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Tipp City businessman surprised, excited about Bush visit
Contractor faxed an invitation to the White House and was stunned when the president said he'd visit Thursday.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
TIPP CITY — — Steve Bruns never expected the president of the United States to accept his invitation to visit Tipp City and talk about the war on terrorism.
George W. Bush not only accepted; he's coming right away.
Extras
Bruns wrote a letter supporting the president and asking him to talk directly to people in western Ohio. Still, he was "stunned" on Friday by the faxed reply, a week after he sent his letter by fax to the White House.
"When I looked at the fax, I thought, 'You've got to be kidding me,' " said Bruns, president of Bruns General Contracting and a past Tipp City Area Chamber of Commerce president. "It is exciting. I would have never dreamed it."
Bush is scheduled to speak to area chamber of commerce members and others at Tippecanoe High School on Thursday. The group will number about 500, including about 30 Tippecanoe advanced government class students. Other high school students will watch a simulcast from classrooms.
Ticket information was not available Tuesday evening from the Tipp City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber executive Matt Owen said the chamber was working with the president's staff to incorporate local people and experiences in the president's speech.
Alex Conant, a spokesman for the White House Office of Media Affairs, said the president is visiting because of the invitation, and Bruns' request.
"We recognize a lot of servicemen and women in Ohio are sacrificing in the war on terror. This is a good opportunity to visit Ohio and talk about the war," Conant said.
"At this pivotal point in our nation's history, I believe it is important that we hear directly from you the reasons why our fight against the terrorists and victory in Iraq are so important," Bruns wrote the president.
Bruns said he realizes the war in Iraq is controversial, but admires the president because he "stands by his convictions, even when it is unpopular. If we don't face this terrorism now, our kids and grandkids will."
He said Miami County is pretty conservative.
"It is a tough time. He gets support here," Bruns said.
