Some new faces joined the ranks of elected officials Monday as Circuit Judge Ray W. Grubbs administered the oath of office in the courtroom of the county courthouse.

Among those taking the oath of office were newly-elected town Mayor Will Griffin, council members Bruce Turner and Karen Agnew Bingham, Courthouse district supervisor Casey Clinger and school board member Linda King

Indian Valley Supervisor Fred Gerald, who ran for re-election unopposed, was also sworn in.

The new officials take office on Jan. 1.  King defeated incumbent Howard Cundiff by 62 percent, an incredible voter rejection of an sitting office holder.

All face daunting challenges when they assume their seats: continuing budget cuts from the Commonwealth, high unemployment and a stagnant county economy that mirrors the problems elsewhere in Virginia and the nation.

Wish them luck. They will need it, along with support from Floyd County’s normally passive electorate.