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Newport Beach Mayor Pro Tem Keith Curry on the city’s effort to get reimbursed for security costs by the Obama campaign.
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Gerri Willis.
The Obama campaign has apparently done it again -- as city -- tens of thousands of dollars 35000 dollars and security calls.
All -- -- fundraising stop this time it's Newport Beach, California the city ran up -- 35000 dollar tab providing security for our recent trip by the president.
And his entourage and now the city getting the run around by the Obama campaign when it comes to paying the bill joining me now Keith Currie.
Mayor pro tem of Newport Beach, California -- thanks for helping us out tonight.
This story I have to tell you just blew me away have you guys been paid yet.
No we have not -- -- have we've not been paid yet.
And -- did you submit the bill to.
Wind the trip is being organized -- discussed with the Secret Service they advised us to -- the -- to campaign.
We sent it to the Obama campaign we understand they fortitude Democratic National Committee the Democratic National Committee sent to the Secret Service and Secret Service says we're not -- I.
While that some -- -- he got going on there from what I've read you build them in May and told them that you -- in the money in June.
Yeah I haven't seen a single cent I would tell you what the folks from.
Sit Secret Service have said they say this is not there -- bell the Secret Service is not funded -- police overtime and does not have a mechanism to do so.
Are they people who should pay -- what do you think.
Well I think it's just not appropriate for public agencies cities counties -- even federal government to pick up the cost for purely political trips.
If this had been a policy trip we would have -- costs ourselves but it was a political trip.
-- so we sent the bill to the campaign but we don't think taxpayers should have to pay for the cost of political trips no matter who they are Democrat or Republican.
Well now a lot of people out there saying Newport largely Republican and -- -- this is some kind of political message you're sending and you say.
Well it's not at all you know we have a policy to recover our cost.
We welcome the present present I'd states that are -- is not what party he is is always welcome -- Newport Beach we love having him here we look at governor governor -- here.
And -- go to Iraq aspect.
Governor Romney did come and we did kill him for the expenses related his trip and within thirty days his campaign did -- yes.
And with some 101000 dollars as I understand.
Now I also hear that you've heard from other cities around the country they're having the same problem.
That's correct recently we heard from the city manager of -- Durham New Hampshire.
They -- the president's trip ran up a bill of about 30000 dollars which was equal to about 14 of the entire police overtime budget for the year.
Assays are having a tough time in this economy and that's why it's important that these campaigns but that are going to spend a hundred million dollars a reimburse us for the -- that we incur when they come to count.
Well you know I can agree with you more I mean it it seems like.
If you're having trouble paying your bills and a lot of cities are I understand your cut your city is in pretty good shape.
But a lot of things -- having a lot of trouble and then having to pay when the president comes.
Especially when it's for fundraising.
I think that really grates have you had a lot of complaints in the mayor's office about this.
Well is that people both sides -- wanted to make sure that we were being fair to both campaigns when they realize that we sent bills to both the president.
And the governor Romney I think people understood.
And appreciated what we're doing for the taxpayers you know we have.
Reduced our workforce by more than seventy employees.
Since the Obama administration -- so it's it's tough even for a wealthy city like ours he bitten the bullet.
And now you're having to pay the tab for -- fund raiser that's no fun.
I -- -- hear something that the president had to say that the six weeks ago complaining about Republicans stiffing him with the national debt here's present.
It's like somebody.
Goes to a restaurant orders of big steak dinner martini all that's done.
And then just as you're sitting -- may leave.
So well ironic he's getting he's complaining about getting stiffed with the bill what do you say yeah.
Well -- we think that it -- campaign should step up and pay we appreciate the Fed governor Romney's campaign hasn't backed paid their bill.
And we think the president probably getting poor political advice in this matter we help -- pay the bill shortly.
Well.
-- -- hope so too I guess you hit send out at like a warning notice maybe give that give their names to bill collectors or something I don't know Oreo at this.
But -- actually is what we do we referred to a collection agency so.
Well at by the way I should say we tried to talk to the Obama campaign about this we ask questions directly to them about this bill.
They did not respond -- thanks for helping us out tonight appreciate your time.
Thank you -- -- --
