By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
Boone County Clerk Kenny Brown has died.
Brown was found dead in his home Friday evening by first responders answering a call for a welfare check.
He had been speaking with a friend on the phone and it disconnected when Brown suffered an apparent medical problem.
Boone County Coroner Missy Rittinger determined Brown, 53, died as a result of a history of medical problems.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office issued the following statement Friday night:
On behalf of Sheriff Michael A. Helmig and the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, we express our deepest condolences to Kenny Brown’s loved ones tonight. Boone County lost a great man and public servant this evening.
On Friday, March 8, 2019 at approximately 5:20 p.m. first responders were called to the Florence, Kentucky home of Boone County Clerk Kenneth “Kenny” Brown for a check–the-welfare call after a friend, who had been on the phone earlier with Brown, had been disconnected due to what was suspected to be a medical problem.
As there was no answer at the door, entry to Brown’s home was made through an unsecured window whereupon they located Brown inside deceased from apparent natural causes. Boone County Coroner Missy Rittinger responded and determined Brown, 53 died as a result of a history of medical issues.
Kenny is recognized in Boone County as an innovator and true conservative who worked tirelessly to improve and expand the Clerk’s Office services. Funeral arrangements have not been completed as of this writing.
Brown, a larger-than-life personality, was a student of Kentucky history and was especially proud of his Boone County heritage. He played football for Boone County High School and the University of Kentucky.
During election season, he handed out campaign refrigerator magnets with the UK football schedule on them.
Brown had experienced a series of health problems in recent years. He suffered a heart attack in November of last year, on election night, after being elected to his third term with 70 percent of the vote.
The Boone County Fiscal Court also issued a statement expressing its condolences.
“Our hearts are saddened to hear the tragic news about the passing of County Clerk, Kenny Brown. Our thoughts and prayers go out Kenny’s family, his dedicated staff, and friends during this difficult time.” Judge/Executive Gary Moore, County Commissioners Cathy Flaig, Charlie Kenner, and Jesse Brewer.
State Sen. John Schickel, R-union, a longtime friend of Brown’s, recalls the day in the mid 90s when he, Brown and former Boone County Jailer Ed Prindle switched political parties.
“We all walked down to the County Clerk’s office and switched on the same day,” Schickel said.
Schickel recalls many other fond memories from his relationship with Brown, both personally and politically.
“It’s a huge loss for Boone County because Kenny was a very unique individual, and I mean that in good way,” Schickel said. “He had an extraordinary mind.”
Brown was also a deputy jailer in Boone County, in charge of the work detail, but left that position to work for Cincinnati Bell.
Brown threw his hat in the political ring as a candidate for Boone County Clerk in 2010, campaigning on a pledge to run the office similar to a private-sector business, with a focus on customer service.
He followed through on that promise through a series of innovations designed to make it easier for the public to access the County Clerk’s services.
He oversaw the promotion and growth of an online license tag renewal and an automated 24/7 Phone-in Tag Renewal System that reduced lines and improved customer service.
Under his leadership, the Clerk’s office also installed a drop box in Walton that allowed residents to drop off a check and pick up their tags later in the day.
He gained some national notoriety in 2012, when he oversaw a coin flip to break a tie in the Walton City Council.
Bobby McDonald, now a Walton City Councilman, finished in a tie with another candidate that year when his wife failed to vote.
Brown used a 1964 Kennedy half dollar from his private collection for the coin toss. Despite being permitted to call the flip, McDonald lost, but the story captivated the nation and the image of Brown flipping the coin was seen in news stories as far away as the United Kingdom.
In 2015, realizing Valentine’s Day was on a Saturday, Brown opened the Clerk’s office and 20 couples who purchased a $35.50 marriage license went straight from the clerk’s office to a group wedding ceremony.
In Kentucky, marriage licenses are issued by county clerks.
“We have a lot of couples come in and apply for a marriage license then ask for advice or direction in finding someone to officiate their ceremony (sometimes immediately) in the courthouse,” Brown said then.
The ceremony included a reception with all the trimmings, at no additional charge.
Brown was proud of his conservative values and Schickel said he had a national reputation in certain political circles.
“People sought his advice from all over the country,” Schickel said. “He had a passion for individual liberty. In addition to his duties as county clerk he worked on a lot of causes that had a lot to do with limiting the power of government.”
The Northern Kentucky Tribune reached out to Brown in the months following his heart attack, most recently on January 25, when Brown was cautiously optimistic about returning to good health.
“On the mend, I hope,” he said then.
Funeral services are pending.
Contact the Northern Kentucky Tribune at news@nkytrib.com