Schwarzenegger takes office in California today

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, November 17, 2003

Schwarzenegger takes office in California today

In stark contrast to his Hollywood image and the usual inauguration festivities, Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger planned to take office Monday with a quick, low-key ceremony and then get to work.

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In stark contrast to his Hollywood image and the usual inauguration festivities, Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger planned to take office Monday with a quick, low-key ceremony and then get to work.

Mindful of the bitterness that still surrounds California's first gubernatorial recall election, not to mention the state's fiscal troubles, the Republican has shied away from black-tie celebrations that normally enliven the beginning of new administrations.

Schwarzenegger was expected to deliver a brief speech, attend three ceremonial receptions and return to the Capitol by mid-afternoon for his first hours of work as governor.

Requests for press credentials for Schwarzenegger's swearing-in ceremony were filed by TV crews and print journalists from around the globe. Nearly 650 journalists planned to cover the event.

Besides the press corps, 7,500 guests were invited to the ceremony on the Capitol steps.

Security will be tight and the area will be fenced off, said California Highway Patrol spokesman Steve Kohler. In addition, some streets will be closed to accommodate approximately 50 TV satellite trucks.

California Supreme Court Justice Ronald George was scheduled to administer the oath of office, and Schwarzenegger's wife, Maria Shiver, was expected to hold the Bible.

The ceremony was supposed to take only about an hour. After that, the governor and his wife then were to be hosts at a luncheon in the Capitol rotunda for state and federal officials, hold a private family gathering across the street, and later attend an invitation-only reception sponsored by the state Chamber of Commerce at the convention center.

No gala balls were planned, unlike most past inaugurals, when the new governors have thrown extravagant, celebrity-studded celebrations.

In 1995, Natalie Cole sang at then-Gov. Pete Wilson's inaugural gala. The 1999 inaugural for Gov. Gray Davis, ousted by last month's recall vote, included a $3.7 million gala featuring Lionel Richie, Kenny G and a reading by Happy Days actor Henry Winkler. Davis toned down his second inaugural, held earlier this year amid the state's fiscal crisis, to a casual party at an auditorium with the swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy entertaining.

Source: Agencies

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