The mayor of one Monmouth County town is asking for financial help from a very unusual source.

Lake Como Mayor Larry Chairavallo is trying to get the oil-rich country of Kuwait to help pay for new police and fire buildings. Chairavallo says since the U.S. helped Kuwait during the Gulf War, the country should pay the U.S. back. After trying to get state help, the mayor contacted representatives of Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates, but was turned down.

Chairavallo says after reaching out to Kuwaiti delegates, the Kuwait ambassador is considering his request. The mayor says he needs more than $3.5 million to build the new facilities. Some Lake Como residents say it was ridiculous for the mayor to ask a foreign country for money. Others say the mayor?s idea was innovative.