GREENFIELD — Recently elected officials from municipalities in Hancock County promised to uphold the constitutions of the United States and Indiana as they were sworn in at a special ceremony.
Judges Terry Snow and Dan Marshall of Hancock County Superior Court administered the oath of office to newly elected officials on Thursday evening, Dec. 19. The event featured many of those who won seats in the city and town elections in November. They all take office on Jan. 1.
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“This is an important ceremony, not so much for the officeholders as for their families,” Snow said. “To see the kids that are in here sometimes, they see their parents and they kind of get a sense that this is important. It’s ceremonial in nature, but it’s something that has far-reaching effects down the line.”
Snow, who is retiring at the end of 2019, will swear in only one more official — his successor, Marie Castetter, on New Year’s Eve. Gov. Eric Holcomb has appointed her to fill the rest of Snow’s term, through the end of 2020.
“It’s a real pleasure and honor to be able to swear people in to take office,” Snow said. “Our system is based on people willing to stand up, make decisions and run our government. That’s important; it’s really important.”
Not all newly elected officials participated in the ceremony, but those who were absent can be sworn in at their first meeting by their clerk-treasurer or any notary public. Hancock County Republican Party Chair Janice Silvey, who organized the event, said she was happy with the turnout. Republicans were the only ones who won office in the elections last month, so it was a very much a GOP event.
“It’s very important and it makes them feel that they’re elected now, they’re under oath and they’re going to do a good job,” Silvey said.
Greenfield mayor Chuck Fewell was sworn in for his second full term in office. He said the swearing-in ceremony is an important part of the democratic process that helps elected officials stay accountable to the voters who put them in office.
“We have the right to run for office, we have the right to take part, and so does everybody else. We’d like to see more people in the audience, but we’re grateful for everybody that’s here and we’ll continue what we’re doing,” Fewell said.
Fewell said he hopes to continue many of the city’s projects in the new year, including bringing new housing and businesses to town.
New officeholders said they were excited about the first meetings of the new year. George Plisinski, newly elected to the Greenfield City Council, said he is ready to get to work.
“I’m ready to get started. Greenfield’s given a lot to me and my family, and honestly I feel like it’s time to give back. I hope I’m able to live up to the expectations,” Plisinski said.
Officials sworn in at the ceremony included Fewell; Greenfield Clerk-Treasurer Lori Elmore; Greenfield City Council members Mitch Pendlum, Plisinski, Gary McDaniel, John Jester, Jeff Lowder and Kerry Grass; McCordsville Town Council member Greg Brewer; and New Palestine town council members Jan Jarson and Bill Niemier. Amanda Everidge and Kelly McClarnon were also sworn in as members of the Hancock County Tourism Commission.
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