For the second time in just over a month, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear will be charged with appointing a temporary magistrate to sit on the Clinton County Fiscal Court until after the November general election.

Former Fifth District Magistrate Charlotte Bernard tendered her resignation, effective last Monday, May 14, to Clinton County Judge/Executive Lyle Huff. The resignation was accepted by the judge the following day and the governor’s office was notified of the latest vacancy on the fiscal court.

Bernard’s resignation came four days after she was hired on a 3-2 vote to become Clinton County’s school superintendent, effective July 1 of this year.

The resignation letter, addressed to the members of the court and announced by the judge at last Thursday afternoon’s court meeting, reads:

“It is with heavy heart that I resign my position as Fifth District Magistrate. I want to thank the families of the Fifth District for giving me the opportunity to be their voice on the fiscal court. I am very humbled to have been elected in 2006, and again in 2010. My time spent as a member of the Clinton County Fiscal Court is an experience that I will cherish for my lifetime.

I have, however, been given an opportunity to advance in my educational career as superintendent of Clinton County Schools. Given the demands of my time and energy, requirements and responsibilities of the Superintendent position, I will no longer be able to continue as magistrate. My experiences on the fiscal court have made me very aware of the needs of Clinton County families and will enhance my ability to perform my job as superintendent. It is my professional and personal goal to lead the school system in ways that will strengthen not just the schools and students, but to impact the lives of each family of Clinton County.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you and wish only the best to my successor as he/she moves forward to make decisions for Clinton County.”

On April 10, Third District Magistrate Willard Johnson resigned due to accepting a higher position at his banking job and Gov. Beshear, about two weeks later, named former Democrat Judge/Executive Larry Hatfield to serve in the seat until after the November general election. Both Johnson and Bernard are Republicans. The governor will now have to name a second person to fill the latest vacancy on the court, again until after the fall campaign.

Both Republican and Democrat county executive committees will be responsible for selecting a nominee to run for the vacant seat in November, with the winner to serve out the remaining two years on the current fiscal court terms.