Kasich speech now planned for the airport

Gov. John Kasich moved Thursday’s speech to the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber to save him travel time and help those attending the event avoid protesters, his spokesman said.

“If there are protesters or disruptions, it’s easier for [guests] to get in and out” of the new location, said Rob Nichols, Kasich’s spokesman.

The luncheon is at a hangar at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in Vienna rather than a restaurant in Howland.

Local union members, their supporters still plan to protest across the street from the entrance to the airport on Youngstown-Kingsville Road, said Andy Richards, spokesman for the Ohio AFL-CIO.

The protesters object to a Republican bill, supported by Kasich, also a Republican, to eliminate collective bargaining for state employees, and his “anti-worker tone,” he said.

For the complete story, read Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com