PORT ANGELES — Jim McEntire was sworn in Friday as a Clallam County commissioner.
More than 100 people packed the old courtroom in the original wing of the Clallam County Courthouse to witness McEntire taking the oath of office.
Clallam County District Court Judge Rick Porter officiated the ceremony.
“I will covet being accountable to you,” McEntire told the crowd after he was sworn in.
“If you see me running astray, I ask that you give me a good, swift kick to get back on the path.”
McEntire, a 61-year-old Republican from Sequim, was formerly a Port of Port Angeles commissioner.
The retired Coast Guard captain will now serve as a county commissioner for District 1, the eastern third of the county.
McEntire will work alongside commissioners Mike Chapman, a political independent who represents central Clallam County, and Mike Doherty, a Democrat who represents the West End.
Countywide voters picked McEntire over Sequim Democrat Linda Barnfather 52.1 percent to 47.9 percent in the November election to replace Steve Tharinger on the county board.
Tharinger, who is also a state representative in District 24 — which covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and part of Grays Harbor County — did not seek re-election to his county post so he could focus his attention on the Legislature.
McEntire’s appointment represents the first change in membership to the Board of Clallam County Commissioners since Chapman took office 11 years ago. McEntire’s first county board meeting is Tuesday.
Four Cs
McEntire said he was inspired by the Concerned Citizens of Clallam County, or Four C, and came up with his own four Cs to describe how he will govern.
“My four Cs are constructive, collegial, commonsensical and conservative,” McEntire said, drawing applause.
McEntire said he will try to conduct himself by the following principles: fidelity to the U.S. and state Constitutions, individual liberty, self-determination and local control.
“I will agree when I can and disagree when principle requires — all within an envelope of respect for others’ views and with an ear thirsty to listen,” McEntire said in prepared remarks that he provided Thursday.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
