Burnett sworn in as new Chilton County Circuit Clerk
Published 11:30 am Thursday, January 16, 2025
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor
Newly elected Chilton County Circuit Clerk Nick Burnett was sworn into office on Jan. 13 at the Chilton County Courthouse for the next steps in his life of service. Burnett, who won the seat for the position during the 2024 Primary Election on March 5, 2024, waited nearly a year to make it official, but a day that well worth the wait. Burnett will be taking over for longtime Chilton County Circuit Clerk Glenn McGriff with his retirement from the position after 18 years. Burnett will be just the third circuit clerk in Chilton County over the last 36 years after Mike Smith served in the position for 18 years prior to McGriff.
“It is just an honor that the people of Chilton County wanted me to be their next circuit clerk, and I have some big shoes to fill, and not sure I ever will fill those shoes,” Burnett said. “Since I have been elected, Glenn has been right there and taught me so much in the last few months. It has been a really good transition, and that speaks to the type of person Glenn is.”
Burnett’s win for the seat saw him earn 5,288 votes of the 7,481 votes cast in the county, a 70.69% clip. With no opposition from the democratic party, Burnett was able to clinch the seat early and have ample time to prepare for his new endeavor
“I have always had a willingness to serve, and God has put me here, so I look forward to doing that,” Burnett said following the election last March. “It just shows that where God wants you he will put you. I am excited to be able to help the people, and looking forward to helping the citizens of Chilton County and to be able to serve them.”
Burnett added that there is an administrative side to the circuit clerk’s office that only McGriff could teach him how to do, and to do it well. McGriff has some things he has taught Burnett over the last few months that the new circuit clerk believes he could not do his job without.
“I told Nick ‘If you get here and do not sit in this office, get up at that window and talk to people and help people, you will be here as long as you want to be,’” McGriff said. “I think Nick will be a great clerk. He has been coming the last six or seven months and watching the routine, learning the computer and is already been working. I am proud of him, and I think he will be a great clerk for Chilton County.”
Burnett’s life of service started following his graduation from Chilton County High School in 2006 when he enlisted in The United States Marine Corps shortly after completing school. He was deployed on two tours from 2007-2010 before returning home to Chilton County and entering the police academy.
Burnett ascended to a narcotics detective at the Calera Police Department through his law enforcement career before deciding to serve the public as a whole running for circuit clerk. It was his first time running for a public office, and he was elected in his first try. While serving in a professional capacity, Burnett also serves in his church as well and other personal capacities, rounding out his servant’s mindset in all facets of his life.
“I love people,” Burnett said. “I have always loved people, and I knew that being in a public office would be another position where I could further help people. It is just a great honor to be able to be in another position where I can help the people of my county.”