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The Jefferson County Commission sworn in to office Wednesday is a mirror of the body as it was before.
Jimmie Stephens returns as commission president and Joe Knight as president pro tempore. Both were nominated by Commissioner Mike Bolin, seconded by Commissioner Sheila Tyson and elected unanimously, with Commissioner Lashunda Scales absent.
Circuit Court Judge David Hobdy administered the oath of office to the commissioners, with their loved ones nearby, before they took their traditional seats. There is a potential to change the picture. Democrat Camara Blue plans to seek a recount in his race against Stephens after the final vote tally showed Stephens the leader by just 392 votes.
Tyson wished commissioners a happy Veterans Day wearing a VFW cap. Her next duty was to represent the county and wave at spectators during the Veterans Day Parade.
In remarks after the ceremony, she thanked her staff for hanging in with her during the long, sometimes odd hours she puts in as commissioner. But she said it was worth the effort to be out and see life in the community firsthand. “You have a total different judgment when you’re making decisions,” she said.
Bolin said he was pleased to be back in the commission chamber, even on a holiday. After he retired as a judge, he said, his wife was telling him he would need to go back to work or he’d probably die. That’s when he discovered there was an open seat on the commission, and he ran for it. “I’ve just really enjoyed myself the past 3½ years,” he said.
Knight was happy to be present three weeks and two days after having open heart surgery. Reflecting on his 16 years on the commission, he said, “We have fixed some things, but we’ve still got some things we need to do.”
Stephens agreed and said county services and the ease of dealing with county government have improved greatly.
“When we were elected, we were elected partisan, we were Republicans and Democrats. Well, we’re all commissioners now, and we pledge to work together for the welfare of our citizens.”
Scales echoed that sentiment in a message she sent before the meeting saying she would be unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances. “However, as I stated to my colleagues that I will fully and fully pledge to work with each and every commissioner for the betterment of all Jefferson County residents and stakeholders.”
