Officials hope DC trip pays off

By By Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
The cold temperatures didn’t dampen the warm reception Hartselle leaders received in the nation’s capital last week.
Weathering frigid temperatures and three inches of snow, a delegation from Morgan County and Hartselle visited federal leaders last week. The annual trip allows local leaders to present their wish list of projects to congressional representatives.
Tankersley was joined by Hartselle City Council members Tom Chappell, Kenny Thompson and Don Hall, as well as Hartselle Utilities Manager Ferrell Vest, Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce President Susan Hines, Morgan County Economic Development Council President Jeremy Nails and business leader Bob Francis. The group met with Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, Rep. Parker Griffin, D-Alabama, Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama, and representatives from Sen. Jeff Sessions. Sessions was at home attending his mother’s funeral.
Despite the economic downturn, Tankersley said each were confident the country, especially the North Alabama area, would rebound.
All four of the congressmen the local delegation met with voted against President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan. Hartselle has compiled a wish list of items it would like to see funded through the plan, but the city does not know which, if any, of its projects is eligible for federal money.
Tankersley said the city does have one project, putting cameras in police cars, included in this year’s federal budget. Congress is now considering that budget.