Saturday, January 11, 2014

McAuliffe Inauguration

McAuliffe Inauguration

Posted: Jan 11, 2014 3:35 PM EST Updated: Jan 11, 2014 3:35 PM EST

Just after 12:45 p.m. Terry McAuliffe became Virginia's 72nd Governor.

Thousands of people gathered in what was at times pouring rain to see the inauguration including Bill and Hilary Clinton, who are close friends with the McAuliffe's.

Southsiders Sarah Dunavant (Halifax) and Andrew Lester (Danville) say McAuliffe's stance against uranium mining brought them to the inauguration.

But it turned out to be much more than they ever expected.

"It was well worth it," Dunavant said about waiting in the rain. "This is quite an experience. The electricity, just being here in the crowd and taking part in history."

"We felt like we were in a dream," Lester said. "It was like a movie or something and it's just a great atmosphere."

McAuliffe made the most of his first few hours as governor by signing several executive orders, including one limiting the value of gifts his administration or their families can accept to $100.

This comes as former Governor Bob McDonnell leaves office dealing with a FBI investigation into gifts he received from former Star Scientific CEO Johnnie Williams.

"I will ask the entire General Assembly to enact the strongest possible new ethics rules to hold all Virginia elected officials to the highest of standards," McAuliffe said during his inaugural speech

. http://www.wsls.com/story/24424366/mcauliffe-inauguration