GAINESVILLE TIMES.COM

Cagle's big day
New lieutenant governor finally to take office as '07 legislature begins

By HARRIS BLACKWOOD
The Times

   
Photo
 

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle


 

 

Georgia inaugural celebration

 

  • Monday's schedule inaugurating Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Gov.-elect Casey Cagle and other state officers

     

  • 9:30 a.m., Prayer Service, Northside United Methodist Church (open to public)

     

  • 2 p.m., swearing-In ceremonies, Philips Arena, Atlanta, live coverage on WGTV-8 public television (tickets available to invitees only)

     

  • 4 p.m., review of assembly of troops of Georgia National Guard and Georgia State Patrol, State Capitol (open to public)

     

  • 7:30 p.m., Inaugural Celebration, Georgia World Congress Center. (Tickets on sale to invitees only)

     

  • On the Net: www.georgia2007.com

     

  • Coming Tuesday: Complete coverage of the inauguration of Casey Cagle as the state's 11th lieutenant governor and the swearing-in of Hall County's legislative delegation.


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    On the eve of his inaugural as lieutenant governor, Casey Cagle was all smiles, hugs, backslapping and handshakes. About 2,000 of his supporters turned out for a black tie celebration that included entertainment by The Tams, American Idol finalist Diana DeGarmo and country music star Travis Tritt.

    Cagle entered the Thomas B. Murphy ballroom to the strains of recorded patriotic music with his wife, Nita, and sons Jared, Grant and Carter nearby.

    He rattled off towns across Georgia where he had campaigned, drawing cheers from residents of those communities. When he mentioned Gainesville, a large cheer went up from the many Hall Countians who were in attendance.

    "We've got people from all over Georgia who have come in to celebrate with us tonight," Cagle said. "It is a culmination of a lot of hard work."

    He said that while his election as the first Republican to hold the state's second highest office is historical, he looks forward to writing history in office.

    Hall County's attendance at the event was a who's who of government and business.

    County Commission chairman Tom Oliver predicted that Sunday night's event was a glimpse at four years from now.

    "It tells me that your next door neighbor can be your next governor," Oliver said. "This is more than a lieutenant governor. (Cagle) is going to be your next governor."

    Jim Walters, a Gainesville businessman and philanthropist, agreed.

    "It's a great possibility, because Sonny (Perdue) is limited to two terms and will not be running in 2010 and Casey could be a very viable candidate."

    Walters said while other candidates are already testing the water, Cagle has proven he is a formidable candidate as evidenced by his dark horse victory over ex-Christian Coalition director Ralph Reed.

    Many in the group from Hall County supported Cagle in his races for the state senate seat he has held for the past 12 years.

    Butch Miller, a Gainesville auto dealer, said that Cagle's election came without depending on others.

    "Here's a guy (Cagle) who worked diligently all the way and didn't get there on anybody else's coattails, he got there by his own hard work," Miller said.

    Cagle was clearly at ease as he sat with his family, including his mother and stepfather on a front row seat.

    During the Tam's performance, he got up and danced with the group as they left the stage and entertained from the audience.

    The show included a performance by a group called "Half Time," a black marching drum line, as well as a choir from a black church which sang "America the Beautiful."

    Also on stage was DeGarmo, a Snellville native who is currently appearing in the Broadway cast of the musical "Hairspray."

    The show ended with a concert by Tritt, who is from Georgia and a favorite of Cagle.

    Gainesville civic leader Philip Wilheit, a longtime supporter of Cagle, said tomorrow's inauguration of Cagle is a plus for Hall County.

    "For the last three months, I've enjoyed bragging on Casey and letting other's know who he is," Wilheit said. "He's not going to anything he shouldn't to push Northeast Georgia, but the fact that he is from there is going to put a spotlight on Gainesville, Hall County and the entire region."

    Contact: hblackwood@gainesvilletimes.com, (770) 718-3423

     

    Originally published Monday, January 8, 2007