A passel of Chester County officials, including all three commissioners, recited the oath of office on Sunday, Jan. 3 on West Chester University’s campus.

The approximately 45-minute ceremony, emceed by Valentino Giorgio III, the county’s Republican Committee chairman, was held at the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall in Philips Memorial Building. It began with powerful a cappella version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Chester County Deputy Sheriff Wayne Johnson.

DiGiorgio noted that Republicans have led the county for 150 years, a tenure that has resulted in a host of accolades. In addition to being one of only three counties in the nation to hold three AAA bond ratings, Chester County repeatedly shows up in the top 10 on lists touting the best places to live and work. It has also preserved 26 percent of its land, DiGiorgio added.

He said he had no doubt that the new officials would “continue on with that legacy.” The GOP chair introduced Republican Commissioners Terence Farrell and Michelle Kichline, both of whom were sworn in by newly-elected Chester County Court Judge Allison Bell Royer.

Farrell, a native of southern Chester County who was elected 2011 Citizen of the Year by the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce, is beginning his third term as commissioner. Kichline, whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from Hungary in 1956, was appointed in 2015 to fill the unexpired term of U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, R-Pa.; she was elected to a four-year term in November.

Chester County Democratic Party Chairman Brian McGinnis introduced Democratic Commissioner Kathi Cozzone, referencing her distinguished service since 2008. As an example, he spotlighted her efforts to establish the county’s Pipeline Notification Protocol, a communications conduit for operators and municipalities. Her work in the county led to her appointment to the state Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force, McGinnis said.

President Judge Jacqueline C. Cody recited the oaths for District Attorney Thomas P. Hogan, Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh, and three of the county’s 17 magisterial district judges. Hogan, who labels himself a "hard and scary man" from the perspective of criminals, according to DiGiorgio, is beginning his second term as the county's top law-enforcement officer.

Welsh, one of only 39 female sheriffs in the country, has enjoyed a history of hurdling gender barriers, including leadership positions in the National Sheriffs' Association, DiGiorgio said. She was reelected to her fourth term in November. Cody added that in addition to Welsh's superior performance on the job, "she makes us smile all the time."

Magisterial District Judges Gregory Hines and Grover E. Koons, who both won reelection to six-year terms and serve areas of Valley Township and Coatesville respectively, were joined by newcomer Marian Thayer Vito, who will preside in West Chester.

Royer swore in Prothonotary Matt Holliday and Register of Wills Terri Clark while Judge David F. Bortner handled the ceremony for Recorder of Deeds Rick Loughery.

DiGiorgio concluded the program by extending thanks to the many family members whose support makes the officials’ public service possible and inviting the audience of several hundred to an informal reception in the concert hall.

“We sometimes forget the sacrifices that those people have to make,” DiGiorgio said, citing the demands that sometimes interrupt holidays and family outings.

(Top photo: Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan, (from left) Register of Wills Terri Clark, Prothonotary Matt Holliday, Magisterial District Judge Marian Thayer Vito, Magisterial District Judge Grover E. Koon, Commissioner Kathi Cozzone, Commissioner Michelle Kichline, Magisterial District Judge Gregory Hines, Commissioner Terence Farrell, Sheriff Carolyn 'Bunny' Welsh,  and Recorder of Deeds Rick Loughery pose after the swearing-in ceremonies.)