Charleston municipal officials were sworn in Tuesday (July 1) on the official first day of a four-year term of office that ends on June 30, 2029.
Chancellor Willie J. Perkins of Mississippi's 7th Chancery Court District administered the oath of office. Perkins, who lives in Greenwood, spoke briefly before the ceremony about his own career in elected office and about the responsibilities and duties of the municipal officers who were soon to recite the oath in Charleston.
He also offered several items of personal advice for the new and returning officeholders.
"I'm talking to Christians when I'm saying this; if you're an atheist or non-Christian, I ain't talking to you," Perkins began. "Put God first at all times when you're making hard decisions or when you're ready to vote."
"Know the duties and the obligations of your office," he added. "The ward or council folks, understand they ain't the mayor. And the mayor, understand he ain't an alderperson. So, the alderperson is not interfering with the mayor, and vice versa. And you need to know the office. ... If you aren't able to do that, then you need to talk to us about it."
"You understand, too, that the election is over. You understand that you show up for work. Showing up for work means, when there's a board meeting, if it's at 4 o'clock or 3 o'clock — whatever time it is — that's when the board meeting starts. You can't drag up in there at 5 making excuses, act like you own something. You need to be there on time," Perkins noted. "This is what you said you wanted. This is what you told the folks. And if you're telling the truth and not lying to them, you're telling your people that voted for you, I'm going to do my job and show up for work. So you need to do that."
"Make certain that at all times, perform your duties by operating within the limits and the boundaries of the law. Now, you need to seek legal guidance," Perkins continued. "Hopefully, you get a good, competent lawyer to represent the city. If not, you'd better find somebody, because if you take a vote, it could be in violation of the law and those who voted for it, if the auditor comes down here and says this was an illegal vote, you will be personally liable for it. Your bond ain't going to cover it, and nobody else. You would have to pay for it. ..."
The judge also admonished the incoming city officials to "take full advantage of training."
"I know from my experience in city government and going to conferences, there will be training," he said. "When you are invited to the training and the city is going to pay you to go to the training or the municipal meeting, you need to take advantage. ... You've got to go to the workshops, you've got to go to the sessions."
Before the swearing-in, the judge asked each person who was going to take the oath of office to have someone hold a Bible so they might place their left hand on the Bible while they raised their right hand to recite the oath.
After administering the oath, photographs were taken by photographers and members of the standing-room-only crowd in the courtroom consisting of family members, friends and other well-wishers. The festivities were followed with light refreshments.
