READY TO SERVE: McVeigh & Paulsen take oath of office for imminent County Council positions
Monday, December 30, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.
by Jeff Noedel
photos by Ed Andrews
When the fireworks start popping at midnight tomorrow night, two new San Juan County Council members assume office. But they took their oaths of office this morning at 9:00 a.m.
Washington State law allows for the oath of office for county officials to be administered up to 10 days before one’s term begins.
District 1 Council Rep-elect Kari McVeigh and district 2 Council Rep-elect Justin Paulsen raised their right hands and swore impartial allegiance to the U.S. and Washington State Constitutions, the County Charter, and the ordinances of San Juan County.
Third district Rep Jane Fuller is in the middle of her four-year term.
McVeigh and Paulsen were sworn-in by retired San Juan County Superior Court Judge Alan R. Hancock in the Superior Court courtroom in Friday Harbor.
McVeigh’s wife, Cynthia Luna McVeigh, stood beside Kari McVeigh. Cynthia is a retired HR director.
At Justin Paulsen’s side was his wife Amber Paulsen, who owns and runs Kaleidoscope Preschool & Childcare Center in Eastsound.
Both spouses made brief introductions prior to the oath, with their elected spouses basking in the pride and hope of the moment.
Later, Paulsen told SanJuans.Today he was pleased to see other elected officials sit in on the ceremony. He said the tone was happy and upbeat.
McVeigh said, “It’s humbling and an honor to serve our community, so we can secure our islands’ future for generations to come.”
An official news release from San Juan County is here.
The standard oath for County officials is:
I, _____, do solemnly swear [or affirm] that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the State of Washington, and the County Charter, and that I will faithfully and impartially perform and discharge the duties of the office of San Juan County Council Representative, according to the law and the best of my ability.
To read more about the oath of office in the State of Washington, here is an article published by The Municipal Research and Services Center. The MRSC is a nonprofit organization that helps local governments across Washington State better serve their communities by providing legal and policy guidance on any topic.
