WINDHAM–President Barack Obama presented his views on the economy in Windham on Saturday, Aug. 18, but officials are still discussing who pays the bills locally.

Selectman Kathleen DiFruscia said she will ask that the billing issue be discussed by the board at their next meeting. Prior to the visit, Chairman Bruce Breton said that the town would bill the Obama campaign to offset security costs incurred by the town during the presidential visit.

“As a member of the Board of Selectmen, I take strong exception to Chairman Breton unilaterally deciding that the town of Windham is going to bill the Obama campaign to offset costs incurred by the town,” DiFruscia said. “In my opinion, this is clearly an abuse of his position as chair of the Board of Selectmen. This is a decision to be made by the five members of the board.

Billing for contracted services at events is not uncommon, Breton said, but he would be happy to discuss the issue if board members have concerns.

At the center of the debate is roughly $4,600 to pay for extra EMT and police coverage to protect citizens attending the event.

“Typically the town hasn’t billed for these types of events, but the board has the ability to do so if it so chooses,” said Town Administrator David Sullivan.

The town can seek reimbursement, but there’s no guarantee of success, Sullivan said. Safety officers were provided at political events such as the Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum visits without being reimbursed, Sullivan said.

The issue was raised by a letter from Americans for Prosperity demanding that taxpayer resources not be used during the Obama for America event.

“As both a financial watchdog and a resident of Windham, I believe that no taxpayer resources, including time, personnel or monies, should be used to support campaign activities for any candidate for public office,” said Corey Lewandowski, state director of Americans for Prosperity-New Hampshire. “The taxpayers of Windham should not be responsible for shouldering any financial burden brought on by this or any other political visit.”

The letter argued that federal law prohibits using taxpayer dollars for campaign activities and that incurring costs for a political visit would set a costly precedent requiring the town to pick up the tab for other candidate visits.

Nonprofit organizations that sponsored candidate visits should also be billed, Lewandowski said.
The president should have adequate protection, Lewandowski said, but passing the cost to residents represents an unfair tax burden.

An Obama campaign official said all campaign costs are handled by the campaign, but the U.S. Secret Service takes the lead on all security matters regarding the president. Any local law enforcement organization contacted by the Secret Service to assist in security should discuss matters related to costs and how to effectively manage those costs with the Secret Service.
Selectman Ross McLeod said he understands that people don’t want to spend money on an opposing political party, but he feels that the town should welcome both candidates.

“It’s a benefit to the town to have candidates come here, showcase the high school and the town, and espouse their particular views,” McLeod said.

While he considers it an honor and a privilege for someone of the president’s stature to visit the town, Selectman Roger Hohenberger said the request for the campaign to pay for an election stop is valid.

The town of Durham faced a similar issue when it asked the Obama campaign to repay almost $13,000 the town spent providing additional security for a presidential visit in June. The town took the proactive approach of raising the issue before the visit, said Town Administrator Todd Selig.
“When Durham raised the question, we did so respectfully, thoughtfully, and with an eye toward the taxes residents pay to support local services,” Selig said.

The issue is complex, Selig said. It’s an honor to host a president and additional security is required. But if the visit is campaign-related and not an official state visit, use of tax dollars may be inappropriate, he said.

When the campaign did not reimburse Durham, an anonymous donor stepped forward, Selig said. The donor has since retained a lawyer to see if the donation violates campaign finance law after the issue was raised by Americans for Prosperity, Selig said. Payment has not been made.
Most recently, Milford made news for billing the Romney campaign $1,001 for extra details to manage crowds at a Romney event held at the town oval June 15.

Milford Town Administrator Guy Scaife said each situation is looked at independently.

“It’s only when we have to go over and above normal staffing that we consider charging,” Scaife said.

The key is knowing what resources will be needed in advance, he said. The Romney campaign was told of the charges up front and agreed to pay, he said.

“It was pretty much business as usual on our part,” Scaife said.
Travis Blais, chairman of the Windham Republican Town Committee, said even though the current president is a Democrat, the issue should not be a partisan question because the White House regularly switches parties.

“The town should not have to bear these costs, particularly for a campaign activity,” Blais said.
Some see the visit as more than a campaign activity.

“I think it’s a great honor to host the president of the United States here in Windham,” said Kristi St. Laurent, chair of the Windham Democratic Town Committee and Planning Board member.
St. Laurent said she expects the visit to benefit local businesses and showcase the new high school, hopefully attracting future events, she said.

Several Republican presidential candidates held events in town and at the high school that were appreciated by residents, St. Laurent said. She hopes that the town does not set a precedent for billing candidates and that the issue does not discourage other candidates from holding events in Windham, she said.

The Board of Selectman will likely discuss the issue at its next meeting, Monday, Aug. 27 .