March 12, 2010
Council Members Applaud D.C. Trip
Aides Said Timing Impeccable
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Two Huntington city councilmen --- Scott Caserta and Mark Bates --- traveled to Washington, D.C. with select members of the administration to speak with members of the state’s Congressional delegation. Both Bates and Caserta agreed the timing was impeccable.
Caserta told HNN via phone Thursday, March 11, that representatives for all members of the state Congressional delegation (Sen. Byrd, Sen. Rockefeller, Rep. Rahall, Rep. Capito) were all “eager and supportive of our endeavors. Congressman [Nick] Rahall was very excited about the Google initiative. We look to reap benefits from the D.C. trip. I think we laid the groundwork for economic stimulus to start flooding into the city.”
The councilman pointed to comments from Sen. Byrd’s aides as typical of the compliments lauded upon the Huntington delegation: “Great timing,” “You’re ahead of the curve,” “Invaluable,” “What we needed,” and “Excited to see boots on the ground [in Washington].”
Bates added, “We were on their radar. Their staffers read the newspaper, Huntington News, and various other information sources to keep up with what’s going on in different W.Va. communities.” He went on to hand out kudos to administration representatives --- Mayor Kim Wolfe, Director of Finance/Administration Brandi Jacobs-Jones, Police Chief Skip Holbrook, and Director of Planning and Development Charles Holley . “They were very well prepared and I was honored to be a part of it.”
As an indication of the importance of “face to face” impressions, Bates said, aides from Sen. Byrd’s office and Rep. Rahall’s office “were back in contact with us before we left the Hill. That’s encouraging.”
Here are some of the issues which the Huntington delegation took to Washington leaders:
STORM WATER
“They understand it’s not just Huntington; it’s towns across America that are suffering. Legislation needed to help Huntington will help across the nation. They are willing to get behind it,” Caserta said.
Bates added, “We specifically talked to them about Stanford Park and Ritter Boulevard as examples where storm water has created problems with our streets.”
WEED AND SEED
Prior to the sojourn, a report mentioned that the Weed and Seed Program was on President Obama’s budget shopping block.
“They are not looking to do away with the program, but put it in an umbrella of a larger program,” Caserta explained. “But that’s more complicated, as well. All the more reason to have visited D.C.”
Bates indicated that the Congressional delegations “would do all that they could to see that we remain funded” under the “newer, bigger, more funded program [rolling] out that will encompass [ Weed & Seed].” However, competition for funds will be intense. “They are very receptive to help us keep our funding.”
Another House resolution could assist the police department’s technological growth.
“We would be the agent for an approximately $600,000 [communications] grant” for Huntington, the county, Barboursville and Milton.
HOUSING
Shelly Moore-Capito backs a bill with over 50 supporters that would tackle the dilapidated housing mess in cities and towns across the country under the Community Regeneration, Sustainability and Innovation Act (CRSI) . The proposed legislation would provide $100 million a year for three year to cities (half with less than 150,000 people) that face deterioration due to long term property vacancies, long term unemployment and population loss.
Bates explained that the bill targets cities that have since 1970 lost 20% of more of their population. Huntington since 1950 has declined in population by about 45%. Ten cities and towns would be selected to draw money annually from a pool for demolition, code enforcement and redevelopment. “We’re hoping to get in on that program,” Bates said.
However, the fact that the CRSI “falls under a large program stimulates more competition [for the funds],” Caserta added. “We’re front and center now [after the visit].”
GOOGLE FIBER NOMINATION
All of the Congressional representatives committed to lending support for the city’s application for a high speed Google fiber network. On line nominations are being taken through March 26. Google plans to test this network capable of internet speeds 100 times faster than most providers in one location. Visit: http://sites.google.com/site/huntingtonwvfiber/home and http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options
ACCOLADES
“We left D.C. accomplishing what we set out --- gather support and build momentum. Now, we need to keep it rolling,” Caserta said.
Bates, also, summed his impression as “upbeat.”
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Council Members Applaud D.C. Trip
Aides Said Timing Impeccable
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Two Huntington city councilmen --- Scott Caserta and Mark Bates --- traveled to Washington, D.C. with select members of the administration to speak with members of the state’s Congressional delegation. Both Bates and Caserta agreed the timing was impeccable.
Caserta told HNN via phone Thursday, March 11, that representatives for all members of the state Congressional delegation (Sen. Byrd, Sen. Rockefeller, Rep. Rahall, Rep. Capito) were all “eager and supportive of our endeavors. Congressman [Nick] Rahall was very excited about the Google initiative. We look to reap benefits from the D.C. trip. I think we laid the groundwork for economic stimulus to start flooding into the city.”
The councilman pointed to comments from Sen. Byrd’s aides as typical of the compliments lauded upon the Huntington delegation: “Great timing,” “You’re ahead of the curve,” “Invaluable,” “What we needed,” and “Excited to see boots on the ground [in Washington].”
Bates added, “We were on their radar. Their staffers read the newspaper, Huntington News, and various other information sources to keep up with what’s going on in different W.Va. communities.” He went on to hand out kudos to administration representatives --- Mayor Kim Wolfe, Director of Finance/Administration Brandi Jacobs-Jones, Police Chief Skip Holbrook, and Director of Planning and Development Charles Holley . “They were very well prepared and I was honored to be a part of it.”
As an indication of the importance of “face to face” impressions, Bates said, aides from Sen. Byrd’s office and Rep. Rahall’s office “were back in contact with us before we left the Hill. That’s encouraging.”
Here are some of the issues which the Huntington delegation took to Washington leaders:
STORM WATER
“They understand it’s not just Huntington; it’s towns across America that are suffering. Legislation needed to help Huntington will help across the nation. They are willing to get behind it,” Caserta said.
Bates added, “We specifically talked to them about Stanford Park and Ritter Boulevard as examples where storm water has created problems with our streets.”
WEED AND SEED
Prior to the sojourn, a report mentioned that the Weed and Seed Program was on President Obama’s budget shopping block.
“They are not looking to do away with the program, but put it in an umbrella of a larger program,” Caserta explained. “But that’s more complicated, as well. All the more reason to have visited D.C.”
Bates indicated that the Congressional delegations “would do all that they could to see that we remain funded” under the “newer, bigger, more funded program [rolling] out that will encompass [ Weed & Seed].” However, competition for funds will be intense. “They are very receptive to help us keep our funding.”
Another House resolution could assist the police department’s technological growth.
“We would be the agent for an approximately $600,000 [communications] grant” for Huntington, the county, Barboursville and Milton.
HOUSING
Shelly Moore-Capito backs a bill with over 50 supporters that would tackle the dilapidated housing mess in cities and towns across the country under the Community Regeneration, Sustainability and Innovation Act (CRSI) . The proposed legislation would provide $100 million a year for three year to cities (half with less than 150,000 people) that face deterioration due to long term property vacancies, long term unemployment and population loss.
Bates explained that the bill targets cities that have since 1970 lost 20% of more of their population. Huntington since 1950 has declined in population by about 45%. Ten cities and towns would be selected to draw money annually from a pool for demolition, code enforcement and redevelopment. “We’re hoping to get in on that program,” Bates said.
However, the fact that the CRSI “falls under a large program stimulates more competition [for the funds],” Caserta added. “We’re front and center now [after the visit].”
GOOGLE FIBER NOMINATION
All of the Congressional representatives committed to lending support for the city’s application for a high speed Google fiber network. On line nominations are being taken through March 26. Google plans to test this network capable of internet speeds 100 times faster than most providers in one location. Visit: http://sites.google.com/site/huntingtonwvfiber/home and http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options
ACCOLADES
“We left D.C. accomplishing what we set out --- gather support and build momentum. Now, we need to keep it rolling,” Caserta said.
Bates, also, summed his impression as “upbeat.”
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