“It’s been hard enough having him live here,” one annoyed Chappaqua resident told reporters, “but then he had to go and get that thing.”
The “thing” that has all of Chappaqua talking-and some angrily calling local police-is a Mr. Microphone, a microphonelike novelty device that enables its owner to broadcast his voice at high decibels over the nearest AM radio.
Since Mr. Clinton bought one, neighbors say, he has been using it virtually nonstop.
Annoyed residents of this leafy suburb, known for its quaint shops and highly rated school system, say Mr. Clinton has been driving around town in a red convertible with his Mr. Microphone, broadcasting such dubious messages as, “Hey, good-looking, we’ll be back to pick you up later!”
“We’ve put up with the two keg parties he’s thrown and all of the late-night skinny-dipping in other people’s pools, but this really goes too far,” one neighbor said.
The Mr. Microphone device is sold primarily via commercials on late-night cable television programs, say those familiar with the product, and is targeted primarily at teenage boys and fraternity members. Mr. Clinton is believed to be the only former U.S. president to have purchased one.
Mr. Clinton was not available to comment about his future plans for using his Mr. Microphone. Phone calls to his Chappaqua residence were not returned; instead, they were picked up by an answering machine which featured the former president singing along with the disco hit popularized by K.C. and the Sunshine Band: “Do a Little Dance, Make a Little Love (Get Down Tonight).”
