KJ and Arnold top guest list at swearing-in

November 25, 9:18 PMSacramento Environmental News ExaminerHarry Osibin

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Kevin Johnson was sworn in as Mayor of Sacramento, his hometown, on Tuesday.

“Change is an easy word to say.  But it’s a difficult word to enact.  Together we can bring about the change that this city and its citizens so rightfully deserve,” said the Mayor-elect.  Johnson does not actually take office until next week (December 2nd) pending completion of the counting of the votes.  Prior to attending his own ceremony, the rookie politician witnessed the swearing in of four city council members, who are actually beginning their new terms in office on Tuesday.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was one of the digntiaries present, the Republican's second public appearance  of the day with Johnson .

In addition to the remarks about unity, the 6’ 1” former Cal and NBA star laid out again many of his campaign themes of ramping up police services, combating gang activity and growing the local and regional economies.

Besides two brief references to “counting trees” in town and “tree canopies”, not much was said about issues in the environment, such as air quality, asthma and other public health problems.

According to the website of Breathe California’s local branch, “The Sacramento Region remains high on the list of the most polluted metropolitan areas in the nation. Our air quality continues to adversely affect the health of our communities, especially our children and elderly.  The organization acknowledges that progress in improving air quality is being made.  Some observers are concerned that economic development should not be separated from mitigating public health matters.

According to sources close to Johnson, the swearing-in ceremony came in under budget, allowing the event committee to donate $20,000 to the 2008 Sacramento Santa Parade – which had previously been cancelled last week due to a shortage in funds – and approximately $15,000 to the Sacramento Community Foundation’s “Greatest Needs Fund” to help struggling local nonprofits.