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Guinta: No Federal Funds for Memorial Bridge

by: William Tucker

Thu Sep 16, 2010 at 17:04:56 PM EDT

The Memorial Bridge connects Portsmouth and Kittery, Maine and is the only crossing available for pedestrians and cyclists. It has a life expectancy of only 2 to 5 more years and is at the top of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation's "Red List" of bridges needing repair. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named it one of the nation's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

Monday, in a display of bipartisan unity, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, along with Maine's Sen. Olympia Snowe, Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. Chellie Pingree, sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood expressing their support for a TIGER II federal grant to replace the bridge. (Sen. Judd Gregg sent his letter of support previously).

"The bridge is a necessary and valuable point of crossing for our states and if it is not repaired, marine, vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be disrupted. ... Replacing the Memorial Bridge is critical to maintaining regional economic growth and vitality and preserving an essential crossing between our states."

Frank Guinta expressed his opposition.

Asked about whether he would support earmarks for replacement of the Memorial Bridge, [Guinta] said he's taken "a no-earmark pledge." As such, he said, if a project is not a "federal responsibility, other funds than federal funds are going to have to be found. It's a tough stance, and it doesn't mean the project's not worthy. But the budget is $1.3 trillion out of balance. We have to bring the budget into balance."

Cross-posted to Miscellany Blue
William Tucker :: Guinta: No Federal Funds for Memorial Bridge
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Guinta: No Federal Funds for Memorial Bridge | 8 comments
No Minor Point, 1100+ Jobs (4.00 / 1)

They told LaHood that a replacement project will create 197 on-site jobs and more than 950 estimated jobs would be created, directly or indirectly, by the construction investment.


www.KusterforCongress.com - www.paulhodesforsenate.com

www.nikitsongas.com - www.devalpatrick.com
It's not for Manchester, perhaps? (4.00 / 1)
Maybe he needs to realize he is running for a district-wide office?  
Maybe if we name it the Judd Gregg Bridge? n/t (4.00 / 1)

[ Parent ]
Touche'! (0.00 / 0)


Have you written a letter to the editor today? Have you donated today? Have you put up signs? Have you made calls? Have you talked to your neighbors?
[ Parent ]
As a former mayor, he must know that budgets are (0.00 / 0)
routinely balanced by borrowing for capital expenditures.  So, I ask again, "is the man clueless or feckless?"
Guinta Forgets that he is Running for the House of "Representatives" (4.00 / 2)
I guess we have to assume that Mr. Guinta realizes that he is running for a seat in the House of Representatives, the section of government designed to give the people representation with the Federal Government.

Maybe Mr. Guinta doesn't realize that the job he is trying so hard to get requires him to represent the best interests of his constituents which among other things, requires him to work to secure federal funding for the Memorial Bridge project.  

If he really doesn't understand his role perhaps those of us who support Carol Shea Porter might want to remind him.

Earmarks have been a way of life for a long time and regardless of the political rhetoric they will remain.  Obviously all Members of Congress need to ensure that earmarks are meant to support good projects but to argue against all earmarks is to hurt the people who put a candidate in office.  This makes a good reason to vote for Carol Shea Porter so that she can continue to represent the people of New Hampshire's First Congressional District.

Ain't No Bridge To Nowhere (4.00 / 1)
You're right, Professor.  I guess no one in Portsmouth will vote for him, since he doesn't mind if our bridge rusts away.  Former Mayor Eileen Foley dedicated that bridge when she was six.  And it ain't no bridge to nowhere -- it connects our Downtown to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Kittery's Downtown.  Of course, why would Frank Guinta know that.  But Carol Shea-Porter sure does. She's our "representative" in Congress, true and through.  
[ Parent ]
State representative Frank Guinta,,, (4.00 / 1)
During his term in the NH House (he was reelected in 2002 but he resigned immediately to take a job as Jeb's taxpayer paid driver)Frank was a complete non-entity. I do not recall Frank giving a single speech, introducing legislation or participating in a meaningful way, sort of like his aldermanic record. Of course we all remember how he was the least visible in the city of any mayor in decades, I guess he was too busy breaking his promises to attend community functions.

I am anxious to see how much is in yet another forgotten bank account...

Have you written a letter to the editor today? Have you donated today? Have you put up signs? Have you made calls? Have you talked to your neighbors?

[ Parent ]
Guinta: No Federal Funds for Memorial Bridge | 8 comments

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