January 2, 2015 - (Photo Album) - Newly elected officials were sworn in to their offices at a ceremony held in the Shelby County Courthouse on Friday, January 2, 2015. Charles Mitchell, 273rd Judicial District Court Judge, administered the oaths of office to all present officials.
Kerry Green, Pastor at Dreka Pentecostal Church, opened the ceremony and then Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, introduced Judge Mitchell who in turn swore in Harbison as County Judge; Bradley Allen, Commissioner Precinct 5; and Jimmy Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2.
Judge Mitchell proceeded to swear in Lori Oliver, District Clerk; Margie Anderson, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3; Marla Denby, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2; Maxie Eaves, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1; Mike Crouch, Justice of the Peace Precinct 5; Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer; Jenny Hicks, Justice of the Peace Precinct 4; Jennifer Fountain, County Clerk; and Debora Riley, Tax Assessor Collector.
Immediately following the swearing in ceremony Judge Harbison, the first woman to be elected county judge in Shelby County, addressed the audience, "First of all I want to thank my family for all of their love and support, and second of all I want to thank my other family of 14 years, my clerk family." Judge Harbison has just vacated her office as County Clerk and in response to her request her now former office staff stood to be recognized.
"I appreciate these ladies so much and all the ladies and gentlemen that have worked in my office for the last 14 years, I feel like they have helped make me who I am and I appreciate y'all so much."
Judge Harbison then formally introduced her new secretary Sandra Green, "She and I will be here to help in any way, all you have to do is come by and talk to us, okay. I'd like to thank all of the other elected officials, I really look forward [to] working with all of you. I think all of you know me and you know that I'll be here for you."
The swearing in ceremony was then adjourned and all present were invited to partake in refreshments and to visit with one another.
