Geauga County Recorder Sharon Gingerich is attending her first Republican National Convention in downtown Cleveland as an alternate delegate for Ohio Gov. John Kasich. She shares what it’s like to attend one of the biggest political events of 2016.
I arrived early today and was able to register and check into my room in record time. Then it was just fun to walk around watching people.
It was exciting to see my picture in the Ohio Delegation Commemorative Program. We also received a metal on a red ribbon honoring Bob Bennett.
I met Ohio Sen. Keith Faber. Dave and Anita Hall were there.
I tried to go up to my room, but U.S. Sen. Rob Portman was in the elevator and two big guys were blocking the way, so I had to take a different elevator.
One of my friends was on her way to church this morning in Cleveland and told me that she saw a girl shoot her brother to death in downtown Cleveland. Nobody ran to help, so she called the police. After the police got there and were tending to the brother, my friend called the mother. What a sad thing for her and her children to witness.
It’s strange to be in such a secure zone with police everywhere and fences and security passes for everything. Yet right outside of that perimeter is such unnecessary violence. My prayers are with the family and with my friend and her children. This will be a memory they will never forget.