City looks at billing politicians Staff will study the issue; it may not be possible By Ray Barrington News-Chronicle Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign visit to the area last month cost the Green Bay Police Department some $8,600 in overtime. Whether or not the city can bill the campaign for some of that money is uncertain, although the matter was discussed by the city's Finance Committee on Tuesday. At the request of Ald. Earl Vanden Heuvel, staffers will see whether the city can get some reimbursement for the police presence required when a major party candidate comes to town. In the case of Kerry - and as would be the case if President Bush comes to town, which seems likely in Wisconsin's close presidential race - that includes blocking off streets for a motorcade, the use of SWAT teams and additional security efforts. While most of Kerry's events were outside of Green Bay, he stayed in town, and sharpshooters were posted on the roof of his hotel, police chief Craig Van Schyndle said. It was unclear whether that was at the request of the Kerry campaign or the Secret Service, which handles Kerry's security. In addition, extra police are needed because for a motorcade, the complete route is blocked to other traffic from the time the motorcade leaves a spot until it arrives at its destination. It's a situation the city plans for, Mayor Jim Schmitt said. He said funding for up to eight presidential candidate visits was in the budget for this year, and that he had heard from Republican sources that the president might be in the area twice before the election. Whether costs can be reimbursed is uncertain. The Secret Service apparently said "no" when asked, but the possibility for payment for non-service requirements was raised. Some members of the committee felt it was a necessary price to pay in a democracy, or for getting Green Bay some national publicity. "If we bill them," said Ald. Tom Weber, "they'll return to Ashwaubenon, Appleton, and Howard instead of here." "I'd hate to see a politician not come here because of a story in the paper saying Green Bay is unfriendly," added Ald. Ken Dax. Schmitt added that as the third-largest city in the state, "we'd love to show off for the national media." The $8,600 was only Green Bay's share of the cost of Kerry's visit, which included two large events mostly taking place in Ashwaubenon. - The city's Personnel Committee recommended approval of two positions in the mayor's office, a full-time assistant and a part-time assistant. The positions were sent back to the committee because of concerns over the roles of the two positions and the necessity for the part-timer from a City Council standpoint. In addition, the fact that the full-time position was expected to go to intergovernment affairs director Mike Driedric, at a $14,000 raise in salary from his current job, irked some council members. Dax urged the committee to look at the position, not personalities involved. Ald. Guy Zima, however, said the mayor did not need 1 1/2 positions at the present time, although he was willing to listen to reorganization plans. He said the second position was created to keep Paul Janquart as a city employee when his city clerk position was combined with that of city treasurer, a necessity that became moot when Janquart was elected clerk of courts.