OKEECHOBEE — The city of Okeechobee held an investiture ceremony for the  2022 elected officials on Dec. 27. Judge/County Clerk Jerald Bryant administered the oath of office. Judge William Wallace was scheduled to do the job but was recently injured in a fall and had to have surgery on his shoulder. 

City Clerk Lane Gamiotea was sworn in for her sixth term. In January, Gamiotea will have served 20 years as city clerk and in July, will have been with the city for 34 years, serving as deputy clerk before she was elected city clerk. The 2022 election was the last election in which the city clerk position will be on the ballot. After Gamiotea's term is up in four years, the city council will appoint a new city clerk which might or might not be Gamiotea.

Dowling Watford was sworn in for his 11th term. In January, he will have served as a city councilman for 40 years, eight of those years as mayor. During a January council meeting, the council will vote on which of the five council members will serve as mayor for the next four years.  His wife Cherie accompanied him to the ceremony.

Judge/County Clerk Jerald Bryant swore David McAuley in for his first term as city councilman. McAuley said he plans to take some time to learn the ropes and has no intention of making any big changes right away. McAuley served on the planning and zoning board prior to his election as city councilman and said he felt it helped to get his feet wet in the political arena. McAuley's wife Sandra Pearce was with him and as usual took pictures of everyone in sight. Bob Jarriel, accompanied by his wife Rose, was sworn in for his second term as city councilman. Jarriel has many years of experience serving on various boards in Okeechobee and in other nearby communities. He and Rose brought their family Bible to the ceremony, and she held it as he placed his hand on it and swore to serve his community.

Councilman Noel Chandler was present for the ceremony and wished all the men well. Chandler has served on the city council for 18 years and has two years to go in his present term. His first 16 years were consecutive, but he left to serve as county commisioner for one term and then took a short break from politics. He was elected again in 2020.

Councilmember Monica Clark was unable to attend the ceremony.  Clark has completed one term as councilmember and is in the middle of her second term. She has served six years.