When it comes to instruction, Carter County constables are in good hands.
The sentiment rang true from District 7 Constable Ken Potter, who presented local attorney James “Jim” Bowman with a pair of awards Friday during a special ceremony hosted at Smoke House BBQ Company in Elizabethton.
“Each year the constables have to receive a 40-hour inservice training class,” Potter said. “We got the instructors together and this year we taught it at the rescue squad.”
“Jim came up and he always does a great job. He’s a great lawyer and a great instructor,” Potter added. “We wanted to present him with an instructor’s award for excellence for that.”
Bowman received a plaque from Potter and U.S. House Rep. Timothy Hill, who was also on hand for the event.
“I’m extremely gratified and appreciative for this,” Bowman said. “I’ve had the opportunity to speak with the constable group for several years and it always impressed me that this group comes together in order to provide a good service for the community.
“I’m a defense attorney,” he continued. “As a citizen and as an attorney, I’m always appreciative of good law enforcement. The system works best when the people are competent to know their jobs, and it is my pleasure and honor to work with the group.”
Potter is no stranger when it comes to working with Bowman and he added he’s enjoyed every minute of it.
“Having served 10 years as a chief deputy in Carter County, I’ve seen both sides of the spectrum,” he said. “He’s a great defense lawyer and a person. You can talk to him anytime and he’s always in for the right thing. The Carter County Constable Association voted to have Jim as legal counsel for the association.”
Rep. Timothy Hill, who was also in attendance, was quick to sing the praises of Bowman and the constables, adding each provide a great asset for the area.
“We spend a lot of time in the 24/7 news cycle about all the bad and stressful things going on in the world,” Hill said. “Today, we had the opportunity to bring recognition to Jim for doing something that is right. That’s one of the my favorite parts of this job, bringing recognition and honor to people that deserve it.
“The constables are a great group of folks statewide and here locally,” he continued. “They play a very important role and Jim stepped up when the constables needed training.”
Friday also proved to be a less stressful day for the Representative with election just days away.
“I think everybody is ready for November 9 to come, because that’s the day after the election… and because that’s my birthday,” Hill jokingly said with a smile. “But we’re ready for the election to be done and we’re ready nationally to see the course we’re heading for over the next for years and beyond.”
“From a state’s perspective, I’m the majority whip for the House so my job is to watch all the Republican House seats across the state,” he added. “We’re very interested to see how that goes then get ready for the legislative session next year.”