Newly elected county officials sworn in

WALLACE — The Silver Valley had the opportunity to see their new (and not so new) elected county officials assume their positions during the Oath of Office ceremony Monday morning.

Held in the Shoshone County Courthouse first floor lobby, attendees gathered to watch Commissioner Jay Huber lead the ceremony. Before the main event though, pastor Art Fleming commemorated the ceremony by thanking the officials and saying a prayer.

“I just want to say thank you to Mike, John, Tamie, Ellen, Jerry, Rick and Barbara today for their willingness to serve in our county and for the people of this county.”

Those who took the oath included Mike Fitzgerald (commissioner, District 1), John Hansen (commissioner, District 3), Tamie J. Eberhard (clerk/auditor/recorder), Ellen Masterson (treasurer), Jerry White (assessor) and Rick Smith (coroner). Reelected Magistrate Judge Barbara Duggan was not present, but was sworn-in at an earlier time.

More than half of the sworn-in elected officials — Fitzgerald, Hansen, Masterson, White and Duggan — are returning to the positions they held last term.

Eberhard is replacing longtime clerk, Peggy White, who announced her retirement last year.

Smith will be filling a vacant coroner position, as the previous coroner was let go and is currently facing misuse of public funds charges.

Following the brief ceremony, those present were invited to treat themselves to cake and refreshments.

“I thought it went very well. I am very happy with all the new people we have,” Huber said after the event. “I think we will all work really well together as a new group.”