Longtime Bollinger County resident appointed circuit clerk

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon announced Friday that he has appointed Nick Bollinger, 50, of Marble Hill as Bollinger County circuit clerk. Bollinger will finish the term of Sharon Lutes, who resigned in September for health reasons. He was nominated for the position by the Bollinger County Democrat Club.

A swearing-in date for Bollinger has not yet been set.

Reached at his home today, Bollinger said he was excited about the prospect of taking on the job.

"I will try to do my best," he said. "My number is in the phone book and if anyone needs to reach me they can call or come by the office."

Bollinger is a self-employed bricklayer and a member of Bricklayers Local 23. He said he has worked with a friend, who will take over the brick-laying business once he assumes office.

He was a candidate for Bollinger County collector in 1994, and he said he intends to file for the position when filing opens in February, 2010.

Joe Carlisle, president of the Democrat Club, said he was pleased that Nixon accepted the club's recommendation.

"The club is behind him (Bollinger) 100 percent," Carlisle said. "He is a fine man and has worked around the area for a long time. He is well known and well liked, a family man. He's just a real terrific person. I think he will do Bollinger County proud."

A lifelong resident of the county, Bollinger and his wife have two children.

"Nick Bollinger is well-known to the people of Bollinger County, and I am confident he will serve them ably as their new circuit clerk," Nixon said.