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Larson 'optimistic' about youth center funding; stumps for local Democrats
By:Kimberly Phillips, Journal Inquirer
10/29/2007MANCHESTER - Partial funding for the proposed Spruce Street youth center continues to wend through Congress, but U.S. Rep. John B. Larson said Saturday that he's optimistic it'll head to the president for approval by Veterans Day.
"It looks extraordinarily good for Spruce Street," Larson, who was in town stumping for local Democratic candidates, said during a press conference at Nathan Hale Elementary School
The Labor Department budget, which contains $200,000 for the center, has passed the House of Representatives and likely will be called for a vote in the Senate by Nov. 12, Larson, D-1st District, said. After that, President Bush must give his approval.
While the funding is only a fraction of what's needed to turn the former Spruce Street firehouse into a youth center for 9- to 12-year-olds, Larson said Manchester wouldn't have seen any money for the project if it weren't for lobbying efforts by local Democrats.
"It's vitally important your leaders are down there making sure your leaders get the message," Larson said, referencing local Democrats' biennial attendance at National League of Cities conferences that provide opportunities to meet with congressional members.
Democrats most recently sent three members to a conference in March, following criticism from Republicans, who sent one member this spring.
During that week in Washington, Manchester's delegation met with Larson and other congressional members to stump for the $1.2 million youth center project and others, including a planned regionalemergency operations center. Funding for the latter, some $500,000, also is in the
approval process."
I believe, as directors, you have to go to Washington," Larson said, adding that many federal issues, including the No Child Left Behind law, affect local taxpayers.
In the case of that law, for instance, not enough federal funding is provided so municipalities must fund the difference: "Whether you go to Hartford or Washington, it makes good sense," Larson said.
He also acknowledged that local leaders - he started his political career on the East Hartford Board of Education - carry out most of the grunt work in bringing projects to fruition. "The toughest work is at the local level. That's where you're most held accountable by the citizens you represent."
Several residents at Saturday's press conference aired concerns about putting the youth center in the former firehouse, when, they suggested, the Cheney building on the Bennet Middle School campus might be a better location.
Larson assured them language in the funding bill "will provide the flexibility the community needs."
Democratic candidate David M. Sheridan - who attended the press conference along with director candidates Jason E. Doucette, Lisa Paggioli O'Neill, John D. Topping, and Kevin L. Zingler, and school board candidate Geoffrey R. Luxenberg - said Larson is one of the few in Washington who knows what's going on at home.
"You don't go to lobby John Larson, he knows the issues in your town," Sheridan said. "We are extremely fortunate in Manchester that we have John Larson, a friend and congressman, in Washington."
