LAKEPORT — More than 100 people crowded into the Board of Supervisors (BOS) Chambers at the Lake County Courthouse Tuesday morning to watch eight officials elected to office in 2010 take their oaths of office.
County Administrator Kelly Cox swore into office County Clerk/Auditor-Controller Pam Cochrane, who then administered the oaths of office to the seven other officials.
Francisco Rivero was sworn in as Sheriff-Coroner and Don Anderson as District Attorney. Both were elected in November following intense campaigns.
Five officials elected in June were also sworn in Tuesday: Wally Holbrook as Supervisor of Schools, Denise Rushing as District 3 Supervisor, Sandra Shaul as Treasurer-Tax Collector, Jeff Smith as District 2 Supervisor and Douglas Wacker as Assessor-Recorder.
Several officials offered comments to the standing-room-only meeting hall. Rivero thanked his family, supporters and Lake County Sheriff”s officers in attendance. “We continue to need your help and support,” he said.
Holbrook, who entered into office early, spoke next, saying, “I”ve really enjoyed the first four months.”
Anderson said his decision to run for Lake County DA was rooted in his commitment to “defend the Constitution.” “It”s not just a job; it”s a way of life,” he said.
Rushing thanked the supporters and voters who helped elect her to a second term in June. “I know what this job is like and I ran anyway,” she said.
Smith, who began his fourth term Tuesday, thanked “everybody” and encouraged all county residents to speak with their supervisors. “Let us know how we”re doing,” he said.
District 4 Supervisor and outgoing BOS Chairman Anthony Farrington commented on the swearing-in ceremony by encouraging all residents to accept the election results and move on from some particularly “divisive” 2010 campaigns.
“You want these elected officials to succeed,” Farrington said. “Let”s all work together and move forward.”
The BOS also reorganized Tuesday, electing District 1 Supervisor Jim Comstock as BOS Chair and Smith as vice chair for 2011. Both men were also elected to serve as chair and vice chair of the Lake County In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority Board of Directors.
Farrington was elected as chair of the Lake County Local Board of Equalization, and District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown was named vice chair.
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him at 263-5636, ext. 37.
