FAMILIAR FACES AND ONE NEWCOMER TAKE OATH OF OFFICE IN CAPE COUNTY

JACKSON -- Familiar faces lined up to take the oath of office for elected positions in Cape Girardeau County.

County officeholders elected in November were officially sworn in at a Thursday ceremony.

They officially begin duties Jan. 1, except for the only new face in the county crowd, Diane Diebold, newly elected county collector. Diebold doesn't take office until March 1, following the tax season.

Friends and relatives crowded the county commission chambers at the county administration building in Jackson.

Judge John Grimm swore in County Clerk Rodney Miller. Miller then swore in the others.

The ceremony was followed by photographs and congratulations.

Weldon Macke is beginning his eighth full term as auditor. He has been auditor for 30 years, having completed two years of a term at the beginning of his county career.

Circuit Clerk Charles Hutson begins his seventh term.

Miller begins his sixth term at county clerk.

Janet Robert begins her sixth term as recorder of deeds.

H. Morley Swingle begins his third term as prosecuting attorney.

Gerald Jones begins his second term as presiding commissioner.

Associate circuit judges Pete Statler and Gary Kamp both are beginning their second terms.