Since 1981, Faye Haney has been a familiar face in the Ballard County Courthouse.  Anyone renewing their drivers license, paying a traffic fine or reporting for jury duty has been greeted by a smiling face and a helpful attitude.  In January of 2009, the helpful attitude and smiling faces will remain, however, the lady at the top will no longer hold the reins. Faye Haney will be attending to other important matters - her family.
   As a  wife, daughter, mother and grandmother, Faye has decided it is time to change the focus of her energy and focus on the ones she loves.  “I will be setting out on a journey in my life.  I have enjoyed my time with the public. Now it is a chance to spend time with my family,” says Haney.   Faye is married to Ronnie  Haney of Barlow and is the daughter of Oneta Richards of Kevil.  Both of her children and grandchildren reside in Ballard County:  Eric Oldham and wife Lori Anne (Kinsey) and grandchildren Jarret and Jenna of Barlow and daughter Holly Dunker and husband Tony, along with granddaughter Dayna of Barlow.
  The transfer of her attentions to her own family will be a challenging task as she has spent so much time serving the public.  “I do think of myself as a public servant.  We have been here to help them through crisis and happy times, such as a new license in the family but they all become like family in one sense in that you get to know the families and watch them grow much as you would your own blood family.”
     Haney was appointed to fill the vacancy in the office  in 1981 and then successfully ran through the last local election.  Come December 31st, Haney will have twenty-seven years in office as both a clerk and as a deputy clerk.  “I will miss a lot of people.  I have made lifelong friends in this position with many fond memories.  I think that is the best part of the job  - meeting the people and getting to know them.”
  When asked for her most memorable moments in office, she paused and commented, “There have been lots of good ones and a few bad ones.  The most difficult for me are the cases that come through involving children.  Those are always hard to deal with.  But overall, the memories are mostly good ones.”  Part of those good memories come from “Trust for Life” ogran donation program through the Kentucky Association of Circuit Clerks.
   Faye says most people don’t realize the responsibility of the office, nor do they realize how many other offices and surrounding counties are involved in the day to day operations.  “We deal with the sheriff’s office,  the judge’s office, the jail and so on.  We also have almost daily dealings with Circuit Clerk’s in other counties throughout the Commonwealth as well as attorneys, law enforcements, fish and wildlife, and it just goes on.”
  Faye considers it a privilege and an honor to have served the citizens of Ballard County for 27 years.  “I feel God created an opportunity for me I took this position  and my leaving will create an opportunity for someone else.”
   The appointment process for a replacement will be handled by Circuit Judge Tim Langford.  Langford will first appoint a person or persons eligible to go to Frankfort to take a qualification  exam.  Those that pass the exam can then be considered for appointment by the Circuit Judge and will assume all duties concerning the Circuit Clerk’s office.  The appointed clerk will remain in that position until such time as an election is held to fill the vacancy.  The duties will continue in the office, without interruption during this process.
   Haney wants to thank those that have supported her and voted for her over the past years.  “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve each and everyone that comes through this office, no matter the circumstances.” 
   As her time draws short, Faye recalls the many changes she has seen at the courthouse.  “I have been here through the courthouse renovation, changes in state and local administration, lots of security changes - security measures have grown much stricter, the work load has drastically increased, drivers license laws have changed and the public has changed.”
   “I have tried to be kind and unbiased in my dealings with the people that come through here - no matter what the situation.  I strive to be non-judgemental to social, economic or other conditions that may affect someone.  I try to treat all of the customers fairly.  This is one job where you have the opportunity to laugh and to cry with people who come through here depending on the circumstances:”
   Like many of the elected officials in small communities, finding a replacement will not be an easy task and despite her petiteness, Faye Haney’s shoes will be big ones to fill for her successor.
   Thank you, Faye, for your service and dedication to the people of Ballard County.  May your retirement be a blessing and enjoy your family.