By TIM PRESTON — The Independent
GRAYSON — Newly elected State Rep. Jill York didn’t have any time to waste Monday as she planned to depart for a meeting with fellow Republicans a few minutes after being sworn into office in Grayson.
Before administering the oath, Judge Rupert Wilhoit spoke of the nature of public service and declared, “To some of us it’s been a calling and none of us have been called upon more than Jill York.”
Acknowledging her familiarity with Judge Wilhoit since their days in kindergarten, York spoke briefly before being flooded with handshakes and hugs from friends, family and supporters at the Carter County Justice Center, concluding the beginning of her tour of duty as an elected official as “just the beginning of a journey.”
Within mere moments she was on her way to Midway for a Republican Caucus Retreat, with plans to be in Frankfort meeting with elected officials on both sides of the party line the following day. York said her workload will be considerable, and placed being “a quick study — so I can be as sharp as my constituents expect me to be” at the top of her list of priorities.
“The incoming freshman class normally has a few weeks to get ready. I will have a few days and we know that,” York said with a soft smile.
While she fully anticipates her first session in the state legislature to be focused on budgetary considerations, York said she carries the concerns of Carter and Lewis counties to the state capital with her.
“I want to watch for chances to improve our economy with jobs,” York said. “And, I want to see how we might aggressively combat the drug problems in Carter and Lewis counties. All of those were key points of my campaign.”
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.
