San Juan County’s newly-elected County Counselors are ready to begin their tenure. In a livestreamed ceremony, on Dec. 29, Christine Minney and Cindy Wolf were sworn into office by San Juan County Superior Court Judge Katheryn Loring. Due to the COVID pandemic, people were not permitted to attend in person, but that didn’t stop the two council members’ families from virtually attending — including some in Georgia.

“Thank you [to] everybody who came to this unprecedented event today, I’m so grateful for all of your support,” Minney said after taking the oath.

“Thank you so much for taking the time for celebrating this moment with us,” Wolf echoed. “I’m looking forward to doing great work and making you all proud.”

Both women were elected to their respective positions — Minney to represent District 1, which includes San Juan Island, and Wolf to represent District 2, which includes Orcas Island — in the November General election. Their four-year term on the council officially begins on Jan. 1, 2021.

Prominent figures in the local community also took the time to congratulate both women on their successful campaigns.

“On behalf of the town of Friday Harbor, we welcome you both to the council,” said Town of Friday Harbor Administrator Duncan Wilson.

Jamie Stephens, the council member from Lopez, stated, “Really looking forward to working with the new council. … They’ve already been working hard. …I think this with be both fun and good for the county.”

Noting that events such as this ceremony make her teary, San Juan Island Chamber Executive Director Becki Day noted, “I want to congratulate Christine, we’re really proud of you.” She continued that she looks forward to getting to know Wolf.

“I wish you all the best in the coming years,” Day said.

At the end of the ceremony, Wolf shared with Loring, Minney and the audience a text she received during the event that stated, “I love it, the best public thing I’ve attended in my underwear.”