BY HANNAH LESTER
HLESTER@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
LEE COUNTY —
Richard LaGrand was sworn in as Lee County District 5 commissioner Monday night during the regular meeting of the Lee County Commission.
In a last-minute addition to the county commission agenda, LaGrand was sitting to the side of the commission chambers before the meeting started, holding a Bible and waiting to be sworn in.
LaGrand is filling the vacant seat after former District 5 Commissioner John Andrew Harris’ death in January.
Harris served for two decades on the commission up until 2018 when he decided to run for state office.
At that time, LaGrand won the District 5 seat.
When it came time for the last election cycle in 2022, both candidates ran and Harris won.
Some of the issues that LaGrand ran his platform on include broadband access in the county and distributing American Rescue Plan funds.
“I try to make sure that I communicate, and then two, I’m a good listener so I like listening to people,” he said last fall while running.
LaGrand was sworn in by retired Probate Judge Hal Smith.
“A lot of you are here for the swearing-in ceremony,” LaGrand said, addressing the crowd. “And I want to let y’all know that I went out and invested in a brand-new Bible. It’s kind of heavy so I’d like to invite [Opelika] Mayor Gary Fuller and Jack Robinson up to help me hold the Bible.”
LaGrand’s appointment came from Gov. Kay Ivey, according to the necessary process after a commissioner dies or must step down.
This is not the first occasion in recent history that this has occurred. In 2020, the commission lost District 2 Commissioner Johnny Lawrence to COVID-19 and needed an appointment from Ivey to fill the seat.
Smith said he was honored to swear in LaGrand.
“I’ve performed this duty numerous times and I hope it will be a successful one,” Smith said.