Clarissa Kell | Daily Press Perry Lund is sworn into his new position as probate judge by his mentor Probate Judge Robert Goebel as Lund’s wife Tonya and Circuit Court Judge Economopoulos look on.

ESCANABA — They’re “-elect” no more. Officials recently elected to hold public office were sworn in Thursday during the Oath of Office Ceremony at the Delta County courthouse.

Circuit Court Judge John Economopoulos presided over the ceremony in the circuit courtroom where he and Delta County Clerk Nancy Kolich took turns swearing in officials elected in the recent November elections.

Officials ranging from soon-to-be 38th District State Senator Ed McBroom to other Delta County elected officials were sworn in to their new positions during the ceremony Thursday, Dec. 20. Although these officials were sworn in on Thursday, they won’t begin their new positions until Jan. 1.

Economopoulos began the ceremony by explaining to everyone in attendance this was his first time presiding over the ceremony and joked if he messed up it was Kolich to blame.

“This is a celebration of service. The highest form of public service, in my opinion, is military service, but civic service comes very close,” Economopoulos said. “What we are celebrating here today is civic service.”

McBroom was the first to be sworn in and drop the “-elect” from his title. He stood with his wife Sarah and youngest daughter Edee as he took his oath.

Four out of five Delta County commissioners were to be sworn in during the ceremony. However, Gerard Tatrow was unable to attend. Patrick Johnson, Theresa Nelson and David Rivard were sworn in to their new positions.

Before the commissioners were sworn in, Kolich explained to the packed courtroom the significance of this year with the board of commissioners in Delta County.

“This is the 50th anniversary of the board of commissioners,” she said. “Prior to 1969, we had a board of supervisors — county supervisors, and that board was made up of the 14 (township) supervisors, nine representatives from the city of Escanaba and four representatives from the city of Gladstone. That made a 27-member board, which I’m sure had to be quite cumbersome. In 1969, the State Constitution changed and we went to a five (member) county board of commissioners — with five districts.”

Johnson was sworn in as the commissioner for the 2nd District, Nelson as the commissioner for the 3rd District and Rivard as the commissioner for the 5th District. Tatrow will be sworn in to his position as commissioner for the 1st District at a later date.

Delta County road commissioners Robert Aschbacher, John Malnar and Mark Asselin were also sworn in at the event.

Kolich swore in the county’s new treasurer, Sherry Godfrey. Taking the oath with Godfrey were Chief Deputy Treasurer Ann England and Deputy Treasurer Rachel Pascoe.

Following the ceremony in the circuit courtroom, an investiture ceremony for the Probate Judge-elect Perry Lund took place in the probate courtroom. Lund was sworn in by his mentor Robert Goebel, the current probate judge, during this ceremony.

The probate courtroom was full of laughter as memories were shared by Economopoulos, Goebel and Lund remembering Goebel’s time as judge and celebrating Lund’s accomplishments.

A reception was hosted by McBroom after the ceremony at the Bonifas Fine Arts Center.