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Local News

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

NEW: Biden stops briefly in Findlay
9/17/2008 7:51:27 PM
Diamond Mine Direct
By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITER

Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden made a surprise stop at Wilson’s Sandwich Shop on Wednesday, shaking hands with an enthusiastic post-lunch crowd and eating dessert.

Biden’s visit to Findlay followed a speech in Maumee and is part of a two-day statewide bus tour. Campaign organizers said the stop was decided at the last minute so Biden could meet with residents in the conservative stronghold.

Some members of the press, along with some Hancock County Democrats, were notified shortly before Biden’s black, untitled bus and accompanying national media caravan rolled down Hardin Street and parked at the diner often visited by political candidates of all kinds.

“You should have a hamburger,” suggested a Wilson’s customer when Biden walked in the front door.

“I tell you, I’m looking for the pie,” Biden said.

He ordered both a slice of apple and sugar cream, and got a hamburger, too — a “double with.”

A Wilson’s employee told Biden the pie was “on the house,” but he tossed a $10 bill on the counter.

Biden specifically requested a picture with 15-year-old Brody Yingling, who was featured in a recent Courier story about how Hancock County political parties are campaigning. Not yet old enough to vote, Yingling is interning at Barack Obama’s Findlay office.

“Well, guess what, kids influence their parents,” Biden said when a family member pointed out Yingling’s voting status.

Yingling said he was out of school for a doctor’s appointment, and so was able to stop at Wilson’s when he heard Biden would be visiting.

Yingling’s mother, Diana Illif, also brought along her toddler niece, Gracie, to meet Biden, telling the senator that Gracie’s parents are, unfortunately, Republican.

The 65-year-old senator from Delaware stayed for more than half an hour, seemingly comfortable as he conversed with strangers about their lives, hopes and concerns.

“Is there any way I can get a picture with you, sir?” asked Sean Serraguard while Biden was eating pie with a table of diners.

“Hell, no,” joked Biden, standing for the picture.

Serraguard, 29, said he is the fund-raising chair for Ohio Northern University law school Democrats.

“The guy’s been in the Senate for 35 years, and he’s got a great record,” Serraguard said after state and national press questioned him. “I know that he’s 100 percent for what he says he’s for.”

Biden sat down at one table where Liz Pahl and Pam Cochran, both of Findlay, Nadina Ferguson of Fostoria, and Kate Marek of River Forest, Ill., were finishing lunch.

During a 10-minute conversation, the group discussed health care, funding for public libraries and the Patriot Act.

Pahl, who said she supports the Obama/Biden ticket, said she is concerned about health care costs because she is self-employed and her health insurance premiums keep rising.

She said Biden talked about Canada’s health care system and how having more people in the same plan helped drive down medical costs in that country 14 percent.

“Health care is a big issue for me, and I think a lot of people,” she said.

Biden’s speech earlier Wednesday addressed some of those issues in a more forceful tone. He lashed out at Republican presidential candidate John McCain, saying he thinks the 72-year-old senator from Arizona is “out of touch” with Americans’ financial problems.

Later at Wilson’s, David Wilhelm, an Obama campaign adviser and former chair of the Democratic National Committee, also was talking about the economy with the press.

“The lipstick stuff seems so silly in the (context) of this week,” Wilhelm said. “I think it’s fair to say the (presidential) campaign needs to draw a stronger, crisper delineation on the principles of economic issues.”

He was referring to a comment Obama made about McCain continuing failed Republican policies, describing it as “putting lipstick on a pig.” The McCain campaign said that was an insult directed at its vice presidential pick, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Wilhelm dismissed press questions about Palin and her potential to lure undecided women voters.

“People (in Ohio) are really pragmatic,” said the Columbus resident. “This is not a state that just warms up to the taste of the moment.

“The real test of a vice presidential candidate is how they look on Election Day. And having Joe Biden is going to look great.”

Hancock County Democratic Chair Nancy Stephani was still elated after Biden left.

“I think it’s awesome the Democrats were the first to campaign here at Wilson’s,” she said.

Awesome or no, it was a bit of a surprise.

“Usually (political candidate handlers) warn us if someone’s going to come in here,” said a Wilson’s worker in the much quieter restaurant after Biden left. “This time they didn’t give us any indication at all.”

Courier staff writer Steve Dillon contributed to this report.

Brown: 419-427-8496, Send an e-mail to Joy Brown
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4 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Jon Denver wrote:
Go Joe!
“ Alright Wilsons!!! Did anyone tell him that Wendys copied Wilsons years ago? Steve D. did you get to meet him? ”
Thursday, September 18, 2008 8:30:33 AM
Don wrote:
Go Joe
“ Way to go Joe! Keep up the good work.
Us middle class Flag City folks love you. ”
Thursday, September 18, 2008 8:03:29 AM
Jon Adams wrote:
Democrat Party Means Change
“ Anybody looking forward to the debates? Between Obama and McCain?
Between Biden and Palin?

Do you think Sarah will learn enough soundbites and zingers by then? ”
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 8:41:08 PM
Pam Cochran wrote:
correction
“ Great article! It was so much fun to be at Wilson's this afternoon and to chat about issues with Sen. Biden. Just one correction - the 14% cut was in reference to Chrysler moving their Missouri plant to Canada and saving 14% right off the bat due to not having to pay for health care for its workers. Many people think it is cheaper to produce in other countries because other countries don't have unions. In this case, the savings were simply due to not having to pay health care expenses for the employees. Canada has a universal health care system. ”
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 4:37:14 PM
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.