President Clinton's Hardin County visit open to all

Staff Report

HARDIN COUNTY — Gym doors at John Hardin High School will open at 6 p.m. Thursday for President Bill Clinton's "Solutions for America" campaign event in support of Hillary Rodham Clinton's run for his former seat in the Oval Office.

The event is open to the public, but will be limited to maximum allowed seating capacity. As of 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, school and fire officials were trying to figure out the legal capacity of the school gym.

School staff said people will be turned away once capacity is reached. The school is at 384 W.A. Jenkins Road, just off U.S. 31W.

Clinton's stop in Hardin County is part of two days of rallies this week for Kentuckians supporting Hillary Clinton.

"Since we got the people in West Virginia moving, we're just trying to figure out where to send him next," said Nicole Candler, deputy communications director for the Kentucky for Hillary campaign office.

Prior to his arrival at John Hardin High School, the former president has a stop scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Butler High School in south Louisville.

Between the Hardin and Jefferson County stops, the former president is scheduled to arrive at Nelson County High School at 6 p.m. Thursday.

As with the Hardin County campaign event, seats at the Nelson County High School Auditorium will be first-come, first-serve.

"We want a good crowd out of respect for the former president visiting our town," Bardstown Mayor Dick Heaton said. "If you happen to be a supporter of Hillary, then this event is all the better for you."

Bill Clinton is scheduled to go on to other Kentucky cities Friday. Clinton campaign staff say he may visit Owensboro, but definitive plans were still in the making Wednesday afternoon. No Friday stops had been confirmed.

Tom Case, band director at John Hardin High School, said students are preparing an ensemble of "The Star-Spangled Banner," but was hesitant to say the instrumental piece was an absolute part of the campaign event.

Kentucky State Police Post 4 personnel will assist the Secret Service in providing security for the former commander-in-chief.

Post 4 spokesman Steve Pavey said the Secret Service will be in charge of local law enforcement officers helping during President Clinton's visit.

The News-Enterprise Web site will continue to update details about Bill Clinton's visit as new information becomes available.