As published on the City of Coral Gables website. I thought that all of the Republicans, including Congresswoman Illeana Ros-Lehtinen, voted against the Obama Administration economic recovery package!
City of Coral Gables to Receive $642,500 in Federal Funds
Two major improvement projects in the City of Coral Gables will be funded this year, thanks to federal government dollars recently approved by Congress and the President.
“This is great news for the Coral Gables community,” says Mayor Don Slesnick, who recently returned from the National League of Cities’ annual Congressional Conference. “This local government welcomes funding support from the state or federal level to fulfill the needs and priorities of our infrastructure and maintenance of our quality of life. These federal funds will definitely help us achieve that.” Coral Gables, which is part of Florida’s 18th Congressional District represented by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, will receive $500,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements and $142,500 for the construction of pedestrian bridges.
“It is a true blessing whenever we can get federal dollars to South Florida because the reality is that without federal assistance, projects can be delayed or scrapped all together,” says Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. “The City of Coral Gables is a great example of the many good things achieved when local and federal officials come together and cooperate for the greater good of the community they represent. I look forward to continue working with local officials so that we may get a bigger share of the federal pie.”
The $500,000 federal funding will be used to make the mandatory improvements to the City’s sewer infrastructure. The repairs involve the replacement of several miles of large diameter force main with additional repairs to the City’s pumping stations. The improvements to the wastewater infrastructure are necessary for the preservation of the City’s public health and aesthetic beauty.
The $142,500 federal funding will be used to build pedestrian bridges next to the Hardee, Granada and Maynada bridges where vehicular traffic has created safety concerns for crossing pedestrians and cyclists. These new bridges will allow for more efficient and safer traffic flow throughout the City. Improved pedestrian safety along busy roadways in the City of Coral Gables will also benefit from this project.
In effect, she voted against the bill, but took credit for it in Coral Gables. Another question–Why would the Government of Coral Gables participate in these political cosmetics?
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen told the state’s mayors visiting DC last week that “just because you vote no, doesn’t mean you don’t get the money. We will fight like tigers for us to get our share.”
Democrats called the statement “hypocrisy at its worst.
“If Rep. Ros-Lehtinen meant what she said, she would have voted for economic recovery,” said Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokeswoman Jessica Santillo. “Instead she voted against cutting taxes, investing in local business and strengthening Florida infrastructure and somehow thinks she can still take credit for the projects back home.”
Coral Gables Watch 