By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
County officials started the new year with a celebration, a swearing-in ceremony for those re-elected and elected in the November 2022 General Election.
The elected officials, members of their families, friends and supporters gathered for the event in the second-floor courtroom of the historic Val Verde County Courthouse Jan. 1.
“Happy New Year”s and “Feliz Año Nuevo”s filled the air as audience members greeted each other and settled in their seats, and the officials-elect took their seats in the jury box.
The event began with Val Verde Sheriff’s Office Lt. Roy Barrera announcing the arrival of six judges to be sworn in and asking audience members to rise. The judges filed into the courtroom: 83rd Judicial District Judge Robert E. Cadena, County Court-At-Law Judge Sergio J. Gonzalez, Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 Antonio Faz III, Justice of the Peace Pct. 3 Pat Cole, Justice of the Peace Pct. 4 Hilda Castillo Lopez and County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr.
Owens introduced Cadena, who gave the invocation.
“The Good Book has many teachings in it, and one scripture that is very pertinent today goes as follows, ‘To the ones that are given much, much is expected; but to the one who is entrusted with much, much more will be asked.’ Lord, You’ve entrusted these elected officials with great duties. We ask that You guide us in these duties, and we ask that we be humble in carrying out these duties, and trustworthy for the citizens who elected us to perform these important functions for the community,” Cadena prayed.
Following the invocation, all present faced the U.S. flag at the front of the courtroom and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Owens administered the oath of office to Cadena, as Cadena’s wife, Cami Cadena, held the Bible.
Owens next administered the oath of office to County Court-At-Law Judge Sergio J. Gonzalez. Gonzalez’s wife, Diana Gonzalez, held the Bible, as other members of his family, including Blanca Larson, Jimena Rodriguez, Daisy Gonzalez Diaz, Ismael Diaz and Nicholas Diaz, joined him.
Gonzalez in turn administered the oath of office to Owens, as Owens’ wife, Sylvia Owens, held the Bible. Members of the Owens’ family stood with him as he took the oath, including his son Lewis G. “Trey” Owens III, his daughter Mercedez Zapata, her husband Robert Zapata and their son, RJ Zapata; his mother Jenny Owens, his sister Lena Bermea and Bob Sanchez.
Gonzalez administered the oath of office to County Commissioner Pct. 2 Juan Carlos Vazquez. His daughter, Caroline Vazquez, who held the Bible, and his mother, Rosa Vazquez, joined Vazquez. Also standing with the commissioner were Yvette Treviño, Tony Saldana and Andrea Canchola.
Gonzalez also administered the oath of office to County Commissioner Pct. 4 Gustavo “Gus” Flores. His mother Herlinda Flores, his father Jesus Flores, his sons Gus Flores Jr. and George Flores and his brother-in-law Ricky Gonsalez joined Flores.
Gonzalez administered the oath of office to Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 Antonio Faz III, as Faz’s wife, Jo Ann Faz, held the Bible.
Cadena administered the oath of office to Justice of the Peace Pct. 3 Pat Cole, as one of Cole’s deputies, Belinda Rodriguez-Esquivel, held the Bible.
Gonzalez administered the oath of office to Justice of the Peace Pct. 4 Hilda Castillo Lopez, as Lopez’s husband, Del Rio City Councilman Jesus Lopez Jr., held the Bible. Joining Lopez as she took her oath were Jesus Lopez III, Kayla Lopez Rodriguez, Makayla Rae Lopez, Tina Montejano, Tina Castillo, Virginia Lopez and Sylvia Martinez.
Newly-elected Val Verde County Clerk Esther Chapoy was sworn in next.
Cadena administered the oath of office, as Chapoy’s grandson, Zayn Chapoy, held the Bible and her son, Andre Chapoy, looked on.
A crowd of family members joined District Clerk Jo Ann Cervantes at the front of the courtroom as Gonzalez administered her oath of office.
Her husband, Mario Cervantes, held the Bible. Other family members included her son and daughter-in-law, Mario Cervantes III and their children, Klariza and Mario Alejandro; her daughter and son-in-law, Ashley and Randy Grace and their children, Aydin, Aniya and Elliana; her daughter and son-in-law, Amie Rae and Steven Maldonado; her sister, Diane Alcala; and her mother, Janie Jones.
Owens finished the ceremony with the swearing-in of County Surveyor Abner Martinez, whose wife, Maria Martinez, held the Bible as he took the oath of office.
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