Locals React to President Gerald Ford`s Death

He may have been an "accidental" president-stepping in after the Watergate scandal forced President Nixon to resign. But he may have been just the person we needed at the time-to lead the nation out of the dark days of the Watergate scandal. "It probably took someone like Gerald Ford to calm down the House, Senate, and Supreme Court and nation who were all wondering if we`d see a trial of a President of the United States," says Associate Professor of Political Science, P.S. Ruckman. Ford was also the first and only president to not be elected--he was Nixon`s hand-picked successor. Many local people look back on Gerald Ford`s presidency-and say he left a legacy behind. "He went into a terrible situation and had to deal with cleaning up a really big mess. And I think he did outstanding, really," said Steve Frey. "I thought he was a man of integrity," Gary Crull said. "It`s very important that a man of integrity be leading our country. I feel that`s something we very much need today." "He tried to pick up the pieces. Any time you have pieces to pick up...I don`t care whether it`s a presidency, teaching, etc...it`s a tough job. And he did a great job at it," said Roger Ellis.