Bright cheerful sunshine splashed all over the Hill Country during the first day of New Year 2025.
The early morning weather was perfect as more than 100 family, friends and guests attended swearing-in ceremonies for re-elected and newly elected officials Jan. 1 at the Burnet County Courthouse at 220 S. Pierce St.
Pct. 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle hosted the ceremony.
“It is an exciting day for Burnet County,” Beierle told the enthusiastic crowd as the meeting got underway.
After Beierle led the gathering with prayer and pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags, the proceeding moved to the swearing- in of officials.
First, 33rd Judicial District Judge Allan Garrett was sworn in by the 424th District Court Judge Evan Stubbs. Garrett was re-elected without opposition last November.
Then Garrett gave the oath to 33rd Judicial District Attorney Perry Thomas, who was elected without opposition during November.
As the proceedings continued, Garrett gave the oath to Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd, also unopposed for re-election last fall.
Stubbs gave the oath to County Attorney Eddie Arredondo, who was re-elected without opposition for a sixth term last November.
Burnet County Treasurer Karrie Crownover gave the oath to newly- elected County Tax Assessor DeAnne Fisher, who was elected unopposed last November. Fisher defeated Susan Allen during the Republican primary last May with more than 58% of the voters.
Garret gave the oath to Pct. 1 Commissioner Jim Luther Jr., re-elected without opposition last November.
Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 Lisa Whitehead gave the oath to newly elected Pct. 3 Commissioner Chad Collier, the successor to former Pct. 3 Commissioner Billy Wall. Collier won election without opposition last November.
During the Republican Party primary last May, Collier defeated former Central Texas Groundwater District board member Homer Will by 58%.
Then, Stubbs gave the oath to County Constable Pct. 2 Garry Adams, re-elected without opposition last November.
Finally, Garret gave the oath to County Constable Pct. 3 Scott Davis, re-elected without opposition last November.
Two recently re-elected officials, County Constable Pct 1 Leslie Ray and County Constable Pct. 4 Millicent “Missy” Davis, were sworn-in elsewhere during Jan. 1, County Clerk Vicinta Stafford told The Highlander.
Possibly, Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 Roxanne Nelson gave the oath to recently re-elected County Constable Pct. 1 Leslie Ray, and Justice of the Peace Pct. 4 Debbie Bindseil gave the oath to her daughter-in-law, recently re-elected County Constable Pct. 4, Millicent “Missy” Bindseil.
“I’m not sure,” Stafford said.
Some elected officials appeared mildly nervous or stuttered a little during the oath while they were braced by nearby family and friends.
Yet, by and large, the ceremony in the packed court house went very smooth “I look forward to a New Year and working with y’all,” Garrett said.
Thus, the New Year began.
Pct.
Jan. 1.
