Boca Raton is scrounging for cash to help pay for security when Lynn University hosts the third presidential debate of the 2012 election.

The city, which has requested the state pony up $250,000 for the nonpartisan, nonprofit Commission on Presidential Debates event at Lynn University on Oct. 22, has sent a letter to Gov. Rick Scott. It's asking the state to cover police department expenses, because city fathers anticipate “a significant number of protesters for the event and the days leading up to the event.”

“The presidential debate provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to promote the state, the county and the city to a huge national and international audience.

A successful presidential debate will certainly reflect well on the state,” wrote Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel.

Whelchel, who supported Lynn University’s application for the debate, anticipates the cost to the city for security will run between $250,000 and $300,000.

“In this current economic situation, such a level of effort puts a huge burden on the city,” she wrote.

In addition to protestors and politicians, Whelchel noted that about 3,000 members of the media will converge on the city, pumping more than $20 million into the local and state economy.

Others who supported the university’s application to host the debate included the entire Florida congressional delegation; the Florida Cabinet; the leadership of the Florida Legislature; and former Govs. Jeb Bush and Bob Graham.

The governor’s office has simply responded that it received the city’s request.

Scott is on vacation this week.

According to the Sun-Sentinel, the request for cash comes as “Boca Raton is facing a $5 million budget shortfall and just set a proposed higher tax rate that will be debated in public sessions before it is set in September.”

The first debate will be Oct. 3 at the University of Denver. The second, a town hall format, is set for Oct. 16 at Hofstra University in Hampstead, N.Y.

A vice presidential candidate debate is scheduled for Oct. 11 at Centre College in Danville, Ky.

For candidates to be included in the debates they must receive at least 15 percent in preset national polls and their name must appear on the ballots in enough states to have a mathematical chance of winning enough Electoral College votes to become president.

Susan Whelchel’s Letter:

Governor Richard L. Scott

Office of the Governor

400 South Monroe Street,
Tallahassee, FL 32399-O01

Dear Governor Scott,

As you know, the eyes of the nation and the World will be on Florida for the third and final Presidential Debate being held at Lynn University in Boca Raton on October 22, 2012. In addition to having a major effect on the 2012 presidential elections, the Presidential Debate will provide a significant economic opportunity for Boca Raton, Palm Beach County and the State of Florida. The debate will bring thousands of visitors to Boca Raton and the surrounding area. In fact, it is estimated that close to 3,000 media representatives alone will converge on the City to cover the event. Preliminary conservative estimates show that the Presidential Debate will contribute over $20 million to the local and state economy.

The Presidential Debate will create enormous exposure for Florida and for Boca Raton. Through print, web content, and broadcast media, information about the State and the community will be viewed by millions of people across the country and across the World. The attention of the national and international media will create a unique opportunity to promote the State and the local area for tourism and for economic development.

However, as you know, much of the long term positive benefit from having the Presidential Debate in Florida would be erased if there were to be a security incident at or during the event. Such an incident would create a significant negative impact to potential visitors and to companies looking to relocate to the area and the State.

To that end, the City will be providing significant resources for security of the event and for the days leading up to the event. Although Federal, State, and County law enforcement and security agencies will also be partners in providing a safe environment for the candidates, the media, and others who are part of the debate event, a large part of the security and related services will be the responsibility of the local law enforcement agency -- the Boca Raton Police Services Department.

We know, for example, that there will likely be a significant number of protesters in the City for the event and the days leading up to the event -- including individuals and organized groups. It is also probable, based on information already on websites and circulating on social media platforms, that there will be some more loosely aligned, radical protesters looking to create an opportunity to forward their point of view.

The Boca Raton Police Services staff has continued to work with representatives from Federal and State agencies on event security plans. Although the plans have not been finalized, and by design probably won't be finalized until just prior to the event, the main components of the security plan have been identified, and it is anticipated that the cost to the City of Boca Raton for providing security will be between $250,000 and $300,000. In this current economic situation, such a level of effort puts a huge burden on the City.

During the legislative session, the City, recognizing the potential benefit to the region and the State by having a successful Presidential Debate event and the huge impact that a negative security incident would have, asked for some State assistance in providing resources for security. In response, $250,000 was placed in the State budget for payment of security costs provided by the City of Boca Raton for the Presidential Debate event. However, this amount was removed during the Governor’s budget review and approval process.

The Presidential Debate provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to promote the State, the County and the City to a huge national and international audience. A successful Presidential Debate will certainly reflect well on the State.

The City of Boca Raton is again asking for State assistance in providing the important security required by this event. The City is looking for a State allocation of $250,000 to offset the cost of the providing the necessary local agency security for the Presidential Debate event.

The City of Boca Raton is proud to be the host city for the third and final Presidential Debate. We hope that the State recognizes the importance of this event to the State, and agrees to fund the City’s significant security efforts that will be necessary to create a successful event.

Sincerely,
Susan Whelchel
Mayor



Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.