Greenwood mayor attending presidential inauguration

When Donald Trump stands at the podium to take the oath of office and give his inaugural address, one local official will be watching from the audience.

Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers was invited by U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly to attend the inauguration ceremony Jan. 20.

Myers would like to see Trump’s speech give a clear indication of the direction that the first-term president wants the country to go. He also hopes that the new administration will be open to listen to the concerns of local officials throughout the nation, he said.

“I believe they need to hear directly from us,” he said. “We are on the front lines. We know what the needs are.”

While Myers is interested in what the newly elected president will have to say in his first official speech to the nation, another high point of the ceremony for him will be when Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is sworn in as the vice president.

“I’m very proud of governor and vice president-elect Mike Pence,” he said. “I’m excited to see him get sworn in as vice president.”

Myers already had plans to be in Washington, D.C. in the days leading up to the inauguration, attending the United States Conference of Mayors winter meeting, a membership and trip funded by the city’s budget. He wants to use his time at the conference to connect with state and federal officials and promote the city of Greenwood, he said.

He plans to meet with all of the members of Indiana’s congressional delegation. He wants to discuss federal funding for highways and the airport in Greenwood, he said.

For Myers, who has never attended a presidential inauguration before, the chance to do so was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Tickets to the inauguration are given to members of Congress, who distribute them to their constituents. He won’t find out where his seats are until he receives his ticket in Washington, D.C., he said.

Security for the event is at a maximum. Myers was required to submit information for a background check to attend the inauguration. Attendees also will need to have identification to pass through various security checkpoints.