Dec 21, 2017 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – A bright, sunny December afternoon welcomed the newest batch of public officials in Greene County.

President Judge Farley Toothman noted the investiture of officials in the courthouse’s main courtroom Thursday was held earlier than years prior to avoid a gap in service, in part because the first day of the new year falls on a Monday.

“To invest is also what the public has done when it has elected us to serve,” Toothman said of the faith the public holds in their elected officials, expecting them to be open, honest, transparent and creative in their service.

Friends, family and fellow elected officials filled the courtroom as each new or reelected candidate recited and signed their oath of office to uphold the constitution of the nation and commonwealth.

Among the township supervisors, tax collectors and auditors sworn in from townships across the county were Carmichaels Mayor David Jack, Sheriff Brian Tennant, acting controller Carol Gooden and a 20-year-old college student.

Judge Lou Dayich asked for an extra round of applause to congratulate the youngest person being sworn in to office that day. Erin Kline, who mounted a successful write-in campaign, said she wanted to run for Rices Landing Borough Council because now she’ll be a fourth-generation member. She’s currently a junior accounting major at California University of Pennsylvania and said she is excited to serve and see what she can bring to the borough.

Outgoing controller David Balint was robed by his wife, Kayla, after he was sworn in as the new district judge for Waynesburg and communities in the western part of the county. Kayla later took the oath herself as Waynesburg borough tax collector. Balint said he’s “ready to get to work” in the coming new year and appreciates the confidence the community has put in him in this new role. Balint had been controller since 2008 before seeking the judge’s seat this year.

Toothman told a quick anecdote about an old chair Balint had found on eBay. The old wooden seat, labeled “justice” across the top, now sits in Toothman’s own courtroom, a seat that looks as if it could only fit in a hall of justice. Toothman joked because he bought it, Balint couldn’t take it himself and set it at his dining room table.

Incoming coroner Gene Rush was all smiles and said he’s been trying to learn about his new job ahead of the new year. He defeated longtime coroner Greg Rohanna by just four votes in the November election.

“This has been a learning year for all of us,” he said.

Rush operated his own funeral home for 31 years and said he’s grown accustomed to that line of work. He’s not yet trying to reinvent the office, but is looking to make the transition as smooth as he can. Rush added he’s looking forward to working with the district attorney and local law enforcement.