Judge Guirola to Jackson County leaders: 'Don't forget who you work for'

PASCAGOULA -- Joe Martin told the crowd to get a good look at them.

"These are the people who will be serving you for the next four years," he said. "I wanted you to be able to eyeball them, call on them when you need them."

Martin, the circuit clerk who's retiring after 36 years, hosted the county's swearing in of newly elected officials Friday, from constable to tax assessor.

He also honored his retiring chief deputy clerk, Jackie Fortner, retiring longtime Tax Assessor Benny Goff and retiring longtime Chancery Clerk Terry Miller, who was ill and unable to attend the ceremony. A standing-room-only crowd packed the big courtroom on the second floor of the old courthouse and spilled out into the hall.

The county is getting two new supervisors -- Randy Bosarge and Ken Taylor, who replaced John McKay and Mike Mangum -- and a host of new officials including Chancery Clerk Josh Eldridge, Circuit Clerk Randy Carney, Tax Assessor Nick Elmore, Justice Court judges Matt Lachaussee and Daniel D. Guice III, Constable Calvin W. Hutchins and election commissioners Michael Dickinson and Tammy Vidrine.

A new public defender, Amanda Galle, also was sworn in.

Chief U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. swore them all in with an admonition: "You occupy your position because the people have entrusted in you certain powers. Wield it with responsibility and fidelity.

"Never forget who put you here and what they're asking you to do."

And to returning District Attorney Tony Lawrence and his nine assistants, he said, "It's not just your task to obtain convictions, it's your task to seek justice."

There was a standing ovation for longtime county servants and employees, hugs from proud family and friends and a promise or two about future action from at least one new county supervisor.

This story was originally published December 4, 2015 at 4:15 PM with the headline "Judge Guirola to Jackson County leaders: 'Don't forget who you work for' ."