Oaths make officials accountable

Georgia law requires that all elected officials swear specific oaths to hold office.

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Last week, newly elected and re-elected Columbia County officials held their left hands on Bibles, raised their rights hands and repeated their oaths under the guidance of county Probate Judge Pat Hardaway.

By the way, Hardaway swore her own oath of office for the first time 26 years ago, on Jan. 2, 1981, before now-retired Judge William Fleming.

Here are the oaths of office for each group of public officials who recited them last week as the new year began:

- For re-elected County Commission Chairman Ron Cross, re-elected District 4 Commissioner Lee Anderson and newly elected District 1 Commissioner Ron Thigpen:

"I, (official's name), do swear (or affirm) that I will well and truly discharge the duties of Commissioner for Columbia County, in all matters which require my official action, to the best of my knowledge and skill, and I will so act as in my judgement will be most conducive to the welfare and best interests of the entire county.

"I do further solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am not the holder of any unaccounted for public money due this state, or any political subdivision or authority thereof; that I am not the holder of any office of trust under the government of the United States, any other state, or any foreign state which I am prohibited from holding by the laws of the state of Georgia; and that I am otherwise qualified to hold said office, according to the Constitution of the United States and laws of Georgia; and that I will support the Constitutions of the United States and of this state.

"So help me God."

- For newly elected school board Chairman Regina Buccafusco, and re-elected school board member Mildred Blackburn:

"I, (official's name), a citizen of Columbia County, Georgia and being an employee of Columbia County Board of Education and the recipient of public funds for services rendered as such employee, do hereby solemnly swear and affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Georgia.

"I do further solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am not the holder of any unaccounted for public money due this state, or any political subdivision or authority thereof; that I am not the holder of any office of trust under the government of the United States, nor of either of the several states, nor of any foreign state; and that I am otherwise qualified to hold said office, according to the Constitution and laws of Georgia; and that I will support the Constitutions of the United States and of this state, and that I have met the residency requirements of this office.

"So help me God."

- For re-elected Superior Court Judges Jim Blanchard and Duncan Wheale:

"I, (judge's name), a citizen of Georgia and being an employee of the state of Georgia and the recipient of public funds for services rendered as such employee, do hereby solemnly swear and affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Georgia.

"I do further swear that I will administer justice without respect to person, and do equal rights to the poor and the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all of the duties incumbent on me as a judge of the superior courts of this state, according to the best of my ability and understanding, and agreeably to the laws and Constitution of this state and the Constitution of the United States.

"I do further solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am not the holder of any unaccounted for public money due this state, or any political subdivision or authority thereof; that I am not the holder of any office of trust under the government of the United States, nor of either of the several states, nor of any foreign state; and that I am otherwise qualified to hold said office, according to the Constitution and laws of Georgia; and that I will support the Constitutions of the United States and of this state and that I have been a resident of this circuit for the time required by the Constitution and laws of this state.

"So help me God."