President Barack Obama's visit has local connections

Enterprise reporter

President Barack Obama was in Elyria on Friday, encouraging employees at manufacturing plants and delivering an impassioned speech at Lorain County Community College. This was the president's second stop on his Main Street Tour during which he will stop at middle class communities across America to interact with locals.

Obama's first stop in Elyria was at EMC Precision Machining, where Wellington resident Rick Balog had an opportunity to shake the president's hand.

"He asked my name and how long I'd worked at the shop. When I told him 34 years he acted kind of surprised," Balog said. "He said good luck, and I said good luck to him too and he laughed. It was really neat."

Balog said the preparations for Obama's visit to EMC were intensive.

"We had to clean up and make sure everything was spic and span -- all the usual things you'd do if the president was coming for a visit," he said. "Security was pretty tight. They took a wand around us, and told us not to put our hands in our pockets, and not to make any sudden movements."

Balog wasn't certain why the president chose to visit EMC during his time in Elyria.

"Maybe because it's a family-owned business that's been around for 80 years," he said.

The president stopped at Smitty's for a cheeseburger before heading to LCCC, where he received a tour of the school's innovative wind turbine program. He then addressed about 1,200 people in the Ewing Field House at LCCC.

Eight-year-old Erin Leydig, a student at Keystone, said the president "talked about stuff."

Leydig said Obama discussed "jobs, healthcare, and EMC where grandpa works." She agreed it was a special day, but not because of her opportunity to see the president of the United States. She was excited because it was her brother's birthday. Leydig attended the event with her father Jonathan.

Wellington school superintendent Francis Scruci also attended the speech.

"It's an honor to have the opportunity. Anytime you have the chance to see the president of the United States live, that's an honor," Scruci said. "Regardless of any personal politics or philosophies it's a great experience."

According to Scruci, he was one of several superintendents of schools in the county who received tickets to the event. He said, "(Obama) mentioned school issues but not real in-depth. I thought he would mention the Race to the Top grant but he didn't. He didn't spend as much time on education as I thought he might."

Scruci said he was impressed with Obama's speech.

"When you see him on TV, you can feel his charisma. Live, that's at a whole different level. He's very charismatic and an excellent communicator," he said. "He took questions from the audience and I was impressed with how he handled himself when he didn't know beforehand what the questions would be."

Local attorney Kim Meyers attended the speech with his 18-year-old daughter Madeline. Meyers said he was impressed with two topics the president addressed -- education and manufacturing.

"Obama discussed the need for education and financial aid. Students who have just graduated high school as well as displaced adults need the opportunities to be trained to handle technology and special equipment," Meyers said. "This area has been hit so hard economically, and he talked about a new manufacturing committee to report to him in Washington. This is something new he's putting together to address small business loans and jobs. It sounds very interesting."

Meyers was invited to attend the event as a member of LCCC's Foundation Board. Though he didn't have the opportunity to meet the president personally, he and his daughter were able to interact with Governor Ted Strickland, Senator Sherrod Brown, and county commissioners Ted Kalo and Betty Blair. Meyers said his daughter is interested in current events and that this experience has left a lasting impression on her.

Meyers said Obama is a "pretty dynamic guy." He said, "These are tough times we're going through with the economic hardships. You hope that the man that's in there (the White House) and his administration do good for the benefit of the people. Obama said several times, 'This isn't about me. It's about you.' He's very sincere and very caring."

Obama's speech was also broadcast live at LCCC-Wellington which a handful of people attended. A 50-year-old Wellington resident who is a student at LCCC studying alternative energy was interested to hear what the president had to say about the college's wind turbine program.

John VanAusdale, a Wellington resident who is retired from his job as a manager of a carpet shop in Vermilion, said, "I wanted to see his speech and I live here in town so it's convenient. I'm interested to hear what he has to say about jobs in Lorain County."

Rochester township trustee Amy Szmania, who is also employed part-time at LCCC, said she didn't win a ticket to the event through the college's lottery system, so she attended the live broadcast instead. "I'm just excited that he came to Lorain County. This is an historic event and I want to hear what he has to say," she said.

Marvin and Judy Fanning, who live in a rural area between Wellington and Oberlin, were also at the live broadcast. Judy said, "I'm pleased he's our president because of his energy and his desire to help our country."

Judy Babcock drove all the way from Akron for the opportunity to see the live broadcast. Babcock, a retired hospital social worker, said she has witnessed first-hand the downfalls of America's healthcare system, and is interested to see how Obama is going to address this issue.

Babcock said she was actively involved in Obama's presidential campaign.

"I was coming of age during the Civil Rights movement and was affected personally." She said in the 1960s a friend was arrested while marching with Martin Luther King Jr. and then was murdered by the Klu Klux Klan.

"I was very excited about the possibility that we could elect a black person as president. I've been a very enthusiastic supporter of Obama since I heard him at the Democratic Convention. He's intelligent and articulate," she said.

After the speech at LCCC, Obama visited Riddell, a sports gear manufacturer, then climbed into "The Beast," the presidential limo, to return to Cleveland, where he boarded Air Force One to fly home to Washington.