Commissioner Jack Sikes participates in last meeting after three terms of service

YORK COUNTY – York County Commissioner Jack Sikes participated in his last county board meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 7, after three terms (12 years) of service.

​Commissioner Sikes first ran for office after he retired from a very long career with the York Police Department. He obviously won that election and was reelected twice.
In 2024, he made the decision to not seek reelection.
On Thursday, Jan. 9, at 9 a.m., Joe Burgess will take the oath of office, filling the District 5 position which has been held by Commissioner Sikes. Also taking the oath of office Thursday will be District 2 Commissioner LeRoy Ott.
In closing out his last meeting, Sikes said he wanted to make a statement. “It’s been a privilege to sit here. I know we are elected by the people to do what the people want, not by our own personal opinions. We need to look at the whole county. I have wanted to do that and think I have.”
He also read from “American’s Creed,” which was written in 1917 by William Tyler Page and accepted by the United States House of Representatives on April 3, 1918. “I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies foreign and domestic.
“If you have been listening to the news, our current president released Cuban detainees into the United States along with many others who crossed the southern border,” Sikes said. “It’s time we have a change and I’m thankful we will have one.
“When Joe (Burgess) asked me if he could do this job, I think young blood can help us do many things and I think he is the person to do it,” Sikes said further.
“We want to thank you for the last 12 years,” Commissioner Chairman Randy Obermier said to Sikes as he presented him with an engraved cup. “This board has changed a lot over the years,” in reference to the different members and many different issues before them. “We appreciate all your work.”