TERRE HAUTE prepares, once again, for McVeigh's scheduled execution

<br>TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) _ When word came down that a judge had denied Timothy McVeigh's request for a stay of execution, Raoul David suddenly realized how much work he has to do. <br><br>``I've

Wednesday, June 6th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) _ When word came down that a judge had denied Timothy McVeigh's request for a stay of execution, Raoul David suddenly realized how much work he has to do.

``I've got to make a bunch of sandwiches and get things ready. This will mean big business,'' said David, who owns a grocery store across the street from the federal prison where McVeigh is scheduled to die on Monday.

The execution will mean a burst in activity in this city of about 60,000. Barring a successful appeal by McVeigh, more than 1,000 journalists are expected to sweep in. Death penalty protesters will take to the streets. Restaurants will scramble to keep up with business.

Security measures were drawn up before McVeigh's original May 16 execution date, which was postponed a month.

City officials said no decision has been made on whether to close schools, as they had planned to do on the original execution date.

``We're going into our execution mode for the weekend,'' said Jeff Trotter, assistant police chief.

Beginning Sunday, officers will work 12-hour shifts. Half of the department's 125 officers will be on duty during the execution. Thirty extra firefighters will work Monday, nearly doubling the usual number.

Employees also will be working extra hours at the Knights Inn in Terre Haute. All 125 rooms for Sunday night have been booked for weeks.

Abe Bonowitz, director of Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, said before McVeigh's request for a stay was denied that many foes of capital punishment would be ready to head to Terre Haute.

Protesters had already mapped out their plans back in May, so Suzanne Carter, head of the Terre Haute Abolition Network, said most people will just have to dust off their anti-death penalty signs and banners and head out for a Sunday march and an all-night vigil.

Under prison protocol, McVeigh will be moved as early as Friday from his cell to the holding cell in the death chamber.