Published: July 15, 2008 11:10 pm      

Clerk to retire, has final meeting

CATLETTSBURG — Catlettsburg Clerk and Treasurer Pauline Hunt took the minutes of her final city council meeting Tuesday.

In a letter to elected officials earlier this week, Hunt, 80, announced she will retire after more than 30 years of service. Her final day at the City Building will be July 31.

In addition to presiding over the city’s finances, Hunt performs a myriad of other tasks for citizens, city workers and elected officials.

To many citizens who rarely interact with city government she is the face of the Gate City — both the smiling lady that takes the tax payments and the friendly voice that answers questions about city business.

Councilman Philip Caldwell summed up the sentiment of many city workers and officials when he said, “She will be the most missed person. They will never be able to replace her. No one knows what she knows. She knows more about this burg than anyone does.”

Hunt was first hired as clerk in 1974. Five years later, she was appointed to serve out the term of treasurer Virgie Combs, who died in office. She later was elected to the post in a special election.

She won the next four elections to the office - and served as the city’s last elected treasurer. In 1993, the city established the appointed office of clerk/treasurer.

Hunt has worked with nine different mayors - Erwin Rice, Charles Gibbs, Arthur Porter, Gary Hunley, Robert Blanton, Gurney Johnson, Roger Hensley, Don Wellman and James A. Lambert.

CARRIE KIRSCHNER can be reached at ckirschner@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.