Payback for Cheney visit unlikely

Washington Democrats on Tuesday called on Republican Senate candidate Mike McGavick to reimburse Spokane for the cost of providing security during Vice President Dick Cheney’s campaign visit on Monday.

City officials said the cost of overtime pay for police officers was still being calculated on Tuesday, but that it might amount to several thousand dollars or more.

Cheney spoke at a $500-per-person political reception for McGavick at the Davenport Hotel while hundreds of pro- and anti-Cheney demonstrators gathered on sidewalks across from the hotel. He also spoke earlier to personnel at Fairchild Air Force Base.

“If McGavick cared at all about Washington taxpayers, the least he could do is pay for the vice president’s political fundraising junket,” Dwight Pelz, chairman of the Washington State Democrats, said in a press release.

McGavick is seeking the Republican nomination for the seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. Both candidates have amassed seven-figure campaign funds.

There is not much chance the city will ask for reimbursement for the vice presidential visit.

Deputy Mayor Jack Lynch said a big part of security is making sure demonstrators remain peaceful. “It’s a matter of local law enforcement,” he said. At the same time, Spokane benefits from being in a national spotlight during presidential or vice presidential visits, he said.

“I don’t anticipate the city will submit a bill,” Lynch said.

A spokeswoman for McGavick said his campaign contributed to the vice president’s travel expenses but did not specify how much or to whom the money was being paid.

On Monday, Councilwoman Mary Verner said President Bush’s visit to Spokane two years ago cost the city about $17,000 for extra security. She suggested the city seek reimbursement from the Republican Party for Cheney’s visit this week since the event was a private campaign function.

City officials said the Fire Department used regular on-duty personnel for security, while the Police Department kept overtime assignments to a minimum by assigning detectives as part of the security detail. About 20 officers were paid overtime, according to acting Police Chief Jim Nicks.

Cheney landed at Fairchild Air Force Base about 2 p.m. and spoke there before traveling by motorcade to the Davenport. He spent about three hours outside the air base before his departure just after 6 p.m. Some of the city police involved in the motorcade arrived at the air base more than an hour before Cheney.

Three hours of overtime for 20 police officers would cost about $2,400 while four hours of overtime for the group would cost $3,200 based on an average annual police salary of $50,000 a year.

Previous visits by presidents, vice presidents or candidates for the two offices have cost the city more money. A visit by President Reagan in 1986 cost $30,000 in extra security costs. The city was unsuccessful in collecting money from the Republican Party or the Secret Service after members of the City Council pushed to seek reimbursement for what they viewed as a “purely political” visit.

“Nobody gets paid for these kinds of things,” said Marlene Feist, the city’s public affairs officer. “We could send a bill, but we wouldn’t get paid.”

Deputy Mayor Lynch said the city cannot risk something going wrong. “The black eye would be worse than the cost,” he said.