Commissioners elect Drake as chair

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HURON – As they reorganized for 2019, Beadle County commissioners elected Denis Drake to serve as their next chairman, while Doug Ramsell was elected vice chairman.
All but one of the county officials elected without opposition in November were sworn in for their new terms at Tuesday’s meeting.

Drake, who succeeds Tom Hansen as chairman, was first elected to the commission in 2006. Ramsell has been on the board since his election in 2016.
Taking the oath of office were three commissioners: Larry Mattke, district five; Drake, district one; and Hansen, district three.
Also sworn in for new terms were Sheriff Doug Solem and Register of Deeds Barb O’Riley. Gary Gould, appointed coroner last spring after the resignation of George Kuhler, also took the oath after his election to the post in November.
Auditor Jill Hanson will take the oath of office in early March, complying with state statute for county auditors in South Dakota.