Party time for Rendell
Pennsylvania’s new governor Edward G. Rendell has formidable tasks awaiting him. A Democrat in a capital controlled solely by the other party for the last eight years, and still with a Republican-controlled House and Senate, Rendell will have an uphill battle on all the issues of the day that he has promised to solve. But today is party time in Harrisburg. It is Rendell’s day to pause from the already whirlwind pace of forming a cabinet, appointing senior staff, calling for economic development and education summits and setting his agenda. It is Rendell’s day to bask in the glory and admiration of his followers before digging in.
And what a party day it is shaping up to be.
His wife, Marjorie, unfamiliar to most Pennsylvanians, will administer the oath of office. She was visibly absent from Rendell’s campaign as her position as a judge on the U.S. District Court of Appeals Third Circuit prohibits her from political activity. But on this important day, the Rendell’s 22-year-old son Jesse will hold the family’s Bible while Judge Rendell administers the oath of office to Pennsylvania’s 45th governor.
Soon after, Rendell will lead 5,500 participants in a parade along Harrisburg’s center that includes floats from each of the 67 counties, including a hodge-podge of Fayette’s historic and tourist attractions and a tribute to Greene’s coal heritage. Then it’s on to the State Farm Show Complex for a concert featuring David Brenner, Chuck Berry, Sister Sledge, Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell.
The Inaugural Ball caps off the day with more acts and enough food to serve 9,500 hungry folks. The menu boasts 2,200 pounds of beef, 2,000 pounds of shrimp, 2,000 pounds of chicken, 1,500 pounds of turkey breasts, 1,200 pounds of steak for steak sandwiches (we assume Philly style), enough cold cuts and rolls to make two miles of hoagies, and 7,000 cookies to top it off.
The following day, the Rendells will host an open house at the Governor’s Residence for 3,000 people to walk through and wish the new governor well. We also extend our well wishes. The next day will dawn soon enough for the new governor to spur into action a city that thrives on inertia.