Saturday, August 30, 2014

New Cocke County officials take the oath
A number of Cocke County officials were sworn in Friday in the Cocke County Circuit Courtroom. "Don't anyone call the fire marshal, "Judge Ben Hooper told the standing room only crowd. Earlier this year the fire marshal put restrictions on the number of individuals allowed in the courtrooms. Judge Hooper was administered the Oath of Office by Retired Circuit Judge Kenneth Porter, and then Hooper administered the oath for the other officials. He told those sworn into office that power leads to authority. The judge said he is distressed by the number of officials around the country who recently have been convicted of violating their oath of office. "Everyone who took an oath this morning, including myself, has authority. We must have authority in order to act. But if we abuse our authority, we have in fact created power, and it's not good power. Remember that." The judge also reminded the audience that Cocke County's workforce is ranked 92nd out of the 95 counties, making it difficult to recruit jobs to the community. He called on local officials to better prepare local residents for today's jobs. Cocke County's new Mayor Crystal Ottinger told those in attendance, that an oath is only as strong as the person who pledges it. "Today we have witnessed a group of strong individuals who have vowed to perform their duties to the best of their ability, to promote and provide moral leadership, and to do their part to insure that Cocke County has a safe and prosperous future. These same people will do everything that they can to change Cocke County's reputation and to take it from 92nd. in the state to a higher ranking to where we will get new jobs. We will do what it takes to make Cocke County a better place." New officials in addition to Ottinger, the county's first female mayor, include General Sessions and Juvenile Judge Brad Davidson and County Clerk Jan Brockwell. New County Commissioners are; Cindy Holt, Terry Dawson, Andy Tritt, Ben Hicks, Gwen Roach and Mitch Fine. Darla Morgan is a new school board member. New constables are David Winters and Carroll Crumbley.


Return to Today's News Stories - Front Page

Thursday, April 29, 2021

  • US 411 Project News
  • Mill Creek Wildfire Update
  • More Bad News For Smokies' Fans

    Wednesday, April 28, 2021

  • Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
  • Goodbye Smokies?
  • Keep Cocke County Beautiful
  • Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!

    Tuesday, April 27, 2021

  • The fireflies are coming!
  • Burnout Operations on MillCreek wildfire today
  • Gas prices drop
  • Tennessee keeps all US House seats

    Monday, April 26, 2021

  • Boat accident victim ID'd
  • Traffic stop yields drug arrest
  • Cocke County Wildfires

    Friday, April 23, 2021

  • Leaving WNPC
  • Mathis announces candidacy
  • Newport drug roundup
  • Cruise Against Cancer
  • Jobless numbers