With the new year comes a new round of politics in Perry County. We're about to see two new magistrates, new board members with the Hazard Independent and Perry County Schools, and an old face coming back in the sheriff's office.

During the campaign they all preached change, just as 99 percent of candidates running for office always do. But the real question is, will they practice what they preach?

The Perry County Fiscal Court will see the most change as we head into 2007. Two new magistrates will take their seats and hopefully work for the betterment of their respective districts, and for the county as a whole.

Bubby Combs and Earl Brashear shouldn't have too rough a time of hitting the ground running either. According to recent audits from State Auditor Crit Luallen's office, Brashear and Combs are entering into a court that has handled the county's finances in a responsible manner. And much the same can be said for Les Burgett as he stands ready to take back the reigns of the Perry County Sheriff's Office.

Taking over offices where fiscally responsible social servants have previously held has to make transitions much easier. In Burgett's case, the real issue is whether or not he can wrangle up enough funding to keep deputies on the road. And that is a real issue.

For Sheriff Pat Wooton, a major problem was the loss of funding he incurred from multiple sources. In the past year, the sheriff lost funding in the form of coal severance vetoes and a cut to the state allowed minimum in the commission his office receives from collecting property taxes for the county and city school districts in Perry County. Burgett's first challenge will be to find avenues of funding to replace those losses. Running a sheriff's office costs money, and the more you have the better it is for the county.

Another new face in the crowd is that of Teresa Reed in the Perry County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. Reed, who is not exactly a new face as she has been practicing law in Perry County for a while and was once a federal prosecutor, is also taking over from a prosecutor with a good record. John Hansen has had his fair share of convictions since taking over his office from the late Steve Tackett in 2000.

Whatever one may think, if the leaders in Perry County can keep looking forward as some of those who are now set to leave office seemed to always do, no one in the county should worry.

With promises of tourism dollars, fiscal responsibility, and forging ahead, Hazard and Perry County seems to be in capable hands. As the new year comes ever closer, we'll be waiting to see if those campaign promises are full of promise, or just hollow words.