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Dec. 16, 2010
Clerk of Garrett County Circuit Court Sondra Buckel swore in the new three-member county commissioners’ board at the courthouse on Tuesday morning. About 75 family members, friends, campaign supporters, and county personnel attended the ceremony and welcome reception that followed.
“It is a new day for Garrett County politics,” District 1 commissioner Gregan Crawford told the crowd. “It’s been a long time since three new commissioners have all been sworn it at the same time, and that’s an awesome amount of trust that you’ve placed in our hands. So I hope we live up to your expectations and exceed them.”
He said each of the commissioners recognizes his own strengths and weaknesses, and the board will have a good balance of those attributes.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be here,” said Bob Gatto, who won the District 2 commissioner’s seat as a write-in candidate. “I’m looking forward to the next four years of working with you and working for this county. Let’s make things happen in a positive way for everybody.”
He indicated the new commissioners will not always agree on issues, but they will work together for their constituents.
“We need to be open with our government; we need to be open with our decisions,” Gatto said. “We need to involve everyone who’s affected by those decisions, and work toward a common goal, and that is making Garrett County the pride of not only Maryland but also the nation.”
Prior to being sworn in, District 3 commissioner Jim Raley officially resigned from the Garrett County Board of Education. His term on the BOE would have expired in January 2012. Raley, a former middle school teacher, had served on that board since January 1997.
He noted his family was not able to attend the swearing-in because of the adverse weather.
“Each of you are now my family; you’re now my friends,” Raley told those attending the ceremony. “You’re the people that I’m going to be working for. I want you to make sure you let me know how I’m doing. I want you to let me know what I’m doing right. I want you to let me know what I’m doing wrong.”
He said the next four years will provide the commissioners with the true picture of what this new leadership team is about and able to accomplish.
“It won’t be easy; however, I think we’re up to the challenge,” Raley said. “We’ve spent a lot of time together; we’ve worked closely together. And I think, philosophically, we share many of the same attributes and goals.”
