Swearing In!
I photographed the Oath of Office Ceremony for local elected officials in the Hiram, Garrettsville, Mantua & Nelson Township area on December 15, 2023 . The event was held at Koritansky Hall on the Hiram College Campus in Hiram Ohio. The oaths were administered by Judge John Eklund. Special guests included Portage County Commissioners Tony Badalamenti, Sabrina Christian-Bennet, Mike Tinlin, and Thomas Queen, Congressman Dave Joyce’s representative. Outgoing Mayor of Hiram Village Lou Bertrand introduced the program, and Reverend Chris McCreight gave the invocation and benediction. Judge Eklund offered some very moving and inspirational remarks just before administrating the oaths. In all, eleven newly elected (or re-elected) officials were sworn in. The mood was upbeat. It was refreshing to see political differences put on the back burner. I love the positive energy that radiates from a group of people such as this that give freely of their time for public service.
Written and photographed by Dave Dreimiller
Tammy Meyer, mayor-elect of Mantua Village, being sworn into office by Judge John Eklund.
Mantua Village mayor-elect Tammy Meyer and family.
Crestwood School Board member Eric Hummel and wife.
Crestwood School Board member Dan Tillet is sworn in by Judge Eklund.
Garrettsville Mayor Rick Patrick with Hiram Village Mayor Lou Bertrand.
Judge Eklund congratulates Mantua Township Trustee John Festa.
Crestwood School Board member Dan Tillet and wife.
Crestwood School Board member Bonnie Lovejoy takes the oath of office.
Mantua Village Councilman Kevin Maloney and wife.
Reverend Chris McCreight offers the invocation before the oaths are administered.
Thomas Queen, Congressman Dave Joyce’s representative with Sabrina Christian-Bennet, Portage County Commissioner.
Incoming Hiram Village Councilman Ed Frato-Sweeney is sworn into office by Judge Eklund.
Thomas Queen, Congressman Dave Joyce’s representative with Mike Tinlin, Portage County Commissioner.
James A. Garfield School Board member Colleen Khairallah is sworn into office by Judge Eklund.
James A. Garfield School Board member David Vincent and wife.
Hiram Village Councilman Ed Frato-Sweeny (left) with Lou Bertrand.
Judge Eklund swears in Nelson Township Trustee Michael Kortan.
Hiram Village Council President Chris Szell and Village Administrator James McGee.
Rick Patrick, Mayor of Garrettsville, receives the oath of office from Judge Eklund.
Mantua Village Councilman Kevin Maloney is sworn in by Judge Eklund.
Portage County Commissioner Mike Tinlin and Garrettsville Mayor Rick Patrick.
Hiram Village Assistant Fiscal Officer Wendelin Taylor, Mayor Lou Bertrand, and Fiscal Officer Susan Skrovan-DeYoung.
Judge Eklund congratulates Dan Tillet.
Crestwood School Board member Bonnie Lovejoy receives the oath of office from Judge Eklund.
Lou Bertrand with Portage County Commissioner Tony Badalamenti.
Crestwood School Board member Eric Hummel is sworn into office by Judge Eklund.
Lou Bertrand with Portage County Commissioner Sabrina Christian-Bennet.
David Vincent, J.A. Garfield School Board member, is sworn into office.
Hiram Village Councilman Ed Rato-Sweeney and J.A. Garfield School Board member Colleen Khairallah.
The event took place at the iconic Koritansky Hall on the Hiram College campus, shown in here in a summer view from my archives.