Mayor Rea notes cost of Clinton visit to city of Mishawaka

By SUE LOWE, Tribune Staff Writer

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Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., campaigns at Mishawaka High School

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., campaigns at Mishawaka High School in Mishawaka, Ind., Friday, March 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Apr 9, 2008 at 6:54 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 9, 2008 at 7:10 PM EST

MISHAWAKA — Republican Mayor Jeff Rea has written a letter to the mostly Democratic Common Council telling the council that Democrat Hillary Clinton’s visit two weeks ago cost the city $1,865 in overtime for city workers.

He also reminded council members that former U.S. Rep. Chris Chocola paid the city for the overtime cost when President Bush appeared at a Chocola fundraiser in 2006.

In February 2006, council members and the Mishawaka Fraternal Order of Police said the city should not pay overtime for Bush’s visit because it was a fundraising event for Chocola. So Chocola paid the city for the $2,907 to cover overtime pay, according to Rea.

In his letter to council members, Rea estimated overtime from the Clinton visit at $1,865.

“In 2006, I did not ask the congressman to reimburse the city, though he ultimately elected to do just that,” Rea wrote. “I do not intend to ask the senator to reimburse the city either. However, we would gladly accept the reimbursement should the Clinton campaign or the Democratic party think it is appropriate.”

James Benjamin, former Democratic council member from the 5th district, said if Hillary Clinton had come to appear at a fundraiser, “I would have been adamant she pay the expenses.”

But, he said, her appearance was open to the public.

Dale “Woody” Emmons, D-1st, the other council member who complained about the city paying for security for the Bush visit, is out of town.

Current council President John Roggeman, D-at large, and former council president Gregg Hixenbaugh, D-at large, both also pointed to the differences between the two stops. Hixenbaugh said only people who paid for tickets were allowed to hear Bush. Clinton’s visit was free for the audience.

But Hixenbaugh and Roggeman both said personally they believe the city should provide security when national-level political figures come to visit.

“I don’t think we should stand with an invoice at the borders to the city,” Hixenbaugh said.

Friday, Apr 11 at 1:00 AM Dollar Bill wrote ...

Mitch, there was little doubt that someone would be interested in developing downtown Mishawaka. In fact there were two interested parties, one local and one in Indy. However neither would have donated $10,000 to Rea's campaign fund like the current developer did. The city could have charged more, a lot more, for that land and should have to try to recoup at least part of the $14 million it spent to clean up Uniroyal. Bring back Mike Hayes!

Thursday, Apr 10 at 9:38 PM Taxpayer wrote ...

Hey Shrek! Did you check out the blog from the guy who had a kid on that bus? He admitted it was a Mishawaka fire truck so it had to have cost the city something!

Thursday, Apr 10 at 8:53 PM irritated wrote ...

Well Mitch, I am not a firefighter. Opininion are like butts, everyone has one, I spoke mine, I didn't speak ill of yours, so let me have mine. My point was simple, WE HAVE BIGGER ISSUES TO DEAL WITH. As for the wheel tax, PATCHING is not the answer, Most of the roads needed to be repaved a year or more ago, but the money was spent unwisely. Hard winter or not.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 6:08 PM Mitch wrote ...

Are you really trying to use the 1.00 bit again? Take a drive downtown and look. It's no longer dead! CVS built a flagship store for us, more businesses are going in and the boardwalk and park look awesome. That 1.00 is bringing back a whole lot for us. Very wise investment. The wheel tax money is now being used since the HOT ASPHALT plants are open to repair the roads. I am more worried about the firefighters not responding fast enough because they are always on here complaining.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 5:20 PM Puh-leeze! wrote ...

Well, I'm sure that will really bankrupt our city! That was not worth the paper it was written on Mr. Mayor...we have much more important issues to worry about! Let's talk about all of your money spending ventures!

Thursday, Apr 10 at 4:42 PM irritated wrote ...

This is nut. Mayor Rea would have extra money maybe if he didn't sell the riverwalk for a Dollar. It is an honor to have any presidential canidate come here, no matter the party, its a good teaching tool for our teachers as well. Maybe he should use some of the wheel tax money, it certainly hasn't helped keep up the roads. or, I know, How about some of the cash he screwed the firefighters out of.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 4:35 PM taxpayer wrote ...

Hmmm... when my local cop is in the QuickStop flirting with the girls, eating his lunch, and LEAVING HIS COP CAR MOTOR RUNNING, how much gas is wasted? I mean, while we're on the subject of nickels and dimes...

Thursday, Apr 10 at 3:46 PM Bill wrote ...

Quit crying over $#1,900!

Thursday, Apr 10 at 2:28 PM Sal wrote ...

You have to give the mayor credit for all he's accomplished in this land of left-wingers!

Thursday, Apr 10 at 2:03 PM Pot Calling Kettle Black wrote ...

Hmmm...touched a nerve!

Thursday, Apr 10 at 12:32 PM Mitch wrote ...

Well Calling Kettle Black...Root is a COUNTY Counsel person. He does not control the city counsel...idiot! Know what you are talking about before you make such remarks. Todd is correct...The city only paid for the street lights as a gift. The rest was paid for by a donor to Bethel College. It really cleaned up the area and us business owners are very pleased. You people need to leave Mayor Rae alone. He is doing a great job. TIF funds are for development, not budget. Education goes far.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 12:26 PM Todd wrote ...

Calling Kettle Black you are way out of line. A private Mishawaka donor paid for everything but the street lights and those were given by the city to match what is around. Please don't take poor pot shots when you don't know what your talking about.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 12:25 PM George wrote ...

I am glad the city was able to put up a few light poles and banners along the street by Bethel and pay for anything that they may have. Bethel is an integral part of our community. How many remember how they rolled out the red carpet to honor our fallen police officers? Did the Mayor also put up the new light poles in Belgian town for political gain? I thought that was a part of the Mayor's job to improve the City and make it a better place to live.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 10:35 AM Anonymous wrote ...

The right thing to do would have been for the mayor to insist that the last expense be covered before another is made. That would certainly not be unreasonable. As far as the Mishawaka emergency equipment being used to escort a PHM bus, it was the Winter Guard from Penn heading down state for the finals and they only went as far as 331 on the by-pass. My daughter was on the bus. I don't think it will break the city.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 10:29 AM Pot Calling Kettle Black wrote ...

Rea should watch what he says. How about the improvements made to Bethel College? Who pays? Rea and his friend Mark Root are more concerned about landscaping at Bethel. Nice fence, nice lights, nice banners on the light poles. Is Bethel even in Root's district?

Thursday, Apr 10 at 10:25 AM Nice try Shrek wrote ...

I was there and I know what I saw! I said at least 6 county cop cars and several fire engines. The only one I saw that I was able to catch the name on was a Mishawaka truck. If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have said it!

Thursday, Apr 10 at 9:15 AM j wrote ...

I would rather pay for Hillary to come to Mishawaka than pay for the salary Mayor Rae makes.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 9:03 AM no $$ for campaigning wrote ...

Hilary needs to pay for the trouble she causes going into cities for her own personal campaign. I also hope that Obama does the same. They are campaigning and therefore they need to pay for the security they need during their time. I don't care what city or county...they should have to pay for their campaign. AS FOR YOU MAYOR BASHERS, have you ever volunteered for the children here? If you can't say yes, then maybe you should take lessons from Mayor Rea. He gives back to our community!

Thursday, Apr 10 at 8:34 AM George wrote ...

Good job Mayor Jeff!! Finally someone sticking up for the citizens. We knew it wouldn't be that band of hypocrites we call a council. They are the first to cry politics when things don't favor them. Go Mayor Rea and keep running the City like it should be!!

Thursday, Apr 10 at 7:58 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Good call Mayor, It's only fair that they do pay, it's bad enough that were in a bad money crunch now with the Governor's new property tax reform bill, make the candidates pay for our services. Any way Go Republican, Vote John McCain!!!

Thursday, Apr 10 at 7:53 AM Frank wrote ...

Get over it Jeff, I am guess that more than 1,900 dollars of local tax revenue was generated to offset your losses. Ok, Jeff you can go back to planning your next park now.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 6:55 AM Jim wrote ...

$1865???..I'm sure that's the figure that will push this economy into recession. I wonder how much money the Mayor's staff pisses away on a daily basis!

Thursday, Apr 10 at 6:51 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Maybe Mayor Rea should use the money out of the TIF fund that he hides from the state and city.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 6:42 AM ev wrote ...

better check the dishes and any good antiques in the cases--there are strong suggestions she has a problem with taking those too! she and her group would never consider paying for the school, although she goes on about how we need to do this and that for schools nowadays. Actions speak louder than words!

Thursday, Apr 10 at 6:42 AM Shrek wrote ...

In response to "A taxpayer" those were County cars and trucks so it costs the city of Mishawaka nothing.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 6:11 AM shrek wrote ...

Hey "watching both sides" in case you did not notice Obama is in South Bend and thus it is a South Bend financial issue not a Mishawaka one. Also, I am very impressed with your literary abilities. "Poopy Hillary" "Mayor McCrap"? Did you write that on your 1st grade recess?

Thursday, Apr 10 at 6:05 AM Todd wrote ...

Mayor Rae is right. Fair is fair. She is not a sitting President. She is here to raise money behind the scenes as they all do, and to raise votes. It is not for the public good, but personal gain. To A Public...go back to class, the city does not pay for sheriff cars. It is a county expense. You are totally off base and really searching thin to bash our good mayor. Lets not forget how good we have it here in Mishawaka. Go take a visit a few miles to the west and see for yourself in SB.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 5:13 AM Bill wrote ...

Mishawaka could save that amount ten fold if the police cars stayed within city limits, on or off duty!

Wednesday, Apr 9 at 11:51 PM A taxpayer in both cases wrote ...

So the Mayor fancies himself somewhat of a bean counter! Well Mr. Economics, maybe you could share with us the cost to the city for the emergency equipment used a few Saturdays back to escort a PHM bus across Mishawaka. Bunch of fire trucks, at least 6 county police cars all racing at about 30 MPH to get where they were going.Don't whine about the cost of protecting someone who comes to town and makes history. I have no clue as to what the excitement was with the bus cause it never made the news

Wednesday, Apr 9 at 10:54 PM OBwan wrote ...

UCL-Davis is still waiting for $5K from the Clinton campaign.

Wednesday, Apr 9 at 10:49 PM I'm watching both sides! wrote ...

Has anyone heard, (or read) what it cost to have Obama come to our community? Oh Wait! Maybe it didn't cost anything because people love him so much they donated their time and talents. That poopy Hillary is costing us money already and she isn't even in the White House yet. I think someone in her campaign team clogged up one of the toilets when they were at Mishawaka. Did you get wind of that Mr. Mayor McCrap? You seem to have a nose for such things!

Wednesday, Apr 9 at 8:39 PM copprt wrote ...

mayor, get a life. I can already tell that your position on this will get your job at risk. Which one id a priority, your financual endeavours or your state citizen's rights?

Wednesday, Apr 9 at 7:27 PM shrek wrote ...

good call, mayor. fair is fair

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