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POLL: DREAMWORKS SHOULD PAY FOR OBAMA SECURITY
Glendale News-Press (California)
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
December 19, 2013 Thursday
by Brittany Levine, Glendale News-Press, Calif.
Dec. 19--Last week, Councilman Zareh Sinanyan questioned why the
city had to foot the bill alone when the president visited only
with DreamWorks employees, entertainment industry executives and
politicians, and not residents of Glendale.
In late November, Obama spoke about the entertainment's role in the
nation's economy and diplomacy before a crowd of about 2,000 people
at DreamWorks Animation in Glendale as part of a fundraising trip
in Los Angeles. DreamWorks' executive director Jeffrey Katzenberg is
one of Obama's top donors.
The approximately $61,000 covered the cost of 92 personnel, ranging
from SWAT to traffic-control officers. City Manager Scott Ochoa
said covering the security cost was expected by cities that host
the president.
DreamWorks spokeswoman Allison Rawlings said last week the studio was
honored by Obama's visit and had not discussed the security costs as
the city did not contact them directly about the issue.
Zanku Armenian, a commissioner on the Community Development Block Grant
committee, commented on the online story that he thought DreamWorks
should pay the bill.
"It's amazing to me how some elected leaders and staff are so easy to
sign the check when it comes to this expense but yet also so quick
to reply that we have no money when it comes to paying for other
essential city services like extra patrols to keep our neighborhoods
safe," Armenian wrote. "Why doesn't DreamWorks be a good corporate
citizen and volunteer to help the city out with the bill? I'm sure Jeff
Katzenberg wouldn't even feel the amount missing from his checkbook."
But, Scott Lowe, who runs a local blog, tropicostation.blogspot.com,
said given the magnitude of a presidential visit, Glendale should
let the cost slide.
"Given that Glendale only deals with presidential visits every 15
years or so, the costs involved seem to be a small price to pay for
the honor of a presidential visit and to shine a positive light on
Glendale to a worldwide audience," Lowe commented on the story.
The glendalenewspress.com poll was posted on Monday. The results are
not scientific.
Glendale News-Press (California)
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
December 19, 2013 Thursday
by Brittany Levine, Glendale News-Press, Calif.
Dec. 19--Last week, Councilman Zareh Sinanyan questioned why the
city had to foot the bill alone when the president visited only
with DreamWorks employees, entertainment industry executives and
politicians, and not residents of Glendale.
In late November, Obama spoke about the entertainment's role in the
nation's economy and diplomacy before a crowd of about 2,000 people
at DreamWorks Animation in Glendale as part of a fundraising trip
in Los Angeles. DreamWorks' executive director Jeffrey Katzenberg is
one of Obama's top donors.
The approximately $61,000 covered the cost of 92 personnel, ranging
from SWAT to traffic-control officers. City Manager Scott Ochoa
said covering the security cost was expected by cities that host
the president.
DreamWorks spokeswoman Allison Rawlings said last week the studio was
honored by Obama's visit and had not discussed the security costs as
the city did not contact them directly about the issue.
Zanku Armenian, a commissioner on the Community Development Block Grant
committee, commented on the online story that he thought DreamWorks
should pay the bill.
"It's amazing to me how some elected leaders and staff are so easy to
sign the check when it comes to this expense but yet also so quick
to reply that we have no money when it comes to paying for other
essential city services like extra patrols to keep our neighborhoods
safe," Armenian wrote. "Why doesn't DreamWorks be a good corporate
citizen and volunteer to help the city out with the bill? I'm sure Jeff
Katzenberg wouldn't even feel the amount missing from his checkbook."
But, Scott Lowe, who runs a local blog, tropicostation.blogspot.com,
said given the magnitude of a presidential visit, Glendale should
let the cost slide.
"Given that Glendale only deals with presidential visits every 15
years or so, the costs involved seem to be a small price to pay for
the honor of a presidential visit and to shine a positive light on
Glendale to a worldwide audience," Lowe commented on the story.
The glendalenewspress.com poll was posted on Monday. The results are
not scientific.