Ok, if you are local you will remember Bush’s visit to Peoria a couple of years ago to help raise money for Aaron Schock. The cost to the city was brought up, the city demanded reimbursement, and Schock paid. This sounds all well and good right? If someone visits, and costs the city money, someone other than the taxpayer should foot the bill. I am all for that. Now, here is what I am not for…Jim Ardis was asked about Obama’s trip to CAT last year, and who would pay. He said:
“the cost of public services during Obama’s visit on Thursday will not be an issue. He said the issue last July [Bush’s trip] involved a political fundraiser.”
Ok, get it? Since Bush’s trip was a fundraiser, someone should have to pay. Since Obama’s trip wasn’t a fundraiser it was fine for the taxpayer to foot the bill for added security and other expenses.
Now fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. Joe Biden visits Peoria for a, wait for it…fund raising event at the center for prevention of abuse. It cost the city an estimated $43,000 in extra costs for the visit. Now, at this point you are probably thinking that someone is going to cover it right? I mean, it’s a fundraiser. Mayor Ardis said that’s the criteria right? Well, you would be wrong, the taxpayer is expected to pick this one up.
Also a couple of weeks ago was Palin’s visit to Five Points Washington. She spoke to a sold-out crowd of 1,100 to kick off Five Points leadership series. Now, this wasn’t a fundraiser right? This was a seminar, so according to Jim Ardis the city should have to cover it. Well, if it were in Peoria I guess. Maybe since it was in Washington and not Peoria…oh well it doesn’t matter because it was arranged with the city ahead of time, and Five Points Washington paid the city for the added security.
You see, fundraiser or not, there is one common criteria here. If the visiting head of state is a Democrat, Peoria is all fine and good with the citizens footing tens of thousands of dollars for security. If they are a Republican however, they better pay their own way. Funny because Ardis is a Republican Mayor, you would think that he would be concerned about everyone paying so that his city could remain fiscally responsible. Maybe he signed up for the wrong party.