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Alexander County sheriff resigns

From staff reports

Published: September 16, 2009

TAYLORSVILLE - Alexander County Sheriff Hayden Bentley will retire at the end of the month.

The Democratic Executive Committee will submit the name of a replacement to Alexander County Commissioners, who will then vote to confirm the new sheriff.

The new sheriff will serve the final year of Bentley's term, which is due to expire in December 2010.

Bentley issued the following letter to explain his decision:

Dear citizens of Alexander County

It is with a combination of sadness and excitement that I will officially be retiring as your Sheriff, effective September 30th 2009. It has been my honor and privilege to have served you, here in my home county for the past 33 years, seven of those as your sheriff. My gratitude to you for your support, kindness and concern, for not only me but my entire family, over the years can never be fully expressed in words. You are now and will continue to be part of who I am. I am not a man of many words when it comes to public speaking, never have been. I've never been known for my eloquent speeches and that isn't likely to change in this letter to you. What I have striven to be and will endeavor to continue to be, is an honest and truthful public servant to the citizens of this great county we live in. I will be leaving office with only the best memories behind me and the intent of making many more lasting memories with my family and friends in the future.

Please know that this was not an easy decision to make. I would also like to alleviate any rumors or concerns before they start … I am not sick, my health is fine at this time and I have no immediate plans to seek any other public office. I am simply looking forward to spending more time with my family here and my son's family in Tennessee.

I would like to express my sincerest thank you to the Alexander County Democrat Party, every individual who has influenced and encouraged me in my career, my family, my late wife Joy, with whom none of this would have been possible, but most importantly, thank you to every citizen of this county who took your time on two early November days to go to the polls and cast your vote for me.

It has certainly been my pleasure to work for you.

Sincerely,

Sheriff Hayden Bentley