WILDWOOD, NJ — The Wildwood mayor remains optimistic that the city will get reimbursed for costs of President Donald Trump's rally – including cleanup efforts from the day after – even though he's already been essentially rebuffed on his request.

"I spoke with (Rep. Jeff) Van Drew myself on Monday night," Byron told Patch. "He said the president and he were not very happy with my stance that the city should not have to pay the cost of this political rally." Byron, a Democratic mayor elected in November, categorizes political rallies with other promoted events such as concerts. In those cases, the promoter will cover the cost of any extra police, fire and emergency services personnel needed.

They mayor said he would expect the same from a politician, even if Trump and Van Drew, both Republicans, don't share his politics. It will take the City of Wildwood at least a few weeks to calculate its expenses from the event, Byron said. That will include paying the police departments that helped with the event — police from throughout Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland Counties assisted.



"We want to gather the costs," Byron said. "I'll start with the local GOP. Then we'll take it from there. We'll see if we can get reimbursement from those guys, and it may end right there." Van Drew's campaign told Patch to ask the Trump campaign about reimbursement. Campaign Manager Ron Filan provided the following statement that seemed to blame Byron's request on "partisan politics."

"Congressman Van Drew was proud to welcome President Trump to Wildwood and wishes that partisan politics wouldn't ever get in the way of an opportunity to showcase the great people of South Jersey," he said.

The Trump campaign didn't return comment in time for publication.

City officials also participated in a major cleanup Wednesday. Photos showed piles of trash and leftover items such as beach chairs, blankets, hats and gloves. Byron said the Trump campaign was responsible for providing a specific amount of trash cans. But a presidential visit creates certain complications with maintaining a clean environment, the mayor said.