On the SidE. . .

On the SidE. . .
This and that from the world of Valley politics.
SHIRT OFF HIS BACK? Mahoning Republican Chairman Clarence Smith wanted President Bush's autograph when he greeted the commander in chief at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station. So Smith moved his suit jacket and had the president sign the upper right-hand corner of his white dress shirt.
On the list handed to the media by a Bush staffer of the people greeting the president, Smith was called chairman of Compco, and Craig Bonar was called owner of Rapid United Steel Haulers. That's not why they were there. Smith is Mahoning GOP chairman and Bonar is his counterpart in Trumbull County. Remember, this wasn't a campaign stop.
Sue McClimans of Girard wasn't among the few hundred people waiving at the presidential motorcade, but the visit still cost her $117. McClimans said her husband parked his car in a church parking lot along U.S. Route 422 to go fishing with a friend. When she went to pick it up, it was gone. U.S. Secret Service had the car towed because it was unoccupied and along the presidential motorcade route. So McClimans had to pay $117 to get the car from the towing company.
Being part of a presidential motorcade is quite a fascinating experience. Dozens of police cruisers from the area blocked major roads and highways in both directions as we made it from the air base to Youngstown State University in record time.
skolnick@vindy.com