Montana Week in Review
Jan 23rd, 2009 by Kirsten
Posting from: Philipsburg, MT
Weather
For the last several days it has been sunny, clear and relatively warm with highs in the upper 30s to lower and mid 40s. However, it appears that winter is returning today. There was actual snow falling this morning as I was walking my dog in the park.
News
The big news of the last couple of weeks for me comes from my small town in Montana. Our local paper is not online, so I will post a few quotes (transcribed by me) here.
From the Philipsburg Mail, “Stimulus bill could offer P-burg funds,” 15 January 2009, Issue 2, Year 122, p. 1:
The administration of Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer has compiled a wish list of infrastructure projects at the request of the National Governors Association, totalling [sic] more than $3 billion and employing an estimated 108,000 workers.
Included in that mix: Philipsburg’s proposed wastewater treatment plant, $5.1 million, projected to employ 90 to 120 workers for three to four months; an additional $2 million for phase two of that project, estimated to employ 39 people for one or two months; a sludge removal project at the town’s existing sewage lagoons, pegged at $700,000 with a dozen workers completing the work in less than one month; and its water meter installation project (which is in the process of being rebid), pegged at $596,000 and estimated by the state to require 10 people less than a month- figures that don’t necessarily square with town estimates.
Town Councilman Andy Lochridge told the council at their last meeting that the news- if it actually leads to real funding from the federal government through the states- provides a welcome change of news for local residents.
“I think it’s important for the people of Philipsburg to be in touch with the Congressional delegation,” Lochridge said. “This is a huge opportunity for the town here.”
He found out about the list from Sen. John Tester’s office when contacting members of the congressional delegation. And while there is no money in the pipeline yet, and no guarantees Philipsburg’s projects will ultimately make the cut, it’s encouraging to see its projects included for possible federal funding, Lochridge said.
“I was astounded by the response I got from Tester’s office, how good things looked for us,” he said, adding, “This is not a done deal by any means. This is contingent on the stimulus bill package and how the state determines its priorities.”
Still, the stimulus package offers hope for communities like Philipsburg that have serious infrastructure needs but little money to pay for those projects, he said.
“If you want to bail out Wall Street, you have to bail out Main Street first,” Lochridge said. “Because as long as Main Street’s doing okay, Wall Street will do just fine.”
What is notable about this is that Councilman Andy Lochridge who is quoted in this article in favor of our town sucking at the government tit used to present himself as being pro-freedom/anti-free lunch at taxpayers’ expense. I have heard, but not been able to confirm, that he is now passing himself off as a Republican (the kind that doesn’t mind soaking the taxpayers, I guess). Disappointing, if not terribly surprising. I consider him yet another reason why I WILL NOT VOTE FOR ANY CANDIDATE EVER. PERIOD.
Legislature Should Get Real (Time Energy Pricing)
Wind energy is a big topic in Montana this legislative session. While wind energy sounds cool and sexy, Pete Geddes of the Foundation for Research on Economics and the Environment in Bozeman argues that real-time energy pricing with higher prices during peak hours and lower prices during off hours is both a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative. Instead of building expensive infrastructure, this system simply makes more efficient use of existing equipment by encouraging customers to take advantage of lower prices at off-peak hours for things like running dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, etc.
Montana Picture of the Week
Sunset over Lake Helena:
