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St. Pete Mayor Says City Needs Share of Stimulus Money

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Peter Bernard

Published: March 19, 2009

Mayor Rick Baker today announced an initiative to coordinate the city's efforts to get its share of the federal stimulus monies that are available.

Acknowledging the controversy surrounding the stimulus, Baker said the federal government is going to spend the money anyway, and St. Petersburg deserves some of it.

The city has set up a Web site, www.stpeterecovery.org, with answers to questions about the stimulus package and how it might benefit St. Petersburg.

Among the projects for which city officials will seek funding, according to Baker, are:

Improvements to transportation infrastructure, including U.S. Highway 19

Housing for homeless people

Education

Public safety

Health and human services

The mayor also said the city could use some of the money to forgive liens or money owed to the city for code violations.

Deadlines to apply for federal grants are approaching fast. The city will consider suggestions from residents and invites all interested parties to a public forum on March 31 to discuss possible uses for stimulus money.

The mayor said he intends to keep records surrounding the stimulus open and available to the public.

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