President Obama to Visit North Las Vegas | News

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- President Obama is hoping to connect with votes in recession-ravaged North Las Vegas on his visit this week.

President Obama will fly into Nellis Air Force Base Tuesday night and then give a speech Wednesday morning at Canyon Springs High School in North Las Vegas.

Canyon Springs High School is located in the 89032 zip code, it's the second worst zip code in North Las Vegas for foreclosures. The nearby zip code 89031 was the worst in the entire country last year. Four years later, the economy is still sluggish, but President Obama hopes to sway voters to give him another term in this battleground state.

The school's new principal was already busy preparing for students returning to school when he found out his campus would soon be in the national spotlight.

"Our communications office with the district gave me a call to my direct line and informed me to expect some visitors within the hour for a very important guest," Canyon Springs principal Ron Guerzon said

President Obama will take his message to voters in the school's gym Wednesday morning. The Canyon Springs Pioneers are used to venturing into the political arena.

"It's extremely positive, especially since we have the Law and Leadership Academy," Guerzon said.

Tough economic times have also dealt North Las Vegas a bad hand. Republican Mitt Romney acknowledged the city's economic troubles this month when he campaign in the state on Aug. 3, 2012.

"I understand here, you declared a state of emergency here and declared this a disaster area under state law," Romney said.

In a land of high unemployment that has been shaken violently by the housing crisis, President Obama will outline his ideas for economic recovery.

"It shows that he cares about even the smaller people by coming to North Las Vegas," longtime resident Shedric Smith said.

"We have a lot of struggles in North Las Vegas, so hopefully he does touch on some of that stuff and see what he has plans for."

Canyon Springs High School is ready for the political dialogue to begin.

"I would imagine that a large portion of his message is going to resonate with our community," Guerzon said.

The President Obama campaign rally at the school at 350 E. Alexander Road is open to the public, but tickets are required.