Local News
McConnell proposes more depot funding
An extra $5 million was added Tuesday to the chemical weapons destruction project at the Blue Grass Army Depot after the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee accepted a request from U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.
This money would bring the project’s total funding to $552.8 million for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
The $552.8 million total for 2010, if it is approved, will be the largest amount of funds in any fiscal year dedicated to disposing of the chemical weapons in Kentucky and Colorado.
The House and Senate versions of the bill must be made into one and voted on by both chambers, then sent to the president for final approval and signature.
“For years, the people of Madison County have lived near stockpiles of dangerous chemical weapons — and these weapons are a major threat to the community,” McConnell said. “The additional funds support the higher budget level secretary Gates recognized was critically important at my urging earlier this year.”
The additional funding sends the message that the weapons may be destroyed by the 2021 deadline, according to Craig Williams, director of the Berea-based Chemical Weapons Working Group.
“I think this is another positive sign that we are continuing to move in the right direction,” Williams said. “Hopefully, the pattern will continue so that we can shorten the schedule.”
Last month, the Kentucky Citizens Advisory Board was told that increased funding over the long haul would cut six years off the completion date, from 2027 to 2021, and possibly more depending on the steadiness of funding, construction rates and other considerations.
In 2005, the Kentucky chemical weapons stockpile was placed on “caretaker status” with only $33 million being requested by the Pentagon for it and Colorado — enough to secure the munitions, but virtually nothing for disposal efforts.
“This latest increase is further proof that the Congress understands the need to provide adequate funding for this project. It is particularly encouraging in these tight financial times to see this program getting the attention and dollars it deserves,” Williams said.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@ richmondregister.com or 624-6608.
- Local News
-
- Hanging violence out to dry A powerful message will be strung across Eastern Kentucky University’s campus next week, and students are working hard to put a personal touch on the efforts.
- Closed hearing in RPD case conducted Thursday Madison Circuit Judge William G. Clouse conducted a closed-door hearing Thursday afternoon in the case of three Richmond police officers accused of influencing the statements of a witness.
- Two arrested in home invasion Wednesday Richmond police arrested two people following a violent home invasion Wednesday morning on Oldham Avenue.
- Berea a finalist for new plant Berea is one of three cities in the running for an industrial plant that would employ 100 to 200 people at wages comparable to that paid by employers already in the city’s industrial park, Tom McCay, Berea’s economic development director, told the city council Tuesday night.
- City likely to face $2.1 million deficit At the end of this fiscal year, the city of Richmond likely will face a $2.1 million deficit in its budget.
- Man publishes novel about ancestor who was slave in Madison County Larry Hamilton was a high school history teacher in Piqua, Ohio, in 1975, when he took a a group of students to hear a talk by Alex Haley, author of the best-selling book “Roots.”
- Berea College student accused of child abuse A grand jury will consider a first-degree criminal abuse charge against a Berea College student accused of injuring his 6-week-old daughter.
- Local soldiers leaving for war More than 100 members of the Army National Guard’s 2123rd Transportation Company unit, based in Richmond, will leave Fort Dix, N.J., later this month for a one-year tour of duty in Afghanistan.
- Man indicted in cross-dressing robberies A cross-dressing robber who allegedly struck businesses and a bank in Richmond, Berea and Danville was indicted Wednesday by a Madison County grand jury.
- Our Web site is experiencing technical difficulties, please check back later
- More Local News Headlines
