Voters get what they called for with unchanging county board | Eastern North Carolina Now

    The majority's Nov. 2 mandate for 'more of the same' on the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners was realized at tonight's regularly scheduled meeting. The winning candidates for commissioner, all incumbents, were sworn in by Beaufort County Clerk of Court Marty Paramore, who administered the Oath of Office. With their hands on the Bible, Republican Commissioners Stan Deatherage and Al Klemm and Democratic Commissioner Ed Booth pledged to, once again, fulfill their elected roles, according to state and federal constitutions, throughout their imminent four-year terms:

I, _________, do solemnly and sincerely swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States; that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of North Carolina, and to the constitutional powers and authorities which are or may be established for the government thereof; and that I will endeavor to support, maintain and defend the Constitution of said State, not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States, to the best of my knowledge and ability, so help me, God.

I, _________, do swear (affirm) that I will well and truly execute the duties of the office of County Commissioner according to the best of my skill and ability, according to the law, so help me, God.

Beaufort County Commissioner Stan Deatherage takes the Oath of Office, with his son, Stanhope Deatherage, holding the Bible.

    The board went on to unanimously elect Democratic Commissioner Jerry Langley to the post of Chairman, as they did in 2008, after a nomination by fellow Democratic Commissioner Ed Booth, seconded by Republican Commissioner Hood Richardson.

    The vote for Vice Chairman similarly modeled its precursor, with the seven commissioner votes split between nominees Deatherage and Klemm. Richardson nominated Deatherage, who won the post thanks to votes from Richardson, Booth, Langley and himself. Republican commissioner Jay McRoy nominated Klemm, who lost the bid, with votes from Klemm, Cayton and himself.

    The board had the chance to mix it up some by changing their assigned seats along the panel. Yet, in a symbolic, unspoken gesture of their current contentedness with the board's political and organizational composition, they abstained.

Beaufort County Commissioners Ed Booth and Al Klemm take the Oath of Office.

    Even though the physical structure of the board is unchanged, there's always a chance that its members can have their minds revolutionized by their constituents. Concerned citizens can reach their Beaufort County representatives simply by making a phone call. The commissioners' contact numbers are: Richardson, 252-975-3472; Cayton, 252-322-5236; Deatherage, 252-944-3905; Langley, 252-975-2593; McRoy, 252-946-2704; Booth, 252-946-3325; and Klemm, 252-974-2121.

    Beaufort County Now will have more on tonight's Beaufort County Board of Commissioners meeting in the near future.