Full Text of Amanda Melton McCracken County Coroner Announcement Speech
Given November 7th, 2017
I couldn’t be happier to be surrounded by family, friends, co-workers and colleagues as I formally announce my candidacy for McCracken County Coroner.
For the past 25 years, I’ve gained a unique set of skills which perfectly position me to further serve this county. As a Kentucky licensed funeral director and embalmer, I’ve assisted and served hundreds of families during their time of loss and grief – gaining their trust along the way. In fact, several of you are here because of the bond we shared during that difficult time. Expanding my career into the position of McCracken County Coroner is an opportunity to help even more citizens during their time of loss.
I’ve had the unique vantage point to work with and observe in-depth the last two coroners who have served our county, Jerry Beyer and Dan Sims. In 1993, Jerry hired me, a young woman still in Mortuary college, and began to help shape my career. For the past 22 years I’ve worked closely with Dan and his administration. These two men-with 56 years of combined service in the coroner’s office-have served the county well and I consider them valuable and important mentors. On behalf of the citizens of McCracken County, thanks to both of you.
Just last evening I received word that I have the full support of McCracken County Sheriff, Jon Hayden.
I have earned the support of these three men for good reason-they’ve seen me interact with grieving families at all times of the day and night; they understand the complex family situations that I help navigate; they know that I understand the legal issues that face the coroner’s office, funeral homes and our county; they know that maintaining the highest level of integrity in the coroner’s office is my strongest desire; and they know that I will be an advocate for the deceased through thorough and exhaustive investigation.
I’m largely here tonight because of a chance I was given and made good on with a long-term career at Milner and Orr Funeral Homes. There, I worked my way into a senior leadership role and in that position, have mastered the challenges of managing a large staff across multiple locations. Randy and Andrea Orr, their family and my co-workers and friends there, are truly a special group of people doing a difficult job together, offering emotional support when needed, and exhibiting unrivaled team work. When someone says, “It takes a special person to do your job”, we don’t disagree.
We see firsthand the heartache caused by unfortunate crisis; there’s no other way my workday unfolds. But each of us here have experienced the shock of a sudden and unexpected loss of a family member or friend. It’s because of my many years of experience, I know I am the best choice as McCracken County’s next Coroner.
As your Coroner, I pledge to protect the dignity and privacy of the families I serve, which I recognize is an ever-increasing challenge in today’s era of social media and instant reporting. I pledge to conduct myself with the highest level of ethics and principles. I pledge to do my part to see that the County is prepared for any disaster situation that might occur. I pledge to keep an open dialogue with the families I serve and to treat them with the utmost respect and compassion. I pledge to be a responsible and accountable steward of the county’s resources.
So many of you, in a variety of ways, have brought me here, to expand my career, to make a commitment to a larger cause. Today, I ask you, the voters of McCracken County, to allow me to put my years of experience and lifelong commitment to service to work for you as your next Coroner.
Thank you.