By Mandy Mcfarland Editor
WAKARUSA — The Elkhart County Young Republicans had something to say Wednesday following President Barack Obama's visit to Wakarusa.
When they learned the President would once again be in Elkhart County, the Goshen-based group of 18-to 40-year-olds decided to hold their own counter-rally as an opportunity to express their thoughts on some of his current policies.
"We have our opinions," Elkhart County Young Republicans Chair Ryan Brandenberger said. "We ask you to listen to our side of it and we'll be more than willing to talk about it."

Speakers like State Representative Jackie Walorski (R-Jimtown) and Goshen Health Systems President and CEO Jim Dague took turns addressing the crowd across the street from the Monaco plant where Obama had wrapped up his visit about a half hour before.
Wakarusa resident and NorthWood High School graduate Todd Gongwer expressed respect for the President.
"It's truly an honor to have the highest office of our great nation visit us here," Gongwer said. "And although my convictions and beliefs on key issues kept me from voting for Mr. Obama I fully respect the President and regularly pray for God's hand to be with him."
One by one the speakers presented their concerns over implications they perceive in Obama's policies. Their key concern was that small business would suffer.
"It seems unthinkable to me that amidst such a challenging time for business, we would even consider legislation such as the current health care proposal that would increase the burden on small businesses," Gongwer said.
Walorski tackled the idea of clean energy, pointing out that 96 percent of Indiana's electricity comes from coal.
"For as green as I am and for as much as I believe in the technology," she said, "I want it to be an incentive program not a mandate from the federal government."
Walorski also expressed her concern for the proposed cap-and-trade system.
"This concept of charging a tax every time you turn a light on, every time you get in your car and charging a tax to pay for a mandated government program is going to cost you about every dime of what the President just brought here today," she said.
Other speakers expressed concern over health care and other major issues of concern.
The Elkhart County Young Republicans meet officially once a month at the Republican headquarters in Goshen. The group formed in April with six members and now consists of 60 to 70 people on the member list, with about 30 active members.