Mojo can't keep his story straight:Bob Adams, candidate for the State Senate, 16th District, says he is appalled at Gov. Joe Manchin’s grab of $21 million of highway money from Jefferson County to finish a road project in the governor's hometown of Fairmont.
“The governor’s actions are as clear as a coat of cellophane,” said Adams. “The residents of Jefferson County have to ask, is this another payback for not passing table games?”
Adams said it was interesting that while the governor’s spokesperson claimed in the Martinsburg Journal that this decision was made by the Department of Highways, an earlier story in the Fairmont Times reflects the governor taking credit for the relocation of funds.
“It’s clear that even Delegate Wysong has been taken by surprise by this turn of events,” said Adams.
Adams said there are no guarantees that additional funds will be found to finish the Route 9 project, or that the alleged problem with bugs that supposedly halted the Jefferson project can be solved anytime soon.
"There are other pressing funding needs in the Eastern Panhandle,” said Adams. “In reality, this is a blatant money grab by the governor that helps his hometown at the expense of the people of our region.”
In Fairmont, Manchin takes credit; in Jefferson Cty, says it wasn't his decision
Wednesday, June 18, Fairmont Times:
Gov. Joe Manchin said Tuesday he’s going to free up state highway construction dollars to finish the new Gateway Connector highway by 2010. The governor’s action to transfer state funds from other highway projects that have run into delays breaks a funding logjam... “Our goal is to award the last two contracts this year and hopefully get the road finished in 2010,” said Lara Ramsburg, the governor’s communications director.
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Friday, June 20, The (Martinsburg) Journal:
It’s a use-it-or-lose-it situation, Ramsburg said. The $21 million must be allocated for a project before Oct. 1. She said the recommendation for the reallocation came from the Department of Transportation and didn’t originate with the governor’s office.
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