New Madison commissioners sworn in, Wechtel and Garrison voted in as chair, vice chair
MARSHALL - The Madison County Board of Commissioners embarked on the start of a new era Dec. 5 at the N.C. Cooperative Extension in Marshall.
According to Patrick Ward, the Madison County GOP chair, before the three newly elected Republican commissioners swept the incumbent Democrats in the Nov. 8 election, the last time the Madison County Board of Commissioners had a Republican majority was in 1994.
Newly elected 24th Judicial District Court Judge Matt Rupp swore in the three commissioners - Bill Briggs, Jeremy Hensley and Alan Wyatts - as their families stood beside them during the oath and commemorated the occasion with the commissioners.
"I do solemnly swear that I will support and maintain the Constitution and laws of the United States and the Constituiton and the laws of North Carolina, not inconsistent therewith, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of my office as a member of the Madison County Board of Commissioners, so help me God," the commissioners said in the oath or affirmations to support Constitutions, as listed in Chapter 11 of the state General Assembly.
"I do solemnly and sincerely swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the state of North Carolina, and to the constitutional powers and authorities which are or may be established for the government thereof, and that I will endeavor to support, maintain and defend the Constitution of said state, not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States to the best of my knowledge and ability, so help me God. I do solemnly swear that I will well and truly execute the duties of the office, of member of the Madison County Board of Commissioners according to the best of my skill and ability, and according to the law, so help me God."
More than 50 residents were in attendance at the special meeting. Brian Coates, a pastor with Arrington Branch Baptist Church in Marshall led the prayer at the start of the meeting, while David Peeler, a former candidate for county commissioner who lost in the May primary, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
"We really appreciate everybody coming out today," board chair Matt Wechtel said. "It means a lot to us to see so many folks and see so many friendly faces. We appreciate you all coming out and being a part of our ceremony this evening, so thank you very much."
New chair/vice chair
Matt Wechtel, the longest tenured commissioner on the board, was unanimously approved as board chair.
Wechtel has served since September 2015 when he was elected in a special election to complete the final 16 months of Jim Baker's term after he accepted an appointment to serve on the State Board of Elections.
"Being elected chair of the Madison County Board of Commissioners is a tremendous honor," Wechtel said. "I'm very grateful for this opportunity and I am very excited to work with this great group of commissioners. We are facing a lot of challenges as a county, but we have an awesome opportunity to accomplish great things for Madison County. As a group, we are committed to being effective leaders for our residents and our staff."
Michael Garrison was unanimously approved to serve as the board's vice chair. Garrison earned the most votes of any commissioner in the 2020 election. Garrison is in his first term as county commissioner.
The Madison County Board of Commissioners will meet Dec. 13 at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Office, located at 258 Carolina Lane in Marshall.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Madison County commissioners sworn in, chair and vice chair elected
