Dory sworn in as city mayor as 7-member Council takes over

William A. Dory Jr., better known as Bill, is sworn in Friday morning as the new mayor of Greencastle. Out-going mayor Sue Murray administers the oath of office. Banner Graphic/ERIC BERNSEE

Speaking briefly after being officially sworn in as the new mayor of the City of Greencastle Friday, William A. Dory Jr. said he was encouraged by the experience of returning city leaders and excited by the new blood that would be joining them.

But if it was experience he wanted, Mayor Dory need only look around the City Hall council chambers during the New Year's Day ceremony. For in the building for the event were the last three mayors preceding him in office, representing 28 years of leadership.

Of course, out-going Mayor Sue Murray was there, conducting the swearing-in ceremony, the concluding responsibility of her eight years (two terms) in office.

Meanwhile, seated side by side in the back row of the audience were Nancy Michael, the city's only three-term mayor ever, serving 1996-2007, and her two-term predecessor, Michael M. Harmless, 1988-95.

After being sworn in as the city's 45th chief executive, Dory addressed "the great experience staying on" in terms of incumbent Council members Mark Hammer, Adam Cohen and Tyler Wade along with Clerk-Treasurer Lynda Dunbar, while welcoming the additions of "the new folks coming on board," namely City Councilmen Dave Murray, Gary Lemon, Stacie Langdon and Steve Fields.

"In about 10 days," Dory said Friday, "this group (the Council) starts to take office, representing our residents and working for them and our neighbors in Putnam County."

The current and past three City of Greencastle administrations are represented by (from left) former three-term Mayor Nancy Michael, new Mayor Bill Dory, out-going two-term Mayor Sue Murray and former two-term Mayor Mike Harmless.

Mayor Dory said the group would do well to "build on the legacy Sue (Murray) and her team have left for the City of Greencastle."

Mayor Murray administered the oath of office to Dory, as well as five members of the new seven-member City Council. She also swore in her husband, Dave Murray, as one of three new at-large councilors, as well as Gary Lemon and Mark Hammer. For Hammer, the longest-serving member of the City Council at 20 years, it marked his sixth swearing-in effort.

Also taking the oath of office Friday were Third Ward Councilman Steve Fields and Fourth Ward Councilor Tyler Wade.

The highlight was Mayor Murray swearing in Councilman Murray.

The moment wasn't lost on the new at-large councilman.

"I speak for a living," Dave Murray said as he made his way to the front of the room for the ceremony, "but I'm more worried I'm going to mess up here in front of my wife."

He did not, earning an emotional hug at the end.

Meanwhile, Councilors Cohen, First Ward, and Stacie Langdon, Second Ward, will be sworn in by Mayor Dory prior to the new City Council's first regular session of the new year on Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. At that time, the Council will also elect its president, a position presently held by Cohen.

City Clerk-Treasurer Dunbar, beginning her second term, was sworn in separately earlier.