ROCKINGHAM — Prior to sitting in on their first meeting, the four newest Richmond County commissioners took their oaths of office.
The staggered swearing-in ceremonies took place upstairs in the conference room of the county administration building Monday afternoon.
The oaths were administered by Board Clerk Dena Cook and the new commissioners — Jeff Smart, Justin Dawkins, Toni Maples and Andy Grooms — were joined by family members.
Smart’s wife, Jami, held the Bible while he was sworn in; Dawkins was assisted by daughter Allison and son Ryan; Grooms’ mother Phyllis held a family Bible while he took his oath; and Maples’ husband Chris and son Alex held her Bible as daughter-in-law Jenna stood with them in front of the U.S and state flags.
Educator Toni Maples —flanked by husband Chris, left, and son Alex and daughter-in-law Jenna — is sworn in as a county commissioner.
Each also received a Richmond County commissioner lapel pin to wear.
Aside from family members, others in the room included County Manager Bryan Land, Public Works Director Jerry Austin, Tax Collector Vagas Jackson (who took photos) and outgoing commissioners Kenneth Robinette and Ben Moss.
Robinette served on the Richmond County Board of Commissioners for 24 years and as chairman for 22 years, alongside John Garner. Both decided to not run again this year.
Robinette said it was just time for new blood and new leadership on the board.
“Twenty-four years is a long time,” he said. “I just want to spend time with my family and my grandchildren and do some traveling … and just take a little breather and enjoy life a little bit.”
He said he told the current commissioners “I’ll still be here if they need any advice.”
Robinette said the board, in a “collective effort” with work from the county’s unelected leaders, has been able to “accomplish a lot” in the past near-quarter-century.
During that time, he said the board’s biggest accomplishment was in the area of economic development.
“In a rural county, I think we’ve been one of the most successful economic development programs in the state,” he said, citing the shell building program, industrial parks and zoning regulations.
Moss was recently elected to the N.C. House of Representatives after defeating Scott Brewer, who was appointed to the seat in 2019.
Not only was Moss the first Republican elected to the Richmond County Board of Commissioners in more than a century, he was also the first elected to that House seat in recent memory.
All four of the new commissioners are Republicans, joining Democrats Don Bryant, Tavares Bostic and Rick Watkins. Bostic and Watkins were elected in 2018 and Bryant and Moss were re-elected that year.
Andy Grooms takes the oath of office for county commissioner as his mother, Phyllis Grooms, holds a family Bible.
Smart, Maples and Grooms were the top three vote-getters in November’s election and Dawkins was appointed to fill the spot vacated by Moss.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Smart said after taking his oath. “I’m honored to be in this position and I appreciate the support of the citizens of Richmond County and I look forward to helping lead the way throughout the county to help make the best possible decisions we can.”
Smart said he didn’t necessarily have a top goal for the board to accomplish, but just wants to “be part of the team … to do the necessary things that are required to make us successful.”
Justin Dawkins takes the oath of office as his daughter Allison and son Ryan hold the Bible.
(Note: This article has been updated to correct a name.)
