Columbiana County officials to attend Trump inauguration
LISBON — A contingent of Columbiana County officials and GOP faithful plan to make the trek to Washington, D.C. for the Donald J. Trump inauguration and activities leading up to Monday’s big event.
To say they’re looking forward to it is an understatement.
Exciting, fun, historic — all terms used by Columbiana County Republican Chairman David Johnson to describe what this trip means.
“I just think it’s such a momentous time in history, for one to be there and witness it,” he said.
The names of some of the people going as part of the Columbiana County group include Johnson, his brother Peter, his sister Christine, all three county commissioners, county Treasurer Bryan Blakeman, county Prosecutor Vito Abruzzino, county Coroner George S. Wilson, Common Pleas Court Judge Megan Bickerton, 7th District Court of Appeals Judge Katelyn Dickey, party officials Bill Davidson Jr., Ron and Peggy Caratelli, Jack Marshall, business owners Charles and Kathleen Presley, Mike and Dawn Conny, Brooke and Brandy Pidgeon, Brian and Kathy Shaw, JP Pastore, Tom and Jill Ziden and Greg Smith. The list also includes some spouses and fiancees.
Johnson attended Trump’s first inauguration and one for George W. Bush, making this his third inaugural. At the time of the interview, he thanked U.S. Rep. Mike Rulli, R-Salem, for an allotment of tickets for people from Columbiana County to attend in seats for the inauguration.
On Friday, though, Trump announced the inauguration would be held inside the Capitol Rotunda due to the cold weather, so some of the plans may be changed. Some members of the group were already planning to attend an indoor viewing at the JW Marriott on Pennsylvania Avenue hosted by the Ohio Manufacturing Association.
A live viewing of the inauguration will be held at the Capitol One Arena, which is where the parade will be held also. Trump plans to hold an indoor rally on Sunday at the arena.
Johnson explained that everybody will travel separately and meet up at the Capital Hilton, which is where some of the Ohio contingent will be staying and where a number of activities will take place, including a welcome reception on Saturday, breakfast with U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio on Sunday, breakfast with Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine on Monday and a Buckeye National Championship Game watch party Monday night.
The Ohio Inaugural Ball, which is a black tie affair, will take place Sunday night at the Conrad Hotel and feature Ohio native son and soon-to-be Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha.
On Monday night, there will be three presidential balls, but Johnson said many will go to watch the Ohio State game against Notre Dame.
“I truly believe this is the most consequential election since Abraham Lincoln,” he said, saying it’s a critical time in history.
Johnson was a delegate at the Republican National Convention and was appointed by Trump to be one of 17 members of the electoral college for Ohio.
“This sort of caps off those experiences,” he said.
When asked what he was looking forward to the most, he said “just being there.”
He estimated Ohio will be one of the biggest contingents, with all the state officeholders expected to attend.
“It’s going to be fun,” he said.
A limited edition commemorative tile of Trump was created and Johnson said he’ll present it sometime to the president, but not this trip. After his first election, Johnson presented another commemorative tile to Trump.
Bickerton said she’s never been to an inauguration before, but she’s been to Washington, D.C.
“I’m excited just for everything, all the events,” she said.
This will be the first inauguration for Commissioner Roy Paparodis, too, along with his wife, Terri, and he said they’re excited. He wants to feel the energy and be with all the people who helped get Donald Trump elected. He’s also looking forward to the Trump rally.
He recalled going to Washington, D.C. with his family when he was a child. His father, Odess “Soph” Paparodis, was a delegate for John F. Kennedy and went to his inauguration as president, along with his wife, Martha “Marty” Paparodis.
“I want to feel the synergy of it. I want to feel that energy. I really believe Donald Trump’s going to turn the country around,” he said.
Commissioners Tim Ginter and Mike Halleck both attended the first inauguration for Trump and the inaugurations for George W. Bush and now they’re going again. Ginter will be with his wife Pam and Halleck’s daughter, Mariah, and her husband will be in attendance. Halleck said he’s looking forward to spending time with her and he’s never been more excited as he has about this inauguration.
“I’m excited about being there and watching history in the making,” he said.
His father, Ronald, was a Kentucky state representative and went to the Republican National Convention in 1968 and the Richard Nixon presidential inauguration.
“There’s something about being there in person that doesn’t transfer on the television, the atmosphere, the energy, the excitement,” Ginter said.
“Seeing the longstanding procedure take place of the transfer of power, it makes you pretty proud as an American,” he said.
This is a Republican president, yes, but Ginter said “a lot of this transcends party affiliation.”
mgreier@mojonews.com