Alexander, Duncan pleased with unity in funding requests

EDITORIAL STAFF

THE DAILY TIMES

AUGUST 23, 2005

Unity in goals and objectives has been paying off for Blount County in recent years.

For many years the local entities - the cities and the county - often went in different directions when seeking state and federal help on projects.

In the last few years a more unified approach from local leaders in all entities has resulted in a better response from the state in building and improving state roads within the county.

Monday, U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander and U.S. Representative John J. ``Jimmy'' Duncan visited The Daily Times and expressed their appreciation for how the cities and the county have worked together on projects.

And that unity has produced this community a goodly share of federal funding. The two have combined to obtain $28 million in federal transportation funding for Blount County in recent days.

Sen. Alexander suggested that seeking the designation of a National Heritage Area could be helpful in obtaining future federal funding for some Blount County projects.

Local leaders are considering seeking such a designation. National Heritage Areas are federally designated areas that have important historical, cultural, recreational and natural significance.

Alexander tossed out a possible name such as Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Highway for the U.S. 321 approach to the Townsend entrance to the national park.

Duncan and Alexander secured federal funding for Foothills Parkway, a civic arts center at Maryville College, Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center at Townsend, and a greenway pedestrian bridge across the U.S. 129 By-pass in Alcoa.

In federal funding, there have always been bills which the members of Congress use for what are commonly referred to as ``pork barrel'' projects by those not receiving the benefits. Currently, the transportation bill has provided funds for many local projects across the nation that meet the proper definitions within the bill.

In the days of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, such projects were financed through numerous other types of aid or work programs. Resentment locally was so high to that type of funding at the time that some local governments in Blount County refused to apply for the funds.

Whether we like the method used or not, it is the only way we have of getting back our fair share of the federal taxes we pay.

And such funding cannot be obtained by just support in either the House or the Senate. Someone must carry the ball in both houses. Senator Alexander and Representative Duncan work well together and are serving our community extremely well.

We commend them both for their efforts and achievements.