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What is this?
City did not ask for $600M for project
Published Saturday, February 7, 2009
NATCHEZ — Despite a recent report by a national news network, the City of Natchez has not requested $600 million from the proposed national stimulus package for a project.
Alderman Mark Fortenbery said he was watching FOX News on Wednesday night when a report came on about the national stimulus package and individual requests that have been made.
“They were talking about some of the crazy things people were asking for,” he said.
That’s when the report stated Natchez wanted $600 million for the Heritage Trails Project.
“I do not know who did that or where it came from,” Fortenbery said.
City Engineer David Gardner said he has heard about the report, and it is false.
The heritage trail would connect the system of downtown walking trails — the Natchez Trails Project — to the Natchez Trace by way of historic St. Catherine Street.
Gardner said it would be between one and two miles long and would cost approximately $3.1 million.
He said having the false report broadcast nationally is hurtful to the city.
“It’s unfortunate it is being broadcast on FOX, because the city is going to have to do some damage control,” Gardner said. “We don’t want the heritage trails to be labeled as some pork (barrel project.)”
He said when it comes to actually requesting funds for the project, the report could be a hindrance.
City Grants Coordinator Brett Brinegar said it makes Natchez look foolish.
“It’s very embarrassing,” she said.
The Web site stimuluswatch.org posts a compilation of states’ requests and the individual requests per city.
The purpose of the Web site, it states, is to allow its visitors to browse through the requests and vote on whether the requests are viable, critical or necessary.
It claims to be a watchdog of federal dollars.
The Web site states its postings are drawn from a report published by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which has posted all municipality stimulus package requests.
When the U.S. Conference of Mayor Conference report was originally published in December, Natchez was not listed as requesting $600 million for the project.
However, a January publication did list the $600 million.
All municipalities were asked by the U.S. Conference of Mayors to create a “wish list” in December, Brinegar said.
Brinegar was the final set of city hands to touch the list before it was sent, and she said no request of that magnitude had been made.
She said she asked for less than $1 million for the project.
“We did not ask for $600 million. That’s ridiculous,” she said. “It’s very harmful.”
Mayor Jake Middleton said he had not heard about the false report.
“Six hundred million? That could build a highway across the South,” Middleton said. “I don’t even know where that figure came from.
“That’s crazy. Who in their right mind would ask for $600 million?”
Comments
Posted by EnKiKur (Marty Ellerbe) on February 6, 2009 at 11:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How much did the city ask for?
Posted by sparky018 (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 12:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Like that is going to hurt natchez worse then the people we have in office running this place.. HAH.. If we get, PLEASE TAKE IT.... It is not like we do not need it.. HAHAHA
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 12:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Doesn't it make you wonder where the story came from? Big Pork job from the word go!
Posted by EnKiKur (Marty Ellerbe) on February 7, 2009 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The $55 million for the canoe canal and the $5 million for the walking trail comes to $60 million, that's a tenth of $600 million- that's not embarrassing?
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 12:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like something the EX Mayor would ask for?
Posted by DuncanPark (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 12:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Obviously, Natchez doesn't need any stimulus money.
What a vicious rumor to think help was sought.
Start with: the streets are perfect and there are jobs for everybody.
More/continued tax cuts for the wealthy are the answer.
The recent past years of republican control of Congress has provided the current economic boom. Keep up the good work citizens and continue voting republican. Trickle down economics forever.
Posted by EnKiKur (Marty Ellerbe) on February 7, 2009 at 12:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Do you understand DuncanPark that this so-called stimulus money is money is a tax increase on today's children and their children? Do you understand that in the first two weeks of Obama's administration he proposed to spend more than GW spent in 8 years, and that GW spent more in 8 years than all previous administrations from George Washington to Bill Clinton?
What you stimulus minded people think of as help is the final destruction of the US dollar. Since Oct. the monetary base has doubled. For the first time in its history the Federal Reserve is paying interest on reserve deposits it is holding for the nation's banks.
Do you understand that Obama's money management team is now proposing to lend money to private corporations to invest in the very derivatives that brought this crisis about?
They might as well send bushel baskets of money to Natchez, by the time it gets here it will take a basket to buy a loaf of bread.
Posted by EnKiKur (Marty Ellerbe) on February 7, 2009 at 1:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"The new financial industry rescue plan, to be outlined in broad terms on Monday in a speech by the Treasury secretary, Timothy F. Geithner, will not require banks to increase their lending. That is despite criticism that institutions that already received money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, either hoarded it or used the funds to acquire other banks....
....A central element of the plan would be a major expansion of a lending facility begun in November by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York when it was headed by Mr. Geithner. The program, which was initially financed by $200 billion in Fed money and $20 billion in seed capital from the $700 billion bailout fund, lent money to investors to buy securities backed by student, auto and credit card loans, as well as loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration....
....Lawmakers said they were told that Mr. Geithner would NOT spell out the details of much of the program next week, including how the government would use more than $50 billion from that program to help homeowners facing foreclosure." http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/07/busine...
I capitalized the NOT. Lawmakers will NOT get all the details. Is this the CHANGE you hoped for? Cause it sounds like the same old rewarding of globalist fatcats to me, overseen by a global financial puppet. The only stimulus we are going to see out of this is a sudden sharp sensation in the rear.
Posted by Username (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 1:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You mean to tell me that people still believe FAUX news?
I personally though that they would improve a little bit with that lefty guy in office but still it's just propaganda filled entertainment for couch potatoes.
I did originally hear about the request Natchez was making back in December on a national radio show, they were laughing because Natchez,MS was asking for $9.5 million for a sports complex as if it was a joke so I had to research it for myself and I only found it to be true.
Posted by Username (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 1:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WoW this is the new and updated 3.0 request for Natchez and it says $600,000,000 for " Forks of the Road Heritage Trail. This project would greatly enhance one of the primary gateways to our city by creating an African American/Ethnic Heritage Trail along a stretch of St. Catherine Street between the Forks of the Road Slave Market Site "
That's just what this link states
http://www.usmayors.org/mainstreeteconom...
Well maybe it's not one of those famous made up FAUX news stories.
Posted by Username (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 1:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Somebody is lying.
Posted by EnKiKur (Marty Ellerbe) on February 7, 2009 at 1:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Accoring to the US Conference of Mayors Username Natchez is asking for almost $700 million.
Every politician in Adams County will be living in a mansion with armed guards if they get ahold of that kind of money.
Posted by bulldozer (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 2 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ms.Governor has gone on record and stated he does not want this money.......too many strings attached.
Posted by BattleBoys_WIL (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 2:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like something Ricky Gray would ask for. He could build the worthless trail for $3.1 million and pocket the other $596.9 million. How many night can you stay in Jackson with $596.9 million.
Posted by Omega (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 5:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Call it what you want but the heritage trails is pork. Maybe something to look at years from now.
Posted by niderbip (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 5:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
if you think they're lying, just call Fox and ask where the # came from
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 5:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How can anyone think of funding a Heritage Trail with a national economic crisis about to blow sky high? California has gotten so bad they're not allowing its citizens to have their tax returns this year and people are begging for federal dollars to fund a trail? Why build a pool in your backyard when losing your house is a grim possibility? I just don't get it. And the Big Boys are currently in session, doing nothing to economically stimulate me...just the fat cats. I say send me and you some money. If the feds let us have it, we'll spend it all over town and state, thus stimulating the economy. The way it's happening now is the fat cat gets bailed out, he lays off a large chunk of his employees, and gives himself a bonus he could retire on. If WE get it, we can buy cars, homes, pay off bills, etc. and fat cat gets his money eventually. It sounds so simple, yet why isn't it? Maybe I need a class in economics.
Posted by crawgator (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 7:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hell I think it's a great idea. I mean if they wanna give out that money then why not ask....Where can I apply. I was thinking of repaving my drive and figured it would cost around $135,000,000. Although I really don't need the flashing lights on the sides for my teenage daughter, that would take away about $300.
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I figured if they'd give a million bucks to every household in America, our country would flourish. The only stipulation is that you can't quit your job, otherwise we'd have a nation of slackers. Then again, many in our country have no choice in the matter...they're getting laid off in droves. The way I see it, lay off the factory workers and no stuff gets made. No stuff gets made equals nobody's working and nobody's buying. What a tragedy.
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Doubt they dreamed it up, SOMEONE had to have told them this.
Posted by observer (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
test
Posted by concerned2149 (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
okay most know me by now so you know i have thought out my answer. All I have to say about this is that with the stimulus money every American over 18 could receive $50,000.00 dollars wow that says something about how the government spends money... I think we as a society could fix the problems without pouring this kinda money down the drain...does the little people or low to middle class see these great "CHANGES" NO.... but then AGAIN go Natchez...Woo-Hoo unlimited travels for everyone!!!!hhahah no really I hope Natchez gets some of the pie it would help with a lot of things that need to be done...Good LUCK...roads might be finished......
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In this dismal economy, I envision the Heritage Trail with "pork droppings" along the way. Everyone needs to come to a screeching hault on all of this pork spending and get serious about putting the "economic train" back on its track. People need to keep their homes and their jobs. Many projects would be nice to have but much needs to be placed on the back burner for a while until we get our priorities in order. It is obvious that our national, state and local government are no where close to having their priorities in order. We (especially the young) will eventually pay for it).
Posted by observer (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Did delegates from Natchez actually attend the Conference of Mayors last year? If so they should know about these requests. Every project on the list is something Natchez would benefit from, but the amounts for most of them are way out of line. Maybe the mayors were told just to make a "Dream List" of things they would like to see happen. I hope the Democrat will get to the bottom of it.
Posted by donna (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
looks like another waste of our money WHY DO WE KEEP GETTING THIS DONE TO US? LOOKS BAD TAX DOLLARS AT WORK I GUESS
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The lesson learned--as if we needed a refresher--Faux News makes up the news.
Who cares what Faux News says. No one with any sense watches that goofy channel anyway.
Posted by jlmorris (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, if the city did not make the request who did?
I would think the city would be all over this one like "a duck on a june bug." Somebody knows something.
If the city want pursue this fiasco, then the ND should, or maybe the BOS should, or maybe the Chamber of Commerce should, or maybe............
Posted by Hambone (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
With that money Mathis and Gray could travel the world!
Posted by manoj87 (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Computer networks can also be classified according to the hardware and software technology that is used to interconnect the individual devices in the network, such as Optical fiber, Ethernet, Wireless LAN, HomePNA, or Power line communication.
Ethernet uses physical wiring to connect devices. Frequently deployed devices include hubs, switches, bridges and/or routers.
Wireless LAN technology is designed to connect devices without wiring. These devices use radio waves or infrared signals as a transmission medium.
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manoj87
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[link=http://www.fastrealestate.net] FSBO[link]-FSBO
Posted by manoj87 (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Computer networks can also be classified according to the hardware and software technology that is used to interconnect the individual devices in the network, such as Optical fiber, Ethernet, Wireless LAN, HomePNA, or Power line communication.
Ethernet uses physical wiring to connect devices. Frequently deployed devices include hubs, switches, bridges and/or routers.
Wireless LAN technology is designed to connect devices without wiring. These devices use radio waves or infrared signals as a transmission medium.
--------------
manoj87
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<a href="http://www.fastrealestate.net">FSBO</a>-FSBO
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Stimulus Package is just another failure of the Owhampy "Tribe" and another conspiracy of the DemocRATic Party leading our form of government into socialism, thus Communism! America had better "Wake Up"!
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What has Computer Networks got to do with the subject matter?
Posted by Username (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rushinghjr- McCain would have done the same thing.
If you remember correctly both McCain and Obama went to Washington D.C. in support of the $700 billion bailout and said that if action wasn't taken THEN the nation would collapse.
Posted by bellesouth (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
She said she asked for less than $1 million for the project.
Posted by corvett40 (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So is this what the EDA has been doing? Or is the City of Natchez asking for this money? I was thinking this was a Bad Joke ! this is what we don't need even if the numbers are off. "Come get yo free money" , Sounds like they help need our BOS to help them ! They will cut the PORK OUT ,This is stupidity on whoever did this to our Great City ,It makes us look bad !
Posted by Demise (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 8:37 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on February 7, 2009 at 11:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Username/You must remember that the first so-called bailout funding was for the financial institutions and it has not all being used and the so-called stimulus package is now being discussed, also, there is so much in there that the Owhampy tribe is paying the voting fragments that put him in, groups like the unions, ACORN, and other liberal morons! Socialism is an open door to Communism!
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on February 8, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Stimulus package has bi-partisan participation. It's called compromise and cooperation for the greater good.
Only a radical right-winger dinosaur would oppose compromise.
Posted by Username (anonymous) on February 8, 2009 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Stimulus by name but just spending in reality.
I ask anybody,where will this money come from??? Will it come from the same place Bush's $600 stimulus checks and the T.R.A.P. fund and all other recent Government spending come from??? The Printing Press???
China,Japan and Brazil does not want to loan us anymore money because they are starting realize that we are just printing money to pay them back now.
If we all were given a home printing press to make our own money would everybody be happy then?
We as a nation are broke and until we accept the reality of that it will only get worse.
It's like giving a recovering drug addict another shot of drugs just to get them through the day.
Posted by gardenflower (anonymous) on February 8, 2009 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Natchezsouthside............Only 3 moderate Republicans are supposedly in favor of this pork bill....that is not exactly what you would call bipartisan...but knowing the left wing radicals running Congress along with our great President, I am sure they will refer to is as bipartisan...and as usual people suck it all in and believe everything they hear.
Posted by checkunin (anonymous) on March 22, 2009 at 3:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A trail 1 to 2 miles long costing taxpayers even $1 million is totally ridiculous. Has anyone got the math skills to figure out what that will cost taxpayers per foot? This kind of thing should not in any way be funded by the federal government let alone a part of a so-called stimulus.
Not just the people in your town, but all over the U.S. How about making projects like this 'community projects' where the whole community gets involved, raises the money and gets the job done? If these are projects the communities want, they can help achieve it. If they don't want to work for it, that probably means they don't want it that bad. Simple.
When things like this are dumped on the rest of us and add (in any amount) to the burden this administration is putting on us and the future generations of this country, it is rightfully called "PORK".
Posted by checkunin (anonymous) on March 22, 2009 at 5:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Building trails and patching roads is not a long term 'Stimulus' plan. It's no better than gambling away wages hoping not to lose at the poker table. Every town and every state should reject having anything to do with this "Make-it-up-as-we-go-along" idiotic mess.
As of December 31, 2008 according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population in the United States was at approx. 306 million citizens. To give each American $3,000,000 would cost approx. $918,000,000. Put that $3,000,000 per person into accounts (untouchable by the government) where it is earning interest at 3-5%. This should make it sustainable. Set up monthly income for each person from their own account; adequate for their needs, but not extravagant. People who want a higher standard of living will still work for it. Those who don't want to work to better themselves won't. Credit cards should have a modest limit; used for emergengies only, paid in full at the end of the month. There should be no need for more if people are taught to used their income wisely. Eliminate poverty, rid us of the welfare burden.
Option to retire at age 50; raise their income level (from their own account) with stipulation they have their house and any large expenditures paid in full. Jobs for younger people-retiree spending. Fuel economy.
Caps on prices of goods, services etc. Stop ups and downs of the $ and the economy.
No more paying farmers NOT to grow. Rely on Americans for our food supply, not other countries with the potential to do us harm.
Drill here, drill now! Break our dependency on foreign oil thus eliminating their control over us. Forget 'iffy' unproven "Green" science and move forward improving only what proves unquestionably to need improving.
Clean up D.C. Oust all lobbiests. Term limits. No retirements. We set salaries, benefits etc. for elected employees. No self - approved raises, no self-approved perks. They will live in D.C. while they work for us. Our Military can't fly home on the weekends! If Our elected officials don't like the way we run our government, they can go home and stay there.
Needs some work maybe, but it makes more sense than the mess in D.C. right now!
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