Shortly after noon on New Year’s Eve, the Honorable John O. Linde was sworn into his first elected term as Superior Court Judge. A crowd of about 30 friends, attorneys, and county office-holders and employees attended the courtroom ceremony in Friday Harbor. District Court Judge Stewart Andrew administered the oath.

Judge Linde said that taking the oath after being elected by a vote of the people was even more meaningful than the great honor of being appointed San Juan County’s first fulltime Superior Court Judge by Governor Christine Gregoire last December. He will serve a four-year term.

The expiring terms of other county office holders will continue past the first of the year.

The current county council will convene for a final, special session on Jan. 5. The two newly elected members of the council will be sworn into office a week later, at 10 a.m. on Jan. 12.