On final Friday of the year 2023, most of our Newton County officials were sworn in to assume office. Those officials included multiple-term officials: Sheriff Joedy Pennington, Coroner Rebecca Burton, Circuit Clerk Mike Butler, Beat 4 Supervisor Charles Godwin, Election Commissioners Cindy Alexander and Amy Hollingsworth, Justice Court Judge Justin Chaney, and Constables Mark Spence and Donnie Collins. The remaining were newcomers, including Beat 2 Supervisor Jeffery Harrison, Beat 1 Supervisor Terry Frazier, Beat 3 Supervisor Terry Vance, Beat 5 Supervisor Aaron Clark, Chancery Clerk Chrissy Buffington, and Tax Assessor Ben Kelly. Justice Court Judge Scott Round was not able to attend due to fighting the flu.
Our state representatives Randy Rushing, Troy Smith, Steve Horne and Billy Calvert along with State Sen. Tyler McCaughn will also be sworn in at the state capitol this week.
All of them were duly elected during the last year by the voters of Newton County. Some of them were unopposed while several had to run campaigns for election or re-election.
While running for office is difficult, now begins the real job when they will be serving the public in these positions. We know these positions can be difficult, so it is our duty to pray for them and to stay in touch with them as best we can.
Our representatives will not know what the people of Newton County want if we do not communicate it with them. That can be done through calls, letters, emails and other communication.
We wish everyone the best of luck for the next four years!
