Garland welcomes new deputy clerk

GARLAND — After placing her hand on a Bible and taking an oath, Annette Ricketson is looking forward to her next journey as the town’s deputy clerk.

Ricketson was sworn in during the November regular meeting for the Garland Board of Commissioners. Prior to her new position, she served as a North Carolina paralegal for more than 15 years in the Clinton area. She grew up in the Clinton area and is a graduate of Union High School. After earning her diploma, she continued her education at Sampson Community College.

“I’m very excited about being here,” she said. “I’m a native of Sampson County and I’m becoming more and more familiar with folks in the town.”

Some of her duties as deputy clerk will include processing payments, billings, and assigning work orders to public works employees. Ricketson is also the clerk for the zoning department. Along with Town Clerk Pam Cashwell, she’s also looking forward to helping residents during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m very excited to be a part of that,” Ricketson said. “I’ve been out in the neighborhood and the community presenting new information that came down from (N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper) and passing that information out to the businesses here.”

Some of it involved wearing face masks, social distancing, hand washing and sanitizing hands.

“We’re just trying to remind people that we need to be doing these important things to have better control on this COVID thing,” she said.

During the recent board meeting held virtually, Mayor Winifred Murphy and Cashwell introduced Ricketson to the public and commissioners.

“At this time we are pleased to welcome our new deputy clerk,” Murphy said. “We welcome you to the Town of Garland and we look forward to working with you.”

Ricketson said she thankful for the opportunity.

“I’m just excited to be here and I look forward to being here a long time,” Ricketson said.