|
|
The
Ohio Theatre stage featured a large painting of the Ohio Statehouse as
a backdrop for the Inauguration of Governor John Kasich and Lt.
Governor Mary Taylor.
|
|
Locals attend
Swearing-ins and Inaugural Activities in Columbus
By Lyn Bliss, Senior Scribe
www.darkecountyseniors.us
Along with at least three other Darke Countians, my husband Al and I
had the pleasure of attending the recent swearing-ins and inaugural
activities in Columbus. These were held for all of the Ohio Executive
Office electees: Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney
General, Auditor and Treasurer.
Republican Central and Executive Committeewoman for the 12th Senate
District Donna Harter and Republican Central Committeeman for the 5th
Senate District Darryl Mehaffie, and his wife Mary Ann, were the other
Darke Countians who attended all of the Columbus events. We joined a
lot of other Central and Executive Committee persons, county
chairpersons, Republican elected officials, county campaign
coordinators, other Ohio Federation of Republican Women officers,
contributors, friends and family of the elected officials.
With the exception of Governor and Lt. Governor, each office holder
held his own private swearing-in followed by a reception for all of the
invited attendees. All of the newly elected officials seemed to be in
attendance for the others’ ceremonies. All officials were surrounded by
family members and recognized the important role those members had
played in their lives. Kasich even gave each of his 10 year old twin
daughters a kiss while on stage.
Ohio Attorney General elect Mike DeWine was the first to hold his
swearing-in ceremonies in the Capitol Building rotunda on Sunday
afternoon, January 9. DeWine was administered his oath of office by his
son, Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Pat DeWine. “Tomorrow I will
join the other states that filed a lawsuit against Obama healthcare,
that will be filed sometime in mid-afternoon in the Northern District
of Florida,“ said DeWine.
Secretary of State elect Jon Husted was next with a swearing-in
ceremony held in the well of the House of Representatives. Husted’s son
led the Pledge of Allegiance and Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice
Maureen O’Connor administered the oath of office. We are “going to do
our best to restore confidence and make people believe that the system
we have for elections in Ohio is second to none in the world,“ Husted
said to the assembled crowd.
The two newly installed office holders jointly hosted a reception in
the capitol following their swearing-ins.
On Sunday evening, a reception was held for all of the in-coming office
holders at the Franklin Conservatory. This included live music, food,
refreshments and the beautiful glass art and outstanding horticultural
displays provided by the Conservatory. Governor-elect John Kasich and
Lt. Governor-elect Mary Taylor both spoke.
Ohio Auditor elect Dave Yost started Monday morning off early with a
swearing-in ceremony at 8:30 a.m. in the Statehouse. His reception
followed in the same area. Yost broke from tradition and asked for a
donation from the invited guests. “Since I am an auditor and we are
known as ‘bean counters’, I am asking that each guest bring a bag of
beans as admission to my swearing-in. They will be donated to the food
pantry.” explained Yost. A large box of beans and quite a number of
monetary donations were the result of his request. Yost was joined by
former Columbus Mayor Dana Rinehart who was his previous boss and
mentor. In his address to those assembled, Yost said, “Ohio’s
government must – and will – change. Some of that change will be
hard - perhaps very hard. Objections will be raised to every last
bit of it. But for we who would lead Ohio, our duty is clear.”
There was a short lull in activities before the inaugural ceremony of
Governor Kasich and Lt. Governor Taylor was held in the vintage Ohio
Theatre directly across the street from the Ohio Statehouse Monday
afternoon. In order not to leave the State of Ohio without an official
Governor, Kasich had been sworn-in, in the Capitol, during the night
before. This was required, because the outgoing Governor’s term
officially ends at 11:59 p.m. The event at the Ohio Theatre was the
public inauguration. They were joined on stage by their families.
Vernita Prather sang “How Great Thou Art.” Kasich had the
audience stand and he and his wife, Karen, sang along.
First Taylor and then Kasich were administered the oaths of office by
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor. All this was done in
front of an impressive backdrop featuring the Ohio Capitol. In the
audience were recently elected Speaker of the U.S. House of
Representatives John Boehner (OH-8) and Former Governor Bob Taft. The
Ohio Theatre is an unusual and unique example of opulent architecture
and provided a remarkable location for the inaugural activities.
All-Ohio State Fair Band played patriotic selections and OSU Glee Club
sang Carmen Ohio.
Upon leaving the Ohio Theatre, there were Columbus mounted police to be
seen -- adding an additional level of security for the black limousines
and SUVs waiting to transport the newly installed Ohio officials and
their families.
Ohio Treasurer elect Josh Mandel was the last to be sworn in on Monday
afternoon in the well of the Ohio House of Representatives. There is
some truth to that old adage that the best is saved for last. This was
truly a remarkable ceremony. Master of ceremonies was John Ratzenberger
who most know as the actor who played Cliff Clavin on “Cheers”. Mandel
explained his choice of Ratzenberger by saying they had met through
events promoting the restoration of manufacturing in the United States.
Also speaking was the drill sergeant from Mandel’s Marine training days
at Parris Island, S.C. – Gunnery Sgt. Benjamin Akins, whom Mandel had
not seen since he left training. However, Mandel did snap a sharp
attention when Akins began his address, and later quipped, “[he] put me
through hell.” House Speaker William G. Batchelder administered the
oath of office to Mandel.
Mandel spoke of his grandparents on both sides and the lives that
brought them to Ohio, four distinctly different set of circumstances –
from concentration camps to small business owners. Mandel hosted a
reception in the Statehouse atrium after the ceremony.
The final event was the Inaugural Gala Monday night held at the
Columbus Convention Center. Food, refreshments, entertainment and
speeches from the newly installed Governor Kasich and Lt. Governor
Taylor were to be enjoyed. In a surprise move, Senate Minority Leader
Capri Cafaro (a Democrat) was called to the stage, and during her
remarks emphasized the need to work together for Ohio.
More photos of the events may be seen at: www.ohfrw.com/PhotoIndex.html
|
|
Bliss
joined other Ohio Federation of Republican Women officers at the
Kasich/Taylor Inaugural Gala. Left to right are: Fund Raising Chair
Marilyn Clark (Columbus), President Jean Turner (Gibsonburg), Treasurer
Karen McTague (Oak Harbor), SW District VP Bliss, Vice-president Carol
Salmon (Canfield), and Political Education Chair Sharon Gingerich
(Burton).
|
|
Lyn
Bliss, Darke County Campaign Coordinator for Dave Yost congratulates
him after his recent swearing-in as Ohio State Auditor.
|
|
Columbus
mounted police joined in the forces ready to provide security to the
newly inaugurated Governor and Lt. Governor and the other dignitaries
who were in attendance at their inauguration at the Ohio Theatre.
|
|
|
|
