2008 starts with official oaths

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

A new mayor, two new council members and a host of department heads all took the oath of office to serve the citizens of Greencastle during a noon ceremony Tuesday at City Hall.

Sue Murray,flanked by husband Dave, her mother Florence Virtanen and grandson Andrew Yuska, took her oath from retired Judge Diana LaViolette.

First Ward council member Adam Cohen, with the support of his DePauw University men's swimming team, was next to take the oath, using his late grandfather's bible.

Jinsie Bingham, supported by son Doug Wokoun with wife Nancy and daughter Diane, took the oath as directed by LaViolette. Bingham noted that she is the granddaughter of a past city council member, and that is a first for the city.

Other council members John Lanie and T.J. Smith could not attend Tuesday's ceremony.

New Mayor Murray then administered the oath to the people who will serve the citizens by providing essential services. Those department heads are city attorney Laurie Robertson Hardwick, planner Shannon Norman, fire chief Bill Newgent, cemetery superintendent Ernie Phillips, park director Rod Weinshenk, police chief Tom Sutherlin, public works commissioner Paul Wilson, and wastewater superintendent George Russell.

In brief closing remarks, Murray marked the transition for the new city leaders, who have now moved from the political arena into their elected posts in the city.

"Our job from this point," Murray said, "is to work as cooperatively and as diligently as we can for the citizens of Greencastle."

For photo's from today's event, see the photo gallery at left.

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