New officials, judges take oath of office
New county, city and judicial officials were sworn in Friday morning in a series of ceremonies held in the Union County Courthouse.
Thirteenth Judicial District Circuit Judge Mary Thomason administered officials' oaths, starting with judges whose terms had not yet ended, followed by county and city officials and concluding with newly-elected 13th Judicial Court Division 6 Judge Spencer Singleton.
For the judges returning to their posts — including Circuit Judges Robin Carroll (Division 4), Edwin Keaton (Division 3) and David Talley (Division 5); State District 35 Judge Jack Barker; and Court of Appeals Judge Mark Klappenbach — she conducted the ceremonies over Zoom early in the day.
“It was funny doing it over Zoom, but it allowed them to be where they are,” Thomason said, explaining that other judges
may have been swearing-in county officials in other parts of the 13th Judicial District Friday morning.
Several Union County Justices of the Peace were absent from Friday morning's ceremony, including newly-elected District 4 JP Gary New, who bested incumbent Dean Storey in a primary race held last March. Also absent were District 2 JP Justice Hendrix and District 11 JP Ross Burton.
The other JPs were called up first to stand before Thomason, who administered their oaths of office simultaneously. They swore to uphold the Arkansas and United States Constitutions and faithfully uphold the duties charged to them by the offices they now hold.
Next was Calion's new Ward 3, Position 1 Council member Kristi Purifoy; followed by Calion Treasurer Jamie Morgan and Strong Recorder/treasurer Latosha Gatlin, who gave their oaths together.
Spencer Singleton's swearing-in was held after to city and county officials'. Thomason thanked all of the officials for their work for the community.
“It's at this time we really need our community leaders … to lead us through these difficult times,” she said.