Three Oneonta council members sworn in; presiding official stresses duties to constituents

Three council members were sworn into office during a Oneonta City Council ceremony, taking the oath to support the U.S. Constitution, the New York State Constitution and the charter of the city of Oneonta.

Elaine Moser Campoli repeated the oath, saying, "I will support the constitution of The United States," as she was sworn in as a council member. Later in the ceremony, Don Matheson also recited the oath and was sworn in. A man identified only as Michael in the transcript likewise took the oath; his family names were not stated in the meeting record.

The presiding official, who administered the oaths, told attendees that serving as a council member is both an honor and a substantial responsibility. The official reminded newly sworn members that each represents a ward of "approximately 1,200 to 1,400 people," that some terms run four years while others run one year, and that council duties include attending meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month and serving as liaisons to commissions and boards.

During the brief ceremony, family members assisted: the presiding official invited two people identified as Jacob and Natalie to hold the constitution for part of the oath. One attendee noted that a family Bible used during the ceremony "was my grandfather's," and that a copy of the constitution had been kept on a desk by a local reporter.

The swearing-in concluded with congratulations from the presiding official and a round of applause from those present. The meeting record does not include any formal votes, policy actions or additional business tied to these inductions.