By Grant Bosse | New Hampshire Watchdog
DURHAM, N.H. — New Hampshire is accustomed to welcoming U.S. presidential candidates, but a visit from Air Force One, for example, comes with motorcades, increased security and unexpected overtime for local police departments.
And several towns have tried to recoup their extra expenses from the campaigns.
President Barack Obama’s campaign rally here two weeks ago drew national attention not just for the his attack on presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney. Town Administrator Todd Selig estimated that the president’s visit would cost the town $20,000 to $30,000 in overtime for police officers providing security and directing traffic for the motorcade.
Obama for America declined to reimburse Durham, arguing that the extensive security costs were requested by the Secret Service. An anonymous donor came forward ahead of the campaign stop, pledging $20,000 to help pay for the unexpected expense.
Officials in other New Hampshire towns that have hosted presidential and campaign stops say they also have not gotten campaigns to pay for their visits.
Read the complete story at New Hampshire Watchdog.
