By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
COLUMBUS, Kan. — State Rep. Doug Gatewood on Monday received something that none of the other officeholders from Cherokee County received after being sworn in: a kiss.
Gatewood’s oath was administered by Cherokee County Clerk Crystal Gatewood, his wife. She had been sworn in minutes before.
Along with the Gatewoods, those taking the oath of office at the courthouse were Sheriff David Groves, County Commissioners Jack Garner and Richard Hilderbrand, and Register of Deeds Christy Grant.
Hilderbrand, of Baxter Springs, will serve the county’s 3rd District.
“I’m excited,” Hilderbrand said. “I’m looking forward to serving the citizens of Cherokee County.”
He said his immediate priorities will be examining county policies and getting delinquent-tax sales on a yearly schedule.
Garner, of rural Columbus, is the new 2nd District commissioner. He said he is excited about having the opportunity to serve county residents. He said it will be important to pay close attention to the county budget as the nation’s economy declines. He said the state also may make cuts that affect counties.
Garner said he resigned Friday from the Riverton Board of Education, of which he served as president.
Groves said he is ready to get started. He said he has written new Sheriff’s Department policies that he plans to put in place. He said residents will see a difference in his department
“It’s an overall attitude that we’re here to serve the public,” Groves said. “They want a sense of the Sheriff’s Department being part of the community, not isolated.”
He said the staff of outgoing Sheriff Steve Norman was helpful in the transition.
“I haven’t had a whole lot of contact with Mr. Norman,” Groves added.
Groves said rural residents will begin seeing patrol cars more frequently. He said residents of all parts of the county deserve the same police protection.
Crystal Gatewood said her first priority as county clerk will be to get herself oriented and organized.
“I’m excited,” she said. “I’m looking forward to it. I’m ready to start.”
Garner and Hilderbrand join 1st District Commissioner Pat Collins, of Galena, on the County Commission. Hilderbrand and Collins are Republicans, and Garner is a Democrat. Groves and both Gatewoods are Democrats. Grant is a Republican.
Unopposed
Also taking the oath of office Monday were County Attorney John Bullard and Treasurer Juanita Hodgson, neither of whom faced opposition in the November election. State Rep. Doug Gatewood also had no election opponent.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Cherokee County officials sworn in
- Local News
-
-
City wants to buy weather radios for those without
Phil Jones had been working on a construction project outside his house all day on May 22 and was unaware that a tornado watch had been issued. Once he was inside, though, his weather radio went off, and he learned that a warning had been issued.
-
Cold air headed this way
The Arctic front that passed over Missouri this morning will bring dangerously cold temperatures to the region tonight and Saturday.
-
Miami, Okla., man dies along I-44
A 27-year-old Miami, Okla., who appeared to be walking along I-44 in an attempt to get help after wrecking his car, is dead after being hit by a pickup truck.
-
Mo. presidential primary sets low mark in turnout
Just 8 percent of Missouri’s registered voters cast ballots in this week’s presidential primary.
-
Okla. court upholds man’s life sentence in deaths
An Oklahoma appeals court has upheld the life in prison sentences of a man convicted of two counts of first-degree murder for the shotgun slayings of two men at a Sperry residence.
-
Architects present preliminary JHS plans at community meeting
Reaction appeared mostly supportive Thursday night among the roughly 50 people who attended a community meeting at which architects presented their preliminary site plans for the future combined Joplin High School and Franklin Technology Center.
-
Confessed shooter testifies against co-defendants in Pittsburg murder case
Rickey Smith testified Thursday that as he came in the back door of Ryan Bailey’s home in Pittsburg with a 9 mm pistol in his hand, Bailey looked up from the couch in his living room.
-
School district’s proposed street-closing plan questioned
Plans to close some streets near the proposed Joplin High School drew questions, including a challenge from a former Joplin mayor, during a public hearing this week.
-
Mike Pound: Spirit of competition evident during double-overtime game
When I played basketball in high school, I played in several very close games.
Now, some people who may have known me in high school are probably laughing right now and saying, “What Mike meant to say is that when he was in high school, he came very close to playing in some games.” -
Neosho council approves new golf cart contract
The purchase of golf carts was back on the agenda this week for the Neosho City Council. City Attorney Steve Hays said there were errors in the financing terms that were part of a bid approved last month for the purchase of 55 gas-powered carts from E-Z-Go for $144,195, so the purchase of a new fleet was rebid.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
