Warning: include(modules/x_Analys/new_visitor.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: Permission denied in /home/brbuzz/public_html/batonrougechat/header.php on line 232
Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'modules/x_Analys/new_visitor.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php') in /home/brbuzz/public_html/batonrougechat/header.php on line 232
Baton Rouge Chat dot com - An Online Community for Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Forums
Baton Rouge Chat dot com :: View topic - Mayor-President Kip Holden Sworn in today
Worship service kicks off inaugural events for mayor-president
By SCOTT DYER
Advocate staff writer
Mayor-President Melvin "Kip" Holden had a special message for members of the Metro Council at an inaugural worship service held in his honor Sunday night.
"We are a family and we are a team, and Baton Rouge has sent a message out to us, and they've laid out a challenge and they are asking for change. That change cannot come about if all of us are pulling in different directions," Holden told the council members who attended the service at Star Hill Baptist Church.
Holden injected some humor into the program when he pledged take the advice of the Rev. Lee T. Wesley, who had advised Holden earlier to follow in the footsteps of King Solomon -- who prayed for wisdom -- and to avoid to pitfalls of King Saul, whose last years were clouded by depression and paranoia.
"I won't be a Saul brother, I'll still be a soul brother," joked Holden, who is the first African-American to serve as mayor-president. Holden was actually sworn into office a few minutes after the New Year began Saturday morning, but Sunday's worship service kicked off a series of inaugural events that will culminate in a party tonight at the Baton Rouge River Center.
Another inaugural interfaith worship service will be held at 8:30 a.m. today at St. Joseph's Cathedral at 412 North Street.
Room is limited at St. Joseph's and some seats will be reserved, but it will be open to the public.
Holden said he felt it was important to keep all the events open the public.
"We are ushering in a new era; I think everyone who wants to be a part of that ceremony should have access," Holden said earlier.
Rannah Gray, Holden's communications director, said some invitations were sent to people that Holden wanted to attend the events.
But Gray noted that invitations won't be required to get into any of Holden's inaugural events.
Gray said the cost of the events will be paid with private donations, not city-parish money.
Space won't be an issue when Holden formally takes the oath of office today at 1 p.m. at the River Center Arena.
Some 870 chairs have been set up on the arena floor in addition to the permanent upper-row seats, according to Mike McCleary, chairman of Holden's inaugural committee.
And, McCleary said, Holden will throw a huge inauguration party this evening from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the newly opened River Center.
"We'll have some music, some hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and some fun," McCleary said.
Slated to perform at the inaugural celebration are blues artist Kenny Neal, the Bench Bar Boogie Band and contemporary jazz violinist Michael Ward, who was named New Orleans 2001 All Star Jazz Musician of the Year and is a former Southern University student.
Also today, members of the Metro Council and East Baton Rouge Assessor Brian Wilson will be sworn into office at 11 a.m. at the River Center Theater.
The council, once members have taken the oaths of office, will then hold an organizational meeting to elect a mayor pro tem to oversee the council meetings and to make committee appointments.
Inauguration schedule
* Interfaith worship service: 8:30 a.m., St. Joseph Cathedral, 412 North St. Seating is limited.
* Swearing-in ceremonies for East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council and tax assessor: 11 a.m., Baton Rouge River Center Performing Arts Theatre, 275 S. River Road.
* Swearing-in ceremony for mayor-president: 1 p.m., Baton Rouge River Center Arena, 275 S. River Road.
* Inaugural celebration and ball: 7 p.m., Baton Rouge River Center, 275 S. River Road.
What do y'all have to say about Melvin "Kip" Holden?
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
Instant Messenger
