STIMULUS MONEY

Attaching list of cities applying for STIMULUS MONEY (18) total listed in Sunday's The News Tribune. Even the small town of Steilacoom is listed as asking for 7.75 million dollars for "replacing sewer lines" and other infrastructure improvements. The only Town not listed is RUSTON. To see the entire article click on "Who'll get What" from the Sunday News tribune February 8, 2009.

Very perplexing, the Town that need 4.1 million for replacing sewer lines but did not apply. Grants are a major topic at every Ruston Town Council meeting. Possibly because the last two grants (1) $35,000 grant for business district analysis after completion was amended in the council to be almost useless (2) grant for $70,000 to update the Ruston MDP (Master Development Plan) was allowed to lapse after it was approved.

One interesting paragraph "Some local officials started compiling a wish list back in November. Others were still getting theirs in order last week. "

Where was Ruston and the almighty Tacoma cabal? Somebody was AWOL or asleep at the switch. Or a deliberate non-action?

Meanwhile back at the Ruston Council they are deliberating a 4.1 million sewer upgrade or a smaller version 1.2 million phase one sewer upgrade. using the Town's Surplus Property Fund or a a low interest loan from the AWC (Association of Washington Cities). The public was told engineering needed to be complete to apply for federal stimulus funds.

TNT article by Melissa Santos.

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