Taking the oath: Ronan judge, reserve officer sworn in last week
Caleb M. Soptelean
Outgoing Ronan Municipal Judge Justin L. Bartels swears in his replacement, Randy Melton, last week.
Caleb M. Soptelean
Far left, Jonathan Gilliland is sworn in as a Ronan Police reserve officer last week by Police Chief Ken Weaver.
Caleb M. Soptelean
Gilliland stands with his two boys, Matthew, 3, and Andrew, 2.
Caleb M. Soptelean
Caleb M. Soptelean
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RONAN — A couple of men were given their oaths of office last week.
Randy Melton, 57, a longtime local rancher, was sworn-in as Ronan’s municipal judge by the man he will replace on Dec. 31: Justin L. Bartels.
Bartels, who has served in the one-day-a-week position since 2009, said he will continue his full-time job as chief flight medic for Kalispell Regional Medical Center’s A.L.E.R.T. air ambulance.
Melton, whose wife Kaylene Melton has been Ronan city clerk since December 2005, said he has been a computer numeric control (CMC) maintenance technician at Jore Corp. for 15 years.
Melton, who ran as a write-in candidate, was the only one to run for Bartels’ position last month. He will serve on Tuesdays in Ronan City Court.
Reserve officer
Lake County detention officer Jonathan Gilliland was sworn-in as a reserve or volunteer police officer last week by Police Chief Ken Weaver.
Gilliland, a Ronan native, was accompanied to the ceremony by his sons, Matthew, 3, and Andrew, 2.
