Judy Nelson gets sworn in as the new circuit clerk at Wednesday's Madison County board meeting.
Judy Nelson speaks to the board and audience at Wednesday night's Madison County Board meeting, where she was sworn in as the new circuit clerk.
The Madison County Board on Wednesday appointed Judy Nelson the county's new circuit clerk.
Chairman Alan Dunstan recommended Nelson for the post and said today that "everyone voted for it" at last night's board meeting. He said Nelson, who has served as the deputy circuit clerk since 1998 and as acting circuit clerk since Matt Melucci died May 10, also "took the oath of office that same day."
Nelson will serve out the remainder of her late boss' term, which ends in December. The next circuit clerk will be chosen by voters in the upcoming General Election. Democrat Mark von Nida and Republican John Barberis Jr. are vying for the position.
Given Nelson's familiarity with the office, Dunstan said Wednesday that recommending her to fill out Melucci's term was a "no-brainer."
Also on Wednesday, Dunstan announced that the chief deputy position previously held by Nelson will remain unfilled, a decision that will result in payroll savings.
Nelson said that she looks forward to being circuit clerk and plans to work with circuit clerk employees to honor Melucci's "memory and his tradition by effectively supporting our courts, the legal profession and the efforts of law enforcement to serve the public."