A couple of recent news articles have mentioned that my fine county is getting in line for stimulus funding in an effort to put people to work NOW. This article on Tribtown.com, states that Jackson County Water Utility (which is my service provider since I live outside of C’ville), is one company that hopes to receive a piece of the stimulus pie. Recently, on two separate occasions, I turned on the faucet and had ZERO water come out. I know there are upgrades that simply must be made. I also know rates were increased citing the need for those upgrades.
“We were already in the process of bidding this out, and we were going to do these projects anyway,” Baker (general manager of Jackson Water Utility) said. So tell me — how is this use of stimulus funding acting as an incentive — a job stimulus? It was going to be done anyway! So I pay the increased rate to improve public health through improved water quality — and then, taxpayers (should the preliminary approval be confirmed) pay in order that the same company receive 3.479 million as an interest free loan to do the same thing.
In a separate article, the Tribune reported that, “The Indiana Department of Transportation has moved to identify 30 projects valued at $44.5 million that may be paid for through federal stimulus package funds.” Seems as if US 31, Indiana 56 and 250 are going to get some concrete patching and preventive maintenance if Congress approves the economic recovery act. Bidding started yesterday and sealed bids are to be opened on February 27th and awarded to the lowest bidder. Yippee! Road patching! I can’t wait to see which Jackson County, Indiana company gets the bid. A Jackson County company WILL get it — right?