In a special event at the Moniteau County Courthouse on Wednesday, Dec. 31, county officials who were elected in November were sworn in for four-year terms.
Retiring Moniteau County Clerk Anita Groepper conducted the ceremony, swearing in new County Clerk Roberta Elliott and six incumbents.
Incumbents returning for another term in office are Circuit Clerk and Ex-officio Recorder of Deeds Michele Higgins, County treasurer Sarah Jones, County Collector Cheryl Duvall, Prosecuting Attorney Shayne Healea, Presiding County Commissioner Kenneth Kunze and Circuit Judge Peggy Richardson.
Before the actual ceremony, Groepper spoke to the officials about the meaning of the oath of office which they were about to swear to uphold. Following the ceremony, Judge Peggy Richardson reviewed the career of Groepper in the County Clerk's office. She first went to work in the office in 1971. In 1985, she ran for the office of County Clerk and has won every election since. The fact that she ran unopposed for the most part is, according to Richardson, evidence that the office has operated in an efficient manner.
Members of Groeppers family were introduced and she thanked them for their support in the 43 years of her work in the office, both as an assistant and as County Clerk.
In honor of her retirement, cake, nuts and punch was served.