A new year brings new leadership, not only in Washington D.C., but locally as well.

Barb Hackman, chairwoman of the Bartholomew County Republican Party, says that newly elected and recently re-elected Republican county office holders will be sworn in at a ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31st at Superior Court 1 at the Bartholomew County Courthouse.

Among the new officials taking the oath of office for the first time will be Judge Kelly Benjamin, Coroner Clayton Nolting and County Council member Matt Miller. Those re-elected include County Commissioners Rick Flohr and Larry Kleinhenz, County Council members Bill Lentz and Evelyn Pence and County Surveyor E.R. Gray III.

Hackman said most of the Republicans will be sworn in by Judge Jim Worton. But Judge Steve Heimann served as a mentor to Benjamin and she is hoping he will swear her in, if he his available.

Hope Town Council member, Republican Ohmer Miller, is also slated to take the oath during the New Year’s Eve ceremony. Hope-area Democrats will be swearing in two new Town Council members, Nellie Meek and Ed Johnson, at 1 the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 30th at the Town Hall.

Hope Clerk-Treasurer Diane Burton, an independent, was sworn in Wednesday by County Clerk Jay Phelps.

Officials from both parties are inviting and encouraging you to attend these ceremonies

Hackman says that if you do come to the courthouse ceremony, you should be aware that the standard security protocols will be in effect at the entrance of the courthouse.