Community Corner

DNC Rejects Westport Overtime Request Following Obama Visit

President Barack Obama's visit to Westport on August 6 cost the town of Westport nearly $15,000 in overtime fees, something that will not be reimbursed by the Democratic National Committee.

 

The Democratic National Committee has notified the Town of Westport it will not pay in President , Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff said in a news release today.

The town had sent a request to the DNC and Obama for America, with a copy to Westport resident Harvey Weinstein, to pay $14,812 in the overtime costs incurred  August 6 to attend a fundraiser in Stamford and .

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“Please note that as a private organization, the DNC did not participate in ,” wrote Amada Howe, chief operating officer of the DNC in an August 14 letter to Joseloff. “All such decisions, including their impact on costs incurred by federal, state or local governments are exclusively within the control of the appropriate government officials.

“Should there be a question about the allocation of expenses among the cooperating authorities, we assume that it should be directed to the U.S. Secret Service.”

Joseloff said he has not received a response from Obama for America or Weinstein. “I didn’t expect that we would get repayment, but it was worthwhile to ask,” he said.


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