Taking office: Be the exception - Dubois County Free Press, Inc.

*Dubois County Superior Court Judge Mark McConnell gave some brief remarks before the newly-elected officeholders and three deputy prosecuting attorneys were sworn into office Wednesday evening.*

Dubois County’s newest officeholders were sworn in during a special ceremony held in the Council Chamber at Jasper City Hall Wednesday evening.

Dubois County Superior Court Judge Mark McConnell opened the swearing-in ceremony with some brief comments. Judge McConnell has presided over the superior court for 14 years and decided not to run for reelection this year. He will be replaced by the former Dubois County Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Quinn.

McConnell joked that he had learned from far wiser people than him when he first became judge before acknowledging the ceremony would likely be his final official act as judge.

He offered the new officeholders fairly simple advice.

“I’m going to keep it to three words,” McConnell said. “My three words are, as officeholders, ‘be the exception.'”

He noted how it seems that most people have a low opinion of the government. “If you ask someone to give some descriptors of government, you’ll hear words like wasteful, corrupt, incompetent, crooked, compromised, unprincipled, words like that,” McConnell told those attending the ceremony.

He added that regardless of best intentions, many times in government, elected leaders find themselves dealing with stressful situations for the people they represent. “For instance, when people come to the courthouse, they’re rarely there for fun,” McConnell said, adding that the exception may be for those couples seeking a marriage certificate but even that can be stressful. “More than likely, they are coming to get divorced, pay a traffic ticket, pay child support. Maybe paying taxes or seeking rezoning or a variance in front of a board, fighting a tax assessment. They might be getting land taken away to build a road or build a school.”

“That is why I encourage you to be the exception,” McConnell continued. “As an officeholder, set the tone in your office. Treat people with respect. Realize they are human, just like the rest of us. Be patient. Let them know that you care about them and care about their problems.”

He noted that although, as an officeholder, they may face the same situation or complaint repeatedly, for the individual standing before them it is likely a new experience. “And so, it is going to be a tough situation for them. Help them through that,” McConnell said. “Be the face of public service by being the exception.”

He implored the new officeholders to act in a way in which they are not included in the derogatory comments of those that serve in Washington, D.C.

“People will remember how you made them feel. Not the particulars of any transaction or a disagreement, but they’ll remember how you made them feel when you ran the court; when you were dealing with them over the counter, whatever the case may be,” McConnell said. “So, I just encourage all of you to be that exception.”

Retired Judge Bill Weikert swore in Anthony Quinn as the county’s new superior court judge. Quinn’s wife, Brandy, joined him during the ceremony. Quinn has previously served as the prosecuting attorney for two terms.

Judge McConnell led Beth Sermersheim through the oath of office for the Dubois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Beth’s young daughter joined her for the ceremony, with her parent looking on from the audience.

*Auditor Sandy Morton was joined by her husband, Mark, for the ceremony. Morton was reelected for her second term*.

*Serice Stenftenagel was joined by her husband, Steve*, *while taking her oath of office representing District 2 on the Dubois County Commission.*

Alex Hohl shook Judge Weikert’s hand after completing his oath of office. Hohl was elected to serve on the Dubois County Council representing District 4. Hohl was joined by his wife Erica for the ceremony.

Councilman Craig Greulich gave his oath of office with Dubois County Circuit Court Judge Nathan Verkamp. Greulich serves on the Dubois County Council representing District 1. He was joined by his daughter, Taylor.

Newly elected Councilman Ryan Craig signed the oath after being sworn in Wednesday. Craig represents District 2 on the Dubois County Council. He was joined by his wife, Whitney, while taking the oath of office.

*Jackie McPherron smiled as she recited her oath to serve as the county’s recorder. This is her second term in office.*

*Dubois County Clerk Amy Kippenbrock was joined by her 17-year-old son, Wylee, for the ceremony. Kippenbrock is serving her second term as clerk.*

Councilwoman-elect Meredith Voegerl could not attend the public ceremony due to an illness. She will be sworn in prior to beginning her term on the Dubois County Council, representing District 3.