| By Bob Weaver
 One of Clay County's most colorful political figures has died. Earnie Sirk, 57 (pictured left), a long-time Democrat Executive Committee member was found dead at his Ivydale residence.
Andy Waddell, editor of the Clay Communicator, said Sirk earned his titles - Osama bin Sirk or Wide Glide Sirk.
"Sirk was a politician who employed every trick, some really underhanded, to get his man elected," said Waddell. "Sitting on his broken down couch up at Ivydale, he would come up with novel ways to turn an election."
Sirk would manufacture notorious lapel buttons or falsify a candidates name with the wrong political party. Sometimes he would come up with an off-color slogan to use against his opponent.
Waddell said he would act like he was supporting one candidate, only to go behind their back and work against them.
"He could manufacture the best rumors," Waddell said. "He was really a word-smith, crafting words, making what was really a rumor sound real."
Waddell said year after year, before election time, he would call up and say, " Election is coming, so don't believe one thing I do or say for the next 12 months!"
"The next day he would call and give me a spin, which nearly always sounded good, but I knew not to believe it," said Waddell.
Sirk was always a player in county elections, but failed to get elected to public office himself
The Clay County Free Press once reported that Sirk was able to collect his disability when the shovel handle he was leaning on broke. He had been a Department of Highways worker.
Sirk, who failed to get elected to public office after several attempts, said "I am a trusted public official - a notary public, a position which I guard."
Ivydale residents were angered yesterday that Clay Sheriff Randy Holcomb and a deputy removed Sirk's private possessions from his residence, including a safe that was bolted to the wall, a coin collection and guns.
Holcomb could not be reached for comment.
Sirk's remains were cremated and dusted from the Ivydale Bridge into the Mighty Elk.
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