I wish to take this opportunity to announce that I will NOT run for the position of Sheriff of Panola County in the upcoming election.

I am not naming the citizens who have approached me about this matter for two reasons:

1. I have no political aspirations

2. They were sober and serious which almost certainly makes them dangerous.

This misunderstanding stems from a comment that I made in a local den of iniquity several years back when I voiced an opinion on controlling crime in Panola County.

What I said was as follows:

“We should round up all of the worst miscreants we can snag between Pope exit and Crenshaw and deport them to Marks and Clarksdale.”

I continued, stating: “It was certain to lower crime statistics in at least three counties.”

Well, it was a good idea and it was the truth, or at least close enough to the truth for lawyers to argue about. But, if you think about this stratagem from all perspectives you can see it’s flawed. For every criminal we banished, four ultra left-wing liberals and a round dozen ACLU lawyers would kill horses, swarming into Panola county to take their cases.

I cannot and will not lead the good citizens of Panola County into a catastrophe of such magnitude in the name of progress. I am taking my hat out of the ring before it gets stomped again with my head still in it.

I apologize for the statement and any inconvenience I may have caused. And to remark, that if you are involved in a public life of any sort, be it political, musical entertainment or the rearing of small children, you should be d___ careful of what you say.

Sincerely,

/s/Ricky Harpole

January 5, 2010