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Kudos to Sheriff Blakely

Dear Editor:

My sister and I met Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely while attending night classes at Athens State University. He was an Alabama state trooper back then.

While working at Calhoun Community College, our paths crossed again when Blakely supported the national award-winning student-led drug-prevention program at Calhoun called Bacchus, the first president of which was Sherry Patterson Ewen. (Editor’s note: Peggy Atkins started the club).

Blakely attended every Bacchus event or contributed to every program in some manner. Other area leaders also backed the program, including former Athens Mayor Dan Williams, former Decatur Mayor Bill Dukes, former Morgan County Sheriff Steve Crabbe, Bill Dunnavant of WZYP, and Ronnie Dukes of Pepsi. Mike is the only one of the city people left.

When I retired in 2000, the great Bacchus program died.

By then, Sheriff Blakely had become a trusted friend and a man of many accomplishments. He has made the rodeo an award-winning event that is unlike any other that I have know of in the state. He has also achieved success in with many other projects over the years.

Our paths crossed again July 14, 2017, when my truck was stolen from my driveway.

I called Sheriff Mike Blakely and he said, “Hon, don’t worry, we will find your truck. It won’t be like it was, but we will find your truck.”

I received a call from an officer on Aug. 18 around 5 p.m. who said, “Found your truck.”

All is well that ends well.

Since this is the season for thankfulness, I want to say I am thankful for the sheriff and all the other law enforcement officers who make this a super place to live.

Merry Christmas.

Sincerely,

Peggy Atkins

Athens