Dustin Weitzel had a memorable birthday on Thursday.
The Dodge County Sheriff was one of several elected officials who were sworn into office by District Court Judge Geoffrey C. Hall during a ceremony at the courthouse.
The ceremony included many officials who were re-elected to office, including Dodge County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bob Missel, County Treasurer Gail Bargstadt, County Assessor Debbie Churchill, Register of Deeds Carol Givens, County Surveyor Clark Boschult and supervisors Doug Backens, Bob Bendig and Lon Strand.
Weitzel, County Attorney Pam Hopkins and County Clerk Micki Gilfry were among the new officials taking the oath.
Weitzel, a Fremont native, has been involved in law enforcement for about 24 years. In an interview with Walnut Media, he said he was grateful for the tutelage he received from former sheriffs Steve Hespen and Bob Reynolds. Hespen retired in January of 2022 while Reynolds, who succeeded Hespen, is staying on staff as Weitzel’s chief deputy.
“A lot of the things in the office have been great,” Weitzel said. “Retired Sheriff Hespen is here and Bob is here. They both ran a great office. I’m just following in their footsteps and hopefully I can keep things going as they are.”
Weitzel said he isn’t planning on any major changes for the department.
“We have a pretty good office and I’d like to keep it like it is and provide good law enforcement to the citizens of Dodge County,” he said. “I have a great group to work with. Our guys and ladies are wonderful deputies and sergeants. I think things are going to be great moving forward.”
Hopkins said she was looking forward to beginning a new chapter in her professional career.
“I’m just really excited to get started on this new journey and build a fresh foundation from which we can raise our stature in the state,” she said. “I want to do my part in administering justice in Dodge County.”
Hopkins credited her children and law office employees for their support as she pursued public office. She is also thankful for “great mentors” throughout her career, including attorney Bill Line and Judge Hall.
“I just appreciate everything that everyone has done to help me get here,” she said.
Hopkins has already met with members of the county’s technology committee to help streamline office operations.
“We’re trying to understand what we can get in place more quickly and what are the things we’ll have to approach more slowly and build a foundation,” she said. “I’m confident in the people we have working on those issues, as well as our public safety issues, are well placed and will help advance those things throughout the county.”
Gilfry has served in the county clerk’s office for 40 years. She will be replacing her mentor, Fred Mytty, who is retiring after 48 years in office.
“It is exciting and it is scary,” she said. “Those are big shoes to fill so I hope now, as an elected official, I can fill those shoes or at least come close to it. I’m just excited to get started and see where some of my visions for the office may go.”
Gilfry notes that she isn’t planning any major changes at the beginning, but is looking at possibly implementing some things in the future.
She said Mytty made an impact in her life.
“I’ve been with him for many years. We’ve gone through basically marriages to babies being born to divorces so we’ve been through it all,” she said. “As my boss he’s almost been like family to me because we’ve been through so much.”
Gilfry said her boyfriend, Rod Vashon, encouraged her to run for office. Her family, including children Jordan Backens and Nathan, have also been supportive as were colleagues in the clerk’s office.
“I just want to thank everyone for all of their support this past year with me running,” she said. “I also want to thank the voters of Dodge County for having the faith in me to step into Fred’s shoes and take over the office.”
