LOGAN A number of Logan politicians pledged their oaths of office Monday.
Office holders, who won re-election or elected to office for the first time, placed their hands upon the Bible in a combined investiture ceremony in the big courtroom of the Logan County Courthouse.
Each person elected to office swears an oath to uphold the United States Constitution and the West Virginia Constitution as the law of the land.
Chief Circuit Court Judge Joshua Butcher administered the oaths and reminded the packed courtroom that the choice of running for office isn’t one to take lightly.
“The job of an elected official is a difficult one,” Butcher said, “and comes along with the responsibility of honorable service to the public; to those who put their sacred trust in us as evidenced by their vote to govern them. We open ourselves up, when we elect to choose to run for these positions, to public scrutiny. We submit ourselves and our decisions and our actions to the law and to the rule book and to codes of ethical conduct. All things we answer for.”
Moreover, Judge Butcher offered a personal anecdote of a time when the public service appeared too much. Something for many of the officeholders continuing their service and the few just beginning theirs to remember.
“And when the job gets difficult,” Butcher said, “I will remind you of what Prosecutor John Bennett told me years ago when I expressed a hint of frustration over something related to the job. He looked at me, in agreement with the frustration, but smiled and tilted his head and said very coyly ‘remember, we asked for these jobs.’”
Butcher was re-elected to another eight-year term as judge. Logan’s other circuit judge, Kelly Codispoti won election this year following her appointment by Governor Justice to the seat left vacant after Judge Eric O’Briant retired.
Newly elected Mingo County Judge Sabrina Deskins took her oath. Logan and Mingo counties are now joined as one in the Eleventh Circuit Court moving forward.
Logan’s Family Court Judges Chris Workman and Robert Ilderton were also sworn into office. Workman won re-election to a second eight-year term. Ilderton was elected during the 2024 Primary Election. Previously, Ilderton was appointed by Governor Justice following Judge Codispoti’s elevation to circuit court.
Incumbent Magistrates Dave Adkins and Joe Mendez swore their oaths for continued service, Mendez now in his third four-year term and Adkins his second term. Also taking the oath were first-time magistrates Burly Ferrell and Harold Porter. Burly Ferrell was recently appointed by Judge Butcher following the retirement of longtime Magistrate Dwight Williamson, whose retirement is effective today. Harlod Porter was elected to office last May.
A new commissioner to the Logan County Commission, Eric Porter won election in November and succeeds Commissioner Danny Godby. Porter’s addition to the commission means a full boat for Republicans.
Logan County Prosecuting Attorney David Wandling won election to a second term in office. Glen “Houn’ Dog” Adkins was elected to a third term as Assessor.
PHOTOS | A.M. Stone
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