Trump's involvement in Wellington rally was a last-minute surprise

WELLINGTON — When the phone rang out of the blue with an inquiry about holding a June 26 rally, there was no hint former President Donald Trump would be visiting, according to Lorain County Fair Board President Marie Waite. "We didn't know what it was," she said. There were questions about renting the venue, its facilities and cost, she said. But Trump's involvement wasn't revealed to fair officials until Tuesday, the day before his website posted his first public speaking engagement since leaving office would be held in Wellington. When the rental committee discovered the size and scope of the event — and who was involved — it passed the decision to the full Fair Board, Waite said. "Arguing back and forth didn't last as long as I thought it would," she said. There were a handful of holdouts — herself included — that didn't think welcoming Trump was the right decision, but majority ruled. Waite's concern is the potential for property damage, with an unknown number of people showing up to the fairgrounds. The doors will open at 2 p.m., and the rally will begin at 7 p.m. — that leaves five hours for trouble, Waite said. "What's going to happen? Think of the bad possibilities … you hear about the other rallies that have happened, what's happened at the other places," she said. "I don't know. Hopefully this one will be peaceful." Details of the event are starting to emerge, but are still clouded. Waite did confirm Trump's people are paying the fair a fee to hold the event, but declined to say how much. Lorain County Administrator Tom Williams clarified that $200,000 granted to the Fair Board by commissioners in a June 9 vote was not intended to be and cannot be used for costs related to Trump's visit. That money, Williams said, must be used directly to support the 2021 senior and junior fairs. The commissioners voted to use the funds to support the fair long before it was known Trump's visit was a possibility, he said. Williams said he personally learned Tuesday night that Trump would be appearing. "I didn't even know he was doing tours or visits," he said. Whatever the price tag associated with the rally, it must be paid up front, Waite said. It was unclear late Friday afternoon whether the payment had been received. Waite said the rally will be held in the fairgrounds parking lot on the west side of the property. A wedding is already scheduled inside the gates — otherwise, all activity will be kept outside. Rally organizers are providing a generator and portable toilets, and are likely to build their own stage, she said. The Fair Board is not kicking in any money toward those or other costs. Everything will be set up Friday, and "they say Sunday night you won't know they were ever there," Waite said. A planning meeting was held Friday with safety forces. Wellington Assistant Fire Chief Bill Brown said many aspects of the rally were still being hashed out, and despite Waite's assertions there was discussion about having the rally at the fairground's grandstand. The venue seats about 6,000 people. If held in the parking area, Brown said there's no clear restriction on occupancy. In any case, there will be a great deal of security at the rally. The Secret Service is involved in securing the former president's safety. Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti said his deputies will be involved, while Wellington Mayor Hans Schneider said police Chief Tim Barfield also has been in talks with the Secret Service about his department's involvement. Tickets to the rally are available at donaldjtrump.com. They are limited to two per mobile number. Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.