Kirk to take helm of ‘robust pipeline of economic development projects’
BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Voters will elect the next Martin County Judge/Executive in a historic write-in election Nov. 8.
The ballot became empty Oct. 14 when Judge/Executive Colby Kirk officially withdrew from the election and announced he was leaving his position. Kirk won the Republican nomination in the May Primary and was unopposed on the ballot.
Potential candidates have until Oct. 28 to register.
As of Tuesday, three candidates had signed up for the race: Dr. Lon Lafferty of Inez, Jimmy Don Kerr of Debord and Marlena Slone of Lovely. Lafferty and Kerr both registered Friday and Slone filed her paperwork Monday. All are registered as Republicans.
Dr. Lafferty has practiced medicine in Inez for over 38 years and owns Lafferty Medical Clinic. He served as Martin County Judge/Executive 1999-2003.
Kerr is a banker by trade and owns and operates his business, My Hometown Mortgage, in Pikeville. He has served as Martin County Water Board chairman since 2018. He is also the sewer board chairman and a Roy F. Collier Community Center board member.
Slone is the Family Resource Youth Service Center director at Eden Elementary and has worked in the school district for over 20 years.
Write-in names won’t appear
Kirk’s name will still show on the Nov. 8 ballot, according to Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles. However, write-in candidates and their names will not appear on the ballot.
Skyles said poll workers would have a list of write-in candidates at polling places, but mail ballots will not include a list of write-in candidates. A voter who wishes to see the list of candidates must specifically ask a poll worker if there is a write-in candidate.
To vote in the judge/executive race, voters will punch the “write-in” box on the left under Kirk’s name on the voting machine. A keyboard will pop up and the voter will type in their candidate’s name.
Paper ballot voters will completely fill in the write-in box and print their candidate’s name on the line beside it.
Skyles stressed the importance of writing the candidate’s names.
Candidates can choose up to nine variations of their name that will count for a vote.
Lafferty chose four variations: Doc Lafferty, Dr. Lafferty, Lon Lafferty and Dr. Lon Lafferty.
Kerr has nine: Jimmy Don Kerr, Jimmy D. Kerr, Jimmy Kerr, J. Kerr, JD Kerr, Jimmie Don Kerr, Jimmie D. Kerr, Jimmie Kerr and Jimmy Dawn Kerr.
Slone has nine: Marlena Slone, Marlene Slone, Marlina Slone, M Slone, Marlena Sloan, Marlena Sloane, Marty Slone, Mar Slone and Marti Slone.
Kirk takes the helm of One East Kentucky
Along with his resignation, Kirk announced his new role as president and CEO of One East Kentucky.
“I have been proud to serve the people of Martin County and am grateful beyond words to all who have supported me in this role,” Kirk said Friday in his letter of resignation.
“I’ve had an opportunity come that Cori and I have talked and prayed about. I feel I’m being led in that direction to work full time in economic development. I’ll be working full time to bring jobs to this area. That’s where my heart and passion are. I appreciate the people and all they’ve done for me to put me where I am. I’ll still be working for them, just in a new role.”
Kirk’s last day as judge/executive will be Oct. 28.
“Over the next two weeks, I will do all I can to ensure a smooth transition of leadership,” he said.
Kirk was appointed judge/executive Jan. 10 by Gov. Andy Beshear following the passing of the late Martin County Judge/Executive Victor Slone. His original plan was to serve out Slone’s term that ends Dec. 31. At the time, he served as Slone’s deputy judge and oversaw economic development in Martin County.
“I was prepared to come into the role, and I feel like I’ve done my best with it. I’ve tried to have the county’s best interest at heart. I’ve tried to be as transparent as I can in all that we’ve done,” added Kirk.
“Public service is not for everyone. It’s hard on people. I don’t think people realize the stress it puts you under.”
Kirk starts his new job Oct. 31 and will succeed Chuck Sexton, who has served as OEK president/CEO since 2015.
“After an extensive search, we found a local leader who possesses the unique skills and experience to succeed in this challenging position,” said Mark Gooch, board chairman of One East Kentucky and president & CEO of Community Trust Bancorp Inc.
Kirk will be taking the helm of the organization, and according to a One East Kentucky press release, “a robust pipeline of economic development projects.”