Eight new and returning elected officials took their oaths of office on Tuesday in the upstairs courtroom of the historic Colusa County Courthouse. A ninth was sworn in earlier by a county clerk in a private ceremony.
Before a large gathering of family, friends, and county employees, the Hon. Jeffrey A. Thompson swore in new District Attorney Brendan Farrell as the top law enforcement officer in Colusa County.
Farrell replaces former District Attorney Matthew Beauchamp, who chose not to run for reelection in the June primary, but will stay on in the short-staffed department as a chief prosecutor for the time being.
District 5 Supervisor Janice Bell and Clerk-Recorder Cristy Edwards were also sworn into their first terms in office, after successfully winning contested races in the Nov. 8 election.
Bell, who was seated for her first official meeting an hour after being sworn in, said she may be the only new face on the dais this year but she’s well versed – as a longtime county employee – on much of the county’s business.
“I’m looking forward to serving the county,” said Bell, noting her availability and approachability.
Auditor-Controller Robert Zunino was also sworn into his first elected term of office, after winning the June primary in an uncontested race.
Zunino has served in the role as County Auditor for two years, after being appointed by the Board of Supervisors to replace Peggy Scroggins who ran for the position in 2018 but retired mid-term.
Colusa County Sheriff Joe Garafalo, Superintendent of Schools Michael West, and Assessor Arnold Gross Jr. were sworn into their third terms of office. All three won contested races in 2014 and have been reelected twice.
District 1 Supervisor Merced Corona was sworn in for a second term, after also winning an uncontested primary last June.
Thompson, who oversaw the proceedings, was reelected in the June primary. He was first appointed to the bench by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2008 and serves as presiding judge of the court.
Treasurer Tax-Collector Dan Charter was sworn in privately. He’s held the position since 1998, winning seven consecutive elected terms. He plans to retire mid-term. ■