Monroe Count Sheriff, Bill Bivens' Country Cook Out.
Celebrating Sheriff Bivens' his first anniversary (one year) in office.

On Saturday, October 6, 2007, a pleasant drive less than an hour south of Maryville in Blount County, the Monroe County Sheriff, Bill Bivens, is celebrating his first year in office. To mark his first year as Monroe County Sheriff, he is repeating the Country Cook Out which he sponsored last year as part of his campaign. This years cook out will be from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM and all visitors are invited.

The cook out will be on the 50 acre Bivens farm at 162 BIVENS RD, TELLICO PLAINS, TN 37385. Phone: (423) 253-7758

Here is a map from Maryville.

The farm is a short drive south on US 411 into Vonore and then left on US 360.

I called and spoke with Bill Bivens and asked him a few questions to better get to know him and report to Blountview readers on the Sheriff to our south and his Country Cook Out.

First he says, every one is welcome to his Country Cook Out. He hopes to have something for everyone. For the kids an inflatable slide / play ground and Pony rides. For the older and more athletic guests there will be volley ball and horse shoes.
There will be tents with tables and seating to make this a rain or shine event. There will be plenty of portable out buildings too.
A country music band will provide some sit back and relax entertainment and, if the sheriff can arrange it, there will also be a gospel band.

I followed up with some questions about his campaign and first year in office.

Why did you decide to run for Sheriff?
He has seen things he thought he could improve. He wanted to slow down the drug problem, He wanted to educate children about the dangers of drug use. Drug problem is number one.

Are there positive developments regarding the drug problem?
He says yes, especially that the Governor has signed a bill to make pseudoephedrine available only behind the shelves.

How did you go about constructing a successful campaign?
The people could see the problems and he spoke to people about the problems. He spoke at many public events and locations such as Fire halls, club meetings and dinners. And he stressed he spoke with citizens one on one.
Although last years barbecue was a good event for getting the message out, he also did old fashioned door to door campaigning.

What was your campaign's message?
Control the drug problem.

What have you learned in your first year in the office?
Lots! It is hard to know where start. The sheriff's position is a controversial position. It is a combination of appeasing and pleasing the public and doing what is right. Making arrests, after all, makes people mad. He has tried his hardest to be unbiased to eliminate problems as he finds them.

Proudest achievements?
Made some good drug busts. Jail improvement. Some schools our reach.
Was fortunate to get a grant. Home land security. For the Creation of a SWAT Team. He had a volunteer to write a grant proposal. Brian Turpin EMA director. Also K-9 Program with two handlers and Two dogs. Graduation of Female prisoners in the Mothers against drugs program.

What do you wish you could do better?
Wants to do more school outreach. Also Home awarenes programs to better educate citizens about protection of homes and property from burglars and thieves. Plans for effective utilization of a K9 unit and Swat Team.

I look forward to October 6th, 2007 and meeting Sheriff Bivens in person.

Forrest Erickson