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CROWD GATHERS TO WITNESS SWEARING IN

By Amy Riggin/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, January 2, 2009 10:16 AM CST

Roughly 75 people gathered in the lobby of the Jefferson County Courthouse Thursday morning to observe as various elected county officials, including County Judge Mike Holcomb, were sworn into office to serve new terms in the county.

Pine Bluff Commercial/Amy Riggin At a ceremony at the county courthouse Thursday, Judge Lawrence Dawson (left) administers the oath of office to Jefferson County Judge Mike Holcomb as Holcomb’s wife, Jessica, looks on.

The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Judge Lawrence Dawson, circuit judge-at-large, who administered oaths of offices for 14 officials, mostly justices of the peace.

“We appreciate you being here,” Holcomb said to the crowd.

“This is an exciting time, an especially exciting time for those who are being sworn in for the first time. We’re excited that their families and friends are here to support them, and we will continue to strive to move Jefferson County along as best we can as we go.”

Holcomb is starting his second term as county judge.

Dawson, who is retired, said it was “a real honor” to administer the oaths.

In the order of their oaths, the following people were sworn in Thursday:

County Judge Mike Holcomb

Justice Vanette Johnson, District 7

Justice H.O. Gray, District 2

Justice Herman Ginger, District 6

Justice Paul Jones, District 9 (newly-elected)

Justice Jimmy Lee Fisher Sr., District 3 (newly-elected)

Justice Mandy Alford, District 3

Justice O.D. Brown, District 5 (newly-elected)

Justice Sissy Granderson, District 11

Justice Edward Spears, District 13

Altheimer Alderman Lester Hudson

Altheimer Alderwoman Linda Gipson

Altheimer Recorder/Treasurer Wanda Barnes

2nd Division District Court Judge John Kearney

Dawson made a special mention of Kearney, who he said “comes from such a distinguished family.” Dawson said that Kearney was one of 17 children. All but one have earned college degrees and eight are attorneys.

Kearney’s father, 102-year-old Thomas Kearney, also was present for the ceremony.

“You and your late wife obviously believed in education,” Dawson said to the elder Kearney.

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