Anniston Star
October 12, 2002

Shelby inches closer to securing funds for Calhoun Commission

By Jason Landers
Star Staff Writer

In the name of chemical demilitarization, U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby is close to procuring $10 million for the Calhoun County Commission to spend as it sees fit - so long as it pays for improvements to schools, roads, bridges, or law enforcement and fire services.

The money is part of the 2003 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill that passed conference committee Thursday. The joint committee is the final hurdle for a bill before the House and Senate vote on it and it goes to the White House for the president's signature.

Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, had pushed for the funding and "got exactly what he asked for," said
Andrea Andrews, spokeswoman for the senator.

Andrews said if the bill passes and the president signs it, the federal government will send the money to the state Emergency Management Agency, which in turn will forward it to the county commission.

"I am very pleased the committee has agreed to include $10 million for the Calhoun County Commission to improve schools, roads, bridges, law enforcement and fire services equipment," Shelby said in a press release.

The senator was quoted in the press release as saying he is concerned with the Army's commitment to emergency preparedness at the Anniston Army Depot and committed to ensuring that all protective measures are implemented before the Army's incinerator begins destroying the chemical weapons stockpiled at the depot.

"This is a way that Richard Shelby sees to help our community," said Commissioner Eli Henderson.

Henderson said portions of the federal money could fund resurfacing projects at Bynum Leatherwood Road and Mudd Street -two important evacuation routes from the depot. He also said he hopes a sizeable portion of the money can be spent for redevelopment projects