Family, friends and coworkers gathered on the 3rd floor of the Caldwell County Courthouse as county officials and their staff were sworn in Wednesday morning.
56th Circuit Court Judge Jamus Redd administered the Oath of Office and thanked officials for their service. Before swearing in each group, he offered some thoughts on taking the Oath of Office and its significance.
click to download audioFollowing his words, Magistrates Elbert Bennett, Jeff Boone, Brent Stallins and Jeff Simms were officially sworn in for another four-year term along with Judge-Executive elect Kota Young who Judge Redd ceremonially swore in. Young, along with Mayor-elect Brock Thomas and Fredonia Mayor Jim Seibert were officially sworn in during an assembly at the Caldwell County Middle School last week.
Young tells the News Edge he’s ready to work with magistrates and continue the county’s progress.
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County-Clerk elect Jennifer Watson-Hale and her staff were the next group to be sworn in by Judge Redd. Jennifer is filling the shoes of her mother, Toni Watson, who has served as county clerk for 29 years and is currently the longest-serving county official holding office. Jennifer has worked in the county clerk’s office for 17 years and says her utmost priority is the new website that they have been working on for some time. She says the website will be a real benefit for the county as it will allow residents to take care of business online.
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Judge Redd also administered the Office of Office to Caldwell County Coroner Dewayne Trafford and his deputy coroner, County Surveyor Rick Tosh, County Attorney Roy Massey IV, Jailer-elect William Harper, Sheriff-elect Don Weedman and his deputies, along with deputy jailers and three constables. In addition, Fredonia Mayor Jim Seibert and Fredonia city council members were sworn-in.
All of the newly sworn-in county officials will start their duties on January 1st.
