New Butler County officeholders report for duty

A new judge and a new presiding commissioner began work Friday in Butler County.

John Shock was sworn in Wednesday afternoon as the Division III judge, while Vince Lampe became the new presiding commissioner. He replaces Ed Strenfel, who served eight years.

Shock and Lampe are Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Republicans who won primary election contests and were unopposed in the general election. They were elected to four-year terms.

Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett welcomed everyone to the swearing-in ceremony.

"It is an exciting day. New officers will be sworn in, but it also is a sad day. It will be the last time to see Judge Clarkson in a robe. I felt it was appropriate for him to do the swearing in today," said Pritchett, who was re-elected to a six-year term.

After swearing in Shock and Lampe separately, Clarkson swore in two judges and three county officials who were unopposed in the general election.

The judges are Pritchett and Division II Judge John Bloodworth, who was re-elected to a four-year term.

County Clerk Tonyi Defendall, Circuit Court Clerk Cindi Bowman and County Treasurer Joe Humphrey were re-elected to four-year terms.

Two other county officials, Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour and Recorder of Deeds Debby Lundstrom, were re-elected to four-year terms, but were not be present for the ceremony.

Emily Clark Parks, newly elected to a four-year term as county collector, will be sworn in later.

All the county officials are Republicans except Bloodworth, who is a Democrat.