Posted on 06/23/2009 10:07:01 AM PDT by jazusamo
Seattle Congressman Jim McDermott doubts his own request for a $250,000 earmark of federal funds to pay for renovations at the exclusive Rainier Club will win approval in Congress.
While descending a tiled staircase into The Rainier Club lobby, U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott said Monday he doubts his request for a $250,000 earmark to cover renovations at the exclusive downtown Seattle club will win approval from federal lawmakers.
"Given what's going on in the country these days, it seems unlikely to me," the Seattle Democrat said, amid a backdrop of fine artwork and antique furniture. "I'm not going to say definitively they won't. That's just my opinion."
McDermott's remarks came after a luncheon at The Rainier Club, one of Seattle's oldest private clubs, which counts among its 1,200 members some of the region's most prominent residents.
The Rainier Club project is among more than 100 requests for federal earmarks that McDermott's office submitted to the House Appropriations Committee in early April. The money would help the club repair eroding limestone windowsills at its historic, five-story brick building on Fourth Avenue.
The earmark — which, if approved, would garner money out of the existing "Save America's Treasures" program for historic-preservation projects — seeks to match $250,000 raised by club members to cover the $500,000 project.
Club officials, who say they have exhausted other grant and fundraising options, say the renovations are of legitimate and immediate need: Windowsill erosion problems threaten structural supports within the building, parts of which date to 1904.
Recognized by the city and state as a historic landmark, the club doesn't qualify for other money because it's not deemed "nationally significant," a requirement for most historical-preservation grants.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
Baghdad Jim is mistaken. The front page article in the Seattle Times yesterday has 366 comments and the majority are very critical of him.
Dems - yeah...party of the little guy....sure.
“U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott said Monday he doubts his request for a $250,000 earmark to cover renovations at the exclusive downtown Seattle club will win approval from federal lawmakers.”
McDermott, you pile of whack left crap! You and your liberal buddies can go sit on a street corner in Capitol Hill for all I care!
The John Murtha of the west coast. Egads!
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