South Bend's west side preparing for Clinton visit Monday

by Nora Gathings (hsgathings@wsbt.com)

Tools

Former President Bill Clinton

Former President Bill Clinton makes remarks during a campaign event for his wife, Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., in Bethlehem, Pa., Wednesday, March 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

By Jim Pinkerton

SOUTH BEND — A 78-year celebration is expected to draw several thousand more people this year.

President Bill Clinton and his daughter, Chelsea, will make stops at two Dyngus Day celebrations in South Bend Monday.

Former U.S. Congressman Tim Roemer will also be making stops for Barack Obama.

People on South Bend's west side are preparing themselves for as many as 6,000 people.

Juan Hernandez lives across the street from the West Side Democratic Club, giving him a front row seat for the Dyngus Day activities.

"It used to be bad back in the '60s, but lately, it has been pretty nice here," said Hernandez. "It has quieted down a lot. By 10 o'clock, it is all over."

That could change with President Bill Clinton and Chelsea stopping by. Police say people will have to park farther away to ensure there's enough space for emergency vehicles to pass through the narrow streets.

"There will be a lot of people that come out here," said Fran Young who lives down the street from the Democratic Club.

And people are already cooking inside the club.

"We are trying to avoid the fiasco we had last year with long lines," said Tim Hudak, president of the West Side Democratic Club.

That may be difficult if an additional 3,000 people come to see the Clintons.

"There are so many unknowns and so many variables. We have to go on with what we normally do, and we just have to make the best of it," said Hudak.

The Democratic Club is clean and posters are in place, but neighbors say outside doesn't look as nice and hope the visit will change that.

"The truth is, if a lot of people come, maybe they will start fixing stuff up around here, once they see how bad it's getting," said Young.

After all, neighbors say both campaigns are promising change.

President Clinton and Chelsea will be at the West Side Democratic Club at 11:30 a.m. Monday. From there, they'll go to the Elks Lodge on Western Avenue for Solidarity Day.

At 3:15 p.m., President Clinton will attend a rally at Rochester Community High School before continuing on to Logansport and Lafayette.

The Democratic Party has hung Clinton - Bayh posters inside the West Side Democratic Club. Party leaders say this is not an official announcement; merely a suggestion.

Former Congressman Tim Roemer will attend some of the same events for Barack Obama's campaign. He will be at the West Side Democratic Club at 11 a.m. and the Elks Lodge at 2 p.m. He then goes onto M.R. Falcons on Keller Street at 3:30. At 4 p.m., he will be at the Firefighters Hall on Lincoln Way West.

Monday, Mar 24 at 10:44 AM Melanie wrote ...

Being a "man of the people" I doubt that Clinton will be shocked by the deterioration of the inner city in the "Rust Belt". As a jazz man I think he will appreciate the soul he will find in the old Democratic Club. It's a cool place! Stop being so superficial.

Sunday, Mar 23 at 7:17 PM Lisa wrote ...

The problem is that most of the nice places to visit are republican strongholds

Sunday, Mar 23 at 12:40 PM Lisa A wrote ...

Welcome Bil Clinton! I like the man! I am voting for Hilary! But, I am embarrased that he will be visiting such a deplorable part of our community! How disgraceful,,,

Saturday, Mar 22 at 11:43 PM Dustin wrote ...

So many haters, so many who will not sign their name. So many who sit on the sidelines and point fingers but how many get involved to make a positive difference? How many, who dislike our current administration, worked for his opponent during the last election? Those who did know that the better man won and won big. The people of South Bend overwhelmingly made their choice, fair and square. South Bend is not "dead, R.I.P." as the state Republicans and their minions stated last year.

Saturday, Mar 22 at 9:37 PM Victor wrote ...

Since he is here now, I will absolutely make sure that I now will vote for Obama or McCain. He should stay out of politics now.

Saturday, Mar 22 at 9:25 PM treacherous wrote ...

I hope someone makes sure the roads are patched well enough so our visitors do not get injured while their here. Then again, a few dips in the road may make them want to ask our great governor just what has he done to our once great state?....and ending,,,who cares what Pres. Clinton did? What is sad ,many men and or women do act this way and then look at themselves as not doing anything wrong. Maybe they should also get an agenda of how our county really treats us...

Saturday, Mar 22 at 8:01 PM the more you know wrote ...

Hillary voted to topple Saddam, not to hang around afterwards to tell everyone to do everything our way or the highway.

Saturday, Mar 22 at 6:35 PM Just Me... wrote ...

I heard there will be free cigars for all that attend!!! Yoohoo!!! Glad I won't be there!!!! But to all the Democrats! Have fun!!!!

Saturday, Mar 22 at 6:34 PM Tuvok wrote ...

And so Bill turned toward Chelsea and said, "this is why we sent you to college, so you don't have to live in a place like this".

Saturday, Mar 22 at 6:11 PM Frank wrote ...

I've been asking who pays for this visit; it'll cost the city money. No one seems to care--and when our city goes broke we will be the ghetto the last writer called us.

Saturday, Mar 22 at 6:09 PM Anonymous wrote ...

EWW he is so ugly gals must be desperate to wanna do him guess its just a power trip

Saturday, Mar 22 at 4:17 PM annomyous wrote ...

WOW! this if the first time former president come to south bend but I aks is he here to raise money for the campaign of his wife or for monica?

Saturday, Mar 22 at 3:43 PM Old School wrote ...

I know one thing for sure. He showed Lewinski his Dyngus.

Saturday, Mar 22 at 1:59 PM anonymous wrote ...

Maybe theie vehicle will get tire and wheel damage from all the potholes around here, or if they are lucky they will see 6 or 8 state/county/city workers with one truck and 2 doing the work and 6 supervising. JMO!!

Saturday, Mar 22 at 12:54 PM Lamont wrote ...

This is exciting. A real President coming to visit us. When dubya visits, it doesn't feel like the same thing. I mean, I know he's Prez, but it doesn't *feel* like a real President visited when it's dubya. Yeah, this is my second attempt and for some reason I think wsbt, the local right wing tv and radio station, will post it this time.

Saturday, Mar 22 at 12:23 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Real deal, that must be the same war that Hillary voted in favor of.

Saturday, Mar 22 at 12:13 PM Barb wrote ...

Wow! I bet Bill and Chelsea will by impressed by this run-down ghetto city we call South Bend!

Saturday, Mar 22 at 10:42 AM real deal wrote ...

Hey Annomyous. You are as funny as you are an accurate speller! I know it was horrible having a balanced budged with surplus during his administration. Oh and no wars over imaginary WMDs!

Saturday, Mar 22 at 10:22 AM Are you Kidding wrote ...

Register as a sex offender..NO, to be a offender...one has to make aomplaint.....those still alive are not ever going to be complaining!

Saturday, Mar 22 at 10:15 AM My Friend Monica wrote ...

No Anmyous, as you know, he was NOT impeached for having his sperm on Monica's Dress...instead he lied about it, under oath...the above I swear is true, depending on what the meaning of "is" is. Had enough? (A campaign button against Truman I justy bought that seems fitting....

Saturday, Mar 22 at 9:47 AM Observer wrote ...

Why is it FORMER Conressman Roemer and not FORMER President Clinton? Just wondering where the bias lies...

Saturday, Mar 22 at 8:04 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Are you nuts! She was 21 years old! He's a sex DEFFENDER. Besides, "He did NOT have sex with that woman." But boy did she have sex with him!

Saturday, Mar 22 at 7:01 AM ANNOMYOUS wrote ...

Does this mean he will have to check in with the local authorities and register as a sex offender?

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

Comments are moderated and will not appear on this story until after they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting.

WSBT and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

WSBT Weather

More On Demand

Stock Quotes

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.30
Jeopardy!
8.00
The Unit
9.00
48 Hours Mystery
10.00
48 Hours Mystery
11.00
WSBT News
11.35
CSI: Miami
10.00
CSI: Miami

Question of The Day

Do you think the Founding Fathers would be proud of America today?

For more information, read CNN Poll: Most say Founding Fathers wouldn't be impressed.

  • Yes
  • No