Jason Kirkland was sworn in as chairman of the Swain County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 4, marking the end of an appointment process marred by transparency concerns and procedural misunderstandings. 

The swearing-in ceremony began 15 minutes late, the individual facilitating the ceremony was not using a microphone and the oath began before attendees knew where to look. 

It’s nice to have an elected board of representatives who care about their county and are willing to fight for what they think is right.

Well, maybe fight isn’t the right word — that is, unless you’re on Swain County’s board of commissioners. 

Following a lengthy closed session during the Swain County Board of Commission’s July 2 work session, commission chair Kevin Seagle said the board had reached a consensus that it would obtain the advice of a lawyer to draft a code of conduct. 

Two seats are open on the Swain County Board of Commissioners in 2024, and while three Republicans squaring off in the Primary Election are probably treating this like a General Election since no Democrats filed, one unaffiliated candidate is trying to muster enough support to appear on the November General Election ballot.