Longtime State Representative and State Senator Brad Hawkins took his oath of office as the newest Chelan County Commissioner inside the historic county courthouse on Monday.
Commissioner Kevin Overbay was also sworn-in to a third term. Three Superior Court judges will also start new terms on Wednesday.
Hawkins gets to stay closer to home and his constituents in assuming a job that his father, Buell Hawkins, once held.
"I'm honored to have this opportunity," said Hawkins, after he recited the oath. "My father was a Chelan County Commissioner from 2001-2008, representing District 3, and he was there when I took my oath of office, and that was special.
"I was literally moving my furniture items and things into his old office," Hawkins shared when speaking of beginning his new job in the role that his father once served. "He had a long and proud public legacy of service to the Chelan and Manson area and to being very accessible and I plan to kinda try and continue on in the same manner."
"Even before I took the oath of office, I've been working with the Sheriff, working with county staff to make them aware of some of the additional grant funding opportunities that perhaps the county hasn't yet tapped into," Hawkins said, in referring to his experience as 12th District State Representative and State Senator. "I'm fortunate because I have that foundational knowledge and inner workings behind the curtain of Olympia, that I hope that I can bring to the county."
"Chelan County does have some challenges," said Hawkins. "Our budget that was approved for 2025 is wildly out of balance. Even despite the healthy reserves that the county has, I am concerned about the structural imbalance of the budget going forward and there might be some tough times ahead for Chelan County to try to get that more in line."
Once Hawkins occupies his new county office on Wednesday, "I hope people feel very hospitable when they come in, because really these positions exist to serve the people who elect you," said the incoming commissioner. "Hopefully people will always feel that they were heard and respected whenever they visit the commissioners' chambers or interact with me."
"I really wanted my office at the county represent Chelan County, but have a focus on District 3, so I got this large canvas print of Lake Chelan and it has the mountains in the background and I also have photos from throughout the district," Hawkins said. "I have my father's wood, Buell Hawkins, Chelan County Commissioner, name badge from when he was a Chelan County Commissioner."
During the final Chelan County Commission meeting of the year on Monday, commissioners and County Administrator Cathy Mulhall took the occasion to bid farewell to Commissioner Tiffany Gering, who decided not run for re-election.
"I just wanted to thank her on behalf of the public, that we'll miss having your face here in the office," said Mulhall. "wish you all the best."
"I couldn't agree more, it's been a fantastic two years; I wish we had more years together on the board," Commissioner Shon Smith said. " I have certainly appreciated your contributions to me being a commissioner as well and your contributions to Chelan County, so thank you."
"Thanks for making the sacrifices you made on behalf of the citizens over the past four years, Tiffany," Commissioner Kevin Overbay shared. "I wish you the best in your future endeavors."
Comments