Somerset — Five Republicans are vying for the position of Pulaski County Clerk when Trudy Denham retires at the end of this year. The candidates include the current county treasurer, a sitting magistrate, a former merchant and magistrate, an executive of a local industrial plant and a used car lot owner.

Names (without titles) on the ballot at the May 16 primary election are County Treasurer Arlene Phelps Young, 7th District Magistrate Ralph Troxtell, former magistrate and merchant Clifford P. Jasper, Yvonne D. Smith, executive vice president of Jondy Chemical Inc., and Tim Price, owner of A & T Auto Sales.

No Democrats filed for county clerk. Therefore, winning the Republican nomination in the May 16 primary is tantamount to election. The only exception would be an unlikely scenario that an independent candidate would file prior to the August 8 deadline and contest the Republican nominee in the Nov. 7 general election.

Following is a brief interview with each of the five candidates.



RALPH TROXTELL

A veteran county official says he wants to be county clerk for an opportunity to serve the entire county. Ralph Troxtell is now his 13th year as magistrate from the 7th District. Magisterial districts have been realigned and reduced to five. Therefore, a 7th District will not exist after this year.

“Really, as magistrate, I serve the entire county,” said Troxtell, “but basically I deal with citizens of my own district. I feel (county clerk) is something I can handle and serve (all the people in the county).”

Troxtell, publicly endorsed by retiring clerk Trudy Denham, has some ideas to improve the county clerk’s office.

“I’d like to set up a service branch in an area where there is heavy road traffic,” Troxtell revealed.

Also, Troxtell said he would increase the number of deputy clerks in the courthouse office as space permits, and make it possible for customers to pay fees with credit and debit cards.

Troxtell said he would set up a commercial counter where automobile dealers could transact business.

As county clerk, Troxtell would be chair of the Pulaski County Board of Elections. He said he is fairly satisfied with the way elections are conducted. However, a special effort will be made, he said, to register young voters.

Troxtell has been a farmer in the Bronston community for most of his life. Before successfully seeking the office of magistrate, he served as assistant county road supervisor for five years during the mid to late 1980s.

He is married to the former Jody DeBorde of Shopville and they have two children.



ARLENE PHELPS YOUNG

“I know the laws. I know how county government must operate, not how it should operate,” declared Arlene Phelps Young, the veteran county treasurer who is seeking the office of county clerk. “I believe my 18 years as county treasurer put me head and shoulders (above the other candidates).”

Young, who had 10 years of commercial banking experience before going to work for the county, said she is looking at the office of county clerk from a business standpoint.

“I think there are some logical changes that would make a big difference,” Young observed. She described these changes as inexpensive and common sense in the work flow.

Young is a graduate of the Kentucky School of Banking at the University of Kentucky. She attended the Institute of Bank Management at Western Kentucky University and is a certified grant administrator.

“My knowledge of laws of county government and its officials is probably my strongest point,” Young said. “My previous work experience and education have been a public service type of experience.”

“I would have two (deputy clerks) and add two telephone lines in a separate office for car dealers,” she noted. Deeds and license plate renewals would be put on line.

“I will put in a number system.” said Young. “When you come in the door, you’ll be given a number and served in the order you came in.” She said she would make it possible to pay fees with credit and debit cards and install more telephone lines into the clerk’s office.

Young plans to have extended hours on Friday nights and, if needed, another night.

Young is married to David Young, a native of Laurel County with many family ties in Pulaski County.



YVONNE D. SMITH

An official of a local manufacturing plant plans to bring what she calls “real leadership” into the clerk’s office.

Yvonne D. Smith, executive vice president of Jondy Chemical Company, 4432 West Ky. 80, declares she is “extremely qualified” to lead the county clerk’s office.

Granddaughter of the late Ferguson Mayor Ralph Duncan, Smith is seeking her first political position.

“I’ve had 18 years in banking, finance and business administration,” said Smith. She joined Jondy Chemical six years ago while the business was in the process of reorganizing.

“When I went there, we had 10 employees and sales under $1 million a year,” Smith revealed. “Now, we have 85 employees and sales this year will top $8 million.”

A graduate of Pulaski County High School, Smith has degrees from Bliss Business College, Ohio State University and Franklin University. Prior to joining Jondy Chemical, Smith served five years as a troubleshooter and designer for Southern Mortgage Company.

If elected county clerk, Smith said she will open four branch offices, “ ... in the east, west, north and south.” These would be satellite offices open only on Saturday mornings.

Customers in the clerk’s office will be able to use credit and debit cards. She would update computers in the office and provide better accommodations for local car dealers. Also, preferred service for seniors and veterans would be initiated, maybe on Wednesdays, Smith said.

Smith said she plans to have voter registration extravaganzas with representatives of Republicans, Democrats and independents explaining their party and positions.

Smith is married to James Smith Jr. and they have six children.



CLIFFORD P. JASPER

A former magistrate says if he is elected county clerk, he may remove an inside wall in the courthouse to better serve the people of Pulaski County.

Clifford P. Jasper said several people have suggested that the wall that separates the clerk’s office from the south corridor on the street floor of the courthouse could be removed to allow people to look directly into the office.

“One thing, the voices of car dealers will be heard,” Jasper declared. “We have to get them in and out of the courthouse in a timely manner.”

Jasper said he would install more telephone lines. “These (additional) lines will be designated for such things as deeds and mortgage information, voter information, auto title and property information ... anything it takes to not get a busy signal,” he declared.

He proposed being open on Saturday for at least a half day and possible until 8 p.m. on at least a couple of nights during the week. “I definitely would want a branch office on U.S. 27 with plenty of parking spaces for seniors, the handicapped and car dealers.” said Jasper.

“We would accept debit and credit cards like other counties.” he remarked.

Concerning other counties, Jasper said he would like to be open on Saturdays so motorists would quit going to other counties to register their cars.

Jasper emphasized that he would retain deputy clerk’s now employed by County Clerk Trudy Denham.

A magistrate for eight years between 1986 and 1993, Jasper operated Bronston Food Mart for 13 years and worked for Tecumseh Products Company prior to opening the store. He is married to the former Millie Lovett of Bronston and they have three children.

“I thank God for the privilege of running for county clerk,” Jasper concluded.



TIM PRICE

Making sure that people get waited on in proper order and become more efficient for car dealers are top priorities if Tim Price is elected as county clerk.

“The first change I would make is go to the number system,” said Price. “Take a number when you come in the door and be waited on in that order.”

“(Now) they don’t get waited on in the order they come in,” said Price. As a car dealer for 21 years, Price said he had been in clerk’s offices in other counties that use the number system and it works well.

“I’d do something different for car dealers,” said Price, owner of A & T Auto Sales at the junction of Ky. 80 and Ky. 461 in Shopville. Price said he believes two lanes (two counters) will speed up the process for car dealers.

The computer system “which I understand was installed in 1983” needs to be upgraded, Price said.

Debit and credit card machines will be installed for business transactions, Price said.

As county clerk, Price would be chair of the Pulaski County Board of Elections.

“I realize elections are a very important part of that office. As far as I know, I am satisfied with the way elections are currently conducted. When I get in office and become aware of a needed change, I will do my best to address the problem,” Price said.

Prior to becoming owner of A & T Auto Sales in 1990, Price worked at Tecumseh Products Company. He has an associate degree in electronics engineering from Kentucky College of Technology in Louisville. He graduated from Shopville High School in 1980.

Price is married to the former Glenda Jones of the Welborn community. They have two children.