By JULIA ROBERTS GOAD

STAFF WRITER

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Pike County District Five Magistrate Hilman Dotson was congratulated by the Pike County Fiscal Court for being named he 2011  “Public Servant of the Year” by the Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association at the KMCA Spring Convention.

“I want to recognize this honor,” fellow Magistrate Chris Harris told Dotson. “You are very deserving.”

For the past five years the Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association has recognized an outstanding magistrate or commissioner for their dedication and work in their communities. The recipient is nominated by a fellow magistrate, commissioner or the county judge. They must exhibit outstanding leadership skills both at home and within this association. Being selected as “Public Servant of the Year” is well-deserved recognition for the recipients. It is the highest honor within the Association that all elected officials should strive for.

Dotson has been a magistrate for more than 17 years, and was recently re-elected to his fifth term and has served with six different county judge-executives, including former Governor Paul Patton and current Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford.

Throughout Dotson’s years of public service he has concentrated on improving opportunities for children and seniors in his district. During his tenure, he has seen the construction of three new senior citizen centers, two new community centers, five new playgrounds and two new volunteer fire departments.

During the recent flooding that ravaged Pike County leaving many of its residents homeless and stranded, Dotson climbed on a backhoe and went to work - rebuilding roads, constructing make shift bridges, and returning creeks to their original banks. He worked tirelessly for days until everyone in his district had access to his or her homes.

Most mornings Dotson can be found cooking eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy for the seniors at the Phelps Courthouse, a tradition he started many years ago.

“Hilman Dotson just has that dynamic leadership quality and can spark enthusiasm to get the job done.  Pike County is very fortunate to have leaders such as Hilman”, said Richard Tanner, executive director of the Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association.

“I’m a public servant just doing what I should be” said Dotson.

The Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association is a statewide association formed in 1952 with 562 members.  It is one of the oldest and the largest association of elected officials in the commonwealth.