Newly elected officials sworn into office

Lazaro Aleman
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Five individuals newly elected to local offices took their oaths last week, solemnly swearing on the Bible and before Judge Bobby Plaines to support, protect and defend the U.S. and Florida constitutions and governments, as well as faithfully perform the duties of their respective offices.
The oath-taking ceremonies, both a tradition and statutory requirement, were held at both the courthouse and school administration building on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and were attended by family, friends and supporters of the newly elected.
Judge Bobby Plaines administered the oaths, as he has done for the last 20 or so years.
First to take the oath was Austin Hosford, newly elected to the District 4, County Commission seat. Accompanying Hosford at the brief ceremony were his wife, Jessi, and young daughter, Blakely.
Next was Michelle Milligan, newly elected as elections supervisor. Accompanying Milligan at the ceremony were her husband Bill, son Adam, daughter Brittani and several other family members.
The two newly sworn officials did not make speeches. They simply expressed thankfulness for their wins and thanked their supporters.
A little later, the ceremonies moved to the school district administration building on West Washington Street, where the three newly elected board members were sworn into office. Plaines again performed the ceremonies.
First to take the oath was Willie Ann Dickey, representing District 2 on the Jefferson County School Board. Accompanying Dickey was an unidentified woman who helped hold the Bible.
Next came Brenda Wirick, now representing District 3 on the school board. Her husband, Mark, accompanieda Wirick during the ceremony.
Last came Magdalen “Mags” Flynt, representing District 5 on the school board. Accompanying Flynt was her husband, Ryan, their son, Jack, and young daughter, Ayla.
The newly elected school board members wasted no time taking their seats and getting down to business, as two meetings were scheduled immediately following the swearing-in ceremonies.
In the first, an organizational meeting, veteran school board members Gladys Roann-Watson and Bill Brumfield assumed leadership roles. Roann-Watson retained the chairwomanship, and Brumfield was elected vice chair.
In terms of committee appointments: Roann-Watson was named the board’s liaison to the Small School District Council Consortium; Brumfield was named the school board’s liaison to the Jefferson Legislative Committee; Wirick was named to the Jefferson Education Foundation; Dickey to the Transportation Disadvantaged Board; and Flynt to the Property Valuation Board.
In the second, a regular meeting, the board acted on various pending items.