Newly elected Newton County Board of Commissioners Chairman Marcello Banes readied himself to take a different kind of oath during the Swearing In Ceremony of county elected officials on Dec. 29 at the Historic Courthouse.

Banes proposed to long-time girlfriend Cheneeka Walker under the pretense of rewarding her for her help on his election. Walker said Banes is known to play tricks on her and she was not expecting the proposal at all.

At the time, Walker said she was still in shock and did not have a wedding date in mind.

The two have known each other since high school, she said.