Posted on 02/19/2009 10:21:09 PM PST by keepitreal
Chicago has yet to recoup the $1.74 million cost of President Obama's victory celebration in Grant Park -- despite a burgeoning $50.5 million budget shortfall that threatens more layoffs and union concessions.
"The Democratic National Committee has not yet paid us,'' Peter Scales, a spokesman for the city's Office of Budget and Management, said Thursday after questions from the Chicago Sun-Times. "We're reaching out to them this week."
The Democratic National Committee has not paid Chicago for the cost of Barack Obama's election night rally in Grant Park.
Stacie Paxton, a spokeswoman for the Obama-controlled DNC, explained the reimbursement delay by saying, "We are still looking at various costs and bills.'' She would not say whether parts of the bill are disputed.
The city spent $1 million on police protection for the rally. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications racked up more than $120,000 in expenses, including $19,500 paid to police official Neil Sullivan to quarterback election night logistics.
In late October, Mayor Daley assured that the cash-flush Obama campaign would reimburse the city for every penny spent on the rally. "We have a financial crisis," he said at the time. "The City of Chicago could not afford $2 million on this because we're gonna be laying off people, cutting back. That [cost] would really be unfortunate. . . . It's a huge cost to the City of Chicago.
(Excerpt) Read more at suntimes.com ...
The bill for Barack Obama's election night rally at Grant Park
Police $1 million
Emergency Management and Communications Office $121,578
Fire Department $85,965
Streets and Sanitation $71,694
Transportation $49,659
Cultural Affairs $2,567
Environment $2,309
CTA $201,500
Chicago Park District $202,440
(Park District breakdown):
Giant video boards $68,900
Electrical $37,185
Sound $37,500
Stagehands $29,850
Portable toilets $12,500
Security $7,505
Stage rental $6,000
Bike racks, barricades $2,000
Heavy equipment $1,000
Total bill $1,737,712
The bloom is off the freakin rose, huh?
Can’t you imagine Obama in the WH with Michelle, saying ‘But...but they loved it when I talked in front of the columns, and...Tom Brokaw got choked up, and it’s historic, it’s still historic, right, baby? I’m gonna be in the history books and...how come they want me to PAY for this? Don’t they know how little I make now? And I’m, like, people wanna name a DAY after me... How come they don’t just let it slide?’
And he owes the American people 1 trillion dollars.
Only solace is that I don’t live in Cook County :(
Why don’t those Chicago peons ask the other mafia: ACORN?
Why would anyone pay for that?
Obama’s president now. Everything is free.
Before I scrolled down my first thoughts were SUCKERS.
You nailed it.
Democrats are about making other people pay its bills
They should understand, he’s too busy paying back those who didn’t vote for him, to worry about Chicago.
How much did Obamasiah’s trip to Colorado to sign the Porkulus bill cost the American Taxpayer? This man does not care about this nation’s economy being healed.
You forgot Blago’s hairdo.
Good luck, folks. He gave you the privilege of being in your city. Isn't that worth a few million?
Maybe you could apply for some 'stimulus' funds. I imagine obie might not mind paying his debts with OUR money.
This pathetic couple owe us a reimbursement for their “Valentine” date to Chicago. What is it - something like $57,000 per hour for Air Force One - flying and on the ground time?
In their arrrogance and sense of entitlement, they probably think we want to gift them with their special trip.
It’s close to a month since this story first surfaced. Does anyone know if this deadbeat paid this debt to Chicago yet? In the meantime, Governor Palin who was almost crucified for owing some money due a change in the tax rules, paid her debt.
"And you want to be my health care provider."
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