By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette
(Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, 10 p.m.) — Colonel Michael Masters, a Bardstown entrepreneur, chef, author, bourbon connoisseur, Southern hospitality expert 
and now, candidate for the office of county clerk, has released a letter regarding the use of his title and its placement on the May primary ballot.
Masters — who has for years been the local personification of a gracious Kentucky Colonel and author of books and articles on Southern-style hospitality and dining — used his usual styling of his name on his candidate filing paperwork: Colonel Michael Masters.
While Masters is indeed well-known in Nelson County and Kentucky by this name, how his nickname is placed on the ballot is carefully spelled out by state law (see my earlier entry on this issue by clicking here). According to state law, nicknames must be placed in quotations and positioned immediately before the candidate’s last name.
In his letter to Nelson County Clerk Phyllis Mattingly, Masters points out he has been known as “Colonel” since publishing his book on Southern entertaining and hospitality in 2001. Masters writes that he is aware the decision on nicknames and how the names should appear on the ballot rests with the county clerk.
“I understand the proper form by Kentucky statute is: Michael “Colonel” Masters. I would be pleased to use that form of my name should you declare that to be the proper way to place it on the ballot.
“If you decide that I should not use my nickname that every one knows me by then I would be pleased to have my name presented on the ballot as: Michael Masters.”
The Gazette received Master’s letter after the close of business at the Nelson County Clerk’s office, so Mattingly’s decision on how Masters’ title of “colonel” will appear — or if it will appear — is unknown.
The state law regarding titles and nicknames is designed to prevent their use by a candidate wishing to seek an advantage in how their name appears on the election ballot.
To view Masters’ letter to Nelson County Clerk Phyllis Mattingly regarding the use of his title on the May primary election ballot, click the link below.
Colonel Michael Masters – Nelson County Clerk
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