Ultra-rich SF suburb to bill White House, DNC, hosts for Obama fundraiser

[Newsjock]

Source: Palo Alto Daily News

When President Barack Obama made a two-day fundraising stop in the Bay Area earlier this month and attended two events in Atherton, he reportedly picked up $3.25 million in campaign cash.

Now Atherton leaders want someone to pick up the town's $7,616.41 tab for police and other security-related services to protect the president during his April 4 visit.

The town next week will send invoices to the White House, Secret Service, Democratic National Committee and the two Atherton households who hosted the private donor events, City Manager George Rodericks said Friday.

... Although this is the first time Atherton will send out an official request for payment, it won't be the last, Rodericks said. ... While Atherton's approximately 7,000 residents are among the nation's wealthiest -- last year the town came in third on Forbes' annual "Most Expensive Zip Codes" list -- their government has struggled in recent years to balance its budget and two years ago outsourced about 30 percent of its workforce to cut costs.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_23067580/atherton-bill-white-house-7-616-41-cover.html

[datasuspect]

1. i have no problem with this

if any candidate, regardless of party, requires the use of taxpayer services for their bribery parties, bill their asses for use of public services.

[kelliekat44]

8. Me either! nt

[ProgressiveProfessor]

9. If it doesn't get paid and he comes back, will they support or even allow it?

This is not the first municipality with issues like this.

Campaign and and raising visits need to pay for the costs they incur.

[tularetom]

2. Local government derives the bulk of its operating revenues from property taxes

And since the real estate bubble burst 5 or 6 years ago, those taxes have declined along with the value of the underlying properties. In addition, cash strapped state governments are pushing more and more responsibilities onto cities and counties and all of this costs money as well.

So, local governments are in a world of hurt. Even ones that represent very affluent residents. The city certainly didn't ask the president to hold a fund raiser there so they shouldn't have to foot the bill for it.

[TheMastersNemesis]

3. Bullshit - If He Were A Republican And White Nothing Would Have Been Said.

[Doremus]

4. 3rd highest per capita income and they can't afford a $7K budget item?

Sounds to me like those billionaires have the starved government they want.

If they didn't want to provide security for the president they should have refused. They probably were of little real assistance anyway. The SS could have easily filled the small gap.

[Mopar151]

5. What rate are they billing at?

From what I know of how pricey the SF area is - this is a traffic detail with a bunch of overhead tacked on.

[valerief]

6. Cuz rich people don't pay taxes. Duh! nt

[Starry Messenger]

7. Stay classy, Atherton.

[SwampyJ]

10. I have...

no problem for them asking for their costs to be covered. If it was a political fundraising event, the party should pay. If it was govt business, I would say no.