Rep. Aaron Schock held a press conference yesterday with Mayor Jim Ardis to announce he will “voluntarily” pay back the City of Peoria for costs incurred when President Bush visited Peoria for his private fundraiser. As far as I’m concerned, this matter is now closed. I agree we should move on and talk about more important issues.
I think it would be a good idea for the city council to settle the policy issue, just so we don’t have a controversy like this again in the future. But as far as the candidates are concerned, I think this issue is over.
Right thing? I’m disappointed in you, Chris. Sandberg too. All this time, we didn’t know that bird on his shoulder was named Obama. I’ve cast my last vote for you, Gary.
How far back can we go on campaigns to get money in past visits? Interest? I seem to remember Gore coming to town many years ago….
I never saw this as a political/partisan issue. It was always about proper use of city funds/resources to me. I think Gary would have done the same thing if it had been, say, Kevin Lyons who benefited.
It ain’t over til its over. Shock said he will pay whatever bill the city sends him, Ardis said he will not send a bill. (How cozy)
Springfield is billing Obama for the August rally.
CJ: for you, I believe it’s not partisan. For Gary I don’t.
Raoul: Right. Let’s start going thru the books. OK Gary?
CJ – case closed? I disagree. A precedent has been set. This act will be giving the City of Peoria fits for years to come.
Still people are trying to compare public events and private events. It’s ridiculous. Why can’t people sit back and come up with comparable examples?
From the rationales I’ve seen listed, it seems if someone like Dave Ransburg had a private party and invited Bush, then the taxpayer would be responsible for any fees and costs for that, too.
And now, because of this, when applicable things happen in the future, people will again mistake comparing the two again.
O’Brien
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City Council people say they do not have a policy.
Hard for the city to bill a partsian party leader when the city doesn’t have a policy covering visits similair to Obama and Bush.
At this point Obama is a Senator; Bush is President of the United States of America, a position held in honor in a Democratic society.
I hear they will we working on and have in place a policy to handle Political visits such as Obama visits and George Bush.
I’m checking the policies of Peoria County.
Private Fundraiser < Public Event.
Dee
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Let’s just see some consistent outrage that Obama has not reimbursed one municipality in the nation for local police protection for his PRIVATE, ELITIST, FUNDRAISING events. Events which charge $28,500 per person. The level of Secret Service/local police protection he gets is almost the same level as a sitting president.
Anyone going to withold their vote for Obama because he refuses to pay? APPLES TO APPLES here.
I’m not voting for Obama.
Elitist? You got $250,000 in a savings account? You qualify for the alternative minimum tax?