Patrick announces resignation as judge-executive

Whitley County Judge-Executive Mike Patrick will be going from having people in one county asking him to blacktop their roads, to having people in about 40 counties making similar requests.Patrick made official Tuesday morning what has been rumored for weeks, that he will be resigning at the end of the month to take a state job, and is recommending three-term magistrate Burley Foley as his replacement. It will be up to Gov. Ernie Fletcher to appoint a replacement.
Foley announced Tuesday that he will be announcing his future political plans during a press conference at 3 p.m. Thursday in the fiscal court meeting room.
When asked whether the judge-executive’s job would be something he is interested in if he were offered the appointment, Foley laughed and responded, “I will announce Thursday afternoon.”
Patrick submitted his resignation over the weekend, and said it will be effective at the close of business on Dec. 31, and that his replacement will likely assume office at that point.
“I have not entered into this decision lightly, but I have entered into it realistically. I feel that within my heart that I have tried my best to work towards the best interest of Whitley County during my tenure as judge, realizing that individuals might question that and debate it,” Patrick told the fiscal court.
“I also realize that sometimes when people running for elected office do something that is unpopular, it drastically reduces their ability to get re-elected. Weighing these matters, and considering my future, my age, and my health, I have reached a decision to resign.
“I hope that the outcome of this is with fresh ideas and new faces that this county will continue to prosper and to grow. I will still be a resident of this county, and it will always be my home. I appreciate you all.”
Patrick said the new job isn’t something he will be using his chemical engineering degree to do.
Patrick’s new job title, special assistant for rural and secondary roads, will involve him working with the state highway department districts in eastern Kentucky.
“I hope to be accepting a position in the Department of Transportation where I will be working with counties and cities in the eastern half of Kentucky relating to their transportation needs, roads, blacktop projects, and so forth,” Patrick said.
He will start work in the non-merit position on Jan. 3.
Patrick will continue to live in Whitley County.
He said the decision not to move to Frankfort wasn’t difficult given that he will be spending much of his time on the road helping to cover 40 counties.
“My wife says I have come full circle. When she met me I was on the road, and I will be on the road now,” Patrick said.
Patrick was first elected judge-executive in 1998 after defeating incumbent Democrat Leroy Gilbert by nearly 1,120 votes. Four years later he topped Gilbert by nearly 1,500 to win his second term in office, which ends Jan. 1, 2007.
Prior to being elected judge-executive, Patrick served two terms as Whitley County jailer.
“At this point and time I would like to thank the members of this court that have worked with me now for three years, and those who have worked longer in a prior administration. I would like to thank the members of my office staff for their support, and the long hours they have put in. I would like to thank all county employees, those at 911, the road department, and the ambulance service for their dedication,” Patrick added in his resignation speech.