Incoming county commissioner Jason Stephens and Sheriff Tim Sexton took their oaths of office Thursday in separate ceremonies at the Lawrence County Courthouse.

Friday, December 29, 2000

Incoming county commissioner Jason Stephens and Sheriff Tim Sexton took their oaths of office Thursday in separate ceremonies at the Lawrence County Courthouse.

Although new to public office, the two Republicans are political veterans – they each have run before for the office they will occupy, and are ready to work, they said.

"I’m looking forward to serving as commissioner, and I’m ready to go to work," Stephens said.

State Rep. John Carey swore Stephens in at 11 a.m. as a crowd packed the third floor, just under the courthouse dome.

Stephens thanked his supporters and talked of his upcoming term, speaking to the friends, family, co-workers, state and county leaders gathered.

It’s not going to be easy, considering the county is facing a tight budget, but he knew what he was getting into, the new commissioner said later.

Stephens plans to use his financial planning experience in setting his agenda, and has already been attending commission meetings.

"It’s exciting and today with the ceremony, I kind of compare it to a wedding," he added. "You realize once again how important it is, and it gives you that much more resolve to do the best for Lawrence County’s 65,000 people."

Sexton, sworn in at 2 p.m. by Common Pleas Court Judge Richard Walton before another crowd packing the third floor, said it had been a long campaign with a lot of hard work.

"I want to thank everyone," he said. "I’ll do my best to be the best sheriff I can be for Lawrence County."

Sexton said he wants to start answering all the calls and getting out in rural parts of the county, asking the people gathered to call if they don’t see him out there.

"The people are looking for change; they voted for change and change is what I’m going to give them," he said.