Magistrate Ron Bane took his oath of office over his grandmother’s Bible on Thursday.
“I feel blessed to be able to do this and I’m looking forward to serving the county and doing the best I can,” Bane said.
The Bible was given to Bane’s father in 1967 and is kept in a cedar case. Bane used it for his ceremony to honor his grandmother, he said. She died when he was just 2.
Bane was elected to replace Magistrate Hershel Mullins, a 32-year veteran of the court, in the June 9 primary election. Mullins, 70, died June 13 and Bane was appointed by Chief Judge Phillip Gaujot.
“It happened faster than I thought and it’s under really strained circumstances. We didn’t want to make too much of this because the loss of Hershel has been something the whole community is still mourning over. … But when I got the offer there was no way I was not going to take it cause that’s what I ran for and this is what I want to do.”
Bane finished his magistrate training on Wednesday and said a lot of the focus was on how to use the computer system. What was once a lot of paperwork is now mostly digital.
Amy White, Bane’s assistant, also took her oath of office on Thursday and will help Bane navigate the various court systems.
White worked with Mullins for three-and-a-half-years. She said she’s excited to work with Bane and thinks the two will make a good team.
Circuit Court Judge Cindy Scott, Monongalia County’s newest judge, performed the ceremony.
Bane’s first hearing is on Monday. He said he hopes to camp with his family before he starts.
