RBC I A new slate of elected Rio Blanco County officials will be sworn into office Tuesday, marking the end of county service by two long-standing officials who both stepped down at the end of their current terms.
Rio Blanco County Clerk and Recorder Nancy Amick decided to not seek re-election after 24 years in office and more than 30 years in the clerk and recorder’s office. Sheriff Si Woodruff is stepping down after 12 years as the county’s top law enforcement officer and 38 years as a law enforcement officer in the county, starting when he was a police officer with Meeker Police Department.
Replacing Amick will be Boots Campbell, who has been an assistant in the clerk’s office since 2007, and replacing Woodruff will be Anthony Mazzola, who has served as chief investigator for the 9th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
The county officials to be sworn into office on Tuesday include: Boots Campbell, who will replace Amick after eight years in the county clerk and recorder’s office, Shawn Bolton, who will be beginning his second term in office as county commissioner; Renae Nielson, who is entering her sixth term in office as county; Jonathan “Leif” Joy as county surveyor; and Albert Krueger as county coroner.
The swearing-in ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday in the second-floor lobby in the Rio Blanco County Courthouse. The public is welcome to attend.
In addition to those who will be sworn in Tuesday, County Treasurer Karen Arnold and her deputy, Rhonna Waldref, were, by state statute, sworn into office on Dec. 31, prior to the start of the new year.
Amick said she will complete her duties by swearing in new Clerk and Recorder Campbell, then Campbell will issue the oaths of office to the other county officials.
“I want to thank the public for allowing me to be your county clerk,” Amick said. “The various responsibilities of the office have often been very challenging, but I’ve been fortunate to share in those challenges with some wonderful people—my incredible staff and a roster of amazing election judges.
“Our successful elections over the past 24 years can be attributed to their dedication to the process, and I am forever indebted to them,” she said. “I will certainly miss the daily interaction with the people of Rio Blanco County and the kindness you’ve extended to me over the years. It has been an honor and privilege to serve you.”
Amick also pointed out that her chief deputy, Jackie Brennan, has served with her since April 1991, and is retiring on Jan. 16.
“Together, we’ve been in the election ‘trenches’ through 40 elections,” Amick said. “It’s been quite the battle at times.”
Woodruff said, “I really feel indebted to those who helped me remain in office for the past 12 years and to the voters who had confidence in me. I must say I enjoyed it. I believe I can see a lot of good in people, and that has helped me out.
“I have also worked with some great people, and without good deputies and good staff in the office, no job is easy,” he said. “My staff has been invaluable and I couldn’t have done it all without people like Undersheriff Mike Joos, just to name one of many who were highly valuable to me and to Rio Blanco County.
“I am very proud of the officers in the sheriff’s office,” he said. “And I wish them well.”
