County clerk to retire
By Bobbi Mlynar
Originally published 01:12 p.m., January 31, 2008
Updated 01:12 p.m., January 31, 2008
Lyon County Clerk Karen Hartenbower has confirmed that she will not seek re-election this year.
“I will not run again because I’m going to retire,” she said Wednesday afternoon. “I’m looking at either Dec. 26 or Jan. 2. I’ll have to wait until I meet with Social Security.”
When Hartenbower leaves, she will have completed a few days short of 16 years in office. She was first elected in 1992.
“I am the longest-elected clerk that we’ve had,” she said. “Rosemary Spalding before me was 14 years.”
Hartenbower, a Republican, said that so far no one seems to have stepped forward to be a candidate.
“My staff’s working on my deputy, trying to get her to, and she doesn’t say ‘yes’ and she doesn’t say ‘no,’” she said, referring to Lannie Linebarger.
Democrats, too, are looking for a candidate.
“The word’s out, but I haven’t heard any names,” Hartenbower said.
Blackshirt (anonymous) says...
About time!
January 31, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vicky (anonymous) says...
I hate to see Karen retire she will be missed. She has done a great job as County Clerk. She has always been honest and is a very caring person.
January 31, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
positivethinker (anonymous) says...
I agree with Vicky. Happy retirement Karen!
January 31, 2008 at 7:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
positivethinker (anonymous) says...
But let's hope we don't get another one like the one we had before Karen!
January 31, 2008 at 8 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
Is Karen the one in charge of the *lovely, polite* "ladies" who work in the office where you renew your license plates?
Just curious.
M
January 31, 2008 at 8:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
poff (anonymous) says...
just want to thank karen for all her hard work and dedication.also if someone happens to read this, let her know i received her package and distributed it to all my guys. they were very thankful to know that she and the ladies cared enough to be thinking of those of us here in iraq. thanks again karen. from your friends in iraq, mnf-i, oif 07-08
February 1, 2008 at 2:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wookdog13 (anonymous) says...
To Melissa, No is your answer. Dora Hartig is in charge of the "ladies" (just being nice) you are talking about. Maybe a whole new change of blood in our system would be good for our entire county. I do hope everyone votes in the next elections. That is where it all starts!
February 1, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ksfan (anonymous) says...
I think Dora Hartig does a great job!
February 1, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
peggy3 (anonymous) says...
Karen is one Great Lady who has given of herself for 16 years to provide service to Lyon County as our County Clerk. If you were to consider all of her volunteer hours also the County would owe her BiG TIME!! It seem to me the Emporia Gazette could have given her credit for all of hard work instead of "Where are we going to find another snapper dresser" to fill her shoes. That is an uncalled for comment which would have never been said of a male gender retireing. Maybe you should have to fill her shoes for a day or week alone. YOU COULD NOT DO IT!!!!
February 3, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
Peggy3:
Please contact me (larson@emporiagazette.com) to tell me where The Gazette said anything about Karen Hartenbower and her dressing? I must have missed it.
Gwen Larson
February 3, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lisag (anonymous) says...
Right above the article..... the "Good Evening".
February 3, 2008 at 10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
Sorry, Lisa. I did miss it.
The Good Evening was in no way meant to discount Karen's work for Lyon County. But all who know her, know that she is well known for her patriotic attire (as well as her collection of memorabilia and decorating scheme in the clerk's office... She was the subject years ago of a Person of the Week article that included that.)
This article was announcing her retirement. There will be plenty of opportunities to sit down with Karen and discuss her legacy.
Gwen Larson
February 4, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )