By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Having been appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to finish out the current remaining term of Madison County’s Supervisor of Elections, Thomas R. “Tommy” Hardee was officially sworn into office in the main courtroom of the Madison County Courthouse, Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 5 p.m.
After a brief opening prayer by Jenny Andrews, Hardee’s wife Kaila held the Bible while Judge Wetzel Blair administered the oath of office, as a courtroom filled with family, friends, neighbors and citizens witnessed the occasion.
The office had been vacant a little over six weeks when Hardee stepped in, after having been selected a few days earlier by Gov. Scott from a pool of several applicants.
The son of Cary A. Hardee (of Cary Hardee Law Firm) and his wife Patsy, the younger Hardee, an insurance agent and volunteer firefighter, became slightly emotional when he addressed the gathered crowd after the brief ceremony.
Stating that he had met with one of the best election supervisors in the state of Florida over in Bay County, he had several ideas for changes in the Madison Supervisor of Elections office, “changes for the good…the door will always be open.”
His words reflected those of Octavius Tookes, who spoke of “a peacemaker in the midst of our trials.”
Hardee and his wife Kaila remained in front of the courtroom for several minutes afterward as well-wishers came by to shake hands and congratulate the new Supervisor of Elections for Madison County.
Hardee will finish out the current term, which expires Nov. 19, 2012.
Kaila Hardee (center) holds the Bible while Judge Wetzel Blair (left) administers the oath of office to her husband, Tommy (right).
Left to right, new Supervisor of Elections Tommy Hardee (holding son Tuff), wife Kaila Hardee, parents Patsy and Cary Hardee, sister-in-law Suzi and brother Bo Hardee.
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