective enough. Eleven years is a long time. I would think by now I would have seen some kind of progress. Perhaps soon in this very page I will see a news article with glowing remarks and much congratulations to the good Sheriff on his progress on the prescription pill problem in Bell County. Just like this very article about his audit. Tell you what, how about we both wait for that article? I am sure it wont be long at all....

April 14, 2013

A clean office, but still a dirty county. You got pills and thieves still running rampant. Mr. Bennett. Will you please try a little harder with things? I really am trying to give you a chance. But it is hard to do it, when I see Bell County still the same as it has already been. A once beautiful and prosperous area is now reduced to what we see it as now. You have all that experience?

Use it! You should at the very least be making at least one drug bust a week also. I mean a big one. Not pulling someone over and just getting a handful of pills out of them every other day. That is how I would clean things up in Bell County. The pill problem must be fixed FIRST. Then the other problems will be easier to take on.

GERING...you running for Sheriff? Because you sound like it. Bruce Bennett is an honorable servant to the people of Bell County with an impeccable record. He has stood through some very difficult times in the 11 years he has served and came through them with honor. He hates drugs more than anyman in my opinion, has done more than any Sheriff since I have lived here to try to eliminate the problem. This story shows the integrity of the Sheriff's Department under his watch. I am proud of Sheriff Bennett and the Department for ALL they have accomplished. And I know he will keep fighing the "pill" problem as long as he wears the Badge.