When George W.

Saturday, January 06, 2001

When George W. Bush becomes the nation’s next president this month, a group of Lawrence County residents will have front row seats for the occasion.

Well, maybe not seats.

"There’s some seating, and a lot of standing," county recorder Sue Deeds said. "We’ll probably be standing."

It’s doubtful they will have a front row view, either, but that won’t bother the 62 people signed up for the trip, Mrs. Deeds said Friday.

"It’s the chance of a lifetime just to be there."

They will become part of thousands of people expected in Washington, D.C., to mark the inauguration of President Bush – the final curtain on one of the closest, if not the closest, elections in history.

That’s one thing that will make the inauguration, and the trip, so historical, Mrs. Deeds said.

"I never had the opportunity to go before but we decided if we could get enough people we would do it this year," she said.

About 51 people will take the Jan. 19-22 trip by bus. Others will meet the Lawrence County group in D.C. They will stay at a hotel that’s a mere six blocks from the National Mall.

"A Democrat delegation canceled out, so we got their rooms."

The group will see more than just the inauguration while in the nation’s capital.

There are nine or more inaugural balls. Ohio Sens. George Voinovich and Mike DeWine are hosting receptions. Invitations have been sent.

"Hopefully, we’ll get our invitations for Ohio’s and we’ve turned our names in to the senators’ offices and the Ohio Republican Party," Mrs. Deeds said.

Those signed up for the trip, as of Friday, included David and Sue Deeds; Dr. Burton and Leona Payne; Judge David, Kaye, Rachel and Justin Payne; James and Julie Payne; Paul and Midge Payne; Pete and Lois Herrell; Lester and Gallia County recorder Molly Plymale; Commissioner Jason and Julie Stephens; James Ward; Les Boggs; Auditor Ray Dutey; Treasurer Kenneth Howell; Appeals Court Judge David and Beth Evans; Carlos and Georgia Willis, Verlin and Joann Swain; Ralph and Marg Kelley; Barry and Marsha Smith and daughter; Michelle Dickess; Gail Webb; Gary and Joyce Kingery; Dick and Judy Rice; Charles and Geraldine Walters; Ruth Melvin; Lyle Adcock of Maryland; Autumn Anderson; Nea Henry; Phyllis Carrico; Mary Wipert; David McGowan; Kristin Burcham; Amy Simpson; Carolyn Moody; Dean and Barbara Pratt of Texas; Mark Gleichauf; Gillian Smith; Laura Payne; Allison Payne; Mary Lee Kennedy; Mary Horner; Charles and Marsha Imhoff; and Sandy Joseph.