Livingston County Judge-Executive resigns to return to military service

Livingston County Judge-Executive Garrett Gruber announced his resignation from that post on Tuesday morning, effective immediately.

Gruber is leaving Livingston County to resume his military service. He will move into a full-time role with the Kentucky Army National Guard, saying that he is "continuing his service to County, Commonwealth, and the United States of America, in a different role." 

Livingston County Magistrate Klay Southern told West Kentucky Star, "I guess it was kind of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him, and he felt that he was needed there worse than he was here."

Gruber did not attend the meeting of the Livingston County Fiscal Court, but an executive order was read to the court announcing the resignation. Gruber thanked his fellow elected officials, county employees, and the citizens of Livingston County saying he trusts they will "continue the positive momentum" of the county. 

According to Kentucky law, the fiscal court must appoint a temporary Judge-Executive from among the court members. They selected Brad Hunter from Salem to serve in that capacity to keep the county business moving forward. Hunter is the longest-tenured of the current magistrates.

Governor Andy Beshear now has 30 days to appoint an interim judge to serve until a special election can be held to fill Gruber's unexpired term.