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Mahoning Democratic chairman said he’s disappointed the president isn’t coming to the area to be met by protestors
VIENNA
While he’s not a supporter of Donald Trump’s, Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman David Betras said he’s disappointed the Republican president canceled his Thursday visit to the Mahoning Valley.
“I’m sad we didn’t get to show him this is not Donald Trump territory and that many protesters would have come out to show him that,” Betras said. “I’ve never seen such enthusiasm for a rally in opposition to the president coming to the Valley.”
On Monday, the White House confirmed Trump’s cancellation to the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, but didn’t give an explanation.
Also, the 910th Airlift Wing at the attached Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna issued an advisory through its public affairs office, saying it was notified Monday by the White House’s advance team that the visit was canceled. The announcement also stated the reserve station didn’t have any details regarding the decision.
The Vindicator exclusively reported on Vindy.com, its website, early Saturday that Trump was planning to come to the Valley to sign a bill coal supporters say will help the industry. It still will be signed by Trump, but not in this area.
“I was looking forward to it, but it happens,” said Tracey Winbush, Mahoning County Republican Party vice chairwoman who headed Trump’s election campaign in the county. “Any time a president comes to visit a community, it’s an asset. It would have been beneficial to the Mahoning Valley. I believe he’ll come at some point.”
Winbush said the planned protest wasn’t behind the decision to cancel Trump’s trip.
“Protesters don’t make people change their mind,” she said. “If protesters are going to stop us, then we’re not going to go anywhere. We’re not scared off by them. If citizens of the Mahoning Valley come out to protest, I welcome that.”
The visit was on the official White House schedule for Trump. He was to leave the White House at 10:40 a.m. Thursday, fly to the airport in Vienna for a bill signing and remarks at noon and leave the airport at 1:30 p.m. to return to Washington, D.C.
This would have been Trump’s first visit to Ohio as president.
The bill Trump was to sign reverses a rule approved by the Barack Obama administration during the Democrat’s final days as president to limit companies from dumping mining waste in streams. The rule never took effect.
The bill was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson of Marietta, R-6th, who represents Columbiana County and southern Mahoning County.
The “Stream Protection Rule” was overregulation by Obama, and rejecting it protects coal-miner jobs, Johnson said.
Lawmakers’ decision will allow corporate mining companies to contaminate waterways and won’t put any coal miners back to work, said U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, who voted against repealing the rule. Vienna is in Ryan’s congressional district.