Pocono News Section

Stroudsburg Prepares for Clinton Visit

Stroudsburg Prepares for Clinton Visit - Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 4:55PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008 @04:55pm EST
STROUDSBURG - The campaign crush continues in Pennsylvania. In the past week Presidential Candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton stopped by. Chelsea Clinton also made an appearance and now the best known Clinton is getting ready for a visit.

Former President Bill Clinton will make several stops in Northeast Pennsylvania Wednesday.

The firetruck parked outside of Stroudsburg made some wonder what was wrong but there was no disaster there, just a lot of excitement that former President Bill Clinton will visit Wednesday night.

"Were really excited. It's really great for the community - it's great for our students and our school. We can't wait till he gets here," said High School Principal Jeff Sodl.

The firefighters came to help the grounds crew replace the torn rope on a flag pole. And that was just the beginning of the maintenance work.

"Everything is a rush to get things ready for the President to come," said Maintenance worker Bruce Warner.

The staff armed with rakes, and leaf blowers, and trucks to haul off brush spent all day getting the school grounds fit for a President.

Gertrude Hennings of Stroudsburg said, "I think it's wonderful. Stroudsburg is finally getting on the map." She added she might come to see Mister Clinton speak at the high school gym.

There's enough room in the gym to fit about 1,000 people. There aren't tickets available so if you'd like to see the former President you better get in line early.

Stroudsburg Senior Morgan Wise said she won't mind he wait. "It's something I think that we need. We need to get young people interested in voting," she explained.

Sodl hopes lots of students show up. He said, "It's historical. It's not often that a former President comes to your school. It's a great opportunity for the students."

A great opportunity for students or anyone who lives in the Poconos to see history close up.

President Clinton is scheduled to hold that rally from 6-9 Wednesday night. Because of the visit, the school board postponed a meeting.