'Securing' Funds?
C-J Editorial
The U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development and its Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives have some explaining to do. So do a former officeholder, city officials and church folks. Here's why:
Between 2001 and 2004, the Shiloh Baptist Community Renewal Center received HUD grants totaling almost $1.3 million (courtesy of earmarks by then-Rep. Anne Northup) to turn the old Maupin Elementary School into affordable housing for senior citizens. But after seven years and $2 million (the city also put up money -- a forgivable loan to help buy the building, and a community development block grant for a new roof and elevator), the project is an embarrassment.
As reported by Steve Burgin on WLKY-TV, "That old public school remains a boarded-up eyesore."
Economic development director Bruce Traughber says the city did its part but has worried "a long time" about others not following through. He suggested asking HUD and the church what happened. Rev. Henry Humphrey cited "unexpected expenses" but said some funds were used to shore up Shiloh's day care. Rev. Humphrey explained, "Every time we looked around, we was spending money somewhere that wasn't part of the plan."
Meanwhile, federal investigators are trying to find out what happened to more money earmarked by Ms. Northup -- $694,000 that was supposed to create a center to help schools boost achievement. Little is known about such a center, so far, and no documents have suggested any grant-related research was conducted in Kentucky. The Courier-Journal has learned that (1) three checks totaling $450,000 were deposited in a Louisville bank and (2) the education dean who was supposed to oversee the grant never filed financial disclosure forms that are supposed to show possible conflicts of interest.
The public is learning dribs and drabs about this embarrassment at the University of Louisville, as the federal probe proceeds.
Asked back in 2004 about "earmarks," with which members of Congress "secure" funds, Northup chief of staff Terry Carmack said it was Louisville's good fortune that she was positioned on the appropriations committee. "It's the way it works now," he explained, "and the way it's worked in the past, and the way it's going to work for the foreseeable future."
Given what has come to light so far about the Shiloh project and the U of L mess, one certainly hopes not.
8/9/2008
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