Six of Cole County's elected officials were sworn into office Wednesday, in a brief but well-attended ceremony officiated by Presiding Circuit Court Judge Pat Joyce.
The six included Sam Bushman as presiding commissioner, Dawnel Davidson as circuit clerk, Steve Korsmeyer as clerk, Mark Richardson as prosecuting attorney, Kristen Berhorst as auditor, Ralph Bray as recorder of deeds, and Larry Vincent as collector.
Four of the six - Bray, Bushman, Korsmeyer and Berhorst - are new to county office.
Surrounded by family and some friends, each stepped up to Joyce's podium to solemnly swear to support both the constitutions of the United States and the state of Missouri and to conduct themselves faithfully in their respective offices.
Once the oaths were administered, Joyce congratulated the candidates and light applause broke out in the room.
Bray seemed confident and relieved after the ceremony.
"It finishes one chapter and sets in place the beginning of the next chapter," Bray said. "You put a lot of work, effort and time - including other people's time - into winning. So it is very gratifying."
Bray wasn't certain if he'd have the keys by New Year's Day, but he was looking forward to starting work by at least Friday.
"I'm anxious to get in and walk around a bit," he said. "I'm looking forward to working with the existing staff. They have a lot to teach me."
Bray said he planned to celebrate the achievement and the New Year by having steaks at home with his wife.
Bushman - surrounded by about 20 friends and family who came to see the ceremony - also was gratified to finally be sworn in.
Although he said he felt prepared to take on the mantle of leadership, he also said he felt the weight of his new responsibilities.
"I've been going to commission meetings since August, so I'm kind of legitimate," Bushman said. "Marc Ellinger and the other commissioners have been wonderful, but I'm still very ignorant. I know enough to be dangerous."
As he stood there with his right hand raised, Bushman said the reality of his election sunk in.
"I thought, "Boy, this is heavy. This is a lot of responsibility.' But I'm excited about it. And I'm happy about the challenge it presents," Bushman said. "I'm an inquisitive person. I'm asking a lot of questions. We have good people (at the county) working for us. And we have a good team, so that makes it so much easier."
Korsmeyer said the swearing-in ceremony was "very humbling." He's hopeful his experiences at Blackwell's Garage working with the public daily will stand him in good stead as county clerk.
"We started (the campaign) in February, and we finally made it," he said. "We're going to go to lunch, go home and relax."
Korsmeyer said he planned to start work Friday. "I'll be there at 7:30 a.m.," he said.