The banner outside Spectrum Associates' New Haven Avenue location reads: "Mr. President Dan Meisenheimer built this business WITHOUT GOVERNMENT HELP." Speaking with Milford Patch, Richard Meisenheimer confirmed that the sign, which went up last week, is a response to Barack Obama's comment on July 13th: "Somebody invested in roads and bridges--if you've got a business, that-you didn't build that." See attached video for full clip of Obama's statement.

Defenders of Obama's comment, such as New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, believe that the statement was taken out of context. Mr. Meisenheimer disagrees with this assessment, saying that Obama's message was "very clear." Richard Meisenheimer's father, Dan Meisenheimer, established Spectrum Associates in 1957. The Milford company, which has locations at 183 Plains Road and 440 New Haven Avenue, manufactures parts for the aerospace industry.

"I know what my Dad went through (to build up his business)", Richard Meisenheimer said. "I've lived it." A few week ago, friction was created in Milford by a billboard reading 'Obama = the Entry Drug to Socialism.'