New Ellis, Ellis County commissioners take office

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Newly elected members of the Ellis County Commission and Ellis City Council were sworn into office Monday evening before their respective first meetings.

Ellis county commissioners were sworn in by Ellis County Clerk Donna Maskus. Butch Schlyer, R-Hays, was elected to the First District seat formerly held by Marcy McClelland. Dustin Roths, R-Hays, was appointed in December by Republican Party precinct chair members to fill the Second District seat vacated by Barb Wasinger, who was elected 111th District state representative.

Schlyer is the retired longtime Ellis County Health Administrator. Roths is owner of Diamond R Jewelry in downtown Hays.

In Ellis, City Clerk Amy Burton administered the oath of office to new council members Martin LaBarge and Steve Ferland, who were both write-ins, as well as incumbent Jolene Niernberger.

LaBarge is a retired Ellis County employee, Ferland is employed by APAC, and Niernberger is the FHSU Senior Companion director.

Ellis City Clerk Amy Burton swears in Jolene Niernberger.

Roths and Schlyer sign their oaths which become official records of Ellis County.

Ellis Co. Clerk Donna Maskus issues the oath to Dustin Roths and Butch Schlyer.

Martin LaBarge is administered his oath.

(Ellis County pictures courtesy Phillip Smith-Hanes. Ellis City Council pictures courtesy Holly Ashenbrenner.)