Saline County officeholders, county board installed in Friday ceremony

SALINE COUNTY - An overflow crowd packed a courtroom Friday afternoon for the swearing-in of Saline County officeholders and county board members.

Crowd access was standing room only after the available seating in the courtroom quickly filled with local residents who wanted to witness the event.

First Circuit Judge Walden Morris told those attending they were witnesses to the continuing history of the county.

Morris swore in Regional Superintendent Beth Rister, Saline County State's Attorney Molly Wilson Kasiar, Saline County Sheriff James "Whipper" Johnson, Saline County Clerk Roger Craig, and Saline County Treasurer Jeff Murrie.

He also installed Saline County Board members Jay Williams, Bob Oglesby, Bruce Tolley, Allan Porter, Jonathan Russell and Wes Sherrod.

Kasiar is the first woman to hold the office of Saline County State's Attorney.

Afterward, Morris urged county residents to support the offices and their officeholders.

"Ladies and gentlemen, these are our new officeholders. I'm sure they will all serve with distinction. I'm very proud of them, and I'm sure all of you are proud of your respective officeholder, too," Morris said. "I know that elections are not pleasant; worst experience of my whole life. But, once they're over, they're over. These are our officials. I'm asking everybody to support each and every one of them because we all, truly, need everyone's help."