New Year’s Day morning saw several elected officials sworn in in both Nevada and Hempstead County courthouses in front of near capacity audiences of family and friends.

In Hempstead County, starting at 10:00 a.m. Judge Joe Short started about 15 minutes of swearings in with the Quorum Court. New Justice of the Peace District 5, Republican Victor Ford was among them.  The other JPs sworn in Wednesday were re-elected, including Democrat James Griffin, District 1; Democrat Doris Brown, District 3; Republican Troy Lerew, District 6; Republican Steve Atchley District 7; Democrat Jessie Henry District 9; Republican Jay Lathrop District 10. Not present were Republican Ed Darling District 4, Republican Keith Steed District 11 and Republican David Clayton, District 8.  

The JPs each serve two-year terms. 

Then came the swearings in of three mayors, Henry Hale of Fulton, Kyle Sweat of McCaskill and Les Patterson of Oakhaven. 

Constables from Bodcaw (David Lee Cummings), Deroan (Reyn Brown), Garland (Randall Hatfield) and Wallaceburg (Thomas Everett)  also took their oaths of office. 

In Nevada County, starting at 11:00 a.m, Judge Duncan Culpepper first swore in Dana Stone as District Judge for the 8th District North. There was applause after she finished and shook Culpepper’s hand. 

Culpepper also swore in the new and re-elected Nevada County Quorum Court. The new Justices of the Peace present were Republican James Roy Cornelius, District 4; Republican Regina Irizarry, District 7; Republican Todd Butler, District 8 and Republican Tommy Poole, District 9.  The re-elected JPs present were Democrat Dennis Pruitt, District 1; Democrat Willie Wilson, District 2; Democrat Patricia Grimes, District 3; Democrat Eric Jackson, District 5 and Democrat Herbert Coleman, District 6. 

Finally, two re-elected and one new Prescott City Council members were sworn in.  The new council member is Democrat Tony Gillard, Ward 4 Seat 1.  Also taking the oath were Democrat Ivory Curry, Ward 1 Seat 2 and Democrat Howard Austin, Ward 2 Seat 1.

Three constables were also sworn in.