Hodson appointed as Highland County Clerk of Courts

The Highland County Republican Central Committee has appointed county recorder Ike Hodson as the Highland County Clerk of Courts. 

The central committee met Tuesday evening at the Hi-TEC Center to interview candidates for the position, which was left open after Paulette Donley retired as clerk of courts. She announced her resignation to the Highland County Board of Commissions April 6, effective April 15. She had held the elected post for more than 22 years. 

The committee interviewed six candidates Tuesday, and according to committee vice chairperson Shane Wilkin, a motion was made to appoint Hodson. 

"Ike is a longtime public servant, and is very dedicated to the county," said Wilkin, who is also a Highland County commissioner. "I think that dedication will show in his move to the office of the clerk of courts. I think he understands that due to the economy, the increase in cases at the sheriff's office, and the increase in cases in the justice system, that office has been inundated. Ike was an excellent choice. He will be working with a restrictive budget due to the funding that is available, and we are confident that he is up to the challenge."

Hodson said he is glad to have been chosen for the post, but that he is aware he has big shoes to fill. 

"First of all, I want to say 'Thank you' to the Republican Central Committee for appointing me to finish Paulette's term," Hodson said. "I look forward to working with the sheriff's office and the county court to have a smooth transition. I look forward to working with Carol (Shaw, interim clerk of courts) and the rest of the staff."

Hodson said this transition is just another way for him to serve the people of Highland County.  

"After 22 years in the recorder's office, it has been a pleasure to serve the citizens of Highland County in that capacity," he said. "I will take that 22 years of public records management to the clerk of courts office, and I am excited to have the opportunity to do so, and I look forward to good things happening. I have some big shoes to fill. Paulette and Dick (Donley, her husband) have worked diligently, and the staff and I will do our best to continue to serve the citizens of Highland County."

His resignation as county recorder will be effective April 30, Hodson said.

A swearing-in ceremony has been scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, May 2 in the Highland County Common Pleas Courtroom. Hodson invited members of the public to attend. 

"I really look forward to it," Hodson said. 

Hodson's appointment now leaves a vacancy in the Highland County Recorder's Office. Wilkin said that those interested may send a cover letter and resumé to the Highland County Republican Party, P.O. Box 616, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.

Resumés must be received, not post-marked, by May 6.

"We anticipate we will conduct interviews on May 10," Wilkin said. "There is one thing that is different (between the clerk of courts appointment and the recorder appointment). Due to the anticipated number of resumés for this position, the central committee has selected a screening committee to go through the applications to screen down those most qualified, and then the interviews will take place before the whole committee."