County officials sworn into office

Video of sheriff below. LUDINGTON — Six elected county officials were sworn into office this morning at the Mason County Courthouse. Circuit Court Judge Richard Cooper and Probate Court Judge Mark Raven performed the ceremony.

The officials were Prosecutor Paul Spaniola, Register of Deeds Diane Stark, Surveyor John Schulke, Drain Commissioner David Hasenbank, Treasurer Shirley Smith and Sheriff Kim Cole. Schulke, Smith and Cole will be new to their respective offices when their terms begin on Jan. 1, 2013.

Cooper commented that he was Lake County probate judge in the mid-1970s when Raven started practicing law in Lake County. Raven later became Lake County prosecutor and it was quite appropriate and special that the two were performing this ceremony together; Raven retires the end of next week.

Raven also noted that it was an honor to swear in Smith, who was a fellow Mason County Central Class of 1970 graduate.

Several family and friends of each official attended, but the majority of those in attendance came for the sheriff, including several deputies.