Cochise County officials sworn in

BISBEE — “I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the state of Arizona, and I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same...”

So began each of the newly elected Cochise County officials as they took their oaths of office in unison Monday morning in a special ceremony attended by family, friends and county staff.

Superior Court Judge Wallace Hoggatt swore in Supervisor Richard Searle first, who then gave the oath of office to the county’s elected officials.

Searle said the ceremony would be the county’s 32nd swear-in since 1881, based on a four-year cycle of elections.

Included were Board of Supervisors members Ann English and Pat Call, Sheriff Larry Dever, County Attorney Ed Rheinheimer, County Assessor Phil Leiendecker, County Recorder Christine Rhodes, County Treasurer Marsha Bonham and County School Superintendent Trudy Berry.

Rhodes was unopposed for her recorder’s seat and is now beginning her 30th year in the position. Others who had no opposition were Rheinheimer, Bonham and Leiendecker.

All the county officials will be grappling with their departments’ budgets in the next few months.