Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Oath Of Office topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Putnam County swears in six constitutional officers; elections supervisor highlights record turnout
Summary
Putnam County held a swearing-in ceremony for newly elected and returning constitutional officers including a county judge, clerk and comptroller, sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser and the supervisor of elections. Supervisor Charles Overturf noted the county's record turnout and urged residents to vote in upcoming special elections.
Putnam County officials on hand at the Putnam County Chamber on Nov. 20 swore in six constitutional officers, with Supervisor of Elections Charles Overturf thanking election staff and urging residents to vote in an upcoming special election.
The ceremony installed Anne Marie Janusa as Putnam County judge, Matt Reynolds as clerk of the court and comptroller, H.D. "Gator" Deloach as sheriff, Brenda Bridges as tax collector, Clay Davis as property appraiser, and Charles Overturf as supervisor of elections, with Judge Morris administering oaths.
Why it matters: The event combined ceremonial oath-taking with reminders about election administration. Overturf used his remarks to highlight recent election operations and turnout figures and to encourage participation in a special election three weeks later.
Charles Overturf, the county's supervisor of elections, credited his staff and temporary workers for managing a high turnout and for quick, accurate results. "When you break the record by 7 and a half percentage points, I think you've done something," Overturf said, citing Putnam County's 80.5% turnout in the November presidential election compared with a previous local record of 72.7% and a state average of about 78%.
Overturf also urged voters to participate in a special election scheduled within weeks, noting that the state average for special-election turnout is roughly 10% and saying he hoped Putnam County turnout would be higher.
Judge Anne Marie Janusa, who had been appointed by the governor to fill a vacancy and then stood successfully for election, said she was honored to serve. "I will continue to serve, follow the law with honor and dignity and respect," Janusa said after taking the oath.
Clerk and Comptroller Matt Reynolds thanked his family, staff and supporters and said he intends to continue serving as a fiscal steward. "This has been the honor of my lifetime to serve in this role," Reynolds said.
Sheriff H.D. "Gator" Deloach, sworn in for another term, thanked voters and said sheriffs are most effective when they are part of the community. New Tax Collector Brenda Bridges thanked outgoing tax collector Linda Myers and pledged to provide "exceptional customer service" with her staff.
New Property Appraiser Clay Davis, who worked in the office under the retiring Tim Parker, said he would work to "serve the citizens of Putnam County to the best of our ability." Several speakers, including Overturf and local judges, praised the work of election staff, the canvassing board and the county attorney for handling complex or "sticky" election situations.
The program also included invocations and a closing prayer. Organizers reminded attendees of the upcoming special election and again commended the county's election team for managing multiple elections this year.
No formal votes or legislative actions were taken at the ceremony; the event consisted of ceremonial oath administrations and remarks by the newly sworn officials and other county leaders.
