Posted on 01/16/2007 9:35:04 AM PST by Hildy
BULLHEAD CITY - It's not often that the discussion of a TV show is placed on the Bullhead City Council agenda in the form of a public hearing, but that's what's in store for tonight's meeting.
The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the council chamber at City Hall. The very last item on the agenda is discussion and possible action regarding the Fox News Channel program “Hannity's America” which aired Jan. 7.
A segment of the program featured a story on the proposed second bridge between Bullhead City and Laughlin, charging that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Searchlight) would benefit financially from the new bridge.
That accusation has officials on both sides of the river worried that such publicity could impede efforts to get more federal and state funding to build the bridge.
Bullhead City Mayor Diane Vick saw the program. “I felt it was very inappropriate,” she said. “In fact (the next morning) I sent an e-mail to Mr. Hannity explaining to him that he did not have the facts, that it was entirely wrong and I ended it with saying something to the effect of ‘Shame on you, Mr. Hannity ... what you accuse the far left of doing you are now doing' ... “
Vick said she was a fan of the nightly program Hannity & Colmes on the Fox News Channel “ ... and I was actually hoping that we would receive a response because I do know that (Council member) Larry Sinagoga sent an e-mail. The City Manager sent an e-mail,” she said, “and I was really hoping we'd have some kind of response by now but we have not as far as I know.”
Fox bills itself as “Fair and Balanced,” Vick said. “It was not fair and it was not balanced.”
Vick asked how Reid could benefit financially “ ... when we haven't even picked out a site.”
In other council business, a public hearing will address possible approval to transfer $3.6 million from the General Fund Contingency to complete the East/West Corridor project.
There will be a discussion during a public hearing to consider forming a Youth Advisory Commission, to highlight the concerns of the city's young people regarding certain issues that come before the council.
Quarterly reports will be given by Mike Conner, president and CEO of the Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce and Richard Adams, Bullhead Regional Economic Development Authority director.
Bullhead City Hall is located at 1255 Marina Blvd.
Speaking for myself, if I actually had a say in the matter I would absolutely vote for the total 100% elimination of these Congressional "earmarks". If some area really has infrastructure needs that can't be met with local funds, let the Representatives make their case to Congress and the President, separate and apart from other legislation.
The problem with this system that's developed is that one man's desperately needed bridge is another man's pork barrel project. What are the objective criteria that we use to tell which is which? There really aren't any, and thus it inevitably devolves into a game: a race to the bottom to see who can successfully grab the most from the pig trough.
I'm just asking a question because it's not clear to me:
Federal funds, or not?
I'm not arguing the point. Just asking.
If you want to advance the debate, take your digital camera out there today and take pictures showing the gridlock, to prove that the Hannity show filmed it at a "bad time".
We all feed at the government trouth.
Will you take a child credit on your taxes? A home stead credit? Credit for rent? Will you invest in tax-free investments? Will you skim if you are a business owner? Will you apply for low interest student loans guaranteed by the federal government? Do you take the 'entitled' exemption for having children or dependents in your household? The list goes on and on. Are these not feeding at the trouth and unfair to those who cannot qualify? Some know or have lawyers help them do it best and to their advantage but it is still feeding on the tax dollars of others who may not have the resources or fit a special status. I just fail to understand how these loopholes can be ignored by those who are so pompous as to believe they pay their fair share and damn those who receive some type of assistance.
What is it we want from our government anyway? Or is it not all 'personal' interest as I stated in the previous post?
Norm Dicks, WA State Democrat, bragged to the newspapers that he has obtained 18 million dollars to rebuild roads at MT Raineer National Park. He said that he was using unclaimed money in the transportation bill, so it would not require a vote.
Look let AZ and NV build the bridge, no one stopping them... their the one that will befits from it....the rest of us won't...it not like AZ and NV don't have the money/tax base
I need a house. And I need a car. And I don't think I should have to go into hoc for 30 years to pay for it. After all, I'm conservative.
Hannity has to mention every cotton pickin' item of pork to talk about one? Tough noogies.
<sarcasm>If it looks like a duck, if it walks like a duck, if it quacks like a duck...IT'S PORK!</sarcasm>
Well said. Hannity was completely in the right place on this one--pork is never justifiable, but it's far worse when it comes from someone who was hounding his opponents on that very issue not so long ago.
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my FoxFan list. *Warning: This can be a high-volume ping list at times.
Thanks for the ping!
I know about the origins of this bridge and why it's located where it's located. Remind me to tell you the next time we talk.
I agree with the "... scrutinize them all ..." and the facts are straight. As when you tell your child not to do something and they respond, "But everyone else is doing it!" it still isn't right.
You are way off. Nevada makes a killing financially off of gambling. They don't need a nickel of federal tax money for any projects that will aid in more gambling. You not accepting that doesn't make it a lie.
Are you suggesting you have the only bridge that consist of gridlock?
The complete highway system in America is deteriorating. Many of the bridge's on the intestate highway have been deemed unsafe.
The money needed for these repairs can't seem to get through congress, why?/because individual congressmen can't get their name attached to the bill.
The congress critters must have the name recognition to assure their reelection.
Here's a little ditty...30 years ago Don Laughlin, who owned the major casino in Laughlin (hence, Laughlin), built the existing bridge himself! I recently read where he said it took one year to build but three years to get through all the bureaucracy. And that was 30 years ago. I will never see this bridge as I don't think I can get through more than one more summer here! :)
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