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Elected Commissioners Sworn Into Office on Monday, Board Meets New County Attorney

Democrat Commissioner Larry Turnbow, with his wife Marjory by his side, is sworn into office.
Democrat Commissioner Larry Turnbow, with his wife Marjory by his side, is sworn into office on Monday morning. Photos by Jesse Wood

By Jesse Wood

Amidst a relatively light agenda on Monday morning, the elected commissioners for Watauga County were sworn-in by District Court Judge Hal Harrison. 

Incumbent Commissioners John Welch, a Democrat, and Perry Yates, a Republican, and newly-elected Commissioner Larry Turnbow, a Democrat, took the oath of office on Monday before settling into their seats on the board. 

With Turnbow’s defeat of former Commissioner David Blust, a Republican, the Watauga County Board of Commissioners now features a Democrat majority. The previous board featured Commissioner Jimmy Hodges, a Republican, as chair of the board, and attorneys from the Eggers Law Firm, primarily Four Eggers, acting as county attorney. That is no longer the case. 

In the spirit of bi-partisanship, Commissioner Yates nominated Commissioner Welch as board chair. 

“For the past two elections, you’ve gotten the popular vote and it’s been a pleasure serving with you,” Commissioner Yates said. “I pledged when we ran that we would walk in unison, do some things and be civil to each other. I respect you and I think you’ve done a good job in the county. I’ll support you as the chairman as the majority party.” 

Commissioner Billy Kennedy, a Democrat who wasn’t up for re-election this past election cycle, will serve as vice chair.

The Democrats also selected Di Santi, Watson, Capua, Wilson and Garrett to represent the county.

See photos of the swearing-in process below. 

Democrat Commissioner John Welch, with his family by his side, is sworn into office.
Democrat Commissioner John Welch, with his family by his side, is sworn into office.
Republican Commissioner Perry Yates, with his wife Anne-Marie by his side, is sworn into office.
Republican Commissioner Perry Yates, with his wife Anne-Marie by his side, is sworn into office.
Democrat Commissioner Larry Turnbow, with his wife Marjory by his side, is sworn into office.
Democrat Commissioner Larry Turnbow, with his wife Marjory by his side, is sworn into office.
With the changing of the board from a Republican to Democrat majority, attorneys from Di Santi, Watson, Capua, Wilson and Garrett will represent Watauga County.
With the changing of the board from a Republican to Democrat majority, the commissioners and staff meet attorneys, Anthony Di Santi and Andrea Capua, from Di Santi, Watson, Capua, Wilson and Garrett, which will represent Watauga County.

Also on Monday, Watauga County Register of Deeds Amy Shook was sworn into office as well. See a couple photos from Monday morning. 

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Amy Shook was sworn in Monday morning for a new four-year term as Register of Deeds by Clerk of Superior Court Diane Cornett Deal. Holding the bible for Shook is a staff member, Kathy Burkett. Photo submitted
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From left to right, Register of Deeds Amy Shook administers the oath of office to her staff members: Lorie Bolick, Carolyn Greer, Kathy Burkett, Anne Hamby, Christy Warren, and Kim Oliver. Photo submitted