Sue Parrigin gives an interview Friday after being sworn in to the Bowling Green City Commission at City Hall. (Austin Anthony/Daily News)

The Bowling Green City Commission for 2015 was sworn in Friday at City Hall.

The four people who will make up the commission next year – Joe Denning, Melinda Hill, Sue Parrigin and Rick Williams – swore to support the constitution, faithfully execute their office and vowed they have never fought a duel with deadly weapons.

The promise that they have never fought a duel is an old part of the Kentucky’s oath of office and usually draws a laugh when said.

Parrigin, who will be the only new face on the commission in January, said she was excited to have taken the oath.

The journey to becoming a city commissioner is one that has lasted nearly a year, she said. “It was last January when I put my name in for this role,” Parrigin said.

She said the experience of running for office has been one of the most humbling of her life.

“I would do this all over again,” Parrigin said.

To prepare for her new position, she has met with all the directors of city departments as well as the mayor and other commissioners and is reading the material they recommend to get up to speed about what is happening in the city, she said. 

In the coming year, the city budget and economic development will be top issues, Parrigin said.

One of the most pressing issues is making sure the city government gets out of the way of businesses and industries as they expand, she said.

The swearing-in ceremony was followed by open houses, both for Bowling Green in the city commission chambers and for Warren County in the courtroom at the courthouse.

Barbara Johnson of Bowling Green said she and husband Glen Johnson always come to the county open house. “We just enjoy it, and I think it’s very nice that they do that for the people,” she said.

Glen Johnson worked with the Alvaton Volunteer Fire Department for 41 years and said he gets to see old friends at the event.

Roger Miller of Plano said the county open house gives him an opportunity to see old friends.

Miller is commander of American Legion Post 23 in Bowling Green and serves on the city/county Military Liaison Board and was on the committee that helped set up the county’s veteran memorial outside the courthouse.

— Follow reporter Katie Brandenburg on Twitter at twitter.com/BGDNgovtbeat or visit bgdailynews.com.