DeKalb County officials who won election and re-election to new and extended terms of office took the oath of office in a joint ceremony on Jan. 3 at Saint Philip AME Church.

The event, billed as a “unity inauguration,” included county, courts and School Board members. The oaths were administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice Carol Hunstein.

Among those taking the oath were CEO Burrell Ellis, Commissioner Lee May and State Court Judge Dax Lopez, who won re-election in contested races.

The other elected officials and judges were unopposed for their re-election. Three new School Board members – Dr. Melvin Johnson, Jim McMahan and Marshall Orson – and Pam Speaks, who won re-election in a contested race, also were among those taking the oath.

Hunstein also administered the oath to Rockdale County’s slate of eight African-American Democrats on Dec. 30.

The Democrats swept the November 2012 Rockdale election, turning the county government black and blue for the first time in its history.

Hundreds of family members, friends and well-wishers packed the Rockdale Auditorium for the historic ceremony.

Those taking office are Chief Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten; Probate Judge Charles Mays; Tax Commissioner RJ Hadley; Coroner George Levett; and his nephew, Sheriff Eric Levett. They join CEO/Chairman Richard Oden, Commissioner Oz Nesbitt and Clerk of Courts Ruth Wilson, who won second four-year terms.