Westport to seek reimbursement from Obama campaign for OT - WFSB 3 Connecticut
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Westport's first selectman said the town spent nearly $15,000 in overtime costs for police and fire officials during Pres. Barack Obama's visit Monday, and now he is seeking reimbursement from his campaign.
"While we welcome the president visiting us, incurring unbudgeted costs are not welcome," First Selectman Gordon Joseloff said. "Westport may be more affluent than some other towns, but we watch over our taxpayer dollars very carefully."
Joseloff said Police Chief Dale Call informed him that the police department incurred $12,460 in overtime costs for the visit, which doesn't include costs incurred by departments assisting Westport, which included Wilton, Trumbull, Easton, Monroe and Fairfield, as well as Connecticut State Police.
Westport's fire chief Andrew Kingsbury said the department spent $2,352 in overtime costs.
The town was also on standby at Sherwood Island State Park where Obama landed and took off.
The department also provided tactical support for the visit.
In addition to seeking reimbursement from Obama's campaign, Joseloff said he would also ask the Democratic National Committee.
He said he was sending a copy of the request to Westport resident Harvey Weinstein, who hosted Obama at his home.
Joseloff said he has made similar attempts to recover similar costs without success when Pres. Bill Clinton visited the town three times in 1998 and 1999 for fundraising events.
"I'm not optimistic we will be successful, but I need to make the effort," Joseloff said.
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