Much like television news directors who intentionally place sports and weather coverage at the end of the news broadcast to keep audiences tuned, organizers of this morning's Hinds County swearing-in ceremony were acutely aware of what people really wanted to see.
After approximately two dozen officials elected on Nov. 8 raised their hands and took the oaths of their respective positions, the crowd steadied their smart phones and digital cameras to capture the moment when Tyrone Lewis became the African-American sheriff of Hinds County.
Lewis, flanked by his family, including his young son who gave up part of his birthday for his dad's swearing in, sounded very much as if he remained in campaign mode. He vowed to build relationships within the community to fight crime.
"I can't do it by myself. I'm relying on each person in this room to have my back - because I've got your back," said Lewis, the only elected official to make remarks at the event.
Lewis takes the reigns from Malcolm McMillin, who held the post for 20 years. Despite taking his oath today, Lewis, along with county constables, will assume his duties Jan. 1. All other officials begin in their official capacities following the New Year holiday on Jan. 3.
Joining Lewis in making history today were Pearlie Brown Owens, the first black woman to be elected as District 5 justice court judge, and Michele Purvis Harris, the first African American and first woman appointed county public defender.
Noticeably absent was Kenneth Stokes, the eccentric city councilman who will take over from George Smith as Hinds County District 5 supervisor. Circuit Court Judge Tomie Green, who presided over the ceremony, remarked that Stokes, who defeated Smith, the current board president in August, had a prior obligation that prevented his attendance and that she would administer the oath at a later time.
Here's the complete list of sworn-in Hinds County officials:
Board of Supervisors
Robert Graham, District 1
Douglas "Doug" Anderson, District 2
Peggy Hobson Calhoun, District 3
Phil Fisher, District 4
Chancery Clerk
Eddie Jean Carr
Circuit Clerk
Barbara Dunn
County Surveyor
Paul A. Greene
County Attorney and Staff
Sherri Flowers-Billups
Tax Assessor
Charles E. Stokes
Tax Collector
Eddie Fair
Coroner
Sharon Grisham-Stewart
District Attorney and Assistants
Robert Shuler Smith
Justice Court Judges
Don Palmer, District 1
Ivory E. Britton, District 2
Frank Sutton, District 3
Jimmy Morton, District 4
Constables
Jerry Moore, District 1
John Brown, District 2
Lawrence Funchess, District 3
Jon Lewis, District 4
Bennie C. Buckner, District 5
Newly elected officials
Pearlie Brown Owens, Justice Court Judge, District 5
Kenneth I. Stokes, Board of Supervisors, District 5
Michele Purvis Harris, Public Defender (By Appointment) & Assistants
Tyrone Lewis, Sheriff
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