Former Judge/Executive Larry Hatfield is throwing his hat back into the ring of politics, but only for a short while.

Hatfield had been appointed by Governor Steve Beshear to fill in as 3rd District Magistrate in Clinton County.

The word on Hatfield’s position to the fiscal court came last Friday when a press release was issued by the governor’s office.

Hatfield will replace former Magistrate Willard Johnson, who resigned several weeks ago due to his new position as Monticello Bank President. Johnson issued a statement saying he thought his new position at the bank might be a conflict of interest with his magisterial duties.

Hatfield’s term as magistrate is added to a long line of political occupations he has worked, including Clinton County’s Judge/Executive from 1989 to 1993.

“There is a lot of things that need to be done … I’m not saying I’m the one to do it because I’m just one person, but I’m there to try and help them with my years of experience in both state and federal and county government, I hope I can help them.”

Hatfield said this is a one-time thing for him. He said he is not interested in sitting in the position past November.

“I will not accept the nomination from the party and I will not run for it,” Hatfield said. “I’m just there until they get somebody. I am out of politics.”

In the game of politics, most people know it’s a game of popularity and what candidates can do during their time in office. Hatfield said he has an advantage that not many people have in public office.

“The good thing of me being there, is I will do what’s right because I’m not doing what it takes to get votes,” Hatfield said. “I don’t want any votes. I want to do the right thing.”

After a magistrate resigns, the judge/executive has to notify the governor’s office. It is then the Governor who appoints someone to that position until the next election can be held.

“I got a call from the governor’s office and they asked me if I would consider the position. I first told them no, but then I thought about it a little bit,” Hatfield said. “The more I thought about it the more I realized they needed someone with a little more experience. I’m sure my name was submitted by the Democratic party down here.”

Hatfield said the governor’s office called him again, after he decided to consider the position, and had him send in an application.

“What that was for, it wasn’t an application for the job, but an application to show you had no conflict of interest within the fiscal court,” Hatfield said. “I told the judge that we may bump heads, but I assured him I was not coming in to be a judge. I’m coming in as a magistrate of the 3rd District. I made it clear, as clear as I could make it, that I would only be here until the election was held.”

Hatfield’s experience is definitely a valuable aspect to taking on the job of 3rd District Magistrate.

“I think it will help tremendously,” Hatfield said. “I use to run the meetings … a lot of the laws haven’t changed. Some of them have, but most of them have not. A budget is a budget whether its a 10 million dollar budget or a one million dollar budget. You can only live within your means. My last year in office we ran into some financial problems and we had to lay people off. That wasn’t a very popular decision, but it was one that had to be done because the state law says you have to have a balanced budget.”

Even though Hatfield was judge/executive for four years, he realizes there are other magistrates who may have more time in the fiscal court than he spent as judge. Hatfield is eager to get into the position in order to start helping the fiscal court if he can.

“There are some magistrates up there who have more time in than I do, but I fixed a budget for four years straight,” Hatfield said. “I understand what it’s like to tighten your belt. Am I going in there with an agenda … No … I’m going in there to do what’s right. I’m not going in there with any bad feelings toward anybody and I’m just here to help. I’m looking forward to it. Right now the county is not in horrible shape, but they can be. Right now we are just like every other county in the state … things are tight.”

Hatfield had his chance at his first meeting as 3rd district Magistrate Tuesday morning as Judge/Executive Lyle Huff held a special call meeting.

“I’m going in as a taxpaying citizen of Clinton County and I want to know what’s going on,” Hatfield said. “I’m not going against anybody.”

Huff said he is glad the governor appointed someone with the experience Hatfield has. He thinks he will be a big asset to the county.

“He is a man of valuable experience,” Huff said. “He will be an asset to the Clinton County Fiscal Court. Willard Johnson served honorably within in the bounds set forth by the magisterial guidelines and he worked diligently to address the needs of his district’s responsibilities.”