Neighbors See Little Increase in Activity Around Missouri Ethanol Plant Prior to Presidential Visit

Bob McCarty Writes ^ | 4-26-10 | Bob McCarty

[BobMcCartyWrites]

Though President Obama is expected to visit Wednesday morning, Michele Vansickle said there doesn’t seem to be much activity at the ethanol plant in Macon, Mo.

[BobMcCartyWrites]

Though President Barack Obama is expected to visit the POET Energy ethanol plant in Macon, Mo., Wednesday morning, Michele Vansickle said there doesn’t seem to be much activity at the plant located just a few miles east of Macon on U.S. Highway 36. And she should know. Along with her husband, Darold, she lives directly across the highway from the plant.

Owners of a small trucking company that operates out of their home, the Vansickles can look out their front door and see the silver and white structures at the plant which, according to the company’s web site, produced its first ethanol in May 2000.

Asked by phone early this afternoon whether she has seen an increase in activity at the plant since news of President Obama’s trip became public, she said, “I do think we heard some helicopters yesterday morning as we were getting ready for church, but otherwise, it’s like normal to me.”

Related to things going on across the street, she said she’s received several phone calls about the upcoming visit from people she knows.

“I’ve had lots of friends and family wanting to know if there’s extra activity going on,” she said, noting that no one has asked to hang out at their house during the visit.

She and her husband have been too focused on their auto transport business, she said, to be distracted by the visit. Michele does the accounting for the six-truck business while her husband does the dispatching and manages drivers.

“You know, we work for a living and, so, I don’t really pay much attention,” she said.

Asked what she thinks about the president visiting so close to her home, Vansickle didn’t express too much excitement.

“It’s unique, but I guess I won’t believe it until I see it.”

When asked whether or not she is generally favorable of the president, Vansickle replied tentatively, saying, “Probably not so much.”

Asked what she would you say to President Obama if, for whatever reason, he stops at her house, she switched into a posture familiar to small business owners who don’t want to attract the attention of an elected official who has shown himself to be anything but friendly toward them.

“Oh boy. I don’t think I want to start on that question,” she said. “Thank you though. I need to get back to work.”

Translation: "Welcome to town, Mr. Obama. And, please, don't stay long."

[albie]

...and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

[wbill]

“Here’s your hat, what’s your hurry?”

[21twelve]

“Owners of a small trucking company that operates out of their home....”

10 to 1 they get audited this year.

[Windflier]

"Though President Obama is expected to visit Wednesday morning, Michele Vansickle said there doesn’t seem to be much activity at the ethanol plant in Macon, Mo."

The thrill is gone...

[Robert A Cook PE]

A presidential visit for a day trip out of Washington costs between $400,000.00 to 700.000.00 dollars for the “official party” and transport and all the security, plus another 3/4 million all-around in local disturbances and travel stops and interferences with normal work... And of course, NOTHING gets done at the sites visited for two-four days prior (inspections, cleanup, painting, prep's, stands, security, admin prep's for the visit; and one day after before something can get done.

Now, just WHY is Obama wasting my tax money going to this ethanol plant in Missouri now?

[Windflier]

A presidential visit for a day trip out of Washington costs between $400,000.00 to 700.000.00 dollars for the “official party” and transport and all the security, plus another 3/4 million all-around in local disturbances and travel stops and interferences with normal work...

Makes me sick to think that my tax dollars are going to pay for Bambi to engage in a purely political exercise. The man has never stopped campaigning. He's still doing it, but now the taxpayers are picking up the tab.

Think of what it cost the American taxpayers for him to travel to Copenhagen. Actually, don't think about it. It'll just make you want to punch something.

[Marie Antoinette]

Macon ping!

[Big Giant Head]

I work in this area, and this is totally going to screw up stuff. I’ve met Michele and her husband and they’re good people.

Unmentioned in this article are the protests planned for right down the highway from the Poet plant. Both the night before and the day of, there are going to be people out “welcoming” _resident Soros/sotero to the area. I got an email, they need volunteers as they’re expecting a large turnout.