County Clerk Jim Elmore to retire

With the start of a new year in just about seven weeks, the Clinton County Courthouse will no longer have one of its longest running public servants greeting customers wishing to pay vehicle taxes, registering to vote and a host of other services provided for over 20 years.

Clinton County Clerk Jim Elmore, in a letter to Clinton County Judge/Executive Lyle Huff dated last Thursday, November 8, announced his pending retirement from office effective the last day of the year, December 31.

At the date of his retirement, Elmore will have served some 23 years as County Court Clerk.

Elmore was first elected in 1989 and has served continually since taking office in January of 1990. Most times throughout the period, he ran unopposed for the seat and upon his retirement will have been one of the longest continuous serving public servants in the county.

Elmore also announced his decision during a special call meeting of Clinton Fiscal Court a day later, last Friday morning, November 9. All members, including two new magistrates, were present.

The letter to judge/executive Lyle Huff reads:

“This is to inform you of my intention to retire from my position as Clinton County Clerk. It is with mixed emotions that I inform you of this decision. I have had a wonderful 23 years as County Clerk.

The good citizens of this county have been so good to me for my tenure as clerk that I cannot begin to express my gratitude.

I would like to inform you that I will be leaving as of December 31, 2012 and would like to recommend my Chief Deputy Shelia Braswell-Booher as my replacement.”

Judge Huff accepted Elmore’s recommendation and announced it in a letter addressed to the Citizens of Clinton County, dated last Friday, which reads:

“It is my privilege to have worked with Clinton County Court Clerk Jim Elmore and staff. I am very aware, everyday, of the constant duties in operating the clerk’s office and meeting the requirements of the public.

To ensure property transition and in continuing to address the needs of our citizens, it is my privilege to appoint Chief Deputy Clerk Shelia (Braswell) Booher, as Clinton County Court Clerk, effective January 1, 2013.

I have confidence that Chief Deputy Shelia Braswell Booher will continue to operate the office of the Clinton County Court Clerk efficiently and transparently.”

The appointment of the Chief Deputy Clerk was done by executive order of Judge Huff, pursuant to KRS 63.220 of the state constitution in regards to naming replacements for officials who leave office.

Elmore also briefly addressed the fiscal court members and some of the public who were on hand, thanking the court for “the best 23 years of my life,” but adding due to age and other considerations, he felt it was time to make a change.

Elmore again expressed his appreciation to the past fiscal court members, saying there had been some great (fiscal) courts over the years. He also again thanked the citizens of Clinton County for their support for almost two and-a-half decades in which he has served.

Judge Huff commended Elmore on a job well done, saying he had served “honorably” in his position as County Court Clerk.

Fiscal court meeting held

Judge Huff began the call meeting last Friday by swearing in the two new magistrates who will fill out the two years left on unexpired terms. Terry Buster, who now represents the Snow, Seventy-Six and Piney Woods precincts, was sworn in as 3rd District Magistrate while Hershell Key, who represents the Speck and Illwill precincts, took the oath for the 5th Magisterial District.

Buster and Key, both Republicans, officially became eligible to take office earlier last week following certification of the local election results in Clinton County.

Prior to adjournment, Elmore also announced to the court that Governor Steve Beshear had officially made notification to clerks in the 16th Senate District that a special election to fill the vacancy created by Senate President David Williams had been set for Tuesday, December 18.

Williams left the Senate to become 40th Judicial Circuit Court Judge for Clinton, Cumberland and Monroe counties, an office he officially began on November 2.

At least two Republicans, local attorney David Cross and current State Representative Sara Beth Gregory of Monticello, have said they will seek Williams’ seat to fill out that two-year unexpired term.

In other business, the court:

* Approved fund transfers;

* Voted to approve election officers’ checks;

* Authorized Judge Huff to set the date for the annual county employee Christmas dinner;

* Entered into a five-minute closed session on personnel but took no official action.

The court’s next regular meeting is Thursday, November 15 at 5 p.m. and is open to the general public.

Hershell Key (top photo) and Terry Buster (above) were sworn in by Judge/Executive Lyle Huff during the fiscal court’s special call meeting Friday morning.