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Wid Harris: Longest serving magistrate starts 26th year By Ed Waggener Two of Second District Magistrate Wid Harris' biggest fans, son Dwain Harris and wife Sharon Harris, presented the enduring Adair County Democrat with a special plaque for Christmas. The plaque chronicles Harris' election career from his first race in 1977, in which he was defeated by the late Murrie Knifley, through the latest election in 2006 years Harris now served 25 years on Adair Fiscal Court. The plaque is headlined, "William 'Wid' Harris, Adair County Magistrate." The title is flanked by an outline map of the county and by the Joe Moore courthouse clocktower drawing. The story the election details on the plaque tell is a very unusual one for an Adair County Democrat, especially one who was born in Russell County and moved to this county as an adult. Harris made last comeback needed in 1981 Harris came back in 1981 to edge Murrie Knifley and one-time Columbia Mayor W.R. Murphy in the Democratic primary, and Republican Raymond Pendleton in the fall. The vote was close in the primary. Harris won, but he and Murrie Knifley remained lifetime pals, a friendship Harris still cherishes. Since 1981, Harris has never been challenged by another Democrat. But every year there has been Republican opposition. In 1985, it was Otha Bryant; in 1989, it was Mike Collins; in 1993, Larry Russell Bryant; in 1998, it was Bobby Collins; in 2002, Joe Kimbler; and this year, Kelly Hamlett tried him. None were successful. 26th year begins with 2007 When the 2007 Adair County Fiscal Court convenes Monday morning, January 1, 2007 at 9:00am, Harris will begin his 26th year as magistrate, making him one of the longest serving in Adair County history. (If anyone checks, please let us know who does hold the record). In most of his career, Harris has been considered the most powerful magistrate on the court, with influence far beyond the district. In fact, there have been times when thinking was that Harris was more powerful than even county judges. Harris has seen the Democratic Party's fortunes have its ups and downs over the years. Perhaps the most striking change came in 2006. Earlier this year, he sat as Judge Pro Tem and as dean of the 5-2 majority Democratic delegation (or 5-3, technically; the Adair County Judge Executive is a voting member of the court. Judge Vaughan only voted in cases of ties, but Ann is being encouraged to vote on every matter before the court). Now, fortunes are reversed. If Ann does vote, the court is only one-quarter Democratic. He and Sixth District Magistrate Joe Rogers are the only members of their party on the court. Both Harris and Rogers are strong-willed. Rogers is as independent a representative of the Democrats as Roger Stephens another who marches to his own drum, is in the Republican Party. Who knows which of the Democratic squires would be Minority Leader, which one Minority Whip. During Judge Vaughan's tenure, any vote other than 7-0 was rare; rarer still was a vote contrary to what Jerry Vaughan wanted. Fortunately for the county, the Adair County Fiscal Court has been no more partisan in the last 20 years than the technically non-partisan City Council. If this continues, it won't make so much difference who is the leader of either party. The other members of the 2007 Adair County Fiscal Court, besides Ann, Joe Rogers, and Wid Harris, are Roger Stephens (R-1), Terry Hadley (R-2), Sammy Baker (R-3); Perry Reeder (R-4). This story was posted on 2006-12-30 08:02:52
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115 Jamestown St. Columbia, KY. 270-384-2496 
  
   
 Provided by the Adair Co Fiscal Court and the Adair Co. Emergency Mgt. Agency 
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