Rogers called out over fire station grant, stimulus stance
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:25 am
By CHRIS HARRIS, CJ Staff Writer
Commonwealth Journal
Is Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers encouraging emergency responders to take part in something he doesn’t support?
That’s what one branch of political opposition is accusing Rogers of after the Fifth District Republican recently urged fire departments throughout his part of the state to apply for a new competitive grant program for firehouse improvements.
A release from the congressman’s office at the beginning of the week promoted the Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants program, part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in which Rogers has had a very influential hand over the years. The program provides financial assistance to fire departments to build new fire stations or renovate existing ones, with the goal to improve response capability and better protect the community from fire hazard scenarios.
“Times are tough and local government budgets are tight, but this is one of the few opportunities our rural fire fighters throughout Kentucky have this year to update and repair their firehouses,” said Rogers. “Firefighters are our first responders to the scene of a car accident, wildfire, or chemical spill, and adequate fire facilities improve morale and encourage others to volunteer and serve our region. I want to encourage all of our fire chiefs to try and take full advantage of this unique opportunity.”
Yet the grant program came about as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act — that is, President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan signed into law earlier this year. Rogers voted against the Democratic president’s piece of legislation, as did every other Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives back in January.
So does that make Rogers a political hypocrite? That’s what one Democrat organization is suggesting. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued a press release entitled, “Hypocrisy Alert: Representative Hal Rogers Urges Kentucky Firefighters to Apply for Grant Program That He Voted Against,” challenging Rogers’ position on the matter. .
http://www.somerset-kentucky.com/local/ ... 03328.html
Commonwealth Journal
Is Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers encouraging emergency responders to take part in something he doesn’t support?
That’s what one branch of political opposition is accusing Rogers of after the Fifth District Republican recently urged fire departments throughout his part of the state to apply for a new competitive grant program for firehouse improvements.
A release from the congressman’s office at the beginning of the week promoted the Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants program, part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in which Rogers has had a very influential hand over the years. The program provides financial assistance to fire departments to build new fire stations or renovate existing ones, with the goal to improve response capability and better protect the community from fire hazard scenarios.
“Times are tough and local government budgets are tight, but this is one of the few opportunities our rural fire fighters throughout Kentucky have this year to update and repair their firehouses,” said Rogers. “Firefighters are our first responders to the scene of a car accident, wildfire, or chemical spill, and adequate fire facilities improve morale and encourage others to volunteer and serve our region. I want to encourage all of our fire chiefs to try and take full advantage of this unique opportunity.”
Yet the grant program came about as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act — that is, President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan signed into law earlier this year. Rogers voted against the Democratic president’s piece of legislation, as did every other Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives back in January.
So does that make Rogers a political hypocrite? That’s what one Democrat organization is suggesting. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued a press release entitled, “Hypocrisy Alert: Representative Hal Rogers Urges Kentucky Firefighters to Apply for Grant Program That He Voted Against,” challenging Rogers’ position on the matter. .
http://www.somerset-kentucky.com/local/ ... 03328.html
