Possibly by the time you read this, we will have a new Mayor.
In private ceremonies at City Hall, state District Judge Steven Kirkland, an old friend and former campaign manager, was scheduled to administer the oath of office [to Mayor-Elect Annise Parker], with only family and close friends in attendance.
The ceremony was a prelude to Monday’s daylong inaugural festivities, with the new mayor taking the oath again in a public ceremony at downtown’s Wortham Theater Center. City Controller-elect Ronald Green and members of the Houston City Council also will be sworn in. The new mayor plans to use her grandparents’ Bible in both ceremonies.
I will be at Monday’s ceremony and will write about it as I get the chance. In the meantime, congratulations to Mayor Annise Parker. I know you will do an outstanding job, and I join with countless other people in wishing you the very best of luck.
UPDATE: The deed is done. Here’s the official statement:
With her hand on her grandparents’ Bible, Annise D. Parker was sworn in as Mayor of Houston in a private ceremony held at Houston City Hall today. State District Judge Steven Kirkland administered the oath to Mayor Parker. City Controller Ronald C. Green also took the oath of office. Green’s wife, Harris County Justice of the Peace Hilary Green, had the honor of administering the oath to her husband. A small gathering of family and friends was present.
The private ceremony was held to meet the legal requirements of the City Charter, which mandate the transfer of power occur on January 2. The official public inauguration of Mayor Parker, City Controller Green and Houston City Council is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Wortham Theater Center.
Mayor Parker chose the private Saturday morning ceremony followed by a formal public inaugural on Monday to avoid the overtime costs the city would have incurred from having to call in police and other city employees for a weekend inauguration. She also did not want to interrupt the holiday weekend for city employees. “At a time when the city is facing budget shortfalls, we will be continually looking for ways to cut expenses,” said Mayor Parker.
The inaugural celebration will end Monday evening with a free concert from 6 to 9 p.m. at Discovery Green.
All hail the new Mayor.