Thursday, January 27, 2011
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President Obama’s visit showcases Manitowoc companies
President Barack Obama beholds an Orion Energy Systems’ high-intensity modular flourescent light held by Marisol DeBaushe of Orion during Obama’s visit to Manitowoc on Wednesday. Obama also visited Skana Aluminum Co. and Tower Tech Systems. Doug Sundin/HTR
Historic day as president praises Manitowoc: ‘You’ve reinvented yourself’ BY CHARLIE MATHEWS
Herald Times Reporter
MANITOWOC — President Barack Obama was only in Manitowoc for two hours on Wednesday, but he created memories that will last a lifetime for thousands of people. Citizens lined thoroughfares hoping for a glimpse of the U.S. president, who traveled via motorcade to the Lakeshore area after Air Force One landed at Austin Straubel Airport in Ashwaubenon. John F. Kennedy and For more coverage of Jimmy Carter campaigned President Barack Obama’s as presidential candidates visit to Manitowoc, log on in Manitowoc decades ago, to www.htrnews.com. but didn’t return after they You’ll find more than were elected. 100 pictures in our Obama is believed to be photo gallery, as well as the first sitting U.S. presia replay of Wednesday’s dent to visit Manitowoc. live chat and an archived Obama did more than talk with a few workers and Livestream video. company executives at Manitowoc-based Orion Energy Systems, Skana Aluminum Co. and Tower Tech Systems. In a speech to hundreds of Orion employees, civic and business leaders, the president was effusive in his praise of its founder, Neal Verfuerth, but also the city whose Native American name means “home of the great spirit.” “We’ve got to lead the world in innovation,” Obama said, echoing a theme he shared Tuesday
On the Net
President Barack Obama addresses the assembled crowd at Orion Energy Systems in Manitowoc on Wednesday after receiving a tour of the facility from Orion founder Neal Verfuerth. Benjamin Wideman/HTR
ã See VISIT, A-4
People hold signs across from the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc while waiting for President Barack Obama’s motorcade to drive past on Wednesday. Doug Sundin/HTR
Sebastian Hoenisch, 11, of Manitowoc holds a sign near Tower Tech Systems in Manitowoc on Wednesday while waiting for President Barack Obama’s motorcade to drive past. Sarah Kloepping/HTR
Inside
The complete Thursday edition of the HTR can be found inside this section
Coverage in this special section
Air Force One departs. Doug Sundin/HTR
ã Pictures from Obama’s visit / A-2 ã Tower Tech workers thrilled / A-3 ã People stake out spots / A-3 ã Orion employees buoyed / A-4
ã Obama visits Skana / A-5 ã Pictures from Obama’s visit / A-5 ã Residents brave the cold / A-6 ã President’s visit is historic / B-4
A-2&Thursday, January 27, 2011
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HERALD TIMES REPORTER
President Barack Obama’s visit to Manitowoc
ABOVE: President Barack Obama smiles at the assembled crowd at Orion Energy Systems during his visit to Manitowoc on Wednesday. Doug Sundin/HTR BELOW: President Barack Obama meets Orion Energy Systems employees and guests following his speech Wednesday. Doug Sundin/HTR
With an American flag as his backdrop, President Barack Obama addresses the audience at Orion Energy Systems during his visit to Manitowoc on Wednesday. Benjamin Wideman/HTR
LEFT: President Barack Obama’s motorcade makes its way south on Maritime Drive along Manitowoc’s Lake Michigan shoreline during his visit to the city on Wednesday. Benjamin Wideman/HTR
ABOVE: President Barack Obama tours Tower Tech Systems in Manitowoc on Wednesday. Doug Sundin/HTR LEFT: Caleb, 5, holds a “Welcome President Obama” sign while standing on a downtown Manitowoc sidewalk on Wednesday in anticipation of the presidential motorcade driving past. Sarah Kloepping/HTR
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HERALD TIMES REPORTER
Thursday, January 27, 2011&A-3
President Barack Obama’s visit to Manitowoc
People stake out spots for possible view of president BY SARAH KLOEPPING
Herald Times Reporter
MANITOWOC — President Barack Obama made his way through downtown Manitowoc on Wednesday, and everyone who came to see him has a short story to share. ❖❖❖ Megean Lauson, 27, was standing on the corner of Eighth and Franklin streets hoping to catch a glimpse of the president. Standing out in the cold was worth it to her. “It’s the president of the United States coming to Manitowoc,” she said. “It’s an honor just to have something like this happen to us. It’s amazing.” Lawson was holding an Obama sign, and she came prepared. “I’m hoping to get his signature,” she said while holding up a pen. ❖❖❖ Donnie Polifka of Two Rivers was waiting outside on Franklin Street while police officers monitored the area. Polifka wanted not only to see the president, but talk to him as well. “I’d like to get a glimpse of him, if I could I’d shake his hand,” he said. “I’d like to say ‘Hello, how are you?’ and wish him the best of luck in his presidency.”
President Barack Obama talks with welder Melissa Peters during his visit to Tower Tech Systems on Wednesday. She also took advantage of the opportunity to hug Obama. Doug Sundin/HTR
“Mostly everybody who’s been in here this morning has talked about how exciting it is, even just him being in the city in general,” said waitress Diane Lutz. “It’s a very positive vibe. This is just a little restaurant, but we have a lot of regulars who talk politics.” If the president stopped in for lunch, Lutz said she had her recommendation ready. Talk of the town “Chicken dumpling soup The regulars at War- and a burger. It would be rens Restaurant on Wash- just a down-home thing,” ington Street were dis- she said. “We would be cussing Obama’s impend- thrilled if the president ing visit over breakfast could come here or even Wednesday morning. drive by our window.”
Tower Tech workers get the thrill of a lifetime
‘I got to hug him. I can’t believe he let me do that’
BY SARAH KLOEPPING
Herald Times Reporter
MANITOWOC — Not many people can say they have spoken to the president, and even fewer can say they’ve hugged him. Tower Tech Systems/ Broadwind Towers employee Melissa Peters is now a member of that small group who can claim both. “I got to hug him. I can’t believe he let me do that,” said Peters, who was welding when Obama came to speak to her on Wednesday during his two-hour tour of Manitowoc. “He asked how long I worked here and said I must really like it if I’ve been here for almost four years. … It went so fast. It’s definitely a chance in a lifetime experience.” Obama visited three manufacturing companies during his visit to Manitowoc. Tower Tech was his final stop before departing to Austin Straubel Airport in Ashwaubenon. During his approximately 20-minute tour of Tower Tech, Obama saw how a wind turbine tower is manufactured — from rawplate steel through the process of forming, welding, painting and moving a completed tower section, which can weigh up to 200 tons.
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“Him being here, just his presence, kind of supports the industry we work in,” Tower Tech Systems president Paul Smith said. “He complimented the workmanship that he saw. He was really impressed with what we do.” Smith, along with Broadwind Energy president and CEO Peter Duprey, and plant manager Chris Wallander, led Obama through the facility where he stopped several times to talk with employees. “We were honored to host President Obama and demonstrate clean energy jobs and innovation in action,” Duprey said. “Broadwind Energy looks at the energy industry with a unique perspective, bringing a variety of solutions to our customers to help them make the most of their energy investments. “President Obama is essentially asking the same of our country — bring together all of our best talents and solutions and help our country and other countries maximize their
energy potential — sustainably, cleanly and profitably.” Smith said Obama spoke with about a dozen employees and shook the hands of many more during his short stop. “He made a point of trying to make contact with as many people as he possibly could,” Smith said. “He kind of hit me as the personality that he would have spent all afternoon out there if he could have. “These employees work hard and do a terrific job, not just for this company, but for this industry. Him actually making that statement by coming out here to thank them was a big deal.” Peters said she was surprised at how down-toearth the president was. “He’s really laid-back,” she said. “He’s really personable for a president … not as scary as I thought he’d be. After he left I was like, ‘No, I want to talk to him more.’”
❖❖❖ Marion Olson of Chilton drove to Manitowoc today in hopes of seeing Obama. She saw former president Ronald Reagan and his wife once in Milwaukee. “I like doing these things,” she said. “These are the super-duper things to remember, once in a lifetime.” Olson staked out a window seat at Warrens, hoping he would drive past. “Everybody tells me I won’t see him, and that’s probably true. I might see the car,” she said. Sarah Kloepping: (920) 686-2105 or skloepping@htrnews.com
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ABOVE: Marion Olson of Chilton gets a window seat at Warrens Restaurant in downtown Manitowoc in hopes of seeing President Barack Obama on Wednesday. LEFT: Megean Lauson holds a “Welcome President Obama” sign while waiting in downtown Manitowoc for his motorcade to drive past. Photos by Sarah Kloepping/HTR
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A-4&Thursday, January 27, 2011
HERALD TIMES REPORTER
President Barack Obama’s visit to Manitowoc
Orion employees buoyed by Obama’s visit ‘I’ve never seen anything like it’ BY SUZANNE WEISS
Herald Times Reporter
MANITOWOC — President Barack Obama’s whirlwind visit to Orion Energy Systems on Wednesday left excited employees in its wake. “It’s amazing, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Ken Wetenkamp, director of product development at Orion Energy Systems, said of all the hoopla surrounding the visit. Wetenkamp was one of about 300 employees and visitors who filled the metal chairs set up in the heart of the factory, where Obama spoke. Another 150 or so press members, with their jumbles of cables and cords, were sectioned off at the back of the room. Obama, who was expected to speak at noon, began his talk 30 minutes early. The president praised Orion, which makes energy-saving lighting systems, and its founder and CEO, Neal Verfuerth, for building an industry for the future. “I can’t imagine a higher validation that one can get than from the president,” Verfuerth said. “It’s beyond description.
Employees impressed
Some employees searched for the right words to explain what the visit meant to them. “The best way to explain it is ‘I’m over the moon.’ I’m seated within 50 feet of President Barack Obama,” said executive assistant Tina Prigge. “For everyone here, this is a very special day, something we will be telling our children and grandchildren about. It’s a great week for Wisconsin. First the Super Bowl and now the president.” Dennis Krueger, leader of the maintenance team, helped set up chairs and worked with White House staff to make sure the building was secure. “It’s amazing,” Krueger said. “Words can hardly describe it. It’s quite an honor to be visited by the president.” “This is awesome,” said Bryan President Barack Obama reaches across a group of Orion Energy Systems employees to shake a young girl’s hand Mahute, who works in the manufacturing of fully enclosed following his speech at the Manitowoc business on Wednesday. Doug Sundin/HTR fixtures. “What makes it impressive is that I believe in what To hear the president of the saved its customers more than a president was coming to her we’re doing here. I believe in the place of work, she couldn’t products. To have the president United States say those kinds of billion dollars, Verfuerth said. recognize what we do … it’s “I’ve been in the company over believe it. things is incredible.” eight years now and watched it “My first thought was, ‘You’re incredible. It’s a very proud day New life grow,” Wetenkamp said. “What pulling my leg.’ After that, it for myself and I know all of my The company has given new (Obama) said was true. We’ve was nervous preparation,” said co-workers. It’s a proud day for life to the former Mirro Plant at always been on the cutting edge Hirvela, the operations manag- Orion.” which Obama spoke. of the energy industry.” er for Orion’s asset management Suzanne Weiss: (920) 686-2140 or Its energy-saving products have When Kathy Hirvela heard the division. sweiss@htrnews.com
VISIT
ã From A-1
night during his State of the Union speech. “That’s how we’re going to build the industries of the future, because we make smarter products using better technology than anybody else,” Obama said to loud applause from employees of the energy technology company. “So, I came here to Manitowoc to glimpse that future … this is a place that’s been doing what America has always done throughout its history … you’ve reinvented yourself.” In talking about Orion’s founder, Obama said, “America needs to get behind entrepreneurs like Neal. We need to get behind clean energy companies like Orion.” Obama said the jobs at Orion “are good for all of us because they make everybody’s energy bills cheaper. They make the planet safer. “What you do is sharpening America’s competitive edge all around the world.” Obama said Verfuerth likes to say that Orion plays to win. “That’s what sets Neal apart,” the president said. “That’s what sets Orion apart. That’s what also sets America apart. Here in America, we play to win.” After watching employee Marisol DeBaushe perform final testing on a high-intensity modular light fixture and turn it on, Obama told the media Orion’s signature product “creates 50 to 75 percent more light at half the power … that’s how we’re going to win the future.”
LEFT: President Barack Obama tours Tower Tech Systems in Manitowoc on Wednesday. ABOVE: Obama tours Orion Energy Systems with the company’s founder and CEO, Neal Verfuerth. Photos by Doug Sundin/HTR
‘Exceeded expectations’
Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels, along with Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt and Gov. Scott Walker, chatted with Obama before he went to the plant floor. Nickels presented Obama with a Packers jersey with “OBAMA 12” on the back. A well-known Chicago Bears fan, Obama later commented to the employees and assembled media, “I’m not here because I lost a bet” and then wished the Packers good luck in their super showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Obama’s remarks impressed Nickels. “It was neat that he picked Manitowoc to start his campaign focusing on renewable energy,” Nickels said. “The president had a good message that he shared with the world … we couldn’t ask for better press. His visit exceeded my expectations.” Obama also focused attention
during his televised address on Tower Tech, which he said was “one of the largest wind tower manufacturers in North America — a company that’s grown by several hundred workers in recent years.” He also saluted Skana Aluminum, which resumed aluminum hot mill production after the plant was shuttered for more than a year after the previous ownership filed for bankruptcy. Obama toured the facility, accompanied by Tom Testwuide, Skana’s CEO and board chairman, along with Jerry Keehan, vice president-manufacturing. After watching giant, aluminum ingot slabs melting in a 1,300-degree furnace, Obama told the media that Skana “is the result of a terrific business person like Tom working with the government to re-open plants.” A focus of Obama’s “White House to Main Street” tours is to tout legislation he has signed including incentives to support
reinvestments in renewable energy, tax cuts to encourage businesses to make new investments, and efforts to help small businesses get access to the credit they need to expand and hire.
Through city to Tower Tech
wind Energy. In the same plant where the Manitowoc Company built 28 World War II submarines, Obama talked with welders Melissa Peters and Robin King, who were assembling wind tower sections. The two young women are part of the business that opened in 2003 and has grown to more than 300 employees. With severe winter weather conditions, including icy runways at Andrews Air Force Base, the decision was made to end the president’s Manitowoc visit at 1:30 p.m., and Obama returned to Austin Straubel. Forty minutes later, the president was at the top of the gangway waving good-bye to Wisconsin before ducking into Air Force One and jetting eastward, leaving behind a city that could feel proud to have hosted the nation’s chief executive.
Following his tour of Skana, the presidential motorcade traveled on Mirro, Memorial and Maritime drives, as well as through downtown on Eighth, Franklin and 16th streets to the peninsula and Tower Tech. People with American flags and signs lined the three-mile route including Madison Elementary School students on the hill overlooking Maritime Drive and Lake Michigan. At Tower Tech, Obama was greeted by Paul Smith, Broadwind Towers president; Chris Wallander, plant manager; and Peter Duprey, president and CEO of the wind tower manufac- Charlie Mathews: (920) 686-2969 turer’s parent company, Broad- or cmathews@htrnews.com
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HERALD TIMES REPORTER
Thursday, January 27, 2011&A-5
President Barack Obama’s visit to Manitowoc
Obama visits Skana employees hard at work BY SUZANNE WEISS
Herald Times Reporter
MANITOWOC — Skana Aluminum Co. employees were hard at work on Wednesday when President Barack Obama and his entourage stopped for a 15-minute visit. Saw operator Glenn Zimmer was loading slabs of aluminum on the re-heat furnace when Obama paused to say hello in the early afternoon. “He congratulated us on being called back to work and thanked us for our work. He shook my hand,” Zimmer said. “Anytime you meet the president, you’ve got to feel pretty good. I’m pretty impressed he stopped in Manitowoc, especially when the Bears lost.” Cold mill operator Tim Jandrin was running the mill when Obama stopped at his workstation and shook his hand. “The president is taller than I thought he was,” Jandrin said. “I was proud that he made us a stop of several today, right after the State of the Union address.” Smelter Robert Mrotek opened the huge door of
ABOVE: President Barack Obama talks with Skana Aluminum Co. chairman and CEO Tom Testwuide, left, and vice president of manufacturing Jerry Keehan during his visit to the Manitowoc company Wednesday. RIGHT: Obama, far right, pauses while touring Skana Aluminum Co. Photos by Doug Sundin/HTR the 1,300-degree furnace and showed the president the 50,000 pounds of aluminum inside. “I just said, ‘Welcome to Manitowoc’ and shook his hand,” Mrotek said, not quite believing that a guy from a small town like Cleveland had just met the president “I was able to take his picture and I shook his hand,” said production clerk Bonnie Strauss, showing a reporter the image she captured on her digital camera. “He was
very accommodating and thanked us for doing a great job. I was honored to meet him. It’s a once-ina-lifetime experience. It’s something no one can ever take away from me.” Robert Gamba, president and COO, thought that Obama chose to visit Skana because it is “one of the poster companies for the post-recessional United States,” he said. The company took assets that were in bankruptcy, that were in danger of being broken up and sent
abroad, and kept them here and put them to work along with 75 employees, Gamba said. “The president has talked to a number of our employees who had explained they had been out of work between 12 and 14 months prior to being rehired. And they all had a smile on their faces. He understands how this was turnaround,” said Tom Testwuide, chairman and CEO of Skana. “I was very proud for our company and for Manitowoc, that
our president would choose to highlight what we are doing.” The company restarted production in July. This was possible thanks to Testwuide’s strong leadership and the area’s strong workforce, Gamba said. Besides private money, the company also took advantage of government loans to help them get started, Testwuide said. “Companies often have difficulties obtaining longterm loans. That’s why these programs that have
been around for 30 years are important programs. Historically, they’ve not only made money for the U.S. government, but they’ve helped a lot of small businesses increase their capacity and in this case, restart the operation,” he said. “We’ve gone from zero employees last year to 75, and we’ll be adding about 15 additional employees in the next four to six to weeks.” Suzanne Weiss: (920) 686-2140 or sweiss@htrnews.com
Stripes from the American flag are seen behind President Barack Obama as he gives a speech at Orion Energy Systems in Manitowoc on Wednesday. Benjamin Wideman/HTR
President Barack Obama, a Chicago Bears fan, receives an autographed Green Bay Packers jersey from Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt, left, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker upon his arrival at Austin Straubel International Airport in Ashwaubenon on Wednesday. From there, Obama traveled to Manitowoc, where he visited three companies. The Charles Woodson jersey was President Barack Obama waves while boarding Air Force One at Austin Straubel International autographed by Woodson, whose Packers will be playing in the Super Bowl. The message on the Airport in Ashwaubenon before flying back to Washington D.C. on Wednesday. Doug Sundin/HTR jersey reads, “See you at the White House. Go Packers.” Doug Sundin/HTR
ABOVE: President Barack Obama, fourth from the left, tours Tower Tech Systems during his visit to Manitowoc on Wednesday. Doug Sundin/HTR LEFT: President Barack Obama looks back while shaking hands with Orion Energy Systems guests and employees following his speech at the Manitowc business Wednesday. Doug Sundin/HTR
On the Net
For more photos of President Barack Obama’s historic visit to Manitowoc, log on to www.htrnews.com
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A-6&Thursday, January 27, 2011
HERALD TIMES REPORTER
President Barack Obama’s visit to Manitowoc
Residents brave cold to see President Obama BY CINDY HODGSON
Herald Times Reporter
MANITOWOC — Steve Riske of Manitowoc was standing in the cold outside Manitowoc Coffee on Wednesday morning hoping for a glimpse of President Barack Obama. “I took vacation from work, he better show up,” Riske said. Riske’s wife, Tonya, was confident the motorcade would come down Eighth Street where they were waiting. “He’ll come by here,” she said. Tonya said they were waiting because they’re Obama supporters and they were excited Manitowoc was selected “of all the places on the map.” Steve called it a “once in a lifetime” opportunity and said they weren’t going to give up and go home “until the crowd disperses” — or until 3:30 p.m. when Obama was set to fly out of Green Bay. “We took our son, Lucian, out of school,” said Tina Kugler of Manitowoc who was waiting on Eighth Street with her husband, Carson. “It’s such a big deal. It’s history.” “I just wanted to see him drive by,” said Lucian, 8, who had watched part of the State of the Union address Tuesday night.
came up from Milwaukee for the opportunity. “We waited almost three hours,” he said, adding he was “thrilled to be here.” Thompson was wearing a cheesehead Mayor Justin Nickels had signed as he interacted with folks waiting downtown for Obama. “I’m thrilled for Mayor Nickels,” she said about his opportunity to host the president in Manitowoc. Thompson said the presidential visit was a way to bring back unity and instill pride in the community. “We need a shot in the With the Manitowoc lighthouse in the background, schoolchildren hold signs along Maritime Drive as they wait for President arm like this,” she said.
Barack Obama’s motorcade to drive past on Wednesday. Benjamin Wideman/HTR
said he thought would call attention to his 3-year-old grandson, Samuel. It also was to show that the community is patriotic, Hinz said. Kowalski said he has been to Washington, D.C., a couple of times and didn’t see a president, and now he might have a chance to see one right here. “We’re skipping a naptime for this,” Hinz said. “It’s a big deal.” “This is part of history to be here,” Lona said. “I want to show the president support,” Bast said. “I thought his speech last night was outstanding.” Those waiting in the ‘Part of history’ cold had no guarantee the Craig and Lona Kowal- president even would ski of Two Rivers were drive down Eighth Street. waiting with their daugh“That’s a chance we ter, Jennifer Hinz, of Man- have to take,” Lona said. itowoc and her 1- and 3- “There’s an excitement year-old children as well about the whole thing even as Lona’s sister-in-law, if we don’t see him.” Sandy Bast, of Manitowoc. They brought a large Cold wait pays off American flag, which Craig Many of those hoping to
see the president waited in the cold for at least a couple of hours. Finally, at about 12:30 p.m., a police car blocked traffic at the intersection of Eighth and Franklin streets, on the south side of Franklin. Officials walked up and down the street telling people to stay on the sidewalks, and helicopters hovered over the area. Several minutes later, the motorcade came through, heading south on Eighth Street and turning right onto Franklin on its way from Skana Aluminum to Tower Tech. “I saw him! He was in the back. He looked right at us,” Craig Kowalski said to his family members after Obama’s vehicle sped past. The president was in the backseat on the passenger’s side in one of the first vehicles in the multivehicle motorcade. “He was smiling and waving. Oh, cool!” Lona
‘Definitely worth it’
smile,” Bast said. Lona agreed and said the president looked “genuine.” “He waved right at us,” she said. “Good thing he was on our side (of the street).”
‘Shot in the arm’
Evy Hoenisch, 4, and her mom, Amity, hold a sign near Tower Tech Systems in Manitowoc as they wait for President Barack Obama’s motorcade to drive past. Sarah Kloepping/HTR said excitedly. “It was worth the wait,” Hinz said. “We’d have waited all day.” “He had a wonderful
Mike and Cait Bosch of Manitowoc had been waiting since 10:30 a.m. By 1 p.m., shortly after the presidential motorcade passed, Cait said she could not feel her legs, feet or hands anymore, and Mike was visibly shivering. The cold wait was “definitely worth it,” said Cait who took photos with her cell phone. Mike got some video just before his battery went dead. Cait said she hadn’t seen a president before. “Not even close,” she said, meaning she hadn’t seen anyone in a high-level political position. Cait and Mike didn’t vote in the last election but both said they’ll vote now. Having a president come to town “just makes it more real,” Cait said. Seeing a president was “really cool,” Mike said. “Who would’ve thought a president would come to a town like this?”
Renee Thompson of Manitowoc and her relatives also picked the correct side of the street. Thompson said she had seen two other sitting presidents, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, as a result of her work in the aerospace industry, but she nonetheless came out for a glimpse of Obama. “I think there are a lot of firsts about Barack Obama,” Thompson said, adding she thinks it’s “fabulous” that Manitowoc was his first stop after Tuesday night’s State of the Union address. Her nephew, Bret Brunner, said he had seen Cindy Hodgson: (920) 686-2966 or Obama before but he still chodgson@htrnews.com
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