Janice Smith sworn in as Pulaski Circuit Court Clerk

Apr. 12—Pulaski County officially has a new Circuit Court Clerk.

Janice Smith was sworn in Friday as the new Pulaski County Circuit Court Clerk by Pulaski Chief Judge Marcus Vanover. She will serve out the rest of the term until December 31, when the person elected in the November election will be sworn in.

Smith is stepping in to fill the vacated term of J.S. Flynn, who was removed from office in March of this year by the Kentucky Supreme Court after the court found there was a "blatant violation of his obligation to perform his duties with courtesy and respect."

Flynn is seeking reelection for the office.

Flynn had been on administrative leave since March 2022 when complaints were filed against him.

Since then, the office has been overseen by special appointed Circuit Clerks from other counties, first Eliza York-Hansel from Rockcastle, then more recently by Adair County Circuit Court Clerk Dennis Loy.

On Friday, Vanover thanked Loy for his service to the citizens of Pulaski.

"It's been a very stressful time for the office and the courts dealing with the situation, and we have been very thankful to have him here and his help and guidance leading us through this," Vanover said of Loy.

Smith has been an employee of the clerk's office for 32 years, she said, having started as a deputy clerk, then worked as the chief deputy clerk for several years.

She said she retired for a while, then came back to work part time before working full time as a bookkeeper for the office.

The Science Hill resident said she was humbled to be chosen to fill the role.

"I am eager to serve the citizens of Pulaski County, work close with the judges, attorneys and attorneys' staff," she said. "We have some really great employees that make up the circuit clerk's office, I am both humbled and excited for the opportunity to start this new journey."

Carla Slavey can be reached at cslavey@somerset-kentucky.com