Local officials sworn into office

Portland Mayor John Boggs and Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins were sworn into office at the Jay County Courthouse in front of a packed courtroom Monday.

The two new mayors were sworn in alongside more than a dozen public officials from Jay County by Jay Circuit Court Judge Brian Hutchison.

“I’m looking forward to serving the needs of Portland,” said Boggs, who defeated former Mayor Randy Geesaman in the election last month.

He plans on reporting to city hall for his first day of work at noon Wednesday.

Boggs said his first focus as mayor is to do what he thinks is best for the city’s economy and revitalization as well as figure out how to best serve the community.

“I plan to keep all my promises,” said Boggs. “I’m just glad to get in the saddle and start working.”

Robbins, who denied Mayor Gene Ritter a second term, plans to make immediate changes to the city’s hierarchical structure. 

“I’m gonna take our council in a different direction,” said Robbins, who plans to directly oversee the city’s departments and day-to-day operations through the city’s board of works rather than Dunkirk’s council, a move he says is more aligned with state statute.

“I think there’s going to be a lot less headaches,” added Robbins.

Dunkirk council meetings are now scheduled to be held at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month with board of works meetings at 3 p.m. on the second and third Thursdays of the month.

Hutchison had a few words of advice for all of county’s public officials before making them raise their right hand and take an oath to “faithfully, impartially and diligently” do their job and uphold the constitutions of Indiana and the United States.

“It can be very frustrating, time-consuming, but it is extremely rewarding,” Hutchison said of being a public official. “I just want you to remember that you’re doing good stuff as long as you’re doing it to the best of your ability.”

Newly elected Portland city council members Mike Aker, Dave Golden and Matt Goldsworthy also took their first oath of office. They’ll serve on the council alongside Boggs and returning council members Michele Brewster, Don Gillespie, Janet Powers and Kent McClung. Portland’s new city council is scheduled to meet for the first time Monday.

Also sworn in for the first time were Gary Gardner, Erik Hammers and John Pierce. They were all elected to Redkey Town Council, which is scheduled to meet Wednesday.