Remote Murtha airport lands big bucks from Washington

CNN ^ | April 23, 2009 | Jim Acosta and Janet Rodriguez

[jazusamo]

JOHNSTOWN, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- Located outside a small Pennsylvania city, John Murtha airport may not see many passengers. But it's seen plenty of arrivals of tax dollars from Washington, most recently economic stimulus funds.

 

The airport offers three commercial flights. In between the arrivals and departures, airport officials admit there are few faces around the facility.

"When the flights are coming in, there are people. Other than that, it's empty," said Scott Voelker, manager of the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport.

But one face is everywhere. Rep. John Murtha, the airport's namesake, is hard to miss.

Considered one of "the kings of pork" on Capitol Hill by taxpayer watchdog groups, the 19th-term Pennsylvania Democrat has piloted almost $200 million from Washington to Murtha airport. Much of the funding has come in the form of legislative earmarks that are attached to bills before Congress.

Taxpayer watchdogs have said earmarks -- often derided as "pork-barrel" spending -- are designed to fund congressional pet projects.

"[Murtha's] dumped in nearly $200 million into this project that has virtually no passengers. It's practically a museum piece," said Steve Ellis with the Taxpayers for Common Sense. Watch why critics say the airport is wasteful »

 

 

[jazusamo]

Good 2 1/2 minute video.

Murtha declined CNN's request for an interview. His staff issued a statement saying Murtha airport is vital infrastructure designed to "attract additional business" to the Johnstown area.

[jazusamo]

Murtha Watch Ping!

Code Pinkos

To be added to the Murtha Watch ping list please notify myself or RedRover.

[americanophile]

Murtha is damn pimp and a disgrace...who the hell lives in his district, are they all blood relatives or on the payroll? I cannot believe they keep sending this man to Washington.

[Cheetahcat]

AaahhI see Murthas Airport to nowhere! where does Zero and the lefties stand on this.

[jazusamo]

It seems of late the Dems (Obama, Reid, Pelosi and other leaders) have distanced themselves from Murtha. Some of the MSM have been coming down hard on him over the fed investigations of PMA and earmarks for their companies in return for campaign donations (pay to play).

[NoDRodee]

If I ever fly into that airport I will make sure I miss the urinal and piss on the floor

[colorado tanker]

Yep. If CNN is running a critical piece, that means the libs have decided to throw him under the bus.

[Wolfie]

Psssst. That’s why they keep electing him.

[lilylangtree]

Yep, I’ve forwarded this travesty to non-freepers who’ll help spread the word. Murtha is the one that should have gone on trial a long time ago along with Kleagle Byrd.

[jazusamo]

Exactly...And Sharyl Attkisson at CBS has run two pieces on him, Here and Here.

[jazusamo]

Yep, your right but we’re going to keep trying to retire Fat Jack.

[17th Miss Regt]

It might be fun to start a local proposal to rename the airport “Chessani-Sharatt-Wuterich Memorial Airport”.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for helping spread the word. He should still be in a federal prison for his ABSCAM caper but the RATS covered for him.

[jazusamo]

That would be appropriate, especially because the Sharratt family lives in his district.

I’d like to see the look on his face when he found out if a petition was started.

[smoothsailing]

Murtha Earmarks $3B for Johnstown Deep-Water Port

[jazusamo]

LOL! Glad you linked that.

[colorado tanker]

LOL! That’s a good one!

[Cheetahcat]

“It seems of late the Dems (Obama, Reid, Pelosi and other leaders) have distanced themselves from Murtha. Some of the MSM have been coming down hard on him over the fed investigations of PMA and earmarks for their companies in return for campaign donations (pay to play).”

I Have Kin in Western Pa and they are very Solid Americans and how this Lunatic gets a pass every term is beyond me, when the heat comes the Rats will scatter and Squeal on each other.

[smoothsailing]

[smoothsailing]

You've heard of the Bridge to Nowhere, Welcome to the Airport for Nobody