Four newly elected officials were sworn in on Friday, Nov. 13, during a ceremony held at Roosevelt Square in Gainesville.
During the event, David Gibbs was sworn in as Hall County Chairman, Mark Pettitt as Hall County Clerk of Courts, John "Tripp" Wingate as Hall County State Court Judge and John G. Breakfield as Superior Court Judge of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit.
Gibbs thanked the Hall County staff that have aided in his transition and the people of Hall County.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to be standing here today as your Hall County Chairman. I want to say a special thanks to all the people in this county that get up every day, go to work, take their kids to school, pay their taxes, take their kids to church and still love this county,” Gibbs said. “I want to thank all the voters that supported me, and I look forward to earning the support of the ones that didn't.”
Pettitt paid tribute to his predecessor Charles Baker for his 47 years of service and spoke about the importance of the clerk.
“The clerk's office, if you are in the legal profession, you know this already, is the heartbeat of the judicial system. Our work is critical to the administration of justice and the preservation of our County's history,” Pettitt said. “As a creature of the Constitution, The clerk's office answers solely to the people of Hall County, each and every one of you, not a governing authority or a judge, but to the people.”
Pettitt said his goal is to create the best clerk's office in the state.
“We will accomplish this together by providing superior customer service, embracing efficiency and treating all stakeholders with respect,” Pettitt said.
Pettitt expressed his excitement as he prepares to take on his new role.
“I am certainly excited about the new challenge, and the new opportunity to serve. I'm most excited about working with the people, working with the people who come into our office and need services, and working with the 54 people that work in the clerk's office,” Pettitt said. “We have a great staff. I just can't wait to get involved.”
Wingate expressed his gratitude to the people of Hall County and discussed his excitement about taking on the role.
“I am honored to be joining those now serving on the Judiciary here in Hall County. Over the past 25 years, I have traveled the state, I have seen judges in every capacity, in every court, and I can say without a doubt we have the best judiciary in the state, right here in Hall County,” Wingate said. “Whenever I leave and come back, I'm always glad to be back trying to case in Hall County.”
Wingate said he would not take his responsibility lightly.
“The Constitution clearly defines the role of our judiciary and the judicial canon speaks clearly of integrity, impartiality and independence. Those principles will remain at the forefront of my career from here forward,” Wingate said “My goal is to bring my 25 years of experience to help me with common sense approaches as I move forward and handle the issues which come before me. My goal also will be to continuously seek wisdom, knowledge, revelation and discernment while striving to make a positive impact, a positive difference on the people in this community.”
Breakfield emphasized that his door is always open.
“My door is always open, and that goes for the voters as well as anyone who's here. My door is always open. My name is John,” Breakfield said.
Breakfield concluded his speech by saying he will always work for the people and make the right decisions.
“What would the people at Roosevelt Square want me to do? What would the people who are here want me to do? You want me to follow the law and do the right thing,” Breakfield said. “That is what I am going to do. For the last eight years, I have upheld my oath, and I did not let you down. I have taken an oath today, and I promise you I will not let you down.”
