by Geoff Fox
Officials who were elected during the January 28 municipal election were officially sworn in to their respective seats as mayor and councilmen on Monday. The town’s new police chief was also sworn in during a special meeting on February 11.
Mayor Ralph Salvagno was sworn in for his second term as Hancock’s mayor after defeating Nigel Dardar 224 votes to 62 votes.
Mayor Ralph Salvagno and Roland Lanehart Jr.
Councilman Tim Smith was sworn in for his fourth term. He was the top vote getter in the January 28 municipal election with 169 votes.
Roland Lanehart, Jr. was sworn in for his first term as councilman. He narrowly defeated incumbent Levi Little by just nine votes, 142 to 133.
The special meeting was well attended by friends and family of those being sworn in.
After a prayer from Rev. Allan Weatherholt, Mayor Ralph Salvagno was sworn in by Kevin Tucker, Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Tucker then swore in Tim Smith and Lanehart.
Mayor Salvagno then swore in Rick Cook, officially making him the Hancock Chief of Police. Chief Cook was promoted during the January town meeting.
After everyone was sworn in, Salvagno allowed outgoing councilman Levi Little a chance to speak about his four years on the Hancock town council.
Little thanked everyone for those four years, and the support he received during that time.
“We have a good group of people here that are doing the best they can for this town,” he said.
He also congratulated Smith and Lanehart on their victories.
“Good luck and best wishes to everybody,” Little said.
Smith then got the microphone and thanked everyone for having faith in him to do “what I do up here at our meetings” and making the decisions for the town.
He also thanked Little for bringing new things to the table during his four years and keeping officials on their toes and things moving along.
Salvagno then asked Lanehart to come to his seat on the council.
Lanehart briefly thanked everyone who supported him.
“I’ll do my best to do what’s right for the town. Thank you all,” he said.
Chief Cook also briefly said a few words, thanking officials for having faith in him and saying he’d do the best job he can to keep Hancock safe for everyone.
Salvagno said he would give a “state of the town” review and discuss what could be coming in the next two to four years during the town meeting tonight, Wednesday, February 13.
Roland Lanehart Jr., Hancock councilman.
