MASON COUNTY — Mason County’s latest elected officials have been given their oath of office and are awaiting their first day on the job on Jan. 1, 2013.
Last week, Judge David Nibert administered the oath of office to Tracy Sturgeon Doolittle, Mason County’s new commissioner; Greg Powers, Mason County’s new sheriff; and Craig Tatterson, Mason County’s new prosecuting attorney. The three elected officials were sworn in at the Mason County Courthouse in the circuit court courtroom.
Powers will take over for acting sheriff, Mike Roach, with Tatterson filling the vacancy soon to be left by Prosecuting Attorney Damon Morgan who did not seek reelection. Doolittle will leave her post at the Mason County Tax Office to take the commission seat of long-time Commissioner Bob Baird who did not seek reelection. Baird’s last county commission meeting is at 4 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 27.
Prior to the election in November, the Point Pleasant Register asked each of the candidates what their number one priority would be if elected. Below are the answers submitted from the candidates who now have the opportunity to keep their campaign promises.
Doolittle
“The future is jobs and the commission must make expanding our present employees and bringing new jobs to our county the number one priority. The people of Mason County deserve to know where their commissioners stand and they need to know the commission will put the people first. The commission must always present the county in a position of respect and progress for the future. This alone is the single most important thing the commission can do to bring in jobs, grant funds and the future we all want for our children.”
Powers
“My number one priority is to run the sheriff’s department like a business. The office provides many services to the community, such as law enforcement, tax collection, default conservatorship, estate administration, home incarceration, and civil processing. I will make it undesirable to sell drugs in this county by seeking the maximum penalties under law and foreclosures on dealer’s property. Expectations will be provided to employees, so that we may all be successful in meeting departmental goals. I will manage the budget in a financially responsible manner. I will also apply for all available grants to subsidize expenditures.”
Tatterson
“My top priority in office would be addressing the growing drug problem in Mason County. To do so I propose establishing a drug court. The drug court would enable first time offenders to get help so they can become productive members of society. I would push for harsher sentences for criminals. I feel that incarcerating more criminals would send a message to others and help prevent crime. Finally, I would expand the Teen Court program to catch problems early on with our youth. I feel that implementing the above would help prevent our citizens from becoming victims of crime.”
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