DORI MONSON

Another world leader visits Seattle, but doesn’t snarl traffic

Oct 22, 2015, 3:01 PM | Updated: 3:33 pm

Irish President Michael Higgins applauds as he meets students from Skyline High School Oct. 22 in S...

Irish President Michael Higgins applauds as he meets students from Skyline High School Oct. 22 in Sammamish. Higgins was at the school to speak to students and watch a game of Gaelic football, which is taught in Skyline's physical education program. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Irish President Michael Higgins, seated second from left, watches as students from Skyline High School play Gaelic football, which is taught in the schools physical education classes, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015, in Sammamish, Wash. The visit was part of a four-day stop in the Seattle area. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Irish President Michael Higgins, right, shakes hands with Ian Johnson, left, a player on the Seattle Gaels Gaelic football team, during a visit to Skyline High School Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015, in Sammamish, Wash. Higgins was at the school to speak to students and watch a game of Gaelic Football, which is taught in Skyline's physical education program. The visit was part of a four-day stop in the Seattle area. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Michael Higgins, the president of Ireland, speaks to students at Skyline High School Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015, in Sammamish, Wash. Higgins was at the school to watch a game of Gaelic Football, which is taught in Skyline's physical education program. The visit was part of a four-day stop in the Seattle area. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Michael Higgins, the president of Ireland, and his wife Sabina pose for a photo with students from Skyline High School Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015, in Sammamish, Wash. Higgins was at the school to speak to students and watch a game of Gaelic Football, which is taught in Skyline's physical education program. The visit was part of a four-day stop in the Seattle area. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

The President of Ireland is visiting Seattle, but locals might not have realized it.

“Have there been any freeway shutdowns? Nope. Motorcades from Everett to Seattle, from Seattle to Tacoma, from Seattle to Redmond, closing down roads making people sit for 45 minutes? Nope,” noted KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson.

Irish President Michael Higgins arrived in the Emerald City Wednesday night. He has met with Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and has been visiting sites of interest in the area. He’s staying at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle until Saturday.

“The relationships we have are very important ones,” President Higgins said at Seattle City Hall. “They are, yes, in relation to the most important issue of our time, and in relation to high-quality employment creation, and Microsoft.”

Higgins’ visit comes on the heals of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip to the region in September, which significantly impacted local drivers.

Chinese president halted traffic on freeways during peak drive times as he went from Seattle to Redmond, Tacoma and Everett. The area around the Westin Hotel in downtown Seattle was flooded with security, and routes in that area were altered.

“Maybe because China buys a lot of Washington’s products,” Show Producer Jake Skorheim said. “They buy a lot of Boeing jets, they have contracts with Microsoft.”

But Ireland is no stranger to Washington trade. Three jets produced locally by Boeing are sent to Ireland each month. Microsoft also has a campus near Dublin that the tech company is expanding. That will mean approximately 2,100 more jobs for that area of Ireland, KING 5 reports.

For Dori, a transit critic with an eye on local traffic issues, it’s proof that a world leader can visit Seattle without inconveniencing the region. He was personally inconvenienced during the Chinese president’s visit.

“It’s obvious that when important presidents of foreign lands come here, they can get around fine without making me late for a Duran Duran concert at the Puyallup Fair,” Dori said.

Dori Monson Show

Dori Monson

Dori Monson stage show...

MyNorthwest Staff

Watch: Dori Monson’s ‘What are the Odds?’ stage show

In 2019, Dori Monson hosted a stage show - 'What are the Odds?' - which introduced you to the people who helped shape his improbable career.

1 year ago

Dori Monson welcomes the Moose back to KIRO. Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest...

MyNorthwest Staff

A collection of the all-time best Dori Monson stories

With the passing of Dori Monson, a collection of some of his top stories to remember all the hard work Dori brought to Seattle.

1 year ago

Alaska, fishing...

KIRO Newsradio staff

Listen: Friends, colleagues offer tribute to KIRO Newsradio’s Dori Monson

All day Monday, KIRO Newsradio's John Curley talked to friends, news makers, and more in tribute to Dori Monson.

1 year ago

Dori Monson Shorecrest...

Dori Monson Show

How to support charities reflecting Dori Monson’s values, passions

In tribute to Dori Monson, learn more about how you can support these three charities which best reflect his values, passions, and advocacy.

1 year ago

From left, Producer Nicole Thompson and KIRO host Dori Monson. (Courtesy of the Monson family)...

MyNorthwest Staff

Broadcasters, politicians, coworkers and friends remember Dori Monson

Dori Monson, a longtime KIRO Newsradio host, passed away Saturday. He is remembered by public figures, broadcasters, coworkers, and listeners.

1 year ago

Dori Monson...

MyNorthwest Staff

Longtime KIRO Newsradio host Dori Monson dies at age 61

We are deeply saddened to announce Dori Monson's sudden passing on Saturday, December 31, 2022, at a Seattle hospital.

1 year ago

Another world leader visits Seattle, but doesn’t snarl traffic