Officers take oaths

Newly elected municipal officials are sworn in Saturday and before council meetings

— Mayors from cities large and small across Benton County - including six from the Westside Eagle Observer’s coverage area - took their oath of office before Judge Jay Finch at the Benton County Courthouse on Jan. 1.

Four local towns are now under new leadership. Mayors Byron Warren of Gravette, Charles Linam of Decatur, Kevin Johnston of Gentry and Stacy Digby of Highfill - three of whom defeated incumbent mayors in November’s elections - were all sworn into office.

Two of the smallest cities will continue to be under familiar leadership. Springtown incumbent Paul Lemke - who narrowly won the November election against Don Glenn - took the oath of office along with Sulphur Springs incumbent Bobby Simon, who ran unopposed in November.

City recorders Jan Cox of Springtown, Jo Ellen Martin of Gentry and Stacie Williamson of Highfill were also sworn in during the ceremony.

Friends and family members crowded the courtroom and snapped pictures as the mayors took their oaths before Judge Finch and then signed paperwork. City council members are being sworn into office at their first council meetings in January. Gentry’s council members were sworn in before Monday’s meeting.

News, Pages 1 on 01/05/2011