Stephens County Commissioners honor retiring officials, plan to swear in incoming officials on Tuesday, Dec. 31
By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
At the Dec. 23 Stephens County Commissioners meeting, three retiring officials were honored by the court. And, at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, several new officials will be sworn in.
District Judge Phillip Gregory will preside over the official swearing-in ceremony at the Courthouse, located at 200 W. Walker St. Officials being sworn in include:
- Commissioner Precinct 1 David Fambro
- Commissioner Precinct 3 Will Warren
- Commissioner Precinct 4 Tanner Wade (appointed)
- Sheriff Kevin Roach
- County Attorney Gary Trammel
- Constable Wayne McMullen
- Tax Assessor-Collector Crystal Shook
- County Treasurer Kelsey Cornwall
The ceremony will be open to the public.
Mary O’Dell, left, is retiring from her job as the assistant treasurer for Stephens County. Kelsey Cornwall, right, is the current Stephens County Treasurer. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Last Monday, the commissioners honored County Tax Assessor-Collector Christie Latham, Commissioner Precinct 4 Commissioner Eric O’Dell and Assistant County Treasurer Mary O’Dell, who are all retiring, effective the last day of the year, Dec. 31.
Latham has worked for Stephens County for 30 years, the last 11 years as the Tax Assessor-Collector. As part of her job, Latham also served as the county’s elections administrator, overseeing all of the elections in the county. Earlier this year, the county commissioners created the new official position of Elections Administrator and hired Jared McLane to serve in the position.
“She’s been a delight in to work with,” County Judge Michael Roach said about Latham. “Thank you for all the hard work and the many years that you put in, and I think leaving this year, the (Elections Administrator) and Crystal (Shook) filling your shoes, I think that office is in good hands.”
The commissioners presented Latham with a plaque in recognition of her service. Although outgoing-commissioner Eric O’Dell was not able to attend the meeting, his wife, retiring assistant treasurer Mary O’Dell, attended for both of them and accepted a plaque on Eric’s behalf.
Eric O’Dell worked for the county for over 40 years and was first elected as a commissioner in 2018.
“He’s just such an humble, genuine guy,” Roach said about O’Dell. “He works hard and takes care of business, and we’re going to miss him terribly. Stephens County is better for having Eric O’Dell serve, not only as a road hand for all those years, but as a commissioner.”
Mary O’Dell was also praised for her work in the treasurer’s office.
“She’s been a staple and a rock, guiding me in my first year, and I hope that I can remember everything that she taught me,” Stephens County Treasurer Kelsey Cornwall said. “She was always there to lead me in the right direction and steer me away from the wrong direction. And I will be reaching out to lots of different people to try and fill those shoes, because it’s a big set of shoes to fill.”
The Stephens County Commissioners Court presented Tax Assessor-Collector Christie Latham with a plaque commemorating her years of service. Pictured, from left, are Commissioner David Fambro, County Judge Michael Roach, Christie Latham, Commissioner Will Warren and Commissioner Mark McCullough. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: Newly elected Tax Assessor-Collector Crystal Shook, left, shed a few tears as outgoing Tax Assessor-Collector Christie Latham was honored at the Dec. 23 Stephens County Commissioners meeting. They were joined by co-workers Stormi Wilson, Hayli Davis, Rita Belfiore. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
