| COMMENT Bob Weaver
Calhoun County is receiving $19,500 in Community Partnership Grants for 2010-11 totaling $19,500, according to Delegate David Walker.
Upper West Fork Park, $4,000; Upper West Fork VFD $2,500; Arnoldsburg VFD, $2,000, Grantsville VFD $2,000; Calhoun Sheriff's Department $3,000; Mount Zion Community Park $6,000.
Since the court-ordered demise of the pork-driven Budget Digest, the county has received less and less funding for special needs.
The county was essentially at the end of the food chain with the old Budget Digest, which was used by powerful state house politicians to funnel money to their districts, sometimes to the tune of millions of dollars.
During a good year, under the old Digest, Calhoun might have received $150,000-$200,000 for special projects.
Former House Finance Chairman Harold Michael (Democrat-Hardy) funneled millions of dollars to his rural county for everything from hunting clubs and cemeteries to creating an under-used community college and numerous community centers.
House Speaker Bob Kiss (Democrat-Raleigh) said that's what members do when they have tenure. They're suppose to bring home the bacon to their district.
Michael, who is still a delegate, has his name everywhere. "Just like Bob Byrd," said Kiss. It's on street signs, plaques, schools, playgrounds and community buildings.
Kiss said Michael did nothing illegal or unethical.
Now, without the Budget Digest, there are fewer discretionary dollars being "porked-around," but when they are, they will not likely be sprinkled on rural counties.
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