Outgoing Harrison County supervisors say goodbye

BILOXI -- Monday was the final meeting for three of the five members on the Harrison County Board of Supervisors.

Departing members include one longtime supervisor, Windy Swetman, who has served since 2007, and Joe Meadows and John Johnson, both appointed within the last year to fill seats vacated by scandal and death.

Swetman, who chose not to run for another term after losing the Biloxi mayoral race, teared up as he held a Bible and talked about what brought him to public service.

"It's been a rough couple years," he said, then addressed the three incoming supervisors, who were all in attendance. "You will respect it, it will humble you, you'll take the roller coaster ride."

He also listed the accomplishments of the Board over his past two terms: Katrina recovery, the construction of a police and fire station, a pool for seniors and children, cold weather shelters.

Joe Meadows, who had been the board's attorney before being appointed to fill a vacant seat in his retirement, thanked the county employees.

"I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for this opportunity to serve," he said.

And John Johnson, who had been a member of the Harrison County School Board prior to being appointed, told incoming board members to tour their districts and talk to and learn from county employees.

"It's been an honor and a pleasure to serve in the highest office of Harrison County," he said. "When you can make a difference in a person's life, that means quite a bit."

The two remaining board members, Connie Rockco and Marlin Ladner, as well as the board's attorney, clerk and county administrator all thanked the outgoing members as well.

This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 10:37 PM with the headline "Outgoing Harrison County supervisors say goodbye ."