President Obama in Vermont March 30th

[Chris Santee]

PRESS RELEASE

South Burlington Police Department
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, Vermont   05403

Phone: 846-4111                                      SUPVR REV/APP    659
Fax #: 846-4102

Traffic Planning for Presidential visit to Vermont

The South Burlington Police Department is working with the United States Secret Service, Vermont State Police, University of Vermont Police, and Burlington Police Department, to plan and prepare for the visit of President Barack Obama on March 30, 2012.  The planning for this event has been extensive, with a focus on both the President's and the public's safety and security during the visit.  The unified agencies involved in the planning are keenly aware of the public's concern over traffic congestion during visits of other dignitaries.  Every effort is being made to minimize the impact to the residential communities and businesses affected by the President's visit.

Although it is not always possible to provide advanced information regarding the specific routes of travel involving the President, we are committed to utilizing traffic control measures that minimize the impact upon commuters while still maintaining the safety of the President as well as the communities involved.

Due to the level of security required for a visit by the President, there will be temporary road closures and redirections of traffic in and around the area of Williston Road (US Rt 2), Interstate 89 in the area of exit 14 E&W, and the Spear Street/ East Avenue intersection. These temporary actions may delay traffic and will likely radiate beyond this area to other roadways.  While the highways will only be closed intermittently during this event, backups may occur.

It is highly recommended that alternate routes be planned and extra time allowed for travel on this date.

[Thor]

Alternate routes? Hell if he is in town I would just plain avoid the area! Everyone can just call in sick and Obama will reimburse everyone out of the federal budget for a missed day. Or heck, just claim a months vacation and he will probably pay for that!!

[Chris Santee]

Republican Party Chair Lindley to Obama:
Why Are Vermont Taxpayers Subsidizing Your Campaign?

Will Shumlin ask the President to Reimburse Vermont for the Cost of his Fundraising Trip?

(Montpelier) "It's a huge deal," Vermont Democratic Party Chairman Jake Perkinson, said of the president's visit.

"Yes, it's a huge deal," said Vermont GOP Chair Jack Lindley. "It's a huge deal for Vermont taxpayers, who are still reeling from the cost of the worst flooding in the past 100 years; Vermonters who are still reeling from the cost of Obamacare and the skyrocketing cost of gasoline and heating oil. And for Vermonters who are also going to be faced with a projected 18% increase in the cost of health care under the Governor's plan for the health care exchange and an additional rate increase in their electric bill from the Governor's proposed renewable energy bill."

Said Lindley, "I had hoped the President would take time to meet some of those suffering as a result of his policies. Unfortunately, he'll be spending most of his time raising money. And according to WCAX, it appears he'll be sticking Vermont taxpayers with the tab for state and local police and traffic detail. WCAX reports that 'police officers are expected to be stationed at every intersection along the route -- a special detail that's going to require dozens of officers from surrounding towns.' And South Burlington Police Chief Trevor Whipple says he expects the cost to be 'community borne.' "

"The President says he expects to raise and spend one billion on his reelection campaign," said Lindley. "The least he could do is reimburse Vermont's taxpayers for the cost of his fundraising visit, rather than ask the people of cash strapped Vermont to subsidize the cost of his campaign. Let us hope that our esteemed Governor, who is still having trouble balancing the budget, will see fit to speak up on behalf of Vermont's taxpayers and ask the President for reimbursement."

[Margie]

With comments like these in the article, it's not surprising there have been no presidential visits to the state of Vermont since 1995. 

My question regarding the article you posted, Chris:  do other states expect reimbursement when a president visits?

[mkr]

I agree Margie and good question.  I am not sure what the actual "normal procedure" is.

[Chris Santee]

You may recall our last president was threatened with arrest if he came to visit the Green Mountains.

Technically, this is a campaign stop, note the prices to see him.
A campaign should reimburse for police protection/traffic control/etc.

If he were here to view Irene damage as a presidential stop, different story.

Secret Service protection is afforded all the viable candidates.

Personally,
If I were Shumlin, I would not bill the campaign.
If I were Obama, I would offer to pay.
But, luckily for you all, I am neither.

My question is,
Can Air Force One land on BTV's runway ?
It takes a long distance to stop that baby.

[MikeF9]

Clinton arrived at Burlington Airport in Air Force One in 1995. No problem.

[Chris Santee]

Thanks, Mike.

[7F24]

Burlington's runways can handle just about anything.  It gets tight trying to taxi some of the bigger ones (C5, C17, B747), but they fit.

[Chris Santee]

I'd love to be in the tower for this. I've never seen it.
Catching and launching on a flightdeck was exciting, but an RA-5C was considered big.

[Margie]

Chris, as I recall, there were only a couple of towns that threatened to arrest President Bush or VP Cheney, not the state as a whole.  However, Switzerland also considered arresting them ....but that's a different story. 

And I agree...I would LOVE to watch Air Force One land at the airport.  So cool! 

[Thor]

The best thing to watch will be when Air Force One LEAVES Burlington.

[mkr]

Working at Water Tower Hill in Colchester, we are pretty lucky to usually see the big boy planes land and take off.  So although I won't be at the airport, I will have a great view out my window at work to try and see it.

[Chris Santee]

Is Friendly's open ?

[mkr]

Nope, they are closed, so a empty parking lot for the parking Chris!  You are also welcome to come up to my parking lot as well if you want on Friday