Officials take oath Tuesday

Tuesday might be a little too early to break out the champagne and confetti to celebrate the new year but the City of Greencastle will get a jump on 2012 nonetheless.

Mayor Sue Murray will be sworn in for a second term in a ceremony beginning at 4 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. The ceremony is open to the public.

Former Putnam Circuit Court Judge Diana LaViolette will officiate the swearing-in ceremony, administering the oath of office to the mayor, the five returning City Council members and new Clerk-Treasurer Lynda Dunbar.

Taking the oath to begin new City Council terms will be Adam Cohen, First Ward, Democrat; Mark Hammer, Second Ward, Republican; Jinsie Bingham, Third Ward, Democrat; T. J. Smith, Fourth Ward, Republican; and Phyllis Rokicki, at-large, Democrat.

Hammer, who has served three full four-year terms and three years of another, is the longest-serving Council member. He has represented the Second Ward for 15 years.

Murray, who was unopposed in her re-election as mayor, will swear in her appointed department heads after she takes her oath. In 2008, she succeeded fellow Democrat Nancy Michael, the city's only three-term mayor ever.

Mayor Murray plans no changes in city department heads for 2012.

That means returning to take the oath of office Tuesday afternoon will be Fire Chief Bill Newgent, Police Chief Tom Sutherlin, Public Works Director Brad Phillips, City Planner Shannon Norman, Water and Wastewater Superintendent Richard Hedge, City Attorney Laurie Hardwick and Parks and Recreation Director Rod Weinschenk.

Saying goodbye to City Hall at the end of 2011 will be current Clerk-Treasurer Teresa Glenn, who served two terms in that capacity before losing the November general election to Dunbar, a Republican.

"It's been an honor and a privilege to serve as city clerk-treasurer for eight years," Glenn said at the conclusion of the December City Council session.

"Thank you for allowing me this opportunity," she added. "It's been wonderful. I have enjoyed just about every day.

"Remember I'll be a citizen now," she smiled, "so look out, I may be sitting out there in the audience."

The first regularly monthly session of 2012 for the City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10.

At that time the Council will determine its president for 2012 as well as its various board representation for the coming year.