by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Surrounded by a courtroom filled with his family, friends and colleagues, Circuit Court Judge John Merrett was officially sworn in Thursday by Chief Judge Donald Moran.
A procession of guests, including former mayors Ed Austin and John Delaney, judges and the presidents of North Florida’s Bar associations spoke of Merrett’s accomplishments.
Austin said Merrett was ”a good, solid prosecutor” during the seven years he worked in the State Attorney’s Office.
“The most different thing for me to deal with other than being addressed with an honorific title is that now I am somehow an equal to people I have admired,” said Merrett. “I find myself seated among giants.”
The last order Judge Merrett issued from the bench on the day of his investiture was for everyone present to join him and take a moment to count the blessings of their lives and give thanks for them.
Also at the investiture:
• Judge Merrett recalled the time more than 23 years ago when he realized the financial implications of his impending marriage. He said he got a job as a convenience store clerk, then as a lawn maintenance crew supervisor. “I’ve always aspired to leadership,” he said.
• Circuit Judge Fred Tygart presented Merrett with his official nameplate and said it might be useful for keeping unruly litigants in line. He then added that because Merrett will be serving in criminal court and having police officers in his courtroom, if he ever needs to use the nameplate, Merrett “will be in deep ... trouble.”
• Nassau County Bar Association President Terri Sopp said she wouldn’t spend any time “bragging about our new courthouse,” to which Chief Judge Moran replied, “You’d better not do that – Mayor Delaney is here.”
• Former Mayor John Delaney said he had arrived at the County Courthouse for the investiture with former Mayor Ed Austin and both had the same impression: “Other than this courtroom, this place is a dump.” Delaney also said, “it’s nice to see lawyers kissing up to judges. Ed and I don’t have to do that anymore.”