Clyburn hears plans for stimulus
Meeting with local leaders puts focus on rural projects
Congressman James E. Clyburn (D - S.C.)
ST. GEORGE — The congressman came to town Monday looking for federal stimulus projects he can push. Dorchester County officials came away confident their projects made the list.
U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., told local elected officials that he wanted to make sure chronically poor rural communities didn't get left out of the federal money coming to the state, pointing to communities in counties along the Interstate 95 corridor, like upper Dorchester.
All things being equal, funding should benefit disadvantaged communities, Clyburn said. "A tie goes to the needy."
disadvantaged communities, Clyburn said. "A tie goes to the needy."
County officials asked first for help with a $16 million grant to improve U.S. Highway 78, the north-south thoroughfare. But Clyburn seized on a proposed $10 million grant that would provide water for Harleyville from the Lake Marion Regional Water System, and his eyes lit up when Dick Byrd, Dorchester County public works director, brought up a $13 million proposal to store and pipe treated wastewater for industrial use instead of discharging it into the Ashley River.
"Tag this one," he told staff.
Rural communities long have thought they are a thing of the past, Clyburn said, but the need to develop biofuels has demonstrated they are a thing of the future, so support for rural projects will bring "new economy" energy jobs. He noted he has championed the Lake Marion water project for the 12 years he's been in office.
"We're going to get this water system in place, and we're not going to worry a whole lot about people concerned with earmarks," he said, referring to the controversial legislative process of inserting special projects in large funding bills. Earmarks helped get the Lake Marion project built, he said.
"There's nothing wrong with earmarks. There's something wrong with some earmarkers, and that's why some of them are in prison today," he said.
Clyburn also said he would talk with state highway officials about funding for the Highway 78 project. County officials also sought funding to improve the county's proposed "regional" wastewater treatment plant in St. George and to help build the new county courthouse campus and East Edisto Business Park.
Jamie Feltner, county council chairman, said leaders came away "very comfortable" with the congressman's remarks. The projects presented to Clyburn are "shovel ready" and would put people to work, Feltner said. "He understands that. I think he was looking for somebody to step up (with projects like that), so he could step up and help with funding."
The Monday meeting in St. George was requested by county officials and attended by local state legislators and municipal and other leaders.
Reach Bo Petersen at 937-5744 or bpetersen@postandcourier.com.
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Larz13 (anonymous) says...
All things being equal, funding should benefit disadvantaged communities, Clyburn said. "A tie goes to the needy."
disadvantaged communities, Clyburn said. "A tie goes to the needy."
===> Needy often refers to his wife, family and political donors.
"There's nothing wrong with earmarks. There's something wrong with some earmarkers, and that's why some of them are in prison today," he said.
===> Sometimes the truth hurts! Clyburn will be there soon, hopefully.
April 7, 2009 at 6:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
What? He has a pocketful of our money already, and no one knows yet where to spend it? Incredible. Doesn't anyone think that the folks footing bill (taxpayers, not pols) might have a thing or two to spend their money on? Absolutely nuts. One pol with the dough has little pols at his feet looking for crumbs. Disgusting.
April 7, 2009 at 7:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mb300sl (anonymous) says...
What a clown! I wonder how many of his relatives are being "stimulated" by the stimulus package? He seems to have a history of making sure federal funds get to his family...
April 7, 2009 at 7:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mosinfan (anonymous) says...
I wonder if we could convince this Congressman to sit down and read the United States Constitution, then please cite us the Article and Section that give him and the federal government the authority to tax and spend for his pet projects here in SC. Is that too much to ask?
April 7, 2009 at 7:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
IHATEINBEV (anonymous) says...
CLYBURN SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM OFFICE AND THROWN IN JAIL, ALONG WITH EVERYONE ELSE WHO VOTED FOR THE "STIMULUS BILL." THEY ALL TOOK AN OATH TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THIS "STIMULUS BILL" CLEARLY VIOLATES OUR CONSTITUTION. CLYBURN PUT THE CLAUSE IN THE BILL THAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE CAN BYPASS THE GOVERNOR IN ACCEPTED THE MONEY. AND GUESS WHAT, THEY CAN'T. EVEN obama AGREES WITH THAT.
April 7, 2009 at 8:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
Remember that there is a public meeting that Clyburn will be at at the Citadel on Wednesday evening I believe.
April 7, 2009 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
UH oh I was wrong Clyburn's Citadel show was held Monday.
April 7, 2009 at 8:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
number1volsfan1 (anonymous) says...
Clyburn is just one of Nobama's idiot socialist henchmen. Beware of the socialist agenda to bankrupt America.
IMPEACH NOBAMA NOW!
April 7, 2009 at 8:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
Thank goodness we have someone in a position of influence that is looking out for the people of this state. We can't depend on the GOP, their plans, or lack thereof, all lead to ruin.
April 7, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lloyd007 (anonymous) says...
At least there is SOMEONE trying to help pull this
state out of the sheer RUT it is in.If the money is
to be paid back by EVERY U.S. citizen,why not use it
to advance the GOOD of the state.I would rather see
South Carolina move forward like other state will be with
"our money",so why not move forward into the 21st century.
THANK YOU Mr Clyburn for having true "COMPASSION".Republicans used the word,but somehow forgot it's true meaning.I would Love to see the Governor use it in his Bid for the presidency.The people of this country would see him for what he really is...A SHEER JOKE!!
April 7, 2009 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
The way to move forward is to stop taking the fed money.
April 7, 2009 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Larz13 (anonymous) says...
The GOOD of the state?
More wefare and healthcare entitlements for the lazy people in Clyburn's disctrict who don't buy it and expect the government to provide it. They will buy new shoes, knock-off Gucci bags, tattoos and rims for their caddy before they will purchase food and health insurance for their family.
Clybrun's wife will be an advisor to the whole spending spree and collect $100K for saying "it's a good idea."
April 7, 2009 at 1:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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