Madison County Chancery Clerk Arthur Johnston just resigned. We just lost one of the good guys and the best chancery clerk in the state. Mr. Johnson will assume the position of Clerk of Court for the federal court system of the Southern District of Mississippi. The Board of Supervisors appointed Deputy Clerk Cynthia Parker as his replacement per his recommendation on a unanimous vote. Here is a statement Mr. Johnston submitted to JJ:
Mr. President, Members of the Board, Sheriff Tucker, Judges, Colleagues, and Friends:
It has been my honor and privilege to serve for almost ten (10) years now as Chancery Clerk of Madison County. To be elected by the people of this county on three separate occasions to this important office is something that I have never taken lightly. Consequently, the act of resigning
from this office is also something that I do not take lightly.
However, recently, I have been under consideration for, was offered – and I have now accepted – the position of Clerk of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. My appointment to this office necessitates that I resign as Chancery Clerk. A public
announcement of my new position will be made by the federal courts today.
My resignation will be effective upon my taking the Oath of Office as Clerk of that Court whenever that shall take place. Because of administrative matters involved in any appointment in the federal judiciary, the exact date of my taking the Oath – and hence, my resignation – is, as yet, undetermined. However, I anticipate it to be before the calendar year end.
Due to my resignation, it will be necessary that you fill the vacancy by an appointment of your own, and that appointment will last until a successor can be duly and lawfully elected pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-839. Because my office involves so many minute and detailed aspects
of government, it is my recommendation that you make such an appointment today so that an immediate transition can begin and the many details which will necessarily occasion the transition can be commenced.
Because of the respect and trust that I have had for her over the past decade, because of her twenty-plus years of experience in the Chancery Clerk’s office, and because of the continuity of operations that her appointment will bring to the office, it is my strong recommendation that you
appoint my deputy clerk and your Board Secretary Cynthia Parker to serve as Chancery Clerk until my successor is elected.
Ms. Parker is agreeable to accepting such appointment provided:
(1) that she serve only until such time as such successor is elected and that she will not be a candidate in said election;
(2) that she be permitted to retain the position of Board Secretary during the period of her
service as Chancery Clerk; and
(3) that she be allowed to continue to hold the office of Board Secretary following such election and after her service as Chancery Clerk is concluded.
These conditions seem quite appropriate and will help to insure:
(1) a seamless transition and continuity of operations in the office
(2) legitimacy and professionalism during the period of her service; and
(3) a full, fair and vigorous special election.
Ms. Parker has my full support, and she has the full support of our two Chancellors and the members of my staff. I am sure she will have your full support as well.
A Resolution and Order acknowledging my resignation, appointing Ms. Parker, and setting a special election as required by law is before you, and I would, respectfully, suggest its adoption.
Thank you.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Noooo!!!!!. Arthur Johnston resigns for greener pastures.
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19 comments:
Why did he resign? He is absolutely one of the good guys.
More info please, KF. Why resign?
Cannot wait to see what kind of creature the brain trust will appoint to replace him. It won't be pretty, trust me. I imagine the politicking for the job is in full swing by now.
Perhaps Mike Crook would re-apply for the position of Chancery Clerk.
OH NO!!!!! This will not be good!!!
Cory Wilson would be good
Dont laugh; they might actually appoint Crook. What about Elvis?
My best guess is he resigned because it pays @ 150-175k a year in the federal system and he isn't subject to bs politics and the uncertainty of elections. Good for Arthur. He is a good guy.
Arthur Johnston took over an office that was in COMPLETE DISARRAY, with documents waiting to be filed in excess of 45 days old. He went to work in the Chancery Clerk's office before his term began - WITHOUT PAY - and corrected the problems quickly. Then, for good measure, he brought that office into the 21st century by assisting the administration of the online MEC filing system as a pilot project. Then, on top of that, Arthur became the go-to guy for the other counties who have gone to the MEC filing system.
The public has truly lost one of the best administrators of government anywhere in Mississippi - PERIOD.
I wish Arthur the best - while jealously wishing that he would stay put as the Chancery Clerk.
Appointed Clerk for United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi
He's a good guy and and a very good administrator. The Southern District federal courts are lucky to have him as their new clerk. Now his only real concern will be whether the fool Republicans try to shut down the government again...
You morons must not have read the damn article.
The appointment of a very capable and competent woman has already been made and Johnston is leaving for a life time appointment to the federal court system.
Sounds like his temporary replacement has already been appointed and a special election will be held so the voters can decide who's to fill out his unexpired term. Good luck to Arthur in his new job, and Madison County will miss him!
However, it was inappropriate for Johnson to suggest his recommendation for temporary replacement be guaranteed the same job she now holds once he (Johnson) is replaced. That's actually none of his business. For those of you too lazy to read the resignation statement, here is the addendum item of which I speak:
3) that she be allowed to continue to hold the office of Board Secretary following such
election and after her service as Chancery Clerk is concluded.
It's up to the Department Head (duly elected Chancery Clerk) to staff his own office.
Rumor in the wind... Supv. Lott may run for Chancery Clerk... makes sense because he has been his own man on the BOS. He has voted against some of the crazy things the board has done.... he has his own financial resources... and good political contacts...
5:29 -
Perhaps you could learn to spell his name before criticizing him.
run Ronnie run!!!
Arthur's a good egg. Big shoes to fill.
9:11; If I spelled his name correctly, would my post then please your silly ass?
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