Hurt, London vie to be county clerk

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September 5, 2010

By GINA KINSLOW Glasgow Daily Times The Glasgow Daily Times Sun Sep 05, 2010, 08:15 AM CDT

GLASGOW — Incumbent Joanne London will face former Barren River State Park manager Bobby Lee Hurt in November in the Barren County Court Clerk’s race.

London took over as county court clerk following the retirement of her predecessor Pam Hodges Browning in December 2008.

“I wanted to run for office because I want to continue serving the people of Barren County as I have in the past,” said London, who has worked in the county court clerk’s office since she was a teenager. “This is my 27th year in the clerk’s office, so I want to continue serving the people. I just like the general public. I like to serve the people.”

London said she never gave seeking office a second thought.

“This is the only job I’ve ever had,” she said. “I started out through a program at Barren county. It was called the CEDA program. It was for low-income families. The first summer I worked here my dad was laid off from Eaton. So I applied, and we qualified. I just knew this was the job for me.”

London worked part-time for former county court clerk Wilmer Hodges while still in high school. When she graduated from Barren County High School in May 1983, Hodges offered her a full-time position.

“I’ve been here ever since,” she said.

London has worked in every department of the office at one point in time, and feels her years of service with the office gives her the experience she needs to continue serving as the county court clerk.

If elected, London said she would like to add a debit/credit machine to the office, because many customers have inquired about paying with either a debit or credit card. At the present time, the office only accepts cash or checks.

London supposes she could learn a new job, but said she doesn’t want to.

“This is my life,” she said. “I’ve made it my life. I enjoy working with the public and I always have since day one.”

Hurt is also relying on public service experience. He worked 21 years in state government before retiring.

“I’ve always enjoyed working with the public, I really miss it a lot,” he said. “I just think this would be a good office to work in and serve the people of Barren County, which is what I’ve done for several years and I really miss it. I thought I would just give it another try.”

Hurt decided to seek election as county court clerk after several people came to him asking him to run for office.

“It made me think about it a little, and I started checking into and I thought that would be a good office,” he said. “I’ve been involved in state government for about 21 years. I’ve been in charge of a several million dollar budget in working for the state park system. I’ve always felt like I was a proven leader, and I think I could fit in well with that office. Also, I’m familiar with all the policies and regulations state and county government has. I just think I would be a perfect fit.”

One of the primary things he would like to do, if elected, is to update the office’s technology system where customers can download forms online and have them filled out before coming in to the office, he said.

“I’d also be open to any suggestions. I am a proven leader. I think I would fit in well. I would be visible in any county project that would benefit Barren County. I would also make it the most professional and friendliest office in state government in Barren County,” he said.

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