Burnet County officials take Jan. 1 oaths

BURNET — With right hands raised and families nearby, about 20 local elected officials took their oaths of office Jan. 1 in the Burnet County Courthouse.

“For me, this means the opportunity to do something very important for the citizens, victims and law enforcement agencies in the four counties of the district,” Wiley “Sonny” McAfee said.

State District Judge Dan Mills swore in McAfee as the new 33rd/424th Judicial District attorney. The office covers Burnet, Llano, Blanco and San Saba counties.
McAfee’s swearing-in marked the changing of the guard in the district attorney’s office. He replaces longtime District Attorney Sam Oatman, who chose not to seek re-election.

Oatman served as the district attorney since the mid-1980s.

While McAfee, a Republican, faced no Democratic challengers in the November general election, he held off two other candidates during the primaries. But it took a run-off in July before McAfee earned the party’s nomination and the eventual title as district attorney.

Oatman, who attended the swearing-in, handed over the district attorney reins to McAfee.

But the two have been working together the past several months toward the transition.

“Sam has really made this transition go smoothly,” McAfee said. “He’s really been a tremendous help.”

The district attorney’s office wasn’t the only one getting a new face.

Allan Garrett took the oath for the 33rd Judicial District judge. Outgoing State District Judge Guildford Jones administered the oath to Garrett.

Jones had been the district judge since 1997 but chose not to seek re-election as well.

The 424th/33rd Judicial District has two judges. Garrett joins Mills as the second. Mills, however, will be the senior judge.

Though Jones didn’t seek his office again, he did take the oath for visiting judge.

Marsha Farney, the incoming state representative, was also on hand. Mills administered a ceremonial oath to Farney, whose District 20 includes Burnet and Milam counties as well as a large portion of Williamson County. She will take her official oath later in January at the state capitol.

District 20 was part of the re-districting process this year. In previous state legislatures, Burnet County was represented by State Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock as part of District 54.

Other local officials taking their oaths include Burnet County Sheriff W.T. Smith, Burnet County Attorney Eddie Arredondo, Burnet County Tax Assessor/Collector Sheri Frazier, Burnet County Precinct 1 Commissioner Bill Neve, Burnet County Precinct 3 Commissioner Ronny Hibler, Burnet County Precinct 1 Constable Mike Harnisch, Burnet County Precinct 2 Constable Garry Adams, Burnet County Precinct 3 Constable Jimmy Ballard and Burnet County Precinct 4 Constable Chris Jett.

daniel@thepicayune.com