Sometimes things don’t go as planned.

However, for Blacksburg Mayor David Hogue and town councilmen Mike Patterson and Joe Ross, the way events transpired Tuesday evening in the municipality’s community house was a welcome surprise. In fact, it brought Hogue to tears.

“I thought we’d do something small, but I guess when you’re held with such responsibility, events like this are a big deal,” Hogue joked.

The mayor, as well as councilmen Patterson and Ross were sworn in during a brief ceremony Tuesday attended primarily by friends and family.

For Hogue, it was his eighth time being sworn into public office, each time to some capacity on Blacksburg Town Council — whether it be as a councilman or as mayor of the Upstate municipality. He was re-elected as mayor after running unopposed in elections held earlier this month.

“Whenever I say I’m not running, my wife Cheryl seems to persuade me otherwise, believing that though we’ve done much during my time on council, there are so many other good things left for us to do,” Hogue said during the ceremony. “When you have good people working with you, honestly, you could be mayor anywhere. All of council is super to serve with ... my job is a drop in the bucket compared to their duties, but they take it on and do quite a job.”

Hogue said while times have changed as well as the town’s goals, Blacksburg officials must continue keeping a close eye on every penny spent.

“Money is hard, and we’ll have to watch every dollar we spend,” Hogue said. “We must also do our best to provide jobs for the people of our town.”

A familiar face for Hogue returns to town council in the form of Patterson, who ran unopposed in earning another term representing the municipality’s 2nd District.

“If I got into one more thing my wife said she was likely going to leave me,” Patterson joked. “I enjoy what I do, with family firmly standing behind me. This will be my sixth term in office, and I hope to continue serving the town for the next four years and possibly longer.

“This is home, and I couldn’t imagine serving anywhere else.”

Ross was dealt a stiff challenge by political newcomer Suzanne Patterson in Blacksburg’s 1st District, who campaigned under the slogan that she was “not one of the good ole boys,” ready to bring a wave of change to the town’s governing body. In the end it was the incumbent who prevailed, claiming more than 76 percent of votes in the Aug. 10 election.

“I appreciate everything done on behalf of the community and others during this process, it was definitely a hardfought campaign,” Ross said. “I’m glad the town and community put their trust in me to do the job.”

According to Ross, there are many things in Blacksburg’s future, in particular the use of S.C. Highway 5 to lure prospective businesses.

“I just hope to continue working with council in keeping the ball rolling, we’re making progress,” he said. “ I see great things in the future for the Blacksburg area and Highway 5 in trying to bring businesses in to give residents jobs and other opportunities.“