Clinton County Fiscal Court held its regular monthly meeting last Thursday evening, July 16 before a packed house in the upstairs courtroom of the courthouse, with about half of those in attendance having, at one time or another, worn a uniform representing the United States military.

It wasn’t deep into the meeting, which lasted only about 40 minutes total, until it became known why the packed house and so many veterans were present, along with all fiscal court members.

Judge Executive Richard Armstrong opened the floor to court members saying he understood some of the members would like to speak on a recent issue, or in this case, rumor, that had recently surfaced.

Second District Magistrate Ricky Craig opened the comments by quickly and emphatically putting down a rumor that the county (more particular the fiscal court) was going to do away with the Veterans Administration assistance officer position, held by Earl Claborn for the past nine years.

Craig said there had been rumors going around that the court was wanting to cut out the veterans officer position, which he stated was a flat out “rumor and a lie.”

That statement was one of several made during the meeting that drew loud rounds of applause from most everyone in attendance, especially the over 30 veterans who were there in support of Claborn and the work he does.

Claborn also spoke to the court, in part giving court members and the public an overview of how the Veterans Administration had helped veterans and their dependents, also giving some numbers from the latest calendar. Among those numbers showed the VA supporting 655 veterans with more than $5 million in overall benefits. Almost $2 million was given to support healthcare, and, in Clinton County alone, $218,000 was spent to assist veterans’ children in paying college tuition.

Claborn also noted that since he has been the assistance officer in the county, he had never asked the fiscal court for a raise–with his salary coming into the meeting at just over $14,000 a year. He also said that most VA assistance officers cover several counties and that Clinton County was the only one in the state of Kentucky that had its only VA based assistance officer located in its county, although he also assists veterans and their families in other area counties as well.

County Treasurer Dallas Sidwell also spoke as to the issue of where such a rumor may have originated, saying that in past years, the question had been raised as to which offices in the county had to be funded, or paid, by county government under state law.

Some offices, including that of the veterans officer, which is considered a part-time position, are paid from excess fees turned back over to the county. He noted in past years those fees had amounted to very little.

Magistrate Mickey Riddle said he didn’t know where the rumor came from or how it got started, but also said it wasn’t true, and the county never had any intention of doing away with the position.

A few of the veterans in attendance also stood up to speak on Claborn’s behalf, giving some testimony on how he had helped them over the years. One veteran said, “I don’t intend to see Earl Claborn be cut out of Clinton County, he has done a great job and we (veterans) stick together.”

Another commented, “Anything said against Earl Claborn would be said about all veterans themselves.”

When the discussion ended and everyone had a chance to speak, Judge Armstrong, who was apparently in agreement with what he had heard from the magistrates and public said, “Let’s vote to give him another $1,000 (a year).” A motion was quickly made to that effect and passed by unanimous vote.

The fiscal court conducted other business at last week’s meeting, including approving raises for some county employees; more details on the other issues can be found beginning on page 1.