New faces and familiar names: Stoddard County officials sworn into office

BLOOMFIELD — Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis delayed proceedings in the government building Monday, Dec. 30, to accommodate swearing in procedures at the Justice Center during the regular commission meeting.

In courtroom A, at approximately 11 a.m., C. D. Stewart was sworn in by 35th Circuit Judge Robert Mayer to serve four years as District I Associate Commissioner.

Recently elected, Wes Howard was sworn in by Mayer to serve his first term as District II associate commissioner. Howard will fill the seat held by Carol Jarrell for the previous 16 years.

Mayer swore in Brent Stidham to serve his second term as Stoddard County coroner. Coroners are elected in a general election every four years. The coroner’s term starts on Jan. 1 following their election.

Stoddard County Collector Josh Speakman was sworn in by Mayer to serve four more years.

After raising his hand four times to swear in the previously mentioned elected county officials, Mayer was sworn in by Stoddard County Clerk Cecil Weeks to serve as 35th Circuit Court judge. Mayer was elected to the bench in 2012.