By Keith Perry
The US President has given our lamb exports a roasting and now he is facing the chop - from furious locals in his namesake town of Clinton.
The world's most powerful man was invited to open a "Presidential Highway" between the Southland towns of Gore and Clinton when he
visits New Zealand in September for the Apec summit.
But now the towns' mayors are considering a diplomatic offensive in support of local sheepfarmers and are under pressure to withdraw their invitation.
Last week, Transit NZ gave the local district councils the go-ahead to put up a sign and information board between the towns bearing the Presidential Highway title.
Yesterday, Mary Ogg, the Mayor of Gore (population 500), said she was appalled by America's treachery over the lamb tariffs and it would be an insult to farmers if Mr Clinton or his ambassador were still allowed to open the highway.
She said her phone had been ringing hot with calls from angry farmers protesting at the curbs on lamb exports.
"Why should we have a Presidential Highway between Clinton and Gore right in the heart of a rural area when the Americans have hammered our farmers with these trade restrictions? I think it would be the height of insensitivity to allow this to take place now."
But the Mayor of Clutha, Juno Hayes, said he would still like to see the 42km of State Highway 1 between the towns renamed the Presidential Highway.
"Our local farmers are pretty angry at the US broadside but I feel we should still invite the President to open the highway - and then clobber him when he gets here.
"I think we could get good mileage out of this ceremony. The Presidential Highway could be a tombstone to President Clinton and we would be seen the world over as the town that put him on the spot."
