New county officials sworn-in

Clay County has a new sheriff and collector this week, along with a new county clerk and district court judge. The trio of newly-elected officials, and the incumbents who were re-elected in last year's election, were sworn-in Thursday, Jan. 1, at the courthouse in Piggott.

The first swearing-in actually was conducted just after midnight at the Piggott courthouse. Moments after the new year arrived, circuit clerk Janet Luff Kilbreath gave the oath of office to new county clerk Pat Poole. Poole then swore-in new sheriff and collector Gerald McClung and several of his deputies.

The following morning a crowd of family and friends gathered in the main courtroom in Piggott to witness the official swearing-in of the local and county elected officials. Serving as host for the occasion was the new district court judge David Copelin. After welcoming those in attendance, Copelin, who had a large contingent of supporters, took the oath of office from Poole.

The clerk then swore-in judge Gary Howell, circuit clerk Janet Luff Kilbreath, treasurer Carolyn Morrisett and assessor Tracy Gurley. A group of four justices of the peace also were sworn-in, along with several constables.

Poole also gave the oath of office to the four Piggott aldermen, Carl Birmingham, Lester Edwards Jr., Jim Poole and Tommy Risinger; city of McDougal recorder/treasurer Bobby Brown; McDougal aldermen Marvin Kilbreath, Leslie Parrish, Cindy Roberts and Kenneth Ort, and deputies Monte Sanders and Chris Simpson of the sheriff's department.

Another ceremony was held later in Rector for the aldermen of that city, as the oath of office was given to Teresa Roofe, Mac Manchester, Cam Cate and David Freeman. Rector recorder/treasurer Lowell McKenney also was sworn in at that time.

The ceremony for county officials was repeated Thursday afternoon at the courthouse in Corning. At that time the oath also was administered to Corning's elected officials, along with JP's and constables from the western district.