Burnet and Llano counties swearing in elected officials on Jan. 1

FROM STAFF REPORTS

BURNET — The new year brings some new — and returning — faces to county offices as officials get ready for the swearing-in ceremonies Jan. 1.

In Burnet County, officials are gathering at 9:30 a.m. at the Burnet County Courthouse, 220 S. Pierce St. in Burnet for a reception followed by a 10 a.m. swearing-in ceremony.

The three new faces in Burnet County are Evan Stubbs, James Oakley and Linda Bayless.

Stubbs is taking the seat as the 424th district judge after defeating the incumbent Dan Mills in the Republican primary race in March. The 424th Judicial District includes Burnet, Llano, Blanco and San Saba counties. The 33rd Judicial District also serves those counties. Judge Allen Garrett currently sits as the 33rd district judge.

After eight years away from the Burnet County Commissioners Court, Oakley returns, but this time as the county judge. He will replace outgoing county judge Donna Klaeger, who didn’t run for re-election after two terms.

And Bayless replaces outgoing Burnet County Court-at-Law Judge Randy Savage, who also chose not to run again. Savage was the first person to hold the Burnet County court-at-law judge’s position after the commissioners approved the creation of it more than eight years ago.

Other officials taking their oaths of office after their re-elections include Burnet County District Clerk Casie Walker, Burnet County Clerk Janet Parker, Burnet County Treasurer Karrie Crownover, Burnet County Precinct 2 Commissioner Russell Graeter, Burnet County Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery, Burnet County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Calvin Boyd, Burnet County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Lisa Whitehead, Burnet County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Peggy Simon and Burnet County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Ed Cutchin.

In Llano County, residents can welcome in several new faces as well. The swearing-in takes place at 11 a.m. at the Llano County Courthouse, 801 Ford St. in Llano.

State District Judge Garrett will start things off by swearing in Mary Cunningham as the new county judge. She takes the reins from Wayne Brascom, who chose not to seek re-election.

Though Rebecca Lange takes her oath as Llano county attorney, she’s been serving in that capacity since the commissioners appointed her to fill the spot after Cheryl Mabray stepped down earlier this year to take another position. Voters elected Lange in November to officially fill out the two-year, unexpired term.

Marci Hadler will take the oath as Llano County clerk. She replaces Bette Sue Hoy, who is retiring. And Teresa Kassell is taking over as Llano County treasurer as Sandra Overstreet also decided to retire.

Other officials taking oaths of office include Llano County surveyor Fred L. Thompson, Llano County Precinct 2 Commissioner Linda Raschke, Llano County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Don Moss, Llano County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Beatrice “Bebe” Piatt, Llano County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Linda Ballard, Llano County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Era Marion, Llano County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Brian Alexander and Llano County Precinct 1 Constable Gary Olfers.

Olfers and Piatt are newly elected to their offices.

The public is invited to the ceremonies.

editor@thepicayune.com