Jason Futch - reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Residents from across the Suwannee River Valley gathered at their respective courthouses to witness the swearing in of their constitutional officers. While some officials were re-elected to the four-year term or ran unopposed, others were taking office for the first time.
A significant change occurred in the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) as, for the first time since 1987, a new sheriff was elected. Sheriff Brian Creech was sworn in on the afternoon of Monday, Jan. 6, alongside other newly elected officials. He succeeds retiring Sheriff Harrell Reid, who served for 36 years. After reciting the oath of office at the county courthouse in Jasper, the courtroom erupted in cheers from Sheriff Creech's family, former Florida Highway Patrol colleagues, and members of the HCSO, welcoming the newly seated sheriff. Hamilton County Clerk of Court Greg Godwin was also sworn in for his sixth term, and Laura Hutto took the oath for her third term as Supervisor of Elections. Clayton Goolsby was sworn in for the first time as the elected Property Appraiser. Leslie Jones, the newly elected Tax Collector, was unable to attend the swearing in ceremony due to illness, but took the oath the following day.
The constitutional officers of Lafayette County were sworn in on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 7, at the county courthouse. Sheriff Brian Lamb took the oath for his fifth term, while Superintendent of Schools Robby Edwards was sworn in for his fourth term. Clerk of Court Steve Land and Tax Collector Chuck Hewitt were both sworn in for their respective third terms. Property Appraiser Wayne McCray also took the oath for an additional term, and Darren Jackson was sworn in for another term as the county Judge.
On Tuesday afternoon, constitutional officers from Suwannee County took their oaths at the Judicial Annex. Among those sworn in was Sheriff Sam St. John, returning for his third term as the county's chief law enforcement officer. Sharon Jordan was also sworn in for her fifth term as Tax Collector. Clerk of Court Barry Baker, Property Appraiser Richard Gamble and Supervisor of Elections Jennifer Kinsey were sworn in after running unopposed.
To see more photos from the swearing in ceremonies across the region, visit Riverbend News online at www.riverbendnews.org.
