President Obama to visit North Chesterfield

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT) - We've learned President Barack Obama will be stopping in North Chesterfield Wednesday as part of his American Jobs Act bus tour.

On October 19, the president and the First Lady will hold an event at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, VA.

Later in the day, the president will visit Fire Station 9 at 8001 Buford Court in North Chesterfield.

It's not often the leader of the free world comes to your workplace.

The Secret Service has already started their security sweeps of the fire station this weekend.

But if you're hoping to get a glimpse of the president you might be disappointed.

President Obama is no stranger to Richmond. Just last month he promoted his Jobs Act to a capacity crowd at the University of Richmond.

This week he's at it again - this time visiting this fire station in North Chesterfield.

Vince Urquhart is that battalion chief at Station 9. He says all the firefighters are wondering why them.

"He's chosen to come here out of any place in the country," Urquhart said.  "He's chosen our fire station so yeah there's a buzz in the air about it and we're looking forward to the visit."

People in this neighborhood are wondering the same thing.

"Of all the gin joints," Joan Cronin said.  "I wonder why he picked this one."

"Of all places why here?" asked Nathan Martin.  "It's a fairly small, little area and maybe that's what he's going for - the whole small town America thing. That's what I would do if I was president I guess."

"Usually he just picks places like the Capitol building, some places more high profile," said Beau Simpson.  "Now he's coming here to the fire station. That's going to be something."

Every time the president comes to town you can expect many people trying to get a glimpse of the commander-in-chief.

"It'd be great to see him and all," he said.  "I never got to see a president before."

But people like Beau might not get to see the President at all while he's in town. The event is closed to the public. Still many people are excited about the national spotlight shining on Chesterfield.

"We think it'll be good for us and get us on the map nationally," Urquhart said.  "That's for sure. We'll be on national news, can't be that."

The President's three-day bus tour of North Carolina and Virginia begins Monday. Monday's stops in North Carolina include Asheville, Millers Creek, and Greensboro.

On Tuesday, the President will travel from Jamestown, NC to Emporia, VA. He'll spend the night in Hampton.

After FEMA rejected an application for earthquake aid in Louisa County, Governor McDonnell had invited President Obama to add Louisa to the tour. The President turned down that invitation.

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