This past Friday found the Roanoke County Courthouse full of people who were there not for a trial, but for a special ceremony — the 2009 Investiture Ceremony for the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors and the School Board.
Presentation of Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance opened the solemn event in Courtroom number four. Chaplain Brian Clingenpeel led the invocation and the welcome was given by The Honorable James R. Swanson, 23rd Judicial Circuit of Virginia and Joseph P. McNamara, Vice Chairman of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors.
The four judges of the 23rd Judicial Circuit of Virginia – Judges Swanson, Charles Dorsey, Robert Doherty and Clifford Weckstein, conducted the Administration of the Oath of Office. Judith Stokes, Roanoke County General Registrar, gave the Presentation of Certificates of Election.
The newly elected members of Roanoke County School Board are C. Drew Barrineau, Jerry Canada and Michael Stovall. They were given their oath by Judge Dorsey, with their hands on the Bible and their families by their side.
The newly elected members of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors are Ed Elswick, Michael Altizer and Richard Flora. Judge Doherty administered the oath.
Michael Stovall said that he “would continue to work hard for the teachers and students,” as he has in the past. He said “the County school system is one of the best” and he intends to keep it that way, with a high retention rate, high marks and a boost in teacher salaries.
Mike Altizer remarked that the “County is in good shape today because of planning ahead in years past,” and it is not suffering from a dollar shortage like so many other counties. He observed that as long as they “have a vision for the future and put money away in anticipation of tough economic times, we will be all right.”
A reception was held after the ceremony in the Law Library for the new members, families and guests.
By Carla Bream [email protected]