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Warren County to Obama: Keep your ‘filthy money’

Connie Powers steps off a Warren County Transit bus at her home in Warren County. Powers has been using the busses since 1992 after she went blind.

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By Marie Rossiter, Staff Writer Updated 3:37 PM Wednesday, April 22, 2009

LEBANON — Warren County is saying “no thank you” to federal stimulus funds.

The county is the only one in the state that has rejected stimulus money for transportation improvements, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Commissioners rejected $373,000 in stimulus money to buy three new transit buses and upgrade their fleet, citing their opposition of deficit spending for buses and vans.

“I’ll let Warren County go broke before taking any of Obama’s filthy money,” Commissioner Mike Kilburn said.

ODOT spokesman Scott Varner said the money was specifically for transit improvements in rural areas to improve transportation for disabled people, seniors and others needing access to health care and educational opportunities.

"I'm tired of paying for people who don't have," Kilburn said. "As Reagan said, 'Government is not the answer, it's the problem.'"

County Administrator Dave Gully said the Ohio Department of Transportation sent the county a letter saying it was eligible for the money, but the commissioners decided not to apply for the funds.

"It was an act of omission, rather than rejection," Gully said.

"About $180 million was allocated for this," Varner said.

"We had hoped to share those dollars with all counties, but Warren County has decided against it."

Commissioner David Young said the commissioners also are looking for a way to give back $1.8 million in stimulus money allocated for energy efficient windows and roofs on government buildings.

"We are working with the prosecutor's office to find a way for us to give back the money and make sure that no one else spends it," Young said.

"We want to make clear that we are saying 'no, thank you' to spending this money and we are reducing the $787 billion being spent by $1.8 million."

Gully said there is still a possibility the money could be used for efficiency improvements as part of the county courthouse expansion project, but a final decision has not been made.

Young said while the conservative board of commissioners is against the $787 billion stimulus package, even they might support using funds for larger infrastructure projects.

"I understand the federal government should be doing some spending in a down economy," said Young.

"But, it should be on big projects like highway improvements. We might not like deficit spending, but at least we could live with it if the funds were being used for those things. To use it for vans? That's crazy."

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Its a march against the federal government and the corporate cartel whom have over the past 100 years destroyed our soviegntry, our liberties, our economy, our courts, as well as the great American dream... We don't need the federal government our four fathers told us time and time again that big government will only surpress the people and choke its economy.... I personally as a used to be middle class but now poor man hail Commissioner Mike Kilburn for his actions.. Stand TALL Mike!!!!

Dale
10:30 AM, 12/14/2009

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Reagan: "Government is not the answer, it's the problem".
Thank you Mike Kilburn for pointing out that Reagan was a PART OF THE PROBLEM!!! You may go now.

Breck
2:14 PM, 6/16/2009

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Rachel, I do not lump the 2 together. I feel that better budgeting is the answer, not the tax payers flipping the tab for all. I feel the elderly & vets should be 1st to get the help they need/deserve. I see 1st hand welfare bums stand in line to cash their cks, yes, it angers me. But, make no mistake I care deeply for old folks and have devoted myself to them more than you know.

Josie
4:41 PM, 5/11/2009

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Impeach or recall Kilburn. Do it now.

PaulM
2:59 PM, 5/5/2009

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Josie, why is it that conservatives such as yourself lump the elderly and disabled in with people "wanting handouts" and welfare??? How do vans to get people who need help to medical appointments, etc. conjur up visions of lazy people who are stealing money from others?

Rachel
9:48 AM, 5/1/2009

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