Together, We Achieve Great Things

By Sheriff Frank Reynolds

With the presidential election occurring this month, the big question on everyone’s mind seems to be, “Who will be our president?” However, one thing is for sure, I will have the opportunity to serve as your sheriff for another four years. I offer my sincere and humble “THANK YOU” for entrusting me with this very important office. It is an honor to serve our community.

This election season is reminiscent of the 2005 Iraqi general election to select a permanent 275-member Iraqi Council of Representatives. On December 15, 2005, I was serving as a member of the State Department’s high-threat personal protection team in Baghdad, Iraq. From time to time, our team was assigned to protect visiting delegations of United States representatives and senators. The previous day, one such delegation flew in, which involved Senators Joe Biden, Lindsey Graham, Saxby Chambliss, and Maria Cantwell, and a handful of staffers. You may recall the photos of smiling Iraqis holding up purple inked fingers. I remember thinking to myself how great it was to be a witness to world history.

As I reflect on the election in Iraq, I can’t help but think of how proud they were to have the opportunity to vote. I, too, am proud to live in a country where I can cast my vote. What I am not proud of is the divisiveness within our country, and I think we can do much better as Americans.

Cherokee County is a great community. We are certainly not perfect, but I would like to point out a few things that make our county especially great. We have the lowest millage rate in the metro area, lowest crime, and one of the best school districts in the state. We also have wonderful parks and recreation, natural resources with Lake Allatoona and the Etowah River, and a thriving local economy — despite some COVID-19 setbacks.

We also have a wonderful local government with our elected city and county officials. Sure, there may be some challenges from time to time, but it all seems to work out for the best. Anytime I have a question, I know I can pick up the phone and call someone who will do his/her best to help. I hope others feel the same way about me.

This year has certainly been interesting, to say the least. Yet, despite the troubling times, our community has bonded together in some very positive ways. Individuals and organizations have helped those in need, local businesses have modified their services to remain open, and children are back in school. We have all found new and innovative ways to live our lives as normally as possible, but we have not done it alone. We have achieved some great things together.

This year is coming to a close, and we can be assured of one thing — someone will be elected president of the United States. He may not be my preference, or yours, but this will still be America. We should take pride in the fact that we live in the greatest country in the world. May God bless you, your family, and the United States of America.