Politics & Government

5 Things to Know About Obama's Visit to Michigan Today

The president will visit the Orion Township GM assembly plant today just 5 minutes from Rochester Hills. Here are five things to know.

It's not every day the president of the United States of America comes to the town next door.

President Barack Obama, along with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, will be today.

Here are five things Rochester and Rochester Hills residents should know about the visit:

Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

1. The president's trip will be, as some say, historic: The appearance is planned to celebrate a trade pact with South Korea approved by Congress this week; under the agreement, the United States will be able to export products to South Korea. Cars at the Orion Township plant are built with parts from South Korea. Louis Rocha, vice president of the UAW Local 5960, to watch "history in the making."

2. Prepare for traffic: Beginning at 1:50 p.m., the two presidents will tour the plant and then address a crowd of workers and media. There are likely to be traffic delays in the area of M-24, as well as Silverbell, Brown and Giddings roads, shortly before and after the scheduled appearance. (Take special note if you plan to attend the 11 a.m. , which is right along the president's expected travel route.)

Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

3. Michigan, again? Obama , when he spoke to a hopeful Detroit audience about jobs. It's tough to guess when he'll be back in our state, but according to news reports, he will have Michigan on his radar again next month when he watches Michigan State play North Caroline in the Nov. 11 Carrier Classic basketball game aboard the USS Carl Vinson.

4. He knows how to say Orion: In January, Obama visited another Orion — Orion Energy Systems in Manitowoc, WI. Unlike our Orion, that Orion is pronounced 'o-RYan,' and he was criticized for mispronouncing it (like our 'OR-ion') in a speech there.

5. It's a private event: About 300 plant workers were chosen in a lottery drawing to attend the address. Although local dignitaries are likely to be in attendance (and we're wondering if former vice president Al Gore stuck around from an appearance at Wayne State University on Thursday night), the event is not open to the public. The president's plane is due in at noon, so beginning around 11 a.m. we will cover the events live on Rochester Patch.

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