PORT TOWNSEND — It was standing room only in the Jefferson County commissioners chambers on Tuesday during the swearing in of four county officials.
The swearing in ceremonies took place at 9 a.m. in the county commissioners chambers in the basement of the county courthouse, just before the first county commissioner meeting of 2017.
More than 50 people attended, with a few having to watch from the hallway since the maximum capacity for the commissioners chambers is 47.
Kate Dean was sworn in as county commissioner for District 1 after winning the November general election with more than 66 percent of the vote. She is filling the seat once held by retired commissioner Phil Johnson who served in that position for three terms.
With Dean joining Commissioner Kathleen Kler of District 3, two women are sitting on the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners for the first time in county’s 165-year history.
David Sullivan also was sworn in on Tuesday, returning to his position as commissioner for District 2 after an uncontested race Nov. 8.
In her first act as a commissioner, Dean joined Sullivan in voting to keep Kler in her position as chairwoman of the three-member commission.
Jeff Randall was sworn in as Public Utilities District commissioner after winning the November race against incumbent Barney Burke by almost 4,000 votes. This is Randall’s first county government position.
Jefferson County Superior Court Judge Keith Harper was sworn in to his second term.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@ peninsuladailynews.com.