James “Big Jim” Pennycuff was never elected to an office. However, he is honored for the one and-a-half years he did get to serve as a Clinton County public official, that being the county’s PVA (Property Valuation Administrator.)

As a Democrat nominee in last November’s general election, he ran a good race and lost by just a few hundred votes to current PVA Pat Campbell.

Since the office of PVA requires any candidate who seeks the office to first pass a state exam, Pennycuff was one of those who was successful on that test before being appointed to fill out the unexpired term of long-time Property Valuation Administrator Billy Joe Coop. He was among only a handful of local residents who took and successfully passed the examination to qualify to seek the office.

Pennycuff said he had considered taking the PVA exam in the past but didn’t really have much intentions to carry through at first. He then decided that since Coop had retired, he would give it a try.

He also noted he was somewhat surprised by his appointment, noting that just within a few days after the test was given, he was notified he had been appointed by the governor to fill the unexpired term.

Pennycuff was named the new PVA in late February 2009 and began his work in that capacity in early March. He served approximately 20 months, through December of last year.

The former PVA and current county road supervisor said he learned a great deal during the months he did serve, including the functions and responsibilities of the Property Valuation Administrator office.

He said he learned the process of assessing properties and perhaps as importantly, programs available to help reduce the taxes for taxpayers. For example the Homestead Act, which reduces taxes for disabled persons and those 65 years of age and up.

Pennycuff said that since he had worked outside the county for most of his life, the most rewarding aspect of serving as PVA was getting to meet and know a lot of people he had not previously met. Or, knowing someone and being able to put a name to a face when they would come into the office.

He also added that being able to use available programs, such as the Homestead Act and Farm Act to help residents with the tax burden was also a rewarding aspect of the position.

The former PVA also said prior to taking the office, he didn’t know the amount of work–not just in office but physical work–involved in a Property Valuation Administrator. Much work, including field work, is involved. This includes visibly seeing each parcel of property, measuring, photographing, plus the office work involved afterwards–including drawing up property maps.

“It’s a daunting task,” Pennycuff said. He went on to credit the staff in the PVA office who provided immeasurable service, including Jerry Lee Tallent, Steven Craig and Renee Wells. He said without them he would have been overwhelmed.

Pennycuff, a Clinton County native and CCHS graduate who attended Western Kentucky University, majoring in mechanical engineers, worked most of his life in Monticello, as engineer with Belden’s. In two stints there, the last time from 1986 to retirement in 2008, culminated over 25 years.

After last year’s November election, Pennycuff said he realized he still needed a job and asked the county judge-executive about a possible position somewhere as a county employee. Then, former Road Supervisor David Honeycutt announced his retirement and Pennycuff was recommended for the road supervisor position and was hired unanimously by Clinton Fiscal Court in December.

Pennycuff noted that he wasn’t unfamiliar with having employees work under him since he had been a supervisor and manager over a crew of 27 employees while at Belden’s.

The new road supervisor, who got into the job at one of the worst times possible, weather wise, said he was adjusting to the new position and also held high praise for the Clinton County road crew.

“They (road department workers) are a dedicated group, always willing to go when asked. He continued, saying he has had to call them in at all hours of the night during the winter season and said they all “realize what needs to be done and they go do it.”

Although never having been an elected official, Pennycuff said that after last year’s race, he was encouraged by the support he had and said he may consider seeking some type of political office in the future.

Pennycuff and his wife, Cindy, an RN who owns and operates the Cumberland County Adult Daycare in Burkesville, reside in Albany.

Pennycuff closed by saying he was “thankful and appreciative” for having the opportunity to serve as the county’s Property Valuation Administrator, saying it was quite a learning experience.