Update: Democrats Decline To Reimburse Atherton

The Democratic National Committee will not reimburse Atherton for President Obama's April visit to the town, according to a memo to the City Manager George Rodericks that deflects responsibility to the U.S. Secret Service. 

When President Obama visited Atherton in April to raise funds, the town's police officers and public works employees labored to keep him safe and clean the town after he departed. The financial cost to the city was about $8,122, according to the City Manager. 

City Coucilmember Bill Widmer and other Republicans in the community did not appreciate footing the bill for Obama's visit and sent a request for payment to the Democratic National Committee. 

Amanda Howe, Chief Operating Officer for the DNC, responded to this inquiry with a letter that acknowledged receipt of the request and not much more. 

"As a private organization, the DNC did not participate in security or traffic control planning," Howe writes. "All such decisions, including their impact on costs incurred by the federal, state, or local governments are exclusively within control of the appropriate government officials. Should there be a question about the allocation of expenses among cooperating authorities, we assume it should be directed to the U.S. Secret Service," the letter concludes. 

Should the city foot the bill, or send an invoice to the Secret Service? Scroll down and tell us in the comments. 

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