Supporters gearing up for V.P. visit to Sylvania

10/21/2004

A large cardboard cutout of President Bush stood in the GOP "Victory Center" in Maumee yesterday, and dozens of political yard signs leaned against the wall.

But center stage belonged to Vice President Dick Cheney, a picture of whose face was attached to a map of Ohio hanging from a table near the entrance. Boldly circled on the map was Sylvania, where Mr. Cheney will be appearing today at a rally.

He will speak at Tam-O-Shanter, 7060 Sylvania Ave., as part of an event sponsored by the Republican National Committee. Doors will open at 10 a.m. and people with tickets are asked to be there by 11:30 a.m. The rally is expected to begin around 1 p.m., officials said.

Why Sylvania?

"Because it's in Ohio," said Heather Layman, spokesman for the RNC. "This is specifically a rally for people to get informed and excited and motivated to get out and vote on Election Day." There was steady traffic yesterday at the "Victory Center" for the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign for people seeking free tickets.

"I just think everybody's excited to see what kind of zingers he's going to have," said Bernadette Noe, chairman of the Lucas County Republican Party.

Joanne Jarrell, of Sylvania Township, said she's going as a show of support and to help invigorate others.

"It has to happen," she said of a Bush-Cheney victory.

Ben Ruppel, a Sylvania Southview High School junior, picked up a ticket with plans of missing class for the event. Maybe he can count it as a civics lesson.

"It's the vice president," he said. "I want to see him."