County’s Elected Officials, Appointees Take Oath of Office

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Staff Writer

HARRISON – The Dec. 17 swearing-in ceremony for Clare County officials saw the oath of office taken by those recently elected to office. They included Judges Tara Hovey and Marcy Klaus whose oaths were administered by Judge Joshua Farrell; Judge Michelle Ambrozaitis’ oath was administered by Judge Roy Mienk, whose seat she will be filling upon his departure into retirement. Ambrozaitis was then ceremonially robed by her husband, Gabe Ambrozaitis.

Farrell then swore in Andrew Santini as the new Clare County Prosecuting Attorney, filling the position vacated by Michelle Ambrozaitis.

Next up was a rare event where two cousins availed themselves of the opportunity to administer their oaths of office to one another. Appellate Court Judge Stephen L. Borrello first swore in his cousin John Wilson as Clare County Sheriff, after which Wilson swore in Borrello.

Further swear-in duties were divided with Judge Mienk administering the oath of office to Lori Mott, Clare County Clerk/Register of Deeds, and Stacy Pechacek, Chief Assistant Clerk/Register of Deeds; Office Manager, Deputy Clerk and Register of Deeds; and the remaining Clerk/Register of Deeds Office staff;

Judge Farrell then swore in Jenny Beemer-Fritzinger, Clare County Treasurer; Bill Faber, Clare County Drain Commissioner; Karen Hulliberger and Bill Simpson, Clare County Road Commissioners; County Commissioners Marlene Hausler, Jacob Gross, Jeff Haskell, David Hoefling, Jack Kleinhardt, Gabe Ambrozaitis and George Gilmore (Commissioners Rickie Fancon and Dale Majewski were not in attendance); Tom Evans, Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney; Kimberley Jackson, Chief Deputy Treasurer; and the three Deputy Treasurers. Judge Klaus also offered her congratulations to all those who had taken their oath of office.

Judges Mienk spoke with appreciation for the honor and privilege of being the county’s circuit judge for the past 18 years, adding it was an honor to work with the people in the various county departments. Not unexpectedly, his remarks garnered a standing ovation. Judge Hovey thanked all those who had stepped up to run for public office. She then introduced Judge Ambrozaitis who offered their appreciation and noted looking forward to serve as Circuit Court Judge, which she deemed an honor. She also acknowledged that she has some very big shoes to fill.

On a lighter note, at the beginning of the ceremony when Borrello greeted the crowd, he offered his assurance to the other judges present, that nothing they did that day would be reversed. Then, at the end of the event, he offered congratulations to all those who took their oaths, and further addressed the vocalizations of a youngster in attendance, saying he and Judge Klaus had given the child the title of Chief Baby of Clare County. He added that he wanted to swear-in that baby, but there just wasn’t time. That remark closed out what was truly a joy-filled event that celebrated public service and those charged with providing it.

© Clare County Cleaver