A recent ceremony welcomed the county's newest elected officials to their respective positions in local government.

Probate Judge Jennifer Burt administered the oaths of office for several officials taking office on Jan. 1, including newcomers to county politics; District 1 Commissioner Sharon Fausett and School board member Karen Armstrong.

"I look forward to working with each and every one of you," Burt said. "I thank you for the opportunity to do this. It's such an honor to be able to work here in our county with such great people."

Fausett, 63, secured the District 1 seat when she came out the victor in a three-way race during the Republican Primary in May.

With more than 58 percent of the vote over runner-up Corey Gutherie's 24.7 percent and Kevin Ellison, who received 16.8 percent of the vote, Fausett takes office on Jan. 1.

There were no Democrats vying for the seat.

A Dawson County native and former school teacher, Fausett served as director for the Dawson County Department of Family and Children Services for nearly a decade.

She and her husband Danny currently operate an agri-tourism destination on the county's west side.

Fausett, who served on the county tax assessor's board and comprehensive land-use committee, succeeds two-term Commissioner Gary Pichon, who chose not to seek re-election.

She has opted to delay speaking publicly on her goals as commissioner until after her first meeting, which will be held at 4 p.m. Jan. 8 on the second floor of the Dawson County Government Center.

Armstrong's first meeting as a member of the board of education is at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 6.

"I'm so excited to finally be on the board. I've got a lot to learn in the next year, but I can't wait to learn from their [the current board's] knowledge," she said.

Armstrong, who ran unopposed, will be replacing retiring 25-year board of education veteran Cecil Bennett following his term that wraps up at the end of the month.

A native of north Georgia, Armstrong is currently employed as the administration officer at the University of North Georgia's Military Science Department.

She previously held the position as the assistant registrar at the Dawson County Board of Elections and has held numerous volunteer positions, such as PTSO President for Dawson County Middle School, a founding member of Dawson County High School PTSO in 2009 and an overall PTSO member since 2006.

District 3 Commissioner Jimmy Hamby and board of education member Will Wade were also sworn-in for their new terms during the ceremony.