Obama's ‘Road to Change’ crosses Valley

April 09, 2008 11:09 pm

— Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama will speak Friday at Terre Haute North Vigo High School as part of his “Road to Change” tour in Indiana.
The U.S. senator from Illinois will stage a town hall meeting at 8:15 p.m. in the school’s gym at 3434 Maple Ave. Doors to the gym will open to the public at 6:15 p.m.
The event is free, but seating is limited and a ticket is required.
Tickets will be available today from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in The Meadows shopping center at 25th Street and Ohio Boulevard at the “Obama for America” table. Each person will be allowed up to two tickets only.
For security reasons, the senator’s presidential campaign will not allow bags and will limit personal belongings in the high-school gym. No signs or banners will be permitted.
Dan Tanoos, superintendent of the Vigo County School Corp., said he was contacted Wednesday evening about the candidate’s visit.
“We are obviously very thrilled that they picked the Vigo County School Corp. for their venue to present Senator Obama to citizens of Vigo County,” Tanoos said.
Tanoos said he first informed the Vigo County School Board about the request, then began to work with school staff members about the visit, along with Ray Azar, who as director of student services oversees the school corporation’s security. Tanoos met with Obama representatives Wednesday morning, plus Terre Haute police and Indiana State Police and with federal law enforcement officials.
“We went into a conference that lasted about two hours talking about the visit and what our role would be as a school corporation and Terre Haute North’s role in the process,” Tanoos said.
“We are thrilled for this opportunity and we would open our schools up to our candidates who want to use the school system for the purpose of getting their message out and this is a great opportunity for citizens to get out to see someone who is a front-runner for the presidency,” Tanoos said.
Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.