LUDINGTON BADGER GRANT DENIED!

[AQUAMAN]

The Stimulus Bill injection of $$$ to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation amounted to about $600 Million this year. Recently, the City of Ludington applied for a $14Million grant, about 2.5% of the total,  to get the Badger refitted with new non-coal powered propulsion, probably big diesel engines. It just got rejected though, sadly. But, a new reconstructed bridge will be built to Wolverine stadium for about $13Million in Michigan instead, the only Michigan project approved, a much higher priority indeed, right? And in Ann Arbor, another big city really. Still, the Badger's deadline for a cure rests into the end of the 2012 season, yet two years away. So, not to worry just yet. And, the Badger can still come up with other options to off-load the coal ash to trucks or other places legal with contractors on a daily basis while sailing. Bottom line is where did all that "stimulus money go"? Well the biggest grant went to Atlanta, Ga., yup, a very big city, about $48Million for a streetcar system. Streetcars went out of style long ago in history, but, we gotta start a new system? For almost 10% of the total available? Lots of other big cities also got big grant approvals, for too much other silly nonsense too. Is this the CHANGE for Hope a candidate promised voters about 2 years ago? Hate to get back to that old hat subject, but afterall, isn't this a new horizon in Federal Government, something we need and want to better our future in the USA? I just wonder sometimes! How 'bout you? The article I read came from courtesy of The Muskegon Chronicle today, and the LDN didn't wake up till way later on this important local issue of concern.

[XLFD]

Pretty accurate observations that a broader approach could have worked better, other than just having the city apply. But then our greedy city would have had to divide their cut they would have received (and had already worked out) with Manitowoc, Michigan, and Wisconsin governments.

On August 24, 2010 on Mlive:
Ludington City Manager John Shay said the city is confident that federal dollars can be granted to the city and passed on to a private company. U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, said federal transportation officials have initially ruled that funding for the Badger engines is allowable for the TIGER II program.

“We feel pretty confident about it,” Shay told The Chronicle of receiving the federal aid. One of the criteria for use of the transportation funds, beyond providing a significant boost to the nation’s or a region’s economy, is improving the environment."

The last time I remember CM Shay being so confident about something was when he thought the Ludington City Government could fight their former Building Inspector Jack Byers charges of corruption among the city by violating the Open Meetings Act and Whistleblowers' Act.


The City elites wound up settling for $250,000. In case you were worried about them being able to afford that-- do not worry, it was completely paid for by the taxpayers and the insurance they pay into. Some of the guilty parties wound up with pay raises, and one year later Ludington has no Building Inspector, except through contracting.

[XLFD]

Interesting comment I noticed in the Ludington City Council meeting 8-9-10: "Economic impact studies show that the Badger contributes $21 million annually to the port city of Ludington, MI; and it is estimated that the economic impact in Manitowoc, WI is $14 million."

If the local communities in Manitowoc and Ludington get 250% annually of what it would cost to refurbish the SS Badger from just the very existence of the ship, it would be a shame to lose it, but perhaps these figures are a bit overinflated and overattributive to the SS Badger.