Having always been in politics since her teenage years, the newest temporary member of the Clinton County Fiscal Court is extremely excited about being back in county government, albeit in a different role than in the past.

Former Judge/Executive Charlene King, who already has one fiscal court meeting under her belt since being appointed to fill a vacancy on July 13, said “I love it–I love being in county government” during an interview last week, two days after the Clinton County Fiscal Court had met on July 17.

King, a native of Clinton County, is a long-time businesswoman and political figure, having been in the oil business and also operated an office supply house which she has since sold to a major company. “I’ve always been politically involved and was youth chairman (of the Democrat party) since voting age,” she said.

When the temporary vacancy on the fiscal court came in mid-May following the resignation of now schools’ superintendent Charlotte Bernard, King said she had received many calls from supporters asking her to seek the position. She said the process in which a person is chosen begins with the local party executive committee, which makes a recommendation to the governor.

King said the reason it took so long, about two months, to fill the seat vacated by Bernard in the 5th Magisterial District was that it was apparently learned in Frankfort there was no sanctioned organized Democrat party in the county.

The former judge turned magistrate said she loved county government and believes she can help make a positive difference in the few months she will be on the court prior to the general election this November.

King feels her nine years experience as the county chief elected officer will be an asset and noted she had some concerns and would work with the fiscal court to help get some things done.

One area in which she noted needed attention was county road department equipment, noting most of it was old and she feels there may not be enough money in the current fiscal year’s budget to cover costs of equipment that is needed. “We need to start looking for some grants or some type funding for better road department equipment,” she noted.

King said she was looking forward to the next few months and although noting the roll of a magistrate was different than that of the judge/executive, it was still an important one and feels the fiscal court can do much to help the county.

The new magistrate also weighed in on the connector road issue that has been discussed among officials lately, including at last week’s court session. She said it was to her understanding the state had done an over million dollar change order for a turning lane on the proposed road and felt the state would work with the county in getting additional funding needed to complete the project.

King also said the connector road, although on school property, was a county project because it would benefit the safety for both children and parents in the county. She said helping get funds to complete the road would be a priority.

King also said she was glad to see more women in politics and serving as elected officials in Clinton County, noting the number of women on the fiscal court, city council, school board, as well as District Judge Scarlett Latham. “Women can be an asset (in political office),” she noted, saying they often times deal with family budgets of their own.

King also noted concern about the expense associated with the ambulance service, primarily in the area of collecting a lot less than what the annual payroll for the EMS is, noting the extent to how much the occupational tax has to supplement the service.

The former judge said the most challenging part of being a magistrate now may be getting questions answered, saying all magistrates should have enough information ahead of time to have input.

King said the biggest change she has seen since she was judge/executive some 10 years ago was the cost of things now compared to the early 2000s when she left office. Payrolls, costs of road materials and all other services continues to go up, she noted, adding that a positive thing now is that the amount of occupational tax revenues collected by the county is a bit higher now than several years ago.

King said she was looking forward to working with the fiscal court members, saying the court had a good group of magistrates.

Following her appointment to the magisterial seat less than two weeks ago, King issued the following statement:

“I want to thank Governor Beshear and his staff, the Democratic Party of Clinton County, and all those Clinton Countians who not only encouraged me, but contacted the Governor’s office to request my appointment to the 5th Magisterial District.

“I will not be seeking the nomination to run in this fall’s election for this magisterial seat, because I plan on running for County Judge in the next election. Since I will be magistrate for only a short time I would like to help get as much done as possible in this limited amount of time.

“I want to work to put the (fiscal court) meetings back on television. I want to take a good look at the budget and where the money is going and work hard to help our county. I feel my past experience will be an asset to help this court and the people of Clinton County.”