Photo courtesy Gov. Mike Parson's office

Gov. Mike Parson is sworn in Jan. 11 after winning the gubernatorial election in November.

Parson sworn in for next term

BY: SBJ Staffsbj@sbj.net

Posted online January 11, 2021 | 12:14 pm

Locals appointed to county jobs by Parson

Gov. Mike Parson made a handful of appointments last week, with two impacting area counties.

Parson filled vacancies for the Polk County clerk and Lawrence County recorder of deeds, according to a news release.

Bobbi Lear, of Bolivar, was named county clerk. She's most recently held managerial positions with Walmart Inc. and Woods Supermarket, and her past experience includes work for Polk County Mutual Insurance Co. and Western Shamrock Corp.

Pam Robertson, of Mount Vernon, was named by Parson as recorder of deeds in Lawrence County. She previously served in the interim after leading the office from 1999 until her 2018 retirement, according to the release.

Parson on Jan. 8 announced five appointments to boards and commissions and filled seven county office vacancies throughout the state.

Gov. Mike Parson this morning was among elected officials sworn in for their next terms.

Parson, a Republican from Bolivar, in November defeated state Auditor Nicole Galloway at the polls. It's the first elected term as governor for Parson, who took over in 2018 after the abrupt resignation of former Gov. Eric Greitens.

"From rural areas to the big cities, Missouri offers so much to so many,” Parson said at the livestreamed inauguration. “That is the Missouri I know. That is the Missouri I love. That’s why I am confident in our future.”

Parson was sworn in by Judge Sarah Castle, who represents the 16th judicial circuit in Jackson County, according to a news release.

In Jefferson City today, Springfield-area resident Scott Fitzpatrick also was sworn in as treasurer.

A Republican, Fitzpatrick was appointed by Parson to the position in late 2018. The owner of Shell Knob-based MariCorps US LLC, Fitzpatrick previously was a member of the Missouri House of Representatives, according to past reporting.

Fitzpatrick in November defeated Democratic challenger Vicki Lorenz Englund.

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Attorney General Eric Schmitt were sworn in this morning, as well, according to the release.